ORANJ - RESEARCH
2011 Occupancy and Fees Report
Summary: In the spring of 2011 The 24 New Jersey CCRCs had 9,818 units, of which 7,115 were independent living, 1,1254 were assisted living and 1,449 were skilled nursing/long term care. Fee increases averaged 3.43% in independent living units,4.23% in assisted living, and 3.94% in skilled nursing. The full survey report provides data for each of the New Jersey CCRCs.
2010 Occupancy&Fees Report ... 2009 Occupancy&FeesReport
2008
Occupancy&FeesReport ..... 2007
Occupancy&FeesReport
2006 Occupancy&FeesReport ..... 2005
Occupancy&FeesReport
2011 Report on the Survey of Fire Emergency Preparedness
In late 2010, The Pines at Whiting undertook to improve upon their policies, procedures and hardware in fire emergencies. Previous experience at The Pines had indicated two significant problems. The first was that, even though there was a hallway sound alarm system that met State regulations, people with hearing impairment were unable to hear the alarm—especially when hearing aids were removed upon retiring. The second problem was a result of having a three-story building. In an evacuation emergency, residents in upper floors who used walkers or wheel chairs required assistance in descending stairways. The questions—who should provide the assistance or were there other solutions to the problem? We wondered if other CCRC’s had found ways to solve either or both of these problems.
These questions led to a Fire Emergency Questionnaire which a representative of each CCRC was requested to complete. The summary of the results of that questionnaire forms the basis for this report. We received responses from 22 of the 24 CCRC’s in the State and our interpretation of the responses on a question-by-question basis is presented .
Go to the Report on Fire Emergency Preparedness
2010 Report on the Study of Transparency
Information for this Transparency Study was gathered by a questionnaire sent to the President of each Resident Association related to ORANJ. To encourage candid answers we promised not to reveal the names of the Associations, nor of respondents selected by the Presidents. After telephone follow up calls, 22 of the 24 questionnaires were returned. A SUMMARY OF QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES is included with this report (Appendix A). From the questionnaires, we selected the most promising responses for analysis and inclusion in the report, in order to:
- Compare evidences of present transparency levels with respondent’s feelings about how much residents enjoy candid and open communication from boards and managements;
- Explore possible differences in levels of transparency related to different sizes of a community’s Independent Living population (IL), as reported in ORANJ occupancy reports;
- Analyze the different roles of boards, managements, and resident committees;
- Suggest ways that communities can improve their transparency.
Go to the Study on Transparency
2010 Report on the Study of Resident Board members
In 2007, after a long campaign by ORANJ, it became law in New Jersey that at least one resident must be included on the governing board of each CCRC. See action report.
The 2010 study of Resident Board members reported on 20 CCRCs with at least one resident on the board. The study found that, broadly speaking, CCRCs with resident board member arrangements established prior to legislative mandate, the “Experienced” communities in the report, differed from those whose arrangements were established since passage of the law. Resident Board Members -- Summary and Full Report.
2010 Study of Transportation
All responding CCRCs have one or more vans/buses for medical
appointments and food shopping. Most of the CCRCs have transportation
to malls, cultural events, and other destinations with the exception of
one CCRC who does not provide transportation to any cultural event. 11
facilities also make available a van for special CCRC meetings held outside
the immediate vicinity. The questionnaire asked about transportation provided
both by management and volunteers.
more
-- go to the Transportation Survey
2009
Survey of Subsidization Practicies of CCRCs
Summary:
In June of 2009 a survey was conducted to determine how CCRCs in the ORANJ
area help residents who, from no fault of their own, no longer have the
income to pay for their monthly service fees. The survey form was sent
to the presidents of all 24 Residents Associations/Councils. 15 responded.
4 CCRCs declined to answer questions which they viewed as involving confidential
information.
All CCRCs reported having a program in place to provide financial assistance to residents who are outliving their resources. This is documented in their Resident and Care Agreement (RCA), the Annual Disclosure Statement, and/or the Residents’ Handbook. CCRC subsidization policies are communicated to the residents in the RCA, in the Disclosure Statement, and during meetings with residents.
Full
Report of Subsidization Survey
Addendum: Survey
Questions & Summary of Responses.
2008 Report on Income Tax Deduction Survey
Preface: Earlier this year (2008) the ORANJ Finance Committee cirulated a questionaire on practices regarding the deductibility of real estate tax and medical expense payments lf New Jersey and U.S. pesonal income tax returns of residents of the 24 member CCRCs of ORANJ. The 19 CCRCs that responded provided an answer to almost all 11 questions on the survey. As there was intentionally some redundancy in the questions, this report condenses the responses (question-by-question responses are listed separately).
It must be stated that these responses represent practices of the CCRCs in informing their residents and do not in any way suggested providing tax advice or recommendations. The same caveat applies to all information presented in this report. It is intended to inform residents as they make their own decisions, and for this they are advised to consult with appropriate tax advisors. Full Report
2008
Report on Dining Room Computer Systems
Introduction: The Meal Credit Committee completed its survey with a recommendation
that CCRCs institute a bar code and computer system in their dining rooms
to increase efficiency of operation. As a result, a subcommittee was formed
to obtain knowledge and expertise on this subject in order to help management
in CCRCs where such an installation is under consideration. At present,
nine CCRCs have completed installation of a computer based system in their
dining rooms. Because other CCRCs are considering such a program we are
passing on the information that we have collected in the hope that this
will prove useful to those that are involved in this process.
Full Report.
2008 Gift Shop (Convenience Store) Survey
A survey of Convenience/Gift Shops or Nooks was conducted by Fellowship Village in June, 2008. Nineteen CCRCs responded. Summary of Results.
2007 Health Care Survey
Nineteen of the 23 ORANJ CCRCs (82%) responded to the survey and it was clear from the completed questionnaires that most respondents took time to submit full and thoughtful answers. Here are just a few of the survey questions. Go to the complete report
- Does your facility have a Health Care Committee?
- Is a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies?
- Does your facility provide intravenous procedures?
- Is a driving test/licensing required for operation of a motorized chair?
- Do you have resident volunteers providing services in your health care centers?
- Do you have an on-site pharmacy?
- Does your faciility require an advance medical directive?
2006 Finance Committee Survey
Observations and Conclusions: Long term financial stability appears to be one area where the ORANJ Finance Committee should focus its attention. Ten CCRCs cited monthly rate increases as their greatest financial concern and half of those ten cited long term financial stability as a parallel concern. Only four CCRCs reported having some kind of a policy regarding the setting and limiting of monthly fee increases. ... Only half the CCRCs reported that information substantiating the reasonableness of monthly fee increases was provided. Half of the CCRCs asked the ORANJ Finance Committee for continued exchange of information and productive ideas.
2006FinanceCommitteeSurvey
(Highlights, Questions, and Summary of Responses)
2006 Meal Credit Survey
Summary: In the summer of 2006 a Meal Credit survey was conducted by Dan Hartley of Winchester Gardens. All but three ORANJ CCRCs responded. Most CCRCs require an absence of a number of consecutive days, most typically two weeks, before meal credit is made available. The CCRCs also varied in their reliance on a bar code or other automated system to register fees and credits.
Pet Policies in New Jersey CCRCs
In 2005 ORANJ conducted a survey of New Jersey CCRC’s with respect to the possession of pets. A report was issued by Dave Hibberson, president of the Harrogate Residents Association. The full survey report provides data for each of the New Jersey CCRCs.
