The Mainstay Presence™
Our identities extend far beyond the roles we hold within our families. Shaped by a lifetime of experiences, relationships, interests, and perspectives, who we are continues to evolve through every chapter of life.
The Mainstay Presence™ is a thoughtfully cultivated experience centered on purposeful connection and meaningful conversation, and the opportunity for continued discovery and self-expression.
Meaningful connection is far more than a source of comfort or companionship.
Sometimes families live far apart. Sometimes conversations have settled into familiar patterns. And sometimes there’s simply a desire to know more about someone you love, while there’s still so much life to talk about.
There’s no single reason to begin.
Living far apart
You would welcome another steady connection in your parent’s everyday life.
A changing social circle
Retirement, relocation or loss has created room for new relationships and conversation.
Established family roles
You love each other, but sometimes it’s hard to move beyond the conversations you’ve always had.
A new chapter
A milestone, a creative interest or a life change has sparked reflection on what matters now and what comes next.
Beyond the everyday details
Alongside conversations about appointments and plans, there’s space for passions, opinions, memories and hopes.
Simple curiosity
You’re curious about the experiences that shaped your parent and the person they continue to become.
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
A conversation—not an assignment.
There’s nothing to prepare and no pressure to tell a particular story. Conversations might begin with what’s happening this week, a favorite place, an old friendship, or something entirely unexpected. Over time, the same familiar voice returns, remembers what was shared, and gets to know the person behind the stories.
Each conversation is guided by a few simple promises.
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We follow the conversation, not a script.
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We’re interested in who you are, not merely the chronology.
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We remember, follow up, and allow trust to grow.
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We respect what they want to share and what they do not.
How the connection grows.
THE 12-WEEK EXPERIENCE
BEFORE WEEK ONE
Getting Acquainted
We get to know your family, answer questions, discuss privacy and preferences, and. Make sure your parent feels comfortable getting started.
WEEKS 1-3
Finding our rhythm
We begin with everyday life, interests, and whatever feels natural to talk about. There’s no prescribed list of questions.
WEEKS 4-10
Getting to know the person
Conversations build on one another. Stories, experiences and interests come together, giving us a fuller understanding of the person.
WEEKS 11-12
Bringing it together
We begin bringing together the stories and reflections your parent would like to preserve, with their involvment and permission.
TWO PEOPLE, TWO EXPERIENCES
The family opens the door. The relationship belongs to them.
An adult child may arrange and pay for Presence, but the conversations belong to the parent. We make that clear from the beginning.
For your parent
Twice a week, there’s someone who wants to hear what’s on their mind. Someone who remembers the little things, asks about what matters to them and takes interest in their life, past and present. The conversations belong to them and they decide what they’re comfortable sharing.
For your family
You know your parent has someone who makes time for you them, listens and gets to know them as an individual. Along the way, you may discover stories, perspectives and parts of their life you’ve never had a chance to hear. Their book gives children, grandchildren, and future generations a way to know them more fully, their humor, their experiences , and how they see the world.
PRIVACY & PERMISSION
Trust comes before the book.
The conversation comes first.
The calls are meant to be enjoyable and worthwhile in their own right. The book grows out of those conversations—not the other way around.
Some conversations are meant to stay private
Before we begin, we talk through what can be shared, what stays between us, and how your parent will help decide what goes into the book.
The book is created with permission.
Your parent helps decide what belongs in the book. Paying for Presence does not give family members access to every private conversation.
A fuller picture of someone you love.
As the weeks, conversations reveal little things that might otherwise go unspoken: memories opinions, favorite places, family stories and what matters most right now.
With your parent’s involvement and permission, we bring selected stores and reflections together in a beautifully designed book for children, grandchildren and future generations .
The first 12 weeks lay the foundation. From there, your parent can continue their conversations with us, deepening the relationship and adding new stories and chapters to their book over time.
PROGRAM DETAILS
What’s included
The Presence Experience - $2,400
Presence begins with 12 weeks of meaningful conversation, creating space for connection, curiosity, and reflection, while building something personal that can continue to grow over time.
Payment may be divided among family members or made in three installments of $800.
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The same Mainstay founder throughout, allowing a genuine relationship to develop naturally over time. Conversations by phone or video, according to parent’s preference.
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Twenty-four private, 30-minute conversations over an initial 12 weeks, with the opportunity to continue beyond the first chapter
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Thoughtful, engaging discussions about memories, relationships, interest, opinions and life as it’s being lived today.
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A professionally written, edited and designed book capturing their stories, perspectives and the person they continue to become.
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A personal keepsake that allows children, grandchildren and future generations to know them in a deeper way.
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An initial book, with a printed edition available, and the option to continue conversations and add chapters over time.
Your first edition is delivered following the initial 12 weeks. We also offer ongoing conversations beyond this starting point, with new chapters added as more stories, experiences and interests unfold.
Contact us for continuation options and pricing.
A GENTLE WAY TO BEGIN
An introduction to Presence
Before committing to the full experience, your loved one can begin with a single, thoughtfully guided conversation.
It's an opportunity to see how Presence feels, whether they enjoy the experience, and what can emerge when someone takes the time to really listen.
Following the conversation, we'll create a small keepsake with selected moments from their story, offering a glimpse of what the full Presence experience can become.
A personal introduction to Presence · $200
QUESTIONS FAMILIES ASK
Before Presence begins.
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Not at all. There’s nothing to prepare and no special stories to come up with. We start with what’s happening in their life and follow whatever interests them. The conversation unfolds naturally.
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A lot of people feel that way. But the things families treasure aren’t always extraordinary stories. Sometimes it’s an everyday memory, a funny observation, an opinion, or a small detail they’ve never heard before. Everyone has something worth sharing.
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The calls are private conversations between your parent and their Mainstay founder. Your parent decides what they’re comfortable sharing with family and what may be included their book. We discuss those boundaries together before the program begins.
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It depends. Some people experiencing memory changes may enjoy and benefit from Presence. What’s important is that your parent understands the program, can agree to participate and feels comfortable during conversations. We’re happy to discuss their individual circumstances before getting started. Presence is not memory care or clinical support.
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We understand that plans change. With reasonable notice, we’ll reschedule the call within the 12-week period whenever possible. We’ll explain the scheduling policy before the program begins.
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Throughout the 12 weeks, we gather stories, memories, opinions, and everyday details that help capture who your parent is. With their involvement and permission, we turn selected conversations into a professionally edited and designed book that reflects their voice and personality. Your family receives a digital edition and one hardcover copy after the program
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No. Presence is a conversation-based program focused on connection and getting to know the individual. It is not therapy, caregiving, medical care, memory care or an emergency service and it does not replace any of those forms of support.
A meaningful connection for them. A fuller understanding for your family
THE MAINSTAY PRESENCE