To Care for Senior Citizens

Eleven months ago, we moved into Horizon, the French River senior community in Noelville, Ontario. All but one of the 30 units have been rented out over the past year. Now, we’re starting to lose some of the tenants.

Because the initial rental agreement is for twelve months, followed by a month-to-month rental continuation, people are deciding whether they want to stay here, or not.

For at least ten of the tenants, I have done their birth charts (for free, in case the CRA is interested). My reason for doing so is the different personalities that make up a third of the tenancies. Only four tenants knew what time of day they were born. The rest I rectified their charts.

It will come as no surprise that not everyone gets on with everyone else, and the psychological differences are quite provocative, at times. Happily, one pair have gotten together since they met, but the rest have formed little cliques, which upsets the natural order of community. Some are born leaders, some assume they should be in control, and others choose not to take any side at all.

Group dynamics is always tricky. But the natural order of life is that some will feel like they’re not welcome, and others feel justified when pressure is exerted on those individuals. All anyone wants in their senior years is to have a peaceful environment, or to be left alone to get on with their retirement.

Maybe getting a new superintendent will help, but, in the meantime, we have been without anyone on site for the last three months. That’s a concern for all of us.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the residents are getting on with their lives and hoping to have a peaceful time of it. Nobody wants turmoil. And nobody wants conflict.

I hope the non-profit committee are listening.