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✨ Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing

Can windows be fully opened in AL?
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Skilled nursing and assisted living.

At Medford Leas in Medford, New Jersey, we often leave the building unlocked while claiming that seniors are safe. We also cancel resident exercise programs at any excuse. In addition, we do not have lifeguards at our pool when respected pools nearby have two lifeguards.

SocialWorkerMo,


In which parts of your CCRC can windows be opened only a few inches? All of it, including independent living?

Ageism is alive and well in retirement living, and paternalism is one aspect of it. It is the over-protecting of older people by assuming they are unable to take care of themselves. This sets the provider up as the "expert" making all the decisions in a power dynamic that fosters dependence, discouragement and depression.

A common statement often heard here from entry level staff to management is that "our goal is to keep seniors safe." This attitude has spawned layer upon layer of "rules" which are quoted regularly by staff from all levels. My observation is most of these rules, as quoted, typically prevent the resident from doing something, ie. opening a window. It does not seem possible to me that so many staff members took the time to memorize such a large collection of rules so they can accurately quote them at will. There is probably an interesting research study here somewhere.

Our windows can only be cracked a few inches.



At our place in NJ the IL windows open all the way.

I am wondering if in your communities, in AL in particular, can one fully open the windows (vs. windows being blocked and maybe open only for 3-4" ?


Some communities cite security reasons for what they are doing, which for AL is a surprising concern. I checked where I live and there are zero rules or regulations from a fire or building code perspective.



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