I serve on the Residents’ Council of a large CCRC in the Mid-Atlantic area. Group work doesn’t go away in retirement. It continues with 18 committees focusing on dining, finance, housekeeping, conservation, health, communications. grounds, safety and security. I’ll stop there. I don’t want to bore you any more.
So even though we have very good management through a large management company, the council committees give feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Some suggestions are easy to fix (the copier is not working at the lobby desk) to more complicated issues (the replacement air conditioner compressor is bigger than the space available).
Some projects take a long time to fix due to waits for replacement parts, budget constraints and shifting priorities. The snow has done a number on many outside projects. Residents complain about things that can’t be addressed until the weather warms up. Parking is a chronic problem but the new parking construction is delayed until warmer weather. Sometimes you get the feeling that it is never good enough.
But we live in community and what does that mean. It means that not every management decision is met with open arms. There is a “what’s in it for me” (arms folded over chest) attitude with some folk. Or why change, it’s been good enough for the 5, 10, 15 years I’ve lived here. But all in all, it is a great way to live.