This week Senator Toddy Puller and I sent a letter to Mount Vernon area seniors jointly with Mount Vernon At Home, a local organization dedicated to helping area residents live safely and comfortably in their homes as long as they like. The Mount Vernon area has one of the largest populations of seniors in the Washington Metro area and as our community ages, we are faced with more questions about how best to server their needs.
Mount Vernon At Home is one approach to meeting the needs of area seniors. The organization attempts to provide social programs, transportation and support services to seniors who have decided to 'age in place.' Jeff Reed, Mount Vernon At Home's executive director is working all the time to provide the services and programs area seniors need. You can find more information about Mount Vernon At Home on their website, here.
Additionally, the General Assembly has taken steps to to authorize zoning ordinance exceptions for fully equipped temporary health care structures or “MedCottages” in caregivers’ back yards. These buildings are modular housing units that are attached to an existing home’s utilities, but allow a person who requires health care to remain close to a caregiver, but not require a full addition to a home. I co-sponsored legislation, along with Speak Howell, to provide for such zoning exceptions.
Other members of the General Assembly have proposed other solutions, including real estate tax abatement programs. There are a vast number of possible actions which can be pursued and feedback and suggestions are critical to making progress on the issue. With that in mind, Senator Puller, Mount Vernon At Home and I have put together a survey for area seniors to comment on what issues they are concerned about and ideas about how to meet their needs throughout Mount Vernon. If you would like to take the survey please follow the link below and complete the form. Feedback and comments are critically important on this issue so that we can be effective representatives next year in Richmond.
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