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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83497318670?pwd=1JRPGYXr3EYNrjBs5KdLOTbbVTxGxl.1

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The proposed Agenda and Supporting Documents are below.  These are open meetings, so you can feel free to invite any residents who might be interested and to share these materials with them.

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Please contact Dan Seeger in advance of the meeting if you have additional agenda items to propose so we can prioritize the use of time. 

The 3/27 meeting to discuss the Budget and the Strategic Plan was cut short by a medical emergency. No date has been set to resume as yet.

Nancy Morrill’s Report

Draft Bill of Rights

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But the typical resident of a managed community has fronted most of their nest egg to get in, and is paying substantial fees to live in their community. They have also invested the emotional capital to leave their former community and friends and find new friends in the new one. The transition is a hard one. These two factors make it easy to intimidate a resident. A hostile executive can say and do things that are perceived as threats.

By Richmond B Shreve

This essay originally appeared on the NaCCRA.org website first posted 1/12/25

Solidarity is a word with a storied history. For many, it conjures images of laborers locking arms in pursuit of fair wages or activists standing together to confront injustice. But solidarity isn’t confined to union halls or marches—it’s a principle that can transform any group of like-minded people into a source of strength, support, and inspiration. For senior residents in managed communities, solidarity offers an especially profound opportunity: to unite independent voices across communities, share wisdom, and foster a sense of belonging that enriches all.

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In today’s landscape, most senior living communities operate independently, with little interaction or collaboration. Residents may feel isolated, unsure how to advocate for their interests, or uncertain about the challenges faced by others in similar settings. Yet, as groups like the National Continuing Care Residents Association (NaCCRA) demonstrate, there is power in connection. By networking individuals, councils, and state organizations, NaCCRA champions the idea that we are stronger together. This isn’t just a lofty ideal—it’s a practical strategy for navigating the complexities of aging and senior living in a rapidly changing world.

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At its heart, solidarity begins with a simple acknowledgment: we are all in this together. Whether it’s the challenges of ensuring transparency from management, negotiating changes in facilities, or addressing concerns about aging in place, many senior residents share common goals. Solidarity invites us to listen, learn, and act—not just for our own benefit but for the good of all. By linking arms across communities and states, residents can amplify their voices, exchange solutions, and drive positive change.

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Solidarity isn’t only about advocating for rights; it’s also about creating spaces where people feel they belong. For senior residents, this sense of belonging is critical. Isolation can take a toll on physical and emotional well-being, while the companionship of a supportive group can be transformative. Studies show that people who feel connected to others live healthier, happier lives. When seniors come together—whether through formal organizations, informal councils, or simple acts of neighborly kindness—they create a nurturing environment that bolsters resilience and fosters joy.

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Take, for example, the experience of a resident council at one senior community that joined a state-wide association. Members had long felt their voices weren’t being heard by management, but when they connected with councils from other communities, they discovered they weren’t alone. Through shared discussions and resources, they learned effective advocacy strategies and found the confidence to address their concerns collaboratively. The result? A new sense of empowerment and a deep bond with others who understood their struggles.

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This sense of solidarity isn’t limited to tackling challenges—it’s also about celebrating joys. Think of the resident in Florida who swaps stories with her counterpart in Virginia, or the senior group in California that shares tips on starting a community garden with a council in Texas. These connections remind us that life’s richness comes from relationships and shared purpose. Even across distances, solidarity helps us feel part of something larger than ourselves.

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For organizations like NaCCRA, fostering solidarity means more than creating a network; it means cultivating a culture of mutual care and support. By connecting concerned individuals, encouraging the formation of local chapters, and offering resources for advocacy, NaCCRA empowers residents to take charge of their communities while remaining linked to a broader movement. This layered approach—individual, local, and national—reflects the many dimensions of solidarity. It’s about standing firm together while also nurturing the personal bonds that make life meaningful.

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As we embrace solidarity, we’re reminded that our strength lies not in uniformity but in unity. Each senior community is unique, with its own character and challenges, yet all share a commitment to the well-being of their residents. When we come together to share our knowledge, experiences, and dreams, we create a foundation that sustains us all.

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In a world that can sometimes feel isolating, solidarity offers a powerful antidote. It connects us to others who share our struggles and our hopes. It reminds us that we are never truly alone. And it fosters the nurturing bonds that give life depth and purpose.

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For senior residents across the country, the call to solidarity is clear. Whether through joining a local group, participating in a state association, or connecting with a national network like NaCCRA, the opportunities to build relationships and create change are boundless. Together, we can support one another, advocate for our shared interests, and ensure that every senior community is a place of dignity, belonging, and care.

If you find yourself saying you had a “senior moment,” you reinforce the stereotype that old people are forgetful. If you joke about the “rumor mill,” you are demeaning your community and other older adults as superficial and irresponsible.

As a community, Pennswood has an astounding wealth and depth of knowledge and experience. Let no one dismiss us because we are aging.

Eldercare Issues Discussion Group

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Our ordinary fourth-Thursday-of-the-month meeting-time conflicts with Thanksgiving in November and with the day after Christmas in December.  So we are replacing these two meetings with one meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the Blue Room and on Zoom. 

All are welcome.  Visit our website for the complete agenda and for the Zoom link:  pv-eldercare.org

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One item we will discuss will be the up-coming January Quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Alliance of Retirement Community Residents (PARCR) at which the keynote speaker will be Karen Veronikis, who is in charge of CCRC oversight at the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance.  At our meeting on December 9, 2024 we will be discussing questions to bring to Keren Veronikis, and we will be organizing car pools to the PARCR meeting, which is in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on January 8, 2025.  Any Pennswood Resident who is a PARCR member is eligible to attend the January meeting.  Join at PARCR.org.

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The Eldercare Issues Discussion Group is a gathering of Pennswood Village residents who monitor and discuss issues and trends in the ever-changing Life Care movement.  Its participants seek to discern and define best practices in all areas of resident life, notably with respect to financial transparency, health care, and resident participation in governance.  The Group’s members share their information with fellow residents in Pennswood Village and other communities, with state and federal officials and legislative bodies, and with others who are concerned with and active in the Life Care movement.

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Dan Seeger, Facilitator

For the Eldercare Issues Discussion Group

The video is a presentation by Ziegler to the Virginia Continuing Care Residents Association (VACCRA), which is affiliated with the National Continuing Care Residents Association (NaCCRA), where I serve as a board member and Dan Seeger is the past president. Ziegler leads the firms that finance development in the industry.

The slide deck used in the presentation is contained in the PDF below.

Our ordinary fourth Thursday meeting time conflicts in November and December with Thanksgiving itself and with the Day after Christmas.  So at last Thursday’s meeting we decided to substitute one meeting for these two.  The substitute meeting will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the Blue Room and on Zoom.  After that we will resume with our ordinary fourth Thursdays, which in January 2025 will be on January 23, 2025.

Please note these changes in you calendars.  Many thanks.

Daniel A. Seeger

Pennswood Village B-107

Also, be aware that to get maximum benefit from any mobility aid, yes, even a humble cane or walking stick, check in with physical therapy. There are efficient ways to use these devices that can save you time, frustration, and perhaps pain. Some are counter-intuitive.