Help Start A Group Home for Our Community Elders
Reverend Mother Rebecca Willis PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
Dear Community Members,
I am writing to let you know more about the home we are starting for care of our senior members that was mentioned by Bishop Gene in his May 11th letter and during his Counsels presentation on October 10th. As you know, most of us will reach a point in life when we are no longer able to care for ourselves. Until you experience caring for someone in the final stage of their life it is difficult to imagine all that is entailed. Since first coming to Reno in the late 1980’s I have assisted with care for the elderly in our Reno Community and have become quite familiar with the associated challenges and needs.
In general the facilities for care that are available today are of mixed quality. A few are good, some are adequate and many are mind-numbingly depressing. Certainly the skilled nursing facilities I am familiar with are hampered by the demands of having 30 patients for every caregiver. From a Church Community viewpoint it is a major problem that these facilities treat only the physical body needs while cutting the patient off from support for their spiritual life. We are planning a home where we can care for both the physical and spiritual needs of the residents.
Our Church Community is a reflection of a demographic shift taking place in this country. In the United States the Baby Boomer generation now constitutes 26{1fa2ef75e2e78439128d99df03acfe1d8ee3047374abe3d4676fe3470ff8b909} of the total population. And just today 10,000 Baby Boomers reached the age of 65. Each and every day for the next 19 years 10,000 people will reach the age of 65. As we celebrate birthdays with our Reno members we see more and more of our people reaching the age of 60 and above.
This demographic shift presents us with an opportunity. We clearly need facilities to care for our own members, but by also accepting people from outside the Community this is an opportunity that can provide a future income stream for the Church. With each passing day the demand for such a facility increases. In Nevada the cost to an individual for long term care in a nursing home is about $7,000 per month. The current price in a group home is about $3,500 per month. By having our own facility we will be able to provide quality care at a much more reasonable price than nursing homes.
Picture a one story suburban house accessible to wheel chair or walker; around the clock staff helping with the needs of daily life; medications dispensed as ordered; good meals accommodating the diet of The Community; a garden with a view for sunrise and regular contact with members of the Church. This Church-owned house will be licensed by the state and all caregivers will meet state requirements. The plan is to start with an eight bed facility.
We have been most fortunate to receive a bequest in memory of Marie Newman to start this project. The sum is sufficient for the down payment on the house and the installation of a fire sprinkler system required for licensure. We have raised over $110,000 and our current fund raising goal is an additional $40,000 to cover licensure needs and the start-up period. Prior to the license inspection the house must be completely outfitted ready to receive clients: furniture, appliances, the kitchen stocked with dishes and pans, linens ready and even food in the cupboard. Our supervisory staff will attend some required training courses offered in Las Vegas. We will need to cover mortgage payments for 3 to 6 months during the start-up period.
We have secured consulting services locally from someone who has been successful in the Assisted Living business for a number of years. She is advising us on the process of setting up the home and will assist with preparation of all paperwork for the license. Her services will help us avoid costly mistakes and delays in start-up.
After watching the real estate market in Reno for the past six months it appears now is a reasonable time to buy. The housing market is rebounding and newly constructed homes are just now entering the market. The new homes produced a small reduction in prices which now seem to be stabilizing. Our needs are very specific in terms of accessibility and size, but there is a modest supply of houses that suit our project.
It is my hope that you will be able to see the vital role that this project will play in the life of our Community. Care at the end of life that includes spiritual care is of utmost importance for our Community members. Please carefully consider generously supporting this project. Donations in any amount are welcome. For those who are able to make a significant donation we can offer several plans including pre-payment toward future use of the home or time payments over the next 6 months. Please call me at the Chancellery to discuss the details.
In Light
Rev. Mother Rebecca E. Willis
