Financial Turmoil, Uncertainty Hovering Over Arizona Senior Independent Living & Retirement Community Forces Elderly To Flee Homes

In Green Valley, Arizona, the Green Valley News & Sun reports:

• The beautiful but nearly empty Retreat at Santa Rita Springs retirement village is facing financial hard times and it is up to the mortgage holder as to whether it continues operating. [...] Meanwhile, many of the dozen elderly residents still there are making arrangements to move after hearing of financial turmoil and seeing their beloved staff fired last Friday on two hours’ notice.

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• The turmoil has been devastating for residents and former staff. “It’s all very confusing, isn’t it?” said Georgia Ryder, who has lived in Green Valley on and off since 1980. “Since Friday we didn’t know anything. I cried for two days. I’m going to miss all my friends like crazy. I’ve been here (in Green Valley) 30 years.” Ryder has found a place to live in Tucson and other residents are doing the same because they cannot take the uncertainty. "Watermark [the former management company] left the food here that they bought, so we have food until Friday,” Ryder said, underscoring the worries residents have. [Former executive director Debbie] Engen said, “It’s hard, it really is. Between staff and residents, you get very close. It’s like a family. We brought stuff from home and did whatever we could to make a go of it with no funds.”

For the story, see Retirement apartments in financial bind.