It Takes a Village: Community Practice, Social Work, and Aging-in-Place

Abstract

The US population of older adults will increase significantly in the coming decades. Most of these individuals prefer to age in their homes/communities. However, most communities are not prepared to handle the long-term care needs of an aging population. This article examines one model that communities are using to help older adults age-in-place, the Village. A conceptual lens based in community practice and empowerment theory is offered to explicate this model and critically evaluate social work's role in it. It also presents challenges to social work roles in facilitation and evaluation of the model.

Keywords:

• aging-in-place
• community practice
• empowerment
• intergenerational
• long-term care
• social work practice