2nd AC+: New Village Model

Understanding that older people living with HIV are facing uniques challenges as they age (lack of peer set due to extreme loss during the AIDS epidemic, ongoing HIV and age stigma, high rates of multi-morbidity) this study explores the acceptability and feasibility of implementing the Village Model in Central San Diego.

The Village Model started when several older members of Boston's Beacon Hill realized they were aging and may need more help as they aged to thrive in their own homes. The Village Model involves members of a community paying annual fees to support a village administrator that organizes regular socialization events and helps coordinate needs of individual members using the skill sets of other members within the community. From that first experience a few decades ago, today over 200 Villages exist across the country to enhance the ability of older adults to age in place.

However limitations of this model exists that may threaten the long term implementation and sustainability of the Village Model. Specifically the requirement to pay annual fees for an administrator, the lack of diversity (in age, race, sexuality etc), and difficulty in meeting member's needs in real-time.

This project proposes to pilot the Village Model in Central San Diego and will implement the following adaptions to address limitations. Members will not be required to pay annual fees but instead depend on a well-funded, long-established diverse organization (The San Diego LGBT Center) to serve as the administrator. This Village will allow participation of persons within the community at all ages, race, economic status. Lastly, the project proposes to pilot the acceptability of using a website to display and respond to community needs in real time.

To achieve this, the investigators will 1) perform questionnaires to understand the needs in the community by collecting needs assessments. 2) The investigators will explore the meaning of community and explore barriers and facilitators of Village Model implementation. 3) Lastly the investigators will pilot the Village model using a website.

Inclusion criteria

• Lives in Central San Diego
• Consents to participate
• Willing to sign Village social contract
• No plans to move out of Central San Diego in the next year
• Speaks English

Exclusion criteria

• Severely cognitively impaired as indicated by < 10 on mini mental state examination
• History of a violent felony or fraud in the past 10 years
• Not willing to consent to participation