by Maggie Heineman
This two-part post starts with information about the ORANJ Executive Committee (EC) and its March 5 meeting. Then there is a summary of the ORANJ Second Wednesday conversation on March 13, 2024.
The EC is made up of 11 volunteers. There is no office, no paid staff. It’s just us. We work from our homes and our ages range from upper 70s to mid-90s. I’m the president and chair of communications. There are two past presidents, five regional vice presidents (one of whom handles legislation), a secretary, a treasurer, and the chair of the research committee. If you want to know more about the eleven of us, visit the Leadership Page on our website.
Twenty of the twenty-four member associations have paid this year’s dues. Regional VPs will contact those who haven’t yet paid.
There is an article about Financial Review Committees on page 5 of the February 2024 issue of the NaCCRA Newsletter. Titled “Cheers for Transparency,” the article is quite detailed and useful. Both the ORANJ Finance Guide and the NaCCRA Financial Soundness Handbook are referenced in the article.
On March 5 we discussed this year’s Occupancy and Fees Survey. From 2005 through 2019 the survey had a question about the percentage increases in fees — in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Long-Term Care. Then came the pandemic. Surveys were not done in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 and 2023 the surveys were limited to occupancy, no questions about fee increases were asked. At our March 5 meeting it was decided that in 2024 the survey will once again include questions about fee increases in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Long-Term and Memory Care.
We discussed legislation that affects CCRCs. Residents who wish to understand this issue should visit oranj-legislation on our website. It’s all there: the latest legislative report and lobbying contacts, and a detailed explanation of why ORANJ opposes the current bills concerning refundable contacts. Also, there is background on ORANJ’s work on having the Veterans Property Tax Deduction apply to veterans who live in a CCRC. The deduction could now be raised from $250 to either $1250 or $2500 depending upon which bills start the process of a constitutional amendment.
Next topic: Applewood has sent invitations to a small-group meeting on May 9 to the nine communities in the SE and Central regions. A waiting list has been established for communities that wish to send more than three residents to the meeting.
Planning for the October 18 plenary at Seabrook is well underway. In the morning the keynote speech on “Future Trends in CCRCs” will be presented by an executive from the Erickson headquarters in Baltimore. It will include information on how changes in Medicare and Medicaid payments will affect CCRCs. In the afternoon, Dawn LeBoeuf, the head of the clinic at Stonebridge, will speak about falls and fall prevention.
We talked about deaths and dangers of Lithium Battery Fires. Seabrook has had a clinic for staff and residents about Lithium Battery Safety. It would be a good thing if every community had a similar program. Wayne Steadman will be at the March 13 conversation to tell us more.
At the end of the meeting Barbara Trought asked a question about Gift Shops. Does your community have one? Is it owned and operated by residents or management? Meadow Lakes and The Oaks do not have a gift shop. Stonebridge has a Country Store, which is run by residents. At Fellowship Village the gift shop is owned and operated by management and Seabrook has a full-service CVS pharmacy on campus.
Summary of the March 13 Second Wednesday Conversation
Because Andy Kleppe was absent, this summary is by Maggie Heineman.
Thirty-two residents from 17 associations participated in the March 13 Zoom conversation: Applewood, Atrium, Cedar Crest, Crestwood Manor, Fellowship Village, Friends Village, Harrogate, House of the Good Shepherd, Lantern Hill, Laurel Circle, Lions Gate, Meadow Lakes, Medford Leas, Monroe Village, Pines, Oaks at Denville, Seabrook, The Evergreens, Winchester Gardens.
The conversation started with a question about association dues. Immediately there was the comment “dues” is not the best word to use when raising funds for association expenses. During the conversation we learned that at some communities the administration pays for most, or all of the costs for association activities. In fact, the administration may be organizing and sponsoring most or all of the activities. In some communities although the association doesn’t collect funds for activities, there are individual activities that charge for participation. The two largest residents association budgets are $40K and $30K. At the other extreme, some associations have zero budgets. There was a lot of interest and a lot of sharing on this topic. In order to have a feature story in our newsletter about it, we’ll be sending presidents a request for written information.
There are also many different approaches to community newsletters. It was interesting to learn about the various kinds of collaboration on newsletters. Both Wendy Gansberg and I would like to receive publications from other communities. The ORANJ website could host a section for newsletters from communities who are able to make them public. The Medford Leas newsletter is private, but the Medford Leas Literary Journal is public. https://mlra.org/literary-journal/. There’s an author index and an archive of past issues. Please send newsletters to both Wendy and me and let me know whether what you send can be made public.
Speaking of differences, there are different ways to handle meals. But in this case, there seems to be a trend. The older system is to offer a certain number of meals a month. Now communities are moving toward offering a certain number of dining points a month. Both systems can exist side-by-side and what happens to unused points can vary. Hmm, that makes me think of another possibility for a future newsletter story. Don’t be surprised if you get a request for some written information about food service from a different perspective than the story about dining. https://oranjccrc.org/ORANJ/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/WhatsCooking-1.pdf
The next newsletter will have a story by Paul Basham about shopping in our communities at gift shops, thrift stores, pharmacies and markets for groceries. That questionnaire will soon be sent to presidents.
CCRC residents pay real estate taxes through our monthly fees. Real estate taxes are deductible. Residents are also eligible for Anchor refunds. https://nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/eligibility.shtml
Wayne Steadman talked about Lithium Battery Safety. At Seabrook there are about 250 personal Electric Vehicles. They are working toward having all of these EVs registered. The Safety Committee and Erickson are collaborating on a series of clinics that provide information and vehicle inspection. Well-meaning residents may supply batteries that are not certified. Poster about Lithium Battery Dangers and Safety.
4 Responses
Very interesting Maggie
This is the first I have seen this Blog
At the conversation on March 13, 24
Pines Village was there
I see you did not include us in the listing of attendees
Diana DeVries President and Mary Lou Gilbert 1st VP as well as Catherine Flannery Assisting Treasurer
I would be very interested in a survey about dining services using a points system. I have experience with “Points Systems” usage in college and university dormitory systems. The kind of advantages and disadvantages I saw in those settings are certainly applicable in CCRC’s. I think it it is important that we get on top of these issues , including legal implications and the impact of future rate increases on points available.
I would be available to serve on a committee exploring these issues.
Great info. Thank you again,
Betty Heuser
E_Heuser@comcast.net
As the new Winchester Gardens Resident Association president I was present on the March 13th Zoom. Please mark Winchester Gardens as in attendance.