Without a home at 92
A Christchurch rest home company giving residents just six weeks to move out is under investigation by the government watchdog for retirement villages.
Rest home residents at Merivale Retirement Village were told last week that they may need to move out by April 1 because a replacement facility has fewer beds.
The company that owns the retirement company has links to a host of All Blacks – including skipper Kieran Read. It was revealed yesterday managing director and main shareholder Jenny Stokes left to go on holiday shortly after residents were told.
Retirement villages watchdog Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) is looking into the firm’s actions. Its national manager for retirement villages Troy Churton was concerned residents may not have been fully informed about what accommodation would be available, and at what cost, following the move to the new facility.
But the commission, which does not monitor rest homes, had not received complaints from residents and the process appeared to be in line with relevant legislation for retirement villages, he said. ‘‘Most admission agreements come with the right to terminate with three weeks’ notice and without a reason to be given.’’
The retirement village has a contract with Canterbury District Health Board to provide rest home care. CDHB planning executive director Carolyn Gullery said they were notified of the changes on January 16, about a month before residents were told.
‘‘We advised the retirement village’s clinical manger how to best engage with our older persons health team and that we were happy to be part of meetings when informing residents and families of closure,’’ she said.
According to the Companies Office, All Blacks captain Read, predecessor Richie McCaw, star first fiveeighth Dan Carter, Crusaders coach
‘‘Most admission agreements come with the right to terminate with three weeks’ notice and without a reason to be given.’’
Scott Robertson, and former test players Ian Kirkpatrick, Greg Somerville and Greg Feek are all listed on the share register of the company that owns the rest home. Kiwi golf legend Sir Bob Charles is also listed.
A trust cannot appear on the share register so the stars could be entered in their capacity as trustees of a family trust.
The village is owned by the company Merivale-Willowlea Holdings, which also owns the Village Palms Retirement Village in Christchurch. The company has four directors – Warren Glassey, Murray Isaacs, Simon Marks and Jenny Stokes.
Rest home residents have been offered the option of paying $150,000 for an occupation right agreement for a room in the new facility or paying $30 a day on top of their usual charge. But there are not enough beds for all the current residents. A letter to residents said the new beds would be allotted on a ‘‘first comefirst served basis’’.
Work started on the new facility three years ago and managers had to estimate how many residents would still need care once it was completed. But not as many residents died over that three years as the owners had predicted. The closure of the rest home has left many elderly and vulnerable residents not knowing where they will live after April 1.
Widower Ivan Emmerson, 92, suffered a stroke in the early 2000s which left him paralysed on his right side.
He has lived at the Merivale facility for 10 years, including five with his late wife, Dawn.
‘‘At my age you don’t feel like moving at all. My two daughters are busy looking out for a home for me to go to.’’
Company director Warren Glassey said the move was going to be ‘‘problematic’’ for many residents.
‘‘It is unfortunate. Nobody likes change, especially when you get old. I imagine it is stressful for families and residents and staff.’’
Glassey said retirement village managing director and main shareholder Jenny Stokes left for a week’s holiday at the weekend, a few days after residents were informed of the move on February 14.
The holiday was arranged before the announcement date was set, he said.
‘‘It was not planned to remove her from the situation. She hasn’t gone away to avoid fronting. She is a strong lady and she would front.’’