Mount Vernon at Home, a Grass-Roots Social Network for Seniors, Is Finding an Audience

Mount Vernon at Home, one of dozens of grass-roots social networks springing up across the country to help aging people remain in their homes as long as possible, has taken a step closer to launching services for its members by hiring an executive director.

The group has signed Jeff Reed, a former executive at AARP who lives in the Waynewood section of Mount Vernon. Reed said his first priority will be recruiting dues-paying members before the Oct. 1 launch.

"We've got to have a critical mass to be successful," Reed said recently at a reception attended by about 60 people at Hollin Hills home.

Among those attending were several Democratic elected officials, including state Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller (Fairfax) and Dels. Kristen J. Amundsen (Fairfax) and David L. Englin (Alexandria). Fairfax County Democratic Committee Chairman Scott Surovell, who is campaigning to take Amundsen's seat after her recent announcement that she is retiring, was also there.

About 550 people have expressed interest in Mount Vernon at Home, which began organizing in spring 2007 along the lines of Beacon Hill Village in Boston. About 30 have signed up and paid dues, creating a fund of about $100,000.

Mary-Carroll Potter, 73, the group's president, said she thinks the response has been encouraging, especially considering that the group has not offered any services and is still in the making. The business model calls for recruiting 100 members before October, when the group expects to begin offering services.

The idea arose after some residents saw an article about Boston's Beacon Hill Village in an AARP bulletin. Surveys show that an overwhelming number of elderly people prefer staying in their homes rather than moving to a retirement community or assisted-living facility. But as they grow older -- and the baby boomers are graying en masse -- they often encounter more difficulty maintaining their homes and social contacts.

In response, groups have begun creating villagelike communities such as Beacon Hill Village and Capitol Hill Village in the District to help members look after each other. Members might, for example, be able to call or e-mail the organization for help arranging a trip to the grocery store, finding a reliable roofer or receiving in-home medical services.

Reed said Mount Vernon at Home, which is using office space donated by Christian Relief Services, will initially focus on providing transportation service, which is especially important for older people who live in the suburbs and face increasing difficulties getting around. The group will also move early to arrange social outings for members to combat the feeling of isolation that some older people feel, Reed said.

Reed, 47, worked for AARP's national headquarters as director of lifestyle product development. He focused on developing programs, products and services to help older people remain safe and comfortable in their homes.

A former executive at Metrocall, Reed lost his post at AARP as the lobbyist trimmed jobs when its endowment shrank in the recession.

Potter said she hopes the organization will be able to advocate for legislative and policy changes that will benefit its community and other older residents.