The Village to Village Network: A Community-Based Response to Aging in Place

Estate planning and elder law often focus on documents, taxes, and transfers of wealth. But for many clients and their families, the more immediate question is practical: How can an older adult remain safely and meaningfully at home as they age?

One answer comes from the Village Movement, supported nationally by the Village to Village Network (VtVN). These Villages are not retirement communities or care facilities. They are grassroots, membership-based organizations that allow older adults to “age in place” through volunteerism, mutual support, and coordinated services.

Villages vs. Other Models of Aging in Place

The Village concept developed from the Beacon Hill Village in Boston in 2001. Unlike Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)—which often rely on government contracts and agency partnerships—Villages remain member-driven and independent.

Villages do not contract directly with agencies. Instead, they connect members with vetted providers—handymen, companions, money managers, home health aides, gym discounts, and more—all often at reduced costs.^[1]

This distinction matters for elder-law professionals: Villages offer a private, community-based alternative to government-centric service models.

Why Villages Matter in Elder Law

From a legal and planning perspective, Villages address challenges that frequently surface in trusts and estates practice:

• Reducing reliance on formal guardianship: By providing transportation, wellness checks, and tech support, Villages can delay the need for court-supervised intervention.
• Supporting aging-in-place preferences: Villages help make clients’ wishes to remain home realistic.
• Preserving assets: Annual fees are typically under $1,000 and may be adjusted based on financial need—making them a cost-effective alternative to institutional care.^[2]
• Complementing trust administration: When family or fiduciaries are remote, Villages offer predictable, local support structures.

In short, Villages fill the gap between formal care systems and informal caregiving networks.

The Role of the Village to Village Network

The Village to Village Network (VtVN) provides the infrastructure that allows these local Villages to flourish. Today, the movement is more extensive than ever:

• One estimate notes there are now over 300 Villages operating nationwide, with many more in development.^[3]
• Another source reports more than 240 active Villages and over 100 in development across 41 states and Washington, D.C.^[4]
• Meanwhile, VtVN now represents several hundred Villages, serving over 40,000 older adults across 42 states, D.C., and even internationally in Canada and Australia.^[5]

VtVN’s core principles of reciprocity and the intentional sharing of wisdom and best practices make it a powerful ally for communities and professionals alike.^[6]

Key services provided by VtVN include:

• Toolkits for starting a Village
• Conferences and webinars on aging trends
• Mentoring and peer-learning networks
• Discounts on software, background checks, insurance, and more

Connecting Legal Planning and Community Support

When drafting estate plans, lawyers often focus on who will manage finances and how property passes. Villages prompt us to consider one more question:

What supports will keep this person safe, engaged, and connected in their daily life?

Informing clients about Villages demonstrates a holistic approach to elder law—one that is grounded in both policy and human-centered planning.

Finding or Starting a Village

VtVN maintains an interactive Village map to help families locate existing Villages or explore starting one. An “Opportunity Membership” grants access to the Village 101 toolkit, mentorship, and peer networks for communities considering launching their own Village.

Takeaway: The Village Movement empowers older adults to age in place with dignity and support. For elder law practitioners, informing clients about Villages bridges legal planning with the lived experience of independence and community.

For more information, visit www.vtvnetwork.org.

Further Reading

• Village Model Overview
• Membership Benefits
• 2025 National Conference Details