There's a growing "Aging in Place" movement that got its start with the Beacon Hill Village and now has over a hundred different communities where people have banded together to provide programs and services that allow folks to remain in their homes and in their communities as they get older. This option is very attractive to many people because it can be quite cost-effective but primarily because it allows you to stay in your home in a mixed-age, "real" neighborhood. Check out the Village-to-Village website: http://www.vtvnetwork.org/

We have in our greater Portland area one of the best care programs for seniors I have come across as a nurse and long-time instructor for adult foster care! It is the only PACE program (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)in Oregon and is through Providence which has given it the name, ElderPlace. This program serves people over the age of 55 who have been determined eligible for services as defined by the State of Oregon, and who are able to live in a community setting in the Multnomah County area. To find out other requirements and to determine if someone is eligible for this program, go to www2.providence.org then choose the Portland link (there is also a link to information for the Seattle area) or call 503-215-6556 for more information.

Nice article. I provide assistance with helping seniors choose the best living options in north central Indiana. Lots of great choices available, but I would like to see some small homes here as in other states that are often called board and care homes. We just don't have them here.

In response to Susan above, Mt. Lebanon Village is the first such Village in Western PA. It has been in operation for nearly two years and provides wonderful aging in place services. Please see our website for more information. We are happy to serve any resident of Mt. Lebanon and to help surrounding communities start their own Village.

Consumer Alert!! Before you do a project or repair. Instead of calling a contractor to evaluate your repairs or needs of evaluate the repairs and needs for your home consider this: In Oregon Licensed Home Inspectors are NOT allowed to perform repairs on any houses that they inspect. I am a licensed and State Certified Home Inspector and a portion of my business is home owners and senior citizens. We offer limited scope inspections as well as whole house inspections, and consulting. A few examples of what I have seen is: 1) had a house for a couple in the Beaverton Oregon area that a siding contractor was telling them that they needed new siding to the tune of $20k when after making my evaluation they only needed a paint job, my fee $150.00, a $17k savings for them. 2) Had a house in SE Portland that this senior citizen, living alone was being pressured into replacing her entire roof, I evaluated the roof and determined her roof needed some maintenance and spot repairs only at this time. The roofing contractor wanted $6k, she paid $150 to me and saved about $5500. 3) Had a senior citizen that was being told that her crawlspace needed restoration, removing and replacement of insulation, vapor barrier, etc, due to rats for $6k. I evaluated the crawlspace and determined the repairs to be much less, about, $400, She paid me $150 get my recommendations. ALL THREE of these cases when these consumers told the contractors, they no longer persued or pressured them into their recommendations, however offered to do less for less money. I offer this information as a public awareness and hope that this helps slow down the dishonest contractors through consumer awareness. Please feel free to contact me for further information and any assistance I can provide A2Zhomeinspections.net ccb# 62252 OCHI# 117

surprise, surprise. Not one comment from a californian. There are more retired and elderly in this state than anywhere else. Where are all those services? just curious