July 17, 2024

Dear Friends,

The Village is unique in many ways - including our use of research. Our programs, services, and individualized attention for all life stages from adult children through later life transitions, come from the power of an intergenerational community where we are both the experts and the seekers of information.

We are experts because of the lived experience and skills we share through relationships and partnerships - where ideas become reality through conversation, listening, planning, and effort.

We are seekers of information because there is always more to learn. Information helps us maintain viability and momentum and it comes from many sources - both outside our organization and within it. It ranges from formal studies to a mood lifting, joyful conversation with a volunteer whose timely delivery of a prescription provided much relief.

Our hope is that this discussion highlighting research inspires you to learn more, to explore how research plays a role in our communal life, and be eager to participate when asked.

Warm regards,

Niki Fox, Executive Director

“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.” – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

It was 2007 when the founders began exploring the creation of a Village in Chicago. The Village that opened in June 2009 was firmly grounded in research that included surveys, Town Hall meetings, and a thorough analysis of existing institutions and infrastructure that could help support a community of older adults helping one another navigate life after 50.

Within two years of opening, the Village developed the Research Committee (the only Village in the country at that time to have such a committee) led by Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD, a nationally recognized physician researcher and Village member. 

Knowing that aging and older adult researchers would see the Village community as a robust cohort of older adults that could be recruited for participation in various studies, the goal of the Committee was to make sure those studies were thoroughly vetted so that community members could make informed decisions about participation.

Dr. Aggarwal chairs the committee with Village member Angie Levenstein. The committee has grown and includes Village members with diverse skills sets and backgrounds. All external research projects presented to the Village are vetted, and as the scope of Village programs has grown, the work of the Committee has remained practical, relevant, and has a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the Village community and the community at large:

"The quality of the research conducted in the Village meets the standards of both academic and professional social science research. Therefore, its potential impact reaches beyond the Village itself. It can be used as a baseline for comparison to research conducted on unaffiliated and/or socially marginalized communities around the stigmatizing issues of ageism and ableism."

"We take pride in being part of the first generation who, as a function of our lived experience, can take a positive role in informing the public policy decisions that impact us as members of the aging community." - Don Bell

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.”

- Arthur Conan Doyle (writing as Sherlock Holmes)

Why It Matters: Under-representation

"Traditionally, research has predominantly focused on recruiting participants between the ages 18 and 65, leading to research that does not adequately address the needs and desired outcomes of older adults. " - Amy Eisenstein

"Adults 55+ are not a medically monolithic group. Our health and medical needs are not the same at 55 as they are at 85. Yet, even though our bodies change over the years, it feels as though the health professions view all adults as one group with the same medical needs."-- John Craib Cox

Here are some examples. As recently as 2020, patients aged 70+ represented 42% of the overall cancer population. However, only 24% of participants in trials registered with the US Food and Drug Administration were aged 70+; and fewer than 10% of patients in this age group participated in National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trials. (Source)

The situation is worse at the intersection of age and race: as an example, Black Americans account for 22% of yearly cases of multiple myeloma but the median enrollment percentage of Black Americans in relevant trials 2011-2015 was 4.5%. (Source)

What We're Doing

We stand for all older people who are under-represented in research studies.

Over the past few months, the Research Committee has seen an uptick in the number of research projects that pertain to aging and older adults that are recruiting local participants here in Chicago. The Committee posts information about them in the Village weekly Member Memo in an effort to educate our membership about research studies in a systematic and thoughtful way.

In order to promote research in an unbiased and ethical manner, the Research Committee has created a set of “Green Light Guidelines” that all research must pass through before being publicized on any Village material.

First and foremost of these guidelines are that a) the study purpose matches the mission, vision, and values of the Village and b) the study addresses issues that may have potential to impact Village members ability to age well. (Read more about the Guidelines here.)

Simultaneously, the committee is working to gain and maintain relationships with researchers, and to educate them about our own preferences and experiences.

When we proactively share our thoughts and ideas with those who are doing the research, we can help to ensure that research meaningfully addresses our care preferences and desired health outcomes, and ultimately improves the effectiveness and quality of care as well as quality of life for all of us.

"Clinical studies and trials are increasingly important for advancing medical research and improving patient care for all adults. Information about studies and trials can now be found through both traditional and social media channels, hospital websites, newsletters, and government websites https://clinicaltrials.gov.-- Neelum Agarwal

Many of us are hesitant to participate in trials due to lack of detailed information, unease with procedures, disinterest in devoting time to questionnaires or testing, and misconceptions about the clinical trial process. Because of this, talking with your physician is essential. This conversation will lead to informed decision-making based on your specific medical history, current health condition, and treatment preferences. (Find details on questions to ask your doctor here.)

"The way to do research is to attack the facts at the point of greatest astonishment." -- Celia Green

Why It Matters: Our collective voice tells the true story of life after 50 - the rich, nuanced experience of later life taken as a whole.

What We're Doing

Every three years, the Village conducts a member survey that is instrumental in helping us refine, improve, and develop new programs and initiatives for our community.

