Frequently Asked Questions

What is Love Living at Home?
Who can join Love Living at Home?
Why should I join if I am active and healthy now?
What programs will be available?
What services are available to members?
What are Neighbor Suggested Providers?
Does LLH screen volunteers?
How are services arranged?
What if I need something that is not on the list of provided services?
If there is an emergency, how do you help?
What does a Love Living at Home membership cost?
I live on a fixed income and cannot afford the yearly membership fee. Does that mean I can’t join?
Who can be a volunteer?
Who can be a Neighbor Suggested Provider?
What if I'm not ready to become a member yet?

What is Love Living at Home?

Love Living at Home (LLH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by community volunteers and launched in 2016. LLH provides services, activities, and programs for its members, helping them to continue to live safely, confidently and independently in their homes.

LLH is a member of the national Village to Village Network and is modeled on the village concept started in 2001 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Who can join Love Living at Home?

Anyone 62 years of age and older who lives in Tompkins County.

A relative or friend may purchase an annual membership for someone who lives in Tompkins County.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please click here.

Why should I join if I am active and healthy now?

Membership is not just for that time when you need assistance. Programs and social activities comprise the majority of the membership benefit. Some members join as a form of insurance. Membership provides you with peace of mind so that you may continue living in your own home. As a member of LLH, you can be assured that you have a supportive network when you need it.

Many members join because they value being part of a mutually supportive community. Some members may also choose to volunteer, discovering new contacts in their neighborhoods and beyond. For them, the community self-help aspect is the most important reason for joining. An activity as simple as making a daily check-in call to an isolated member has positive impacts for both members.

Other members join to develop new social connections. Programs and social activities comprise the majority of the membership benefit. Because transportation may be available, it may be possible for more members to attend. Building new relationships is one of the most effective paths to achieving a positive aging experience. Having fun is a great reason to be a member.

What programs are available?

We meet for coffee and conversation, toast celebrations at happy hours, go on walks with a specific purpose, attend concerts and lectures, and form groups to pursue common interests. Social events are planned by members for members. Tompkins County has many options for activities, and the LLH Program Committee carefully selects one event each month as the Pick of the Month. We will provide an “add-on” for the Pick of Month, such as a lecture or refreshments before or after the event and may assist with transportation to these events.

Click here for more information.

What services are available to members?

Transportation. LLH offers door to door rides to members anywhere in Tompkins County as volunteer drivers are available. When necessary, we will also help members connect to other transportation services in the county.

Home Maintenance. General home upkeep and minor home repairs are provided to members by volunteers when the service is one that a volunteer can easily complete. Volunteers perform simple handyman tasks and light gardening, cleaning, and organizing chores. When requests are too complex for a volunteer to complete, we connect members to our Neighbor Suggested Providers. If requested by the member, a volunteer from the LLH Home Maintenance Team will be present when the professional service provider meets with the member. The final decision to hire a professional service provider is the member's choice and responsibility.

Personal Well-Being: Staying Connected. These services are individually crafted to meet the specific needs of members. Volunteers provide check-in phone calls, house-sitting, pet care, and friendly visits. Office staff will also help members assess other needs and connect members to our Neighbor Suggested Providers. One call connects you to the resources you need.

What are Neighbor Suggested Providers?

Members suggest names of providers they use and find satisfactory in many categories of service. All providers complete an application and provide two references. They have agreed to treat LLH members with respect and dignity, assure fair prices, and provide prompt and dependable service. After a paid service is provided, LLH will check with the member and maintain comments. If providers are consistently not satisfactory to members, they are removed from the Neighbor Suggested Provider list.

Does LLH screen volunteers?

Yes. All volunteers complete an application and provide two references. In addition, all drivers are required to provide their driving records, licenses, insurances and vehicle registrations. Vehicle insurance and registration information must be updated annually. After a service is provided, LLH will check with the member and maintain comments. If volunteers are not satisfactory to members, they may be asked to change their volunteer role.

How are services arranged?

When you call LLH with a request, the office staff will first attempt to match your request with a volunteer. LLH will then establish contact between you and the volunteer to work out arrangements.

If a service is required beyond volunteer capacity, we provide referrals to Neighbor Suggested Providers, and if you would like assistance, we assist with contacting the providers. One call does it all.

What if I need something that is not on the list of provided services?

Call LLH for anything and everything. We will work with you to find a solution for your needs.

If there is an emergency, how do you help?

LLH is not an emergency response service. During an emergency, members should call 911 or their doctor. We can help with follow-up needs at home

What does a Love Living at Home membership cost?

Individual Member: $450 per year ($37.50 per month or less than $1.24 a day)
Household Member: $575 per year for two or more members in one household

Membership Fees may be paid annually by check or credit card. A monthly payment plan is also available.

I live on a fixed income and cannot afford the yearly membership fee. Does that mean I can’t join?

Love Living at Home is committed to building a membership that reflects the diverse Tompkins County population, and that includes those with low incomes. We have subsidized membership fund, so that financial assistance is available. Please contact us for more information.

Who can be a volunteer?

People of all ages, talents and interests are welcome. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Love Living at Home. You do not need to be an LLH member to volunteer. Click here to learn more.

Who can be a Neighbor Suggested Provider?

Any business or nonprofit organization may apply to serve Love Living at Home members. To qualify, the business or service must be recommended by one or more current members and complete an application. By serving our members (and especially by offering discounts or other benefits to members), our Neighbor Suggested Providers may find they attract many new customers. Click here to learn more.

What if I'm not ready to become a member yet?

There are many ways to support Love Living at Home.

Donate today to help ensure that LLH will be here for you tomorrow.

Become a Love Living at Home Volunteer

Tell your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors about us.