Community Options of Greater Cleveland, Ohio: Preliminary Evaluation of a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Program

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Community Options in Greater Cleveland, Ohio, as perceived by its consumers. Community Options is one of a small but growing number of naturally occurring retirement community programs helping residents of apartment buildings or neighborhoods to “age in place” successfully through activity and service access or development. Results of the survey revealed the typical consumer to be an 82-year-old widow who has lived in her apartment building for 12 years. She credits the program with enabling her to “age in place,” link with and assist neighbors, access help when needed, feel better about herself, and have more control over her life.

KEYWORDS:

• “aging in place”
• housing-related services
• resident empowerment
• social interaction among elderly apartment dwellers

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Renee Berry, founder of Community Options, for her assistance in developing this manuscript.