This information works hard for us and has led us in directions we might not have known to take. It led to the creation of Life 3.0 - a program for people going through career changes or experiencing the transition from work to what's next. Our survey identified the growing need for support among families dealing with memory loss and other chronic health issues. It also revealed an interest in forming intergenerational connections, which led to the formation of the Bridging Generations Board and several robust anti-age bias programs. 

Survey data also led us to recognize the importance to our community of diversity which spurred increased efforts to diversify our staff, members, committees, and board as well as ongoing outreach to the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities.

We will be conducting the survey this fall. When you are asked to participate - please do!

“As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.”-- Antoine de Saint Exupery

Why It Matters: We know the Village model works - but validating it will provide a strong case for funding and encourage partnerships that will expand access to important programs and services.

What We're Doing

Currently there are more than 270 grassroots, community-based Villages across the United States, representing a diversity of resources, structure, size, membership, and capacity. The Village Chicago is one of the largest and most successful. This "Village movement" is supported by the Village to Village Network (VTV), an umbrella organization that is currently engaged in an ambitious research effort to demonstrate the effectiveness of Villages in improving individual and community-level outcomes based on information drawn directly from Village members.

The project is funded by a PCORI award (Patient/Participant Centered Outcomes Research); conducted by RAND, a non profit public policy organization; and hosted by Rutgers University School of Social Work Hub for Aging Collaboration.

Last summer, a series of five focus groups were conducted by RAND researchers nationwide to hear from Village members and leaders what data should be collected to accurately measure Village impact. (See the report here).

The next step in the process is a series of regional Virtual Summits to “spur a national dialogue among Village members and leaders toward the design of future research projects that will optimize Villages as a platform for healthy aging and for using research to support, strengthen, and advocate for the growth of the Village Movement.”

Village Research Committee Co-Chair, Angie Levenstein has been deeply involved in helping to design and prepare for these Summits. Our region's virtual Summit will be on line on Thursday, July 25th, 11:00 AM to 12:30PM. If you would like to attend, click here.

Why It Matters: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” – Carl Sagan

What We're Doing

We pay close attention to authors, articles, and important research being done in academic and other institutions. Here are some discoveries that were "waiting to be known" that have influenced our understanding of later life and enriched our activities and programming:

• Developing positive beliefs about age have such a powerful impact on health that they can increase life expectancy an average of 7.5 years.



• People consistently underestimate how much others like them. It is true across age groups and for strangers as well as acquaintances. Fortunately, science has also demonstrated that as you get to know someone better, the "liking" gap shrinks – another reason to stick with it and invest the time that may lead to a closer relationship.

• There is a science of human flourishing being studied at places like Harvard University that integrates data from empirical sciences (sociology, economics, medicine, etc.) to better understand major aspects of human wellbeing such as meaning, happiness, and sense of purpose.

• Results from over 3,000 studies identified a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan.

How exciting is it that numbers and data can ignite so much imagination and creativity and the discovery of so many new ways to live our best possible lives.

Village News

Light Up the Night!

That’s just what we’re going to do at The Village Chicago’s very special fundraiser on Tuesday, September 24 at the iconic Chicago History Museum. It will be a fabulous, fun-filled evening. But most important is that the funds we raise will directly support the very vital work we do together: tackling isolation and loneliness; helping families manage memory loss; promoting brain health; and providing countless ways to achieve a rich social, intellectual, and volunteer life at every age.

You can help us right now by making a leadership contribution that will inspire others to join you: 

Become an Underwriting Sponsor ($10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,500).

Join the Host Committee ($1,000, $750, or $500) includes special recognition on our website

Your support will be recognized in our Annual Report, on our website, in the event program, throughout the event, in press releases, in the weekly Member Memo, and monthly Navigator newsletter which reaches a community of over 4,700 households.

And - if we receive your donation by July 26, you will also be recognized in the event invitation. Just click here to support The Village Chicago and help us Light Up the Night!

Your contribution is fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. 

The Village Chicago, 2502 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614

 EIN 33-1195665

New Village Website on the Way!

Later this summer, the Village is launching a brand new, upgraded website. With a contemporary design and interactive features, the website will offer an updated experience while still being easy to use. The new website will also have ways to facilitate social engagement.

For Village members, the website will have a new avenue for connection and friendship called FriendFinder. It’s an interactive directory, where members can search for others who share their interests, or live nearby. We're excited to offer this new benefit of Village membership - all at the click of a button! 

Board of Directors

David Baker,

Chair

Judith Gethner, Secretary

Joan Goldstein,

Treasurer

Kathie Kolodgy,

Vice Chair

Karen Terry,

Vice Chair

Don Bell

Jacie Brandes

Stefanie Clark

Carol Hitchie

Angie Levenstein

Molly Matthias

Liz Metzger

Gail Moss

Tom Pasker

Carol Stein

Lois Stuckey

Vamse Kumar Subbiah

Carlos Terrazas

Jan Walters

Mel Washburn

Advisory Council

Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD

Robyn L. Golden, LCSW

Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD

Mary Ann Smith

Executive Director

Niki Fox

The Village Chicago is a community network of friendship, engagement and services for people over 50. We support all aspects of well-being through social engagement, an extensive services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational relationships, work, and purpose.

2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700

www.thevillagechicago.org