Fountaingrove Lodge: For LGBT and allied seniors

Our investigation into LGBT senior living would not have been complete without visiting Fountaingrove Lodge.  Many of the seniors I interviewed during our trip mentioned this new LGBT senior facility in Santa Rosa, California.  This community is situated in wine country, an hour from San Francisco and 25 miles from the coast. Although new LGBT senior communities are springing up across the country, this one is unique.  

First of all, Fountaingrove Lodge is not designed for seniors with a limited income.  The monthly fee begins at $3,395 with the most roomy bungalow fee set at $6,125 (a second occupant monthly fee is $975).  The refundable entrance fees range from $189,500 for a 1 bed, 1 bath, 833 square foot apartment to $925,500 for a bungalow with 2000 square feet, 2 bed, 2 bath and den. 

Secondly, Fountaingrove Lodge is owned by a corporation, Oakmont Senior Living, which operates over 30 retirement communities in the western US. Oakmont developed Fountaingrove Lodge specifically to "provide a beautiful, secure and dynamic community for LGBT seniors."  The brochure states that Oakmont is "dedicated to listening to, understanding and responding to the needs of seniors, and are exited to have undertaken this ground-breaking project."

I did not interview any residents during my afternoon visit but I can describe the ambiance of Fountaingrove Lodge.  Ok....the place if gorgeous!  This is the most beautiful senior community I've ever seen.  And the fact that it was designed just for us?  Amazing!  The craftsman style architecture gives the lobby a grand yet comfortable feel.  Staff members scurry around, giving tours, asking visitors if they need anything.  The concierge:  "Something from the Bistro?  Freshly baked cookies?  This place is exclusive.  We do everything we can to make sure or residents are well cared for."  The grounds are well kept and residents have unobstructed views of the beautiful hills and trees that surround the property.  There's a pool, cocktail lounge, wine cellar, movie theater, fitness center, and the property is adjacent to golf, tennis, hiking trails and a park.  They offer continuing care but nothing in the lobby or bistro area indicates that this place is designed for seniors.  In fact, if you weren't aware that this was a senior community, you might think you were at a 5-star resort!  

During my interview with Lisa Lomeli, I learned that Fountaingrove Lodge had recently included the term "ally" in their description.  Lisa said that this term was difficult for some of the residents who may have come to Fountaingrove Lodge with the understanding that it would be exclusively for LGBT residents.  This shift will hopefully help market the community to LGBT allies and help them increase the number of residents.  Currently, Fountaingrove is at 45% of their capacity.  Lisa said, "People are watching us."  Other senior housing corporations are certainly waiting to see how this plays out. 

Now for the question:  If I lived in or near Santa Rosa and if I could afford it, would I want to live here?  Probably not.  The "exclusivity" factor doesn't work for me.  Lisa wasn't able to provide data on the number of non-LGBT residents.  Ethnic diversity?  Not sure about this either.  I'd also rather not be a place that is so expensive that it excludes a large percentage of our community.  

Are LGBT senior communities liberating or isolating?  Perhaps both. 

Friends House in Santa Rosa: All Are Welcome Here

Our friend Margaret encouraged us to visit Santa Rosa, California, to see Friends House, a continuing care retirement community.  Margaret's mother has lived there for 20 years and Margaret currently serves on the board.   Friends House was created in the Quaker tradition of equality and simplicity and has been in existence since 1984.  During our visit, Margaret and her partner Dinah showed us the grounds and introduced us to a few residents.  The facility includes 64 one and two-bedroom garden apartments arranged in clusters with open room for sharing meals. The grounds and buildings are lovely and reflect the simplicity of the Quaker way of life.  We met with Paddy Coreris, Sales and Marketing Director, and were impressed with the new brochures that directly address the  beliefs held by the residents of this community.

A few years ago, Paddy met with residents and asked them to generate a list of things they value most about living at Friends House.  When potential residents come to meet with her, she gives them this list to help them understand the kind of community they are considering.  Great idea!  Note one of the values:  LGBT friendly.  

Margaret shared that one of the residents who is a lesbian, told her that there is nothing truly LGBT affirming about Friends House as it is a very welcoming environment for everyone.  Most residents are "politically liberal, have a huge social consciousness and are very smart people."  All are welcome here.

Northwest PFLAG Conference

Friends in the Northwest:  Come join us at the PNW Regional PFLAG Conference in Boise, Idaho, October 3rd to the 5th. 

Featuring Guest Speaker Bishop Gene Robinson

Bishop Gene Robinson is a retired bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church of the United States and the first openly gay Bishop in historic Christianity.

Jane and I will be there, hopefully joined by some of our Idaho friends.  I'll be doing a workshop on Saturday, reflecting on our US tour, researching senior housing for LGBT.  NW PFLAG is interested in advocating for welcoming and inclusive senior housing in the Northwest.  Yahoo!  I look forward to sharing some ways in which PFLAG chapters can help forward this work.

Check out the NW PFLAG website for information and details on how to register. 
Only $75! 

http://www.pnwpflag.org/2014-regional-conference/