As Americans live longer, healthier lives and technology keeps the elderly better connected, more seniors are putting off moving to care centers and staying put in their golden years. Aging in place has become a trend — so much so that there’s now a National Aging in Place Council, a National Aging in Place Week (next week) and countless public and private groups committed to helping seniors stay at home if they wish to do so.

On Vashon, aging in place comes with its own set of challenges. Many homes are in isolated locations, hospitals aren’t easily accessible, transportation can be tricky, affordable housing options are limited and we lack the population to support significant home-based support services. While the island’s population has remained relatively steady, we are becoming an older community. According U.S. Census results, the median age on Vashon leapt from about 44 in 2000 to 50.2 in 2010. The island is home to a highly regarded residential care center, qualified caregivers, a senior center that offers valuable services and programs and nonprofits that provide social services that benefit seniors. But as baby boomers age, our elderly population grows and more choose to stay in their homes for longer, we imagine the need to support seniors here — especially those with limited means — will only grow.

In 2011, a group of Vashon women who felt that not all island seniors were getting their needs met attempted to organize a solution to help the elderly live in their island homes more easily and ensure no one fell through the cracks. Thanks to the support of the Vashon Senior Center and a generous grant from Granny’s Attic, this important effort will soon be under way.

Aging at home has been found to provide psychological, financial and health benefits, and those who go that route rely less on expensive residential care and government subsidies. We believe the whole community benefits when seniors retain their independence and take care of themselves for as long as they can.

Towns and cities across the country have realized that with a helping hand with some basic tasks, some seniors can stay at home for years longer than they would have otherwise. Helping elders with chores or driving them to an appointment may not be a glamorous volunteer job, but it’s an important one. Thanks to Neighbor to Neighbor, small volunteer efforts can now go far in helping islanders maintain their health and independence. We’re glad islanders are reaching out to a part of our population that can be overlooked, and we hope they find the volunteer base to make their project sustainable.