Q. What will the staff do in response to a member’s request?
A. Recommend a provider and, if the member wishes, contact the provider and make the appointment. Cambridge At Home maintains a continuing liaison with and evaluation of providers.

Q. What is the incentive to become a member while we are in good health and able to get services on our own?
A. Membership in Cambridge At Home is a kind of insurance. Sooner or later the time will come, perhaps suddenly, when we all need help in order to continue living in our own homes. If we sign up now, we know that support will be there from staff and members we have come to know. Members may also earn back much of their annual fees by taking advantage of vendor and merchant discounts, free exercise classes, volunteer rides and a free grocery shopping service.

Q. Should assisted living or a nursing facility be needed, what does Cambridge At Home offer?
A. Cambridge At Home will help you and your family with that next step.

Q. What does the Cambridge At Home support network look like?
A. A central office staffed by professionals is conveniently located 545 Concord Ave, First Floor, Suite 104, Cambridge, MA 02138. The office is accessible with an elevator to all floors, and handicap accessible guest parking near the front door for those with permits. Committees of Trustees and members work in the main areas of the program: daily living, health and fitness, and organized activities.

Q. I live in a condominium with handyman and concierge services. Would Cambridge At Home offer me additional advantages?
A. Yes. Cambridge At Home will take you grocery shopping once a week and help you place your purchases on shelves and in the refrigerator. It will arrange for a driver to take you to doctor-prescribed procedures that require a companion. It will find other members to join with you in activities that you enjoy, such as bridge, knitting, etc. The experience of similar groups indicates that a very small percentage of members’ need is for home maintenance.

Q. Why isn’t the membership fee for singles half that for couples?
A. Fees are based on household usage of services. We are discovering that single members use at least as many services as couples, sometimes more, in fact, perhaps because there isn’t another pair of helping hands at home.

Q. What is included in my annual member fee?
A. The membership fee includes:

1. One stop shopping through our referral services for vetted vendors in the areas of home maintenance, activities of daily living, home health care, and transportation, to name a few. All our vendors have been used and approved by CAH members. Discounted rates have been secured with several vendors.
2. Access to social activities such as luncheons, discussion groups, trips to local museums, concerts and lectures. Members are given the best discount on these activities that CAH can arrange.
3. A grocery shopping service where members can sign up for a free ride to the grocery store and receive assistance from the driver with getting groceries into the house.
4. Three free weekly exercise classes and one walking group through a local studio on Huron Avenue.
5. Annual member only social event.
6. Assistance from our volunteers with a variety of activities will be added in early 2008.
7. Facilitated access to hospital services at Mt. Auburn Hospital and the Cambridge Health Alliance.
8. Discounted home health care services from Houseworks, VNA Private Care, Cara Care, Privatus, Home Instead and Ezra Home Care.

Q. When do I pay the annual member fee?
A. The entire annual fee is due at the time you join. Membership is open on a rolling basis throughout the year. Renewals are not automatic. You will receive a letter asking if you would like to renew one month before your membership expires. CAH accepts checks and the following credit cards for the annual member fee; MC/Visa/ AMEX. Membership fees are not refundable.

Ask a question: kathy@cambridgeathome.org