✨✨General Discussions

It was distressing to read the number of residents who are apparently worried about their community’s management reading any negative comments. Perhaps I am lucky to live at Applewood (Amherst, Mass) where a residents’ council is not only clearly heard but appreciated.

But I would like to respond to the general question asked: what are the problems and/opportunities for CCRCs in the future. Finances are clearly going to be a problem. As fewer and fewer people have defined pension plans from working and may face lower (or no) Social Security benefits, their ability to buy into and maintain a residence will be difficult.

If we move further and further into the disparity between high income and moderate income people, we may well face demands for very expensive accoutrements to our facilities. And for everyone we will face a demand for extensive (and expensive) technological devices. that’s enough for now!

Nancy Eddy

nbeddy@gmail.com

Publicly expressing observations and opinions could be threatening to providers.

Linda Kilcrease

Resident of a CCRC

At a time when I was looking into various CCRCs for my future home, before I adopted a pseudonym for my NaCCRA forum "handle", a CCRC marketing person became very suspicious of me, and this very much hindered my efforts to get good information about the CCRC.

After my initial contact with her she searched the Internet on my name, and turned up some of my NaCCRA forum messages. It seemed that it was the mere fact of my belonging to NaCCRA that was a problem for her.

It was very frustrating because I was very interested in this CCRC.

Although a pseudonym as a forum "handle" is part of a member's profile, is there any way that anyone (except perhaps a forum moderator) can view the profile if the member's real name is not included in the forum message?

I just searched the member directory with the pseudonym being used by another member for her forum "handle", and turned up nothing.

In any case, members have the option of not being listed in the member directory.

One further note. Club Express does provide for "handles" or pseudonyms. However they are part of your member profile and do not ensure anonymity. As Linda said, what you post on the internet is never absolutely private.

This particular thread is not seeking confidential information, but rather observations and opinions about threats and opportunities that most CCRCs and managed senior living in general face moving forwerd.

Richmond Shreve

NaCCRA Board Member

Forum Moderator

It is not clear that all members are residents. But even if so, it may be some residents are in the same community, and given the politics of communities, that alone may not convey safety when being open and critical.

I'm just noting that those who post are not ensured of safety, and no privacy. Most internet forums let you can use alias names, and you can hide your identity. Working through others, or one-on-one is limited communications and sharing. Just something to think about for those who post. Once on the internet, always there for others to see.

Linda Kilcrease

Resident of a CCRC

Linda,

That is right, what you post is available to the public in most but not all forums. We can create forums visible only to members specified by the moderator as members of the forum. Also, you can privately email or even telephone other forum posters or the administrators if you want to communicate sensitive information. The reply offers that choice in most cases. If not, consult the member directory for the email address.

Richmond Shreve

NaCCRA Board Member

Forum Moderator

Daily lived experiences of the residents hold the key to longevity of the institutions.

A theme that appears on our Forums regularly is the frustration of residents not being listened to by management. The lack of adequate feedback to management to be used as a process improvement tool needs attention everywhere. Most Service-Oriented Industries have process improvement/satisfaction mechanisms to insure that the services they offer are meeting the needs for those paying for them. They are not common in most facilities and our Forums suggest that they are not allowed in others. Censorship and lack of confidentiality is a complicating factor.

Given the required massive initial entry requirement and the hefty monthly fees, residents deserve to be heard, to be heeded, and to have input into the quality of service they receive. Some of the posts here are sorrowful, indicating the level of frustration of not being allowed meaningful agency to improve the quality of life they live.

Of course, managerial decisions are critical to the longevity of any institution. Residents need to be aware of them and that's why transparency is so important, but I don't see that as a daily concern of most. Our communities have such a rich body of residents and it is good that some of our residents keep up with it for us.

Of course, macro cultural issues are critical concerns during these chaotic cultural shifts. And again, thank heavens for our resident experts who keep up with them and assist us to be proactive wherever we can. God bless um.

Maura Conry

NaCCRA Board of Directors

Forum Monitor

I think one of the key things in using these forums, is to realize there may be provider / management people reading these forums. We post by name and most by community. These forums are open to the public to read, logon if you want to post. There is no privacy for residents. Some members may not want to be so open and honest about their opinions or experiences.

Linda Kilcrease

Resident of a CCRC

As a resident of a managed community, I'd like your opinion about the future of managed senior communities.

What do you see as the top threats to life care communities from the perspective of residents? What opportunities do you see? Are there articles I should read?

These are questions that are usually asked when making long-term strategic plans. It's easy to obsess over immediate issues and overlook trends that have big impacts. Some obvious concerns include Social Security, Consolidation, Mergers & Acquisitions, SNF Costs, Staffing. Please comment on these and other issues you see.

Richmond Shreve

NaCCRA Board Member

Forum Moderator