New 'Aging in Place' Group Promotes Active Living

Perhaps you're an older adult looking for businesses trusted by your peers. Or maybe you are the son or daughter living away from an older parent who's fallen ill and are looking for local resources to help.

Or you might be seeking other like-minded older adults for social activities that are mentally and physically stimulating. For these reasons and many more, said Nancy Gould, you might turn to the resources of a new organization she helped to co-found, The Boxwood Alliance, based in Mount Kisco but serving adults in northern Westchester and southern Putnam counties.

"This is a membership based, free organization that will help people who want to remain independent at home and be engaged in their community," she said.

To help promote their services—which they hope to grow to include an online forum for older adults, a list of "community partner" businesses that are sensitive to the needs of older adults and an events calendar, among other programs—the group is promoting a week of events starting Sept. 23 that celebrates "Active Aging Week."

The events include live music, lectures, hikes, movie screenings, author talks and even Wii Bowling. The Boxwood Alliance—named for the resilient, hearty plant found in so local landscapes—didn't create these events, rather, they're promoting them as things to do. A representative from the organization will attend each event.

Boxwood's founders and directors each possess knowledge about handling "later stages in life."

Gould, for example, a Mount Kisco resident, is a long term care planning specialist with LTC Financial Partners. Catherine (Kitty) Wynkoop, of Pound Ridge, a healthcare executive and management consultant, has developed aging-related programs and services since 2006. Bedford's Richard Farrell, a marketing consultant and writer, has served as past editor of goALOFT, a monthly aging in place newsletter for northeast Westchester.

So when exactly does one become "an older adult"?

"It's different for everyone," said Gould, who declined to give her age. "Though we can't say when aging starts, we can help people live actively in that stage of their lives."

For a full calendar of the events, click here.