38°
DARIEN, Conn. More than 3,000 seniors in town are part of one of the fastest growing populations in Darien. To accommodate this ever-growing demographic, Aging in Place and the Gallivant transportation service merged to form one nonprofit organization.
"We thought we would form a service that would provide one-stop shopping for all kinds of needs," said Kaye Barker, president of the new Aging in Place + Gallivant. The merger is going smoothly, and it hired Gina Zarra Blum as the new executive director of the combined entity.
Aging in Place was started three years ago by the Community Fund of Darien after a survey showed that most seniors preferred to live in their homes as they aged but needed help to make that a reality. It spun off into its own organization and has aided more than 700 seniors by referring them to service providers such as handymen, electricians, health programs and grocery shoppers.
Barker said that since Aging in Place has often referred its clients to the Gallivant minivan to provide transportation to doctor's appointments, the supermarket and other destinations, it made sense to combine the two into one group for efficiency. And now the group is looking to expand its operations.
"We're starting some programs such as a meet and greet, where we get seniors out and interacting more with others," Barker said. "One of the biggest things is that seniors not be sitting at home, isolated. Older people need to be reaching out and finding new social activity outside of the house."
It also provides services such as free snow shoveling and leaf raking, as well as social and educational programs, including speakers. It is looking to expand its transportation services to more community events beyond just trips to the doctor and the supermarket.
Do you know a senior who has benefitted from Aging in Place or Gallivant? Tell us what you think of the new merger in the comments below, on Facebook or on Twitter.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Darien and receive free news updates.
