A Collingwood venture has combined virtual and practical services to create a support network for older adults who need a little help to stay active, independent, and in their own homes.
Techie Nesters launched last summer with the goal of providing technical support to older adults in the home. Founder Jenn Gerynowicz quickly expanded the business to create a virtual retirement community this year.
The format is based on an American model of village networks. Gerynowicz worked with U.S. organizers to plan the expansion in Collingwood.
“In its purest form, our goal is to create comfort and joy for older adults as they age in place longer,” Gerynowicz said.
“Any time they need help with something, they can call their concierge and get that help whether it’s tech support, spam advice or someone to run an errand, get some food or pick up a prescription. We are a lifeline to people trying to stay in their own homes longer and help other people do the same," she said.
Techie Nesters was relaunched in Collingwood on March 16 and started accepting members on April 27. It's virtual because they don't have an office. The fee for an annual membership is $499. For that, you get a myriad of services.
"They get access to their concierge, who organizes what they need," said Gerynowicz, of Collingwood.
Membership comes with 12 tech support phone calls and 12 in-person tech talks held at the Collingwood Leisure Time Club at 100 Minnesota St. They also get invited to monthly in-person socials at the club.
Members are expected to both get and provide help to other members voluntarily.
“When you become a member of Techie Nesters, you agree to give help and receive help,” she said.
Volunteers can drive others to appointments, offer to write greeting cards for someone, or make a phone call to cheer someone up or remind them of an appointment, Gerynowicz explained.
In addition to older adults helping one another, the technical supports comes from IT professionals who work for Techie Nesters on contract. The team is trained for online and in-person support and the contractors are required to be naturally giving and helpful people.
"Their heart's desire is to help older adults," said Gerynowicz.
All members and team members must have a police check to ensure that everyone in the "nest" is safe, said Gerynowicz.
Barbara (who asked that her last name not be used), of Collingwood, is one of the founding members. The retired nurse is having some vision problems and she likes the idea of having Techie Nesters police checked.
“It gives me a sense of security if I do use them to do some work in my home. If there is a handyman who comes to install a smoke detector, I feel comfortable knowing they are police checked and referenced," she said.
Barbara has been attending the socials including the June summer party.
"Within the group we are getting to know each other and share information such as ways of saving money," she said.
Barbara has also joined the Leisure Time Club which offers lots of exercise classes and bus trips.
"It's created a much broader network for me."
Narla Styles is also a new Techie Nester who lives in New Lowell and who travels into Collingwood for the socials at Leisure Time Club. She is also a retired nurse who continues to work for agencies that provide caregivers in homes.
"When I went to the first meeting, I immediately was excited by the idea that Jenn was describing because I see the need for something like this every working day," she said.
"Already I have seen the value of the social and technical aid that this group offers for myself and others and am looking forward to offering whatever I can to supporting elders in their home and community.
Styles plans to get technical support at the August meeting and to find ways to volunteer with the group.
Gerynowicz said she is getting calls from people outside of Collingwood who want to join, so she is already expanding the network beyond Collingwood, under one Techie Nester umbrella.
For more information about Techie Nesters, visit www.techienesters.com, call 1-833-613-N-E-S-T (6378) or 705-443-4379, or email [email protected].
