A 96-year-old woman faces eviction from her senior living nursing home unless she pays $110,000 to the new owners.
A life’s savings at risk
Jean Jacques, a 96-year-old woman of Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove, California, is facing the threat of eviction.
She must pay a substantial sum of money to avoid being displaced.
In 2002, Jacques secured her place at the nursing home by signing a lifetime care contract and paying a $250,000 (£190,000) deposit. Additionally, she also committed to paying $5,000 (£3,800) in monthly rent until her funds were exhausted.
Ownership change and contract dispute
The nursing home’s ownership changed hands when California-Nevada Methodist Homes, which had previously operated the facility, went bankrupt.
The facility is now under new ownership.
The property was sold to Pacific Grove Senior Living in 2022.
The new owners agreed to honor the existing lifetime care contracts. Additionally, they promised that residents like Jacques, who had outlived their savings, would not be evicted.
However, just two years later, Jacques received a notice from Pacific Grove Senior Living’s parent company, Pacifica Senior Living. Additionally, the notice demanded $110,000 (£84,000).
The notice warned that failure to pay this amount within three days could result in eviction.
Reaction and legal implications
Jacques expressed her shock and distress, stating, “I was shocked. While, the reason I moved into Forest Hill Manor was to be taken care of for the rest of my life. I’m not going.
Additionally, they’ll have to bury me because I have no place to go, and they have all my money.
The dispute arises from a discrepancy between the terms agreed upon with the previous owners. Additionally, this is at odds with the current management’s stance.
Furthermore, Jacques’s contract was supposed to be honored, it appears the new management does not view it as unconditional.
Bob Sadler, president of Pacific Grove Senior Living’s residents’ association, criticized the situation, calling it “morally unthinkable.”
In addition, he questioned the ethical implications of potentially forcing Jacques out of her home
Advocacy and next steps
Elizabeth Campos, a project manager with the Alliance for Ageing, is advocating on Jacques’s behalf.
Campos argues that the eviction notice was not approved by the Community Care Licensing Division.
Additionally, this is the California state agency responsible for overseeing care facilities.
Additionally, the notice lacked information on how Jacques could appeal the decision.
Campos voiced her frustration, emphasizing, “You know, it’s frustrating. You do get angry knowing that it’s an elderly person. Where is this person going to go?”
As the situation unfolds, the fight to uphold Jacques’s original contract continues.
In short, this raised broader questions about the treatment of elderly residents and the integrity of lifetime care agreements.