ORANJ seeks changes in NJ state laws pertaining to CCRCs to give residents a real voice in governance of their communities.
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Two identical 2006 bills that take top priority, number S425 in the NJ Senate, and A1148 in the Assembly, seek the following mandates:
- that Boards of Trustees, the usual governing structures of CCRCs, include at least one resident as a full voting member of the Board,
- that Boards must consult with residents (or their representatives) BEFORE taking any action that will significantly affect the well being or financial stability of the facility, and
- that when the Board meets with residents to discuss issues it must be represented not solely by the CEO, who often is both the manager of the facility and a member of the Board.
These changes are important not only for seniors who are current residents of CCRCs but also for the rest of us whose parents or grandparents are current or anticipated residents. Legislators need to listen to this important constituency because residents of CCRCs are generally well educated, and healthy seniors who are conscientious voters and will support those who help pass these important bills in Trenton this year.
Today’s residents bear little resemblance to the “poor old folks” who were cared for in “old people’s homes,” which were the ancestors to modern CCRCs. The “poor old folks” generally entered such homes as a last resort and they were grateful for being looked after at little or no cost. Residents of CCRCs now enter communities voluntarily to take part in a comfortable retirement lifestyle and pay significant fees to receive high quality service. Whereas the “old people’s homes” were generally supported by external sources, such as religious philanthropy or government subsidy, the modern CCRC is financed by resident fees. Therefore, as major stakeholders in their CCRCs, the residents seek the inclusion of one or more of their number as full members of the governing boards of their communities