Lexington city leaders exploring an expanded "Villages" model.

Lexington city leaders are considering ways to expand in-home care and assistance for seniors and disabled citizens. It centers around the national “villages” model.

The “villages” concept is about neighbors helping neighbors to allow residents to age at home. A Council committee this week heard a presentation about “A Caring Place,” an existing program in Lexington. Board Chair Roxanne Chaney told members there’s an opportunity to spread “A Caring Place” values throughout the city.

“Can you begin to reimagine our town to be a more friendly, less lonely place for our elderly and disabled who would like to age in place,” said Chaney.

Chaney said her organization could act as a hub with the spokes being organized groups of volunteers in many neighborhoods. The Council is being asked to allocate $150,000 for a feasibility study which could also address marketing needs.

Council Member Whitney Baxter said people deserve the dignity to age where they choose to age.

“Anything that we can do to provide care for those that wish to age in place is so very important, just because assisted living facilities and nursing homes are so expensive. Not everybody can afford to do that and not everybody wants to,” said Baxter.

Chaney noted “A Caring Place” has about 150 volunteers and some 100 participants. She added Lexington along with Berea and Paducah have some form of villages program.

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