Aging in Place is the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

Falmouth is a wonderful place to live! We have beautiful beaches; 10 sites on the National Register of Historic Places; a race that attracts more than 10,000 runners from around the world; a town district replete with world-renowned scientific research institutions; the Shining Sea Bikeway named in honor of Katharine Lee Bates, author of America the Beautiful; the Commodores, our beloved summer baseball team; a vibrant theater community including the highly regarded College Light Opera Company; one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the East Coast; and more than 2,500 acres of open space replete with walking trails and the opportunity to enjoy Falmouth’s unique environment and beauty.

As well as access to high quality health care; a good school system; excellent public libraries; a widely-read and informative local newspaper; a diverse faith community; dozens of restaurants, from a clam shack to fine dining; and an active and engaged business community.

But, what makes Falmouth special is its caring people and the organizations that enrich the lives of everyone in the community. There must be something in the water!

Before moving to Falmouth more than 20 years ago most of my community-based work was job-related and sporadic. But, within a few months of moving to Falmouth I was volunteering at a family shelter and at the Falmouth Free Clinic.

While dealing with our own age-related issues, my wife Marion and I have regularly volunteered in a number of the organizations and programs that make Falmouth so special. Hopefully we’ve had some impact on the town but our time spent has been a blessing for us and we have never felt so rooted in a community.

I have no idea why so many people in Falmouth offer their time and expertise to the community. Many of these volunteers, and the organizations they support, provide services or programs that make it easier for seniors to remain safely and comfortably in their homes in Falmouth. Some of these include:

Falmouth Senior Center

Located in a beautiful new building on Main Street, the Falmouth Senior Center, a town of Falmouth Department, provides services for residents who are at least 60 years old. Thousands of Falmouth seniors are members of the organization and enjoy an almost dizzying array of programs and activities that promote healthy aging and enhance the quality of life for older residents.

One of the concerns with aging in place is isolation and loneliness. Spending time at the Senior Center is one of the best ways to become socially active and engaged. Not only can you enjoy a homemade bowl of soup with friends, you can get professional services, attend a lecture, participate in an exercise program, play cards or Scrabble, attend a bereavement group, get free tax preparation, learn technology skills, or join a book club. To appreciate the scope of activities and services look at the Center’s 16-page newsletter.

And, the center’s cafe has become one of the more popular weekday lunch options in town!

Falmouth Service Center

With the help of more than 600 volunteers, the Falmouth Service Center, an important lifeline for people in need, provides an array of programs and services, including a food pantry that is available to anyone in need; home delivery of food for seniors and people with disabilities; financial support for residents struggling to pay for basic needs; a fuel assistance program to help heat your home; and help with tax preparation and MassHealth Insurance. For more information and how to obtain services visa the organization’s website: [www.falmouthservicecenter.org](http://www.falmouthservicecenter.org)

Neighborhood Falmouth

In operation since 2009, Neighborhood Falmouth is a community-based non-profit membership organization whose mission is to help seniors live independently, safely, and comfortably at home for as long as is practical by providing support, information and services.

More than 140 volunteers provide rides to medical and other appointments, food shopping, and social and community events; well-being activities such as going for a walk and phone check-ins; social activities including keeping someone company, playing cards, reading, meeting for lunch or bringing in food; home visits to assist with technology or to help organize cabinets, closets, and clothing; and, light home and yard maintenance such as help with trash, smoke detector batteries, moving screens and AC units, yard cleanups, and moving outdoor furniture.

One of the most important features of Neighborhood Falmouth is the close relationships that develop among the hundreds of members, volunteers, families and staff. This creates a strong sense of community which is at the core of the organization’s mission.

This list just scratches the surface. Falmouth has a tradition of neighbor-helping-neighbor and we watch out for each other. Our faith community and organizations and programs such as Falmouth Human Services, the 300 Committee, Belonging To Each Other, VIPS, Meals on Wheels, the Community Health Center, and many others make it possible for the growing number of seniors in Falmouth to age in place.

As I said earlier, there must be something in the water!