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With Lexington's over-65 population on the rise, nonprofit wants to create a new kind of 'village'

A Caring Place

A nonprofit that aims to allow more seniors to age at home is seeking city funds to research what it calls a “village” model.

Roxanne Cheney, with the nonprofit A Caring Place told city leaders Tuesday that, if trends continue, Lexington will be home to a much greater percentage of seniors in less than a decade.

"In 2030, just six years from now, those over 65 in Lexington will number 86% more than they did in 2010," she said. "That is significant and that shows that there is an urgency, so we can't defer this decision to wait for a year or two."

That's where the nonprofit's village model comes in. It's not a physical village that would require construction. It's a model for connecting seniors — many living alone — with their neighbors and volunteers, staying social, and coordinating with each other to afford the cost of maintenance and living at home as they age.

The organization is made-up of a hub, and has "spokes" that reach out into various neighborhoods. But in order to see whether the model is a good fit for Lexington, the group is asking for a $150,000 feasibility study.

While the committee sounded amenable to the program, some, including Councilman David Sevigny, wondered aloud whether a study is necessary when the model is already being used in cities across the country.

"My question is, is it better to invest in your program to basically say hey, we need to kick start what you're doing versus study what you're doing?" he asked.

Cheney said those "spokes" of the village model are tailored to the very specific needs of each community, and a study would help the group work more efficiently.

Councilwoman Shayla Lynch said she will be making a formal request for the funding.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.