Livable Communities-the Circle of Caring

The American Society on Aging blog published a post by Mae Carpenter, Colette Phipps, and Debra Finn on Care Circles Are a Step Forward in Giving Back. The post covers what the authors call “Livable Communities Care Circles,” a project by New York’s Westchester Co. Department of Senior Services & Programs (DSPS) and its non-profit, Westchester Public–Private Partnership for Aging Services.  The article describes the project as one “of care, support, and shared lives helps elders to maintain the life they desire in community with others.” The authors emphasize that this project can be replicated elsewhere, explaining that “[a] care circle is composed of a group of interdependent individuals, interacting with each other for a shared purpose, and drawing satisfaction and enrichment from  the experience.”  The article uses a case study to illustrate how the care circle works. The article discusses how the care circles can be effective in overcoming barriers, such as isolation.  There is also “an extensive guide instructing caregivers how to begin and maintain a care circle  (for information on the guide, e-mail cap2@westchestergov.com, or call 914- 813-6441).”