A number of different organizations, from assisted living facilities to councils on aging, help cover the needs of the aging on the Vineyard.

Now a new paid membership organization is offering service via telephone to the senior citizen in need of a little help getting through the day.

Vineyard Village at Home is a club that wants to be the first call by older Island residents when it comes to getting the errands of life done, such as fixing a leaky faucet or getting a ride to the doctor’s office.

The club is a concierge service with perks. Membership costs $900 a year for an individual or $1,200 for a couple.

“Our Island population is getting older. Our goal is to help those with needs so they get met, so a homeowner can stay in their home, without moving into an assisted living residence,” said Jane Hawkes, program coordinator for Vineyard Village at Home

Vineyard Village at Home wants to be a senior citizen’s friend. The club aims to help seniors who enroll get the issues of the day addressed, whether reaching a handyman, getting transportation or cultivating and maintaining a social life.

Ms. Hawkes is building a network of telephone connections to get easy answers for seniors in need. It isn’t an emergency medical service, but rather a solution center. She operates the phone service from 9 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“No matter what you want, you only have to call me,” Ms. Hawkes said. “Some of our clients don’t know who to call. They don’t know what services their council on aging will provide. They don’t know the Vineyard Nursing Association, Meals on Wheels. I will find the best way to do what is needed.”

At present, she said, she has a dozen of volunteers that are available to help seniors. She also has a list of handymen, including electricians, who will do work at a discount for members.

“We are trying to make it easy. There are times when a person needs help, when they get flustered over what needs to be done,” she said. “We are offering helping hands for everyday living.

“We’ll find not only transportation, but also companionship, personal assistance, help around the house and garden. We’ll find health and wellness programs and interesting events.”

Polly Brown of Vineyard Haven, a retired attorney and former president of Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, came up with the idea for Vineyard Village at Home.

Ms. Brown was concerned for Island people who she knew were being forced to leave the Island because of a lack of help.

“Some of Polly’s friends were moving off Island,” Ms. Hawkes said. “They told her they couldn’t keep their homes. There were transportation problems here and a need for assistance.”

In 2006, Ms. Brown and others conducted a market feasibility study for the Martha’s Vineyard Committee for Retirement Housing.

The survey of 15 questions was mailed across the Island. The survey was also inserted into Vineyard newspapers. Of the 1,200 surveys mailed out there was a 4.5 per cent response rate. Ms. Hawkes said the survey results suggested that there was a need for Vineyard Village at Home.

Vineyard Village At Home is modeled after other organizations that have been around for a while, such as Beacon Hill Village.

By late March, Ms. Hawkes had 10 clients, of which there are three couples. Ms. Hawkes said she hopes to add at least another 40 clients in the year. The organization also is seeking nonprofit status, which would open it to tax-deductible contributions and allow the organization to offer scholarships to those who can’t afford the annual fee.

Laurie Schreiber, director of the Edgartown Council on Aging, said that Vineyard Village at Home can be helpful on the Island.

“That is a benefit that they can help,” Ms. Schreiber said.

Ms. Schreiber said she knows that many of the seniors at her center won’t be able to afford the newly created service, but also said a service like this can and will prosper.

As for the council, Ms. Schreiber said: “We try to do everything we can for our Edgartown seniors. If there is a need, we try to meet that need. We can find someone to change a light bulb.”

Still, while Ms. Schreiber said the Edgartown council on aging does a lot, she said they don’t arrange services from contractors.

“The bottom line is that we all need to make sure that the needs of seniors are being met. That is the most important,” Ms. Schreiber said. Of Vineyard Village, Ms. Schreiber said, “We can support each other.” Referrals can go both ways.

Ms. Hawkes also recently met with Joyce Bowker at the Up-Island Council on Aging to talk about ways the two organizations can help seniors.

More information about Vineyard Village is available by visiting vineyardvillage.org, or calling 508-693-3038.