NEST membership

Membership

Benefits

Nest members can continue to live in the home they love with the confidence that as they age they have easy access to a wide range of services screened and vetted by NEST – many offered at a discount. Members receive personalized assistance with NEST follow up to ensure that quality remains high.

Community volunteers will provide a wide range of support and connections, including help with transportation, yard work, gardening, computers, pet care and errands. Ongoing educational and social events will enrich the mind and the spirit.

Services

Just one phone number to call to arrange for all kinds of services.

Service providers will be vetted and some will offer a discounted rate for members. They are wide ranging – from home repair and home upkeep, to pet care and gardening help, to daily in-home care or assistance.

Transportation services will also be available, either offered by volunteers or by contracted vendor, for grocery shopping, medical appointments, and getting out to “Village” organized events.

Wellness and fitness programs

Staff and volunteers will help members connect to form walking groups and exercise groups. Friendships that develop through these groups are often a great help in dealing with the daily challenges of chronic illness or just to find friends to join in looking forward to each day.

Classes and discussions

Classes will be offered by staff, local health care experts and members themselves on such topics such as health and wellness, memoir writing, horticulture at home and other issues that reflect the talents and skills of the members and the NEST community.

Organized social activities

NEST members will enjoy luncheons, seminars with speakers on a wide range of issues, cultural and musical gatherings, and intergenerational activities in partnership with local schools and youth groups. Books clubs and interest groups for art or history buffs will be developed.

Strategic partnerships

Preferred provider relationships with local health care providers, fitness clubs and service organizations will add special value for village members.

Fees

Membership fees will support the small staff that coordinates and runs NEST. The cost will be set by the Board and depend in part on services offered, but will likely be in the range of $50 to $70 a month for a single person and $90 to $100 per month for a couple. It is unlikely we will receive any large grants or local government subsidies to underwrite the costs of the NEST. We will be seeking grant funding to provide a limited number of scholarships.

Monthly fees for NEST membership are modest as compared to the average price of assisted living facilities, which are $3,000-$5,000/month depending on level of services needed, or continuing care retirement communities with buy-in fees and monthly fees.

Join

All ages are welcome to join NEST. We hope to launch NEST in the Fall of 2010 provided we can raise sufficient start up funds by Summer 2010. Before that, we welcome contributors to become Founding Partners of NEST. Founding members join now as a show of their support before we are able to offer services.

“I think the Village Concept is a great idea and something that is an important benefit to the whole community. I would love to learn more about what you are doing and how I might be able to help.”

- Donna Bellew, Laurelhurst