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We aren’t regular church goers, but our business was only with churches. In 25 years of business, there was never an incident of unpleasantness. I’d imagine that any church run assisted living would be well run by caring people.
What i suspect is that one would need to demonstrate a long time affiliation with the denomination in question in order to be accepted. We used to live near a Lutheran home, and it had some independent living houses as well as assisted, and it was very attractive.
Small audience in many cases. Presumably it could work, but I wouldn't want to be tied that closely by religion/politics to anyone.
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Originally Posted by Midpack
Honestly you could be very happy in one of the communities you describe. But I would imagine they'd be less exploitative only as long as you adhere to their beliefs, that could be a double edged sword. Some of the best human beings I know are deeply religious/church affiliated (religious and spiritual are not one if the same IME), and some of the most hypocritical, self-righteous church going people I've ever know are also deeply religious.
^^I daresay neither of you have any practical experience with either of these.^^ They aren't religious communities like a Convent or Friary or Monastery. They're no different than other healthcare facilities, many of which are run by religious organizations.
Anyhow, the costs and limitations of these places are much the same; it costs the same to feed the residents, the same to light and heat the buildings, the CNA and Nursing staff are drawn from the same pool. My point is that unless you're inherently anti-religious (or have a prejudice against a specific religion) you aren't likely to notice much.
Many, many hospitals and Nursing/Assisted living homes are religiously affiliated. Most of the time they're pretty subdued in their religiosity. My Dad was born at a Lutheran XYZ Hospital. My mom worked at TUV-Jewish hospital, another aunt at Methodist Hospital. My SIL works for St. ABC hospital, (Catholic.) My neighbor's grandchild was delivered at DEF-Baptist Hospital. They're all good-to-great facilities.
One relative spent her final years at a Catholic facility. She was Catholic and so in her mind, it was preferable. The only notable Catholic thing, aside from the pictures of many past directors being Nuns, was that they held mass for the residents most Sundays, (possibly most days, not sure on that.) Aside from that? Not much. They organized movie nights, card games, trips to the casino once in awhile. They weren't censoring the cable or pushing right-to-life agendas or anything else. If you wanted to get to mass and weren't able to, you had to ask for a push. My Grandfather lived for a couple years at a secular facility. It too, was nice. We toured another one operated by the Presbyterians; also nice.
That a local Priest comes and holds mass at the facility for the residents. I volunteered at a county run SNF, and every Sunday a different local Clergy would hold service. 1st Sunday Afternoon was Catholic, 2nd Sunday Afternoon was Presbyterian, 3rd Lutheran... Honestly I don't know if/what they did for Shabbat; I know there were some Jewish residents but not many.
I also know Priests that give mass at Prisons, and I know other Protestants minister in jails too. There is plenty of precedent for it, and no one is forced to participate.
My father was in a religion-run, non-profit facility for a year (first assisted living, then nursing) until he passed away in September. Religion was not one of the factors we considered, and he didn't attend any of the religious services. It is an excellent facility, and no less expensive than others in the area. Everyone was treated with respect there, and I would live ther if I needed to, despite the fact that I have no religion.
I would be interested in hearing peoples' thoughts on non-profit retirement / Independent Living communities run by churches. I know of Jewish, Episcopal, Baptist, Mennonite, etc. ones and I am sure there are others.
My interest lies in the hope that these would have a better and less exploitative attitude toward residents compared to communities that are businesses run solely for profit.
(Please not this is not a dig at the latter; I know about those and am just interested in the alternative).
Thank you in advance for any thoughts or experiences.
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Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe
Unless they are running a charity, profit will be the motive. Mixing religion in with it, doesn't really change that, in my experience.
Yes, and no. I think that people often look at an operation, (say, a Nursing Home) and paint in black or white.
OP has a valid point that there are no shareholders demanding greater returns every quarter.
To your point, he misses that the facility still has to operate in the black. CRNA's, Nurses, Accountants, food vendors, custodians, etc don't work for free. The building has to be maintained. All that costs money, and in the absence of an enormous endowment, that has to get passed on somehow.
I see this sometimes with a couple of dog rescues I foster for. People get snarky about the rescue charging $500 for a young purebred dog, and $100 (or sometimes no fee) for an Senior dog. They miss that though the rescue "profited" $400 on the young dog, that money went to providing vet care for another. They want a strict, per dog cost analysis and miss the greater goal. Charging little for the puppy isn't fair to the others that have greater needs.
My 94 year old SIL is living with at a home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, a long time Catholic order with a special calling to help the elderly with low incomes.
She is doing so much better there we are thrilled.
I would be interested in hearing peoples' thoughts on non-profit retirement / Independent Living communities run by churches. I know of Jewish, Episcopal, Baptist, Mennonite, etc. ones and I am sure there are others.
There are a number here in Cincinnati, mainly Jewish, Catholic and Lutheran facilities. I'm not aware of any interdenominational facilities, although there might be one.
They run the gamut from free living to semi-assisted to fully assisted-living. Typically, two or more buildings are free living and the others are a mix of semi- and fully-assisted living.
Like-minded people generally like to be together, and I suppose if your like-mindedness runs in that direction, then it might be worth it for you to investigate it further.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WeatherHappy
My interest lies in the hope that these would have a better and less exploitative attitude toward residents compared to communities that are businesses run solely for profit.
You're sadly mistaken. They're all run for-profit. Facilities maintenance and upkeep costs what it costs, as does the labor for semi- and fully-assisted living, and if expansion is part of the plans, that costs, too.
Where so-called "profit" is concerned, that is the difference between the actual market value and the HUD market value, which is not the same thing. The actual market value -- which is what other apartments in the same neighborhood rent -- might be $450/month, but the HUD formula allows them to charge $780/month for an apartment that really rents for $450/month, and that difference is the profit.
There are a number here in Cincinnati, mainly Jewish, Catholic and Lutheran facilities. I'm not aware of any interdenominational facilities, although there might be one.
They run the gamut from free living to semi-assisted to fully assisted-living. Typically, two or more buildings are free living and the others are a mix of semi- and fully-assisted living.
Like-minded people generally like to be together, and I suppose if your like-mindedness runs in that direction, then it might be worth it for you to investigate it further.
You're sadly mistaken. They're all run for-profit. Facilities maintenance and upkeep costs what it costs, as does the labor for semi- and fully-assisted living, and if expansion is part of the plans, that costs, too.
Where so-called "profit" is concerned, that is the difference between the actual market value and the HUD market value, which is not the same thing. The actual market value -- which is what other apartments in the same neighborhood rent -- might be $450/month, but the HUD formula allows them to charge $780/month for an apartment that really rents for $450/month, and that difference is the profit.
Not exactly...You are correct that they cost what they cost, and the costs for everything from Coffee to Toilet Paper to the CNA's are going to be the same in theory whether or not they're for profit or not...But Some are run by for-profit companies, some aren't. The difference is that one is focused on making money for the owner/shareholders, and one isn't.
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