Originally Posted by jane032657 (Post 1533987)

Good for you Gracie, I am sure that is where the alert came in. Believe me, the competition right now is huge in The Villages for all levels of care and no corporate office wants this thread lingering and negative feedback in front of the public.

While every company will tell you care is their number 1 priority, having worked for corporate five star assisted living, I know their secrets.

Not that they shouldn't make profit, of course they should. But they should also pay decent wages and benefits (because happy staff make happy caregivers and teams), and increase the food, transportation and entertainment budgets for the residents, and be fair in their levels of care.

When that happy marketing person gives you your tour and sells you the greatest care and living experience ever, remember to look beyond the chandelier, which is what I tell everyone, and also remember you are a commission to that person.

I know of one 90 year old woman who put a deposit at the new Elan, and yes she signed a contract a few months ago, but her neighbors who help her out tremendously encouraged her to stay in her home with their support. Elan, the new one, would not give her back her $2500 deposit and told her she could use it another time if she wants to move in. I found that incredulous as they are just opening and certainly its not like they could not rent open apartments during that time and would be losing business.It would have been a good will gesture as a new independent living community to refund this woman.

If you care about elders, give a break to a 90 year old for heavens sakes and return her money. If they had been full occupancy I would understand as they would have turned someone away, but they are not full. It's shameful.

I never refused giving back a deposit when I was an Executive Director, never. Contract or no contract.