[April 15, 2015]

New Aging-in-Place Model Gives Individuals Peace of Mind for Healthy Aging and Financial Security

Goodwin House at Home, the first program of its kind in the Metro area, and only one of 21 programs in the country, has launched to great local demand. Designed for individuals living in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. who want to plan for aging in place, the program is designed for healthy, active adults 55 and older who want to combine the independence of living at home with the security of life care benefits found in a continuing care community.

"We have been extremely pleased with the response to this program," stated Karen Skeens, executive director of Goodwin House at Home. "Knowing that the majority of individuals in our area want to age on their own terms in their own homes, we created a program that provides outstanding in-home healthcare support along with social and recreational opportunities offered exclusively for our Members."

According to new research conducted by Goodwin House at Home, 77 percent of those 65 and over in the DC metro area want to remain in their home as they age.

Goodwin House at Home is a program of Goodwin House, a faith-based, non-profit organization with two residential properties in Northern Virginia. Goodwin House at Home essentially ensures the same high quality healthcare, social engagement and daily life support as the Goodwin House communities, but in thecomfort of your own home.

Participants pay a one-time membership fee to join the program, followed by a monthly fee. Most of the fees are specifically pre-paid health care costs and therefore may be tax deductible. As care needs increase, the monthly fees do not.

The Goodwin House at Home program accounts for the need to have assistance with activities of daily living and monitoring Member's homes to ensure a safe environment.

"It's like long-term care insurance, but better because it is effective as soon as a member needs help with one activity of daily living," stated Colleen Ryan Mallon, vice president of marketing and mission expansion with Goodwin House. "This is a sound investment, especially in the D.C. Metro area where health care costs are traditionally high. It allows Members to properly plan and protect their financial future."

Services are coordinated by a Resource Manager who meets with the Members on a regularly scheduled basis.

"My role is to develop a meaningful relationship with the Member, understand their desires should they need future care and assist them with developing a personalized plan before any health situation occurs," stated Jeanne Halpin, resource manager for Goodwin House at Home.

In addition to home care services, the Resource Manager will assist members with scheduling services that might be required for the upkeep of their homes, relying on a developed network of referrals from pre-screened preferred providers.

"We signed our membership agreement just before Christmas because we saw Goodwin House at Home as a gift, not only to ourselves but to our children," stated Lissa Reeves, one of the first Members of the program. "It is such a relief to know our Resource Manager will coordinate and manage our future care needs so our children won't have too."

"More than anything, today's health-conscious seniors want choices so that they can be empowered to manage their health and living situation as they age," continued Skeens. "Goodwin House at Home provides a quality solution to those that want to age gracefully in their home with just enough support to make life easier."

For more information on the program, please visit www.goodwinhouse.org.

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