On behalf of a member

Vision contribution for Working Circle 2: Cross-generational rehab care centers and vibrant village communities – organized via N.E.X.U.S.

From: Bärbel (Southeast Bavaria Network)

Dear companions in Working Circle 2,

since I unfortunately cannot make it to the meeting in person today, I would like to share our vision for one of the most important societal building blocks with you in writing: dignified, cross-generational care for our elders and the transformation of our coexistence into self-sufficient, vibrant communities – organized from the grassroots up via N.E.X.U.S.

1. The starting point: Overcoming the existing system

Every day, we experience how dehumanizing and profit-driven the conventional care and support system has become. Elderly people are often isolated, warehoused, and sedated with medication, while relatives are overwhelmed and immense sums (often over €5,500 monthly) flow to anonymous providers without genuine humanity being lived.

Katharina Jansen ruthlessly exposed these grievances in her book “Todesurteil Pflegeheim”. For us, it was clear: We no longer want to fight against the old system, but rather build a completely new living reality alongside it. We do not want to push our elders away, but bring them back to where they belong: into the heart of our communities.

2. The vision: Rehab care centers as the seeds of new villages

In cooperation with Katharina's initiative (including profi-pflege.info), we are building a model that goes far beyond pure care:

• Reactivation instead of warehousing: In a loving environment, the elders should regain their strength, be mobilized, reduce medication, and actively participate in everyday life again.
• Repurposing existing resources: Everywhere in our regions, properties are standing empty – abandoned hotels, former convalescent homes, or abandoned Caritas centers. We use state funding for rehab care centers (up to €100,000 per person in need of care or €5–6 million per facility) to take over these buildings and prepare them for 50 to 60 residents.
• Holistic living spaces: Genuine small villages will emerge around these centers. These include:
  • Permaculture and self-sufficiency gardens for healthy nutrition.
  • On-site company daycares, so employees have their children close by and young and old meet daily.
  • Living and working spaces (including remote workstations) for people who want to live and participate there.
  • Craft and repair workshops as well as cultural offerings.

3. The network of neighborly love: Activating local groups

Not every elderly person has to move into a center – many want to stay in their own homes. But relatives are often overburdened. This is where the connection to our regional local groups comes in:

• Utilizing existing budgets: Starting from care level 2, every person in need of care is entitled to monthly funds for relief and respite care. Instead of leaving this money to large care corporations, we involve people from the immediate neighborhood and our local groups.
• Practical neighborhood assistance: Local residents take on tasks such as gardening, cooking, cleaning, going for walks, reading aloud, or simply gifting time – and are compensated for this from these funds.
• Values-based exit: This creates a real pathway for people to reduce or leave their current system jobs in order to do meaningful, regional work in caregiving.

4. Implementation: Organization and coordination via N.E.X.U.S.

So that this vision does not remain abstract, but scales and functions in everyday life, N.E.X.U.S. is our central platform and infrastructure:

1. Structuring into Circles: Our regional groups (such as Southeast Bavaria) are mapped directly as N.E.X.U.S. Circles. Each location can form its own Circle, in which needs, vacant properties, skilled workers, and offers of help are coordinated.
2. Project and task management: Using the tools in N.E.X.U.S., we assign work areas, record activities, and manage the housing projects transparently within the team.
3. Modular building blocks: Every village and every care home has different needs. N.E.X.U.S. provides us with the toolbox: Whether barter network, time tracking, legal entity building blocks (associations, cooperatives), or decentralized value exchange – we draw upon exactly the building blocks that are needed locally.
4. Protection and independence: We use the protected, ad-free, and values-oriented environment of N.E.X.U.S. to bring along the people from the region, connect them, and protect them from old system dependencies.

5. The current roadmap

• By the end of the year: Concrete preparation and launch of 3 to 4 pilot projects in Southeast Bavaria, including founding the association in November.
• Next year: Step-by-step rollout of the model and widespread anchoring of the local groups and care Circles via N.E.X.U.S.
• Long term: This model is intended as a blueprint – if we show how it succeeds in Southeast Bavaria, any other N.E.X.U.S. Circle (whether in the Rhineland, in Baden, or on Tenerife) can adapt the exact same building block for their region!

Let us fill these building blocks with life together – with heart, hand, and mind!

Warm greetings from Southeast Bavaria,

Yours, Bärbel