There are 24 resident associations that are members of ORANJ. There were 28 residents from 15 communities who participated in the February 14 Zoom conversation. Numbers in parenthesis indicate communities with more than one participant. Applewood (2) Atrium, Cranes Mill, Cedar Crest (3), Crestwood Manor (2), Fellowship Village, Harrogate (2), House of the Good Shepherd, Laurel Circle (2), Lions Gate (2), Medford Leas (3), Monroe Village (3), Oaks at Denville, Seabrook (2), The Evergreens (2). Please tell me about my mistakes, Maggie Heineman.
Thanks again to Andy Kleppe for preparing the recap.
RECAP BY ANDY:
Barbara Trought called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. Close Caption is available by selecting the icon at the bottom of your screen. Barbara reminded all that the next ORANJ Plenary Meeting will be on October 16, 2024, at Seabrook, an Erickson Community. An Executive from Erickson will be the morning speaker.
At the beginning of the conversation, Barbara described several features of the website:
- Map that shows regions and locations of CCRCs,
- Information about the current leadership,
- an updated list of legislative contacts for lobbying,
Maggie added that Rick Ober’s latest legislative report is also there. This February 2024 report is important because bills that ORANJ OPPOSES were reintroduced by the Assemblywomen of three of our CCRCs: Winchester Gardens, Lantern Hill, and Fellowship Village. We are asking residents of each of these three CCRCs to read the February 2024 Legislative report and contact their Assemblywomen and ask them to withdraw the bill.
Barbara also explained that NaCCRA, the National Continuing Care Residents Association, has a newsletter, “Lifeline” which is available to members. It costs $25/year to join NaCCRA. February’s Lifeline is very topical with a review of the composition of residents association Financial Review Committees (FRCs). Unfortunately, ORANJ’s plans for Zooms among leaders of ORANJ FRCs has been delayed.
Following this rather lengthy introduction, the conversation moved on to other topics.
- Applewood will be hosting a small-group meeting on May 9 for reps from CCRCs in the Central and Southeast regions. It will have a limited number of attendees and will include lunch. Applewood management is absorbing the costs of the event. Applewood has announced that its community will soon become the fifth CCRC affiliated with Fellowship Life.
- Barbara and Jim Gallagher, Chair of the ORANJ Research Committee, told of research topics such as occupancy, back-up generators, and fund raising. Jim will be preparing a series of surveys to share information on “Best Practices.” The first will be about success in fund raising.
- There was discussion about residents who, through no fault of their own exhaust their funds to pay their Monthly Service Fee. In that case any refundable deposit can be used for the MSF. Also, some communities, including those affiliated with a group such as Springpoint, have a Foundation to provide assistance. As always it is imperative that all residents read their contracts.
- The next ORANJ Zoom conversation will be on Wednesday March 13th, 2024, at 10 AM.
There being no further discussions the conversation was adjourned at 11:00 AM.
One Response
Re: Item 3 above. New Jersey Administrative Code provides significant protection for those in financial difficulties:New Jersey Administrative Code
Continuing Care Retirement Community Rules
Section 5:19-9.2 – Content of notice of rights
(a) Each resident shall be provided with a document entitled “Bill of Rights for Continuing Care Retirement Community Residents in Independent Living,” which document shall, in 12-point or larger type, contain each of the rights described below.
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29. A resident who is experiencing financial difficulties may thoroughly investigate with the facility any financial assistance which may be available to allow the resident to remain at the facility. The facility shall provide sustaining charitable assistance, unless the facility can demonstrate that:
i. Providing this assistance would adversely affect the financial health of the facility;
ii. The resident has violated the terms of the continuing care agreement or providing this assistance would violate the terms of the continuing care agreement; or
iii. Providing this assistance would cause the facility to violate a covenant in a loan agreement.
30. A resident may remain in a facility despite financial difficulty until the facility demonstrates to the Department that the entrance fee the resident paid, if applicable, has been fully earned by the facility, using the formula set forth under the Department regulations for rescission and removal, pursuant to 5:19-6.5(f). A resident shall not be permitted to remain at the facility if the financial difficulty is due to the resident’s misrepresentation to the facility about the extent of the resident’s assets or income or if the resident gives away significant assets while residing at the facility. The facility shall notify the resident in writing of any right that the resident may have to appeal that determination.