As The Assisted Living Facility Turns, Returns

There's a new feature in the lobby of this particular assisted living facility.  In keeping with the new decorative motif of the motion picture industry (we are across the street from a major motion picture studio after all), there is now a popcorn machine in the lobby.  Thankfully it is not a self-serve machine, as there would be a constant need to sweep up stray popcorn and unpopped kernels from the lobby floor; given that many of the residents do not have the steadiest of hands.

However like everything else here, it is a mixed blessing.  Yes, we can all have hot popcorn during the day, but only during the day.  At night, when there is no receptionist working the desk (after 8 p.m.), the machine is off and the only way to get hot popcorn is to buy your own and pop it in the microwave.  Or of course, head off to the nearest movie theater and enjoy some of their extremely overpriced popcorn and other concessions.

There is also trouble regarding just how much popcorn is going to be popped each day and how much will go to waste.  There are already complaints about full bags of popcorn being found abandoned on the floor of the lounge.  We also are having to deal with people griping that the popcorn is not of the best quality, since every batch seems to have plenty of unpopped kernels.  Biting into a hard unpopped kernel of corn when you're expecting to rip right through some soft popcorn is not a pleasant experience, or so some residents are saying.

Rumors continue to swirl about rent increases but since the Social Insecurity Cost of Living Adjustment increases in benefits were accompanied by appropriate increases in rent for SSI recipients, these rumors seem to be unfounded.  Knock on wood for those who are in fear of having even fewer dollars to get by on each month after paying their rent.  SSI rents are set by law and cannot be increased above a certain level.  Another rumor going around appears to be true, as the facility is supposedly no longer willing to accept SSI residents.  While the current residents in this category are not at risk, they may not believe this to be true.  There are also a few residents in this category who are going out of their way to make it difficult for another person to be placed into their room, essentially giving them private rooms at the low cost of a shared room at SSI rates.  This cannot be good for the facility's owners.

The assistant chef who was struggling and getting into 'hot water' on a regular basis is no longer employed here.  The good news is that the food seems to be improving but conversely, they will have to hire a new assistant chef and people are afraid things will go right back to where they were before.  I suspect we will see much discussion about this at April's meeting with the Head Chef regarding food and the dining room.

Today was apparently the monthly birthday celebration for March, although the President was not here to enjoy it.  Fortunately for him, the Activities Director remembered to put a piece of the birthday cake in his room, for him to enjoy later.

There were several people who were not happy that on the first night of Passover, the "Seder" dinner meal consisted of corned beef brisket, but the controversy seemed to die down quickly; as the complaints turned to having corned beef brisket served more than once in the same week.  There are also some people who are saying that the kitchen is serving lentil, split pea and white bean soup far too frequently.  I imagine those griping about this will also be very vocal at the next food meeting.  If they bother to show up.

Until next time...