The administrators at Sheldon Oaks were aware of Carol’s history. Were you surprised they weren’t more cautious about allowing her to move in? Do you think they should have said anything to the current residents?
I am surprised that Carol was permitted entrance. If the other residents had known, I think they would have revolted.
That sounds snobbish and discriminatory, yet residents’ safety should come first.
Absolutely not. Their response set the tone for the whole story!
We need to remember the owner was facing a financial crisis. Anyone who could afford the facility would be welcomed. Jack had a notorious background. One victim was on the take. Perhaps their backgrounds were unknown to most, but apartment occupancy was important. I don’t recall any discussion about background checks.
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If this were the real world, they most definitely should have been more cautious and probably should not have allowed her to live there… But they did admit her, I don’t think it would be ethical to tell the other residents. I would like to say more but “no spoilers!”
I think in the real-world Carol would not have been admitted. But with occupancy down and needing to get the apartments occupied they bent the rules on whom they allowed to be in the building. Which of course lead to the story
I’m not sure. Residents do deserve their privacy, though they can share whatever information they like. If you assume that the justice system has done its job, then ex-cons are no worse than anyone else… right?
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I suspected the administrators/owner(s) had some “questionable reason” for allowing Carol to move into Sheldon Oaks. I thought it might be because of financial problems, but that wasn’t clear for quite a while, so I started to second guess myself. For the sake of the book, I’m glad nothing was disclosed to the residents, but in real life, there would be too much potential liability, if Carol’s history was not disclosed.
Yes, surprised. However, as others have noted, $$ often trumps safety concerns. To be fair, however, don’t we all deserve a second chance?
I think they were desperate! So all the rules went out the window.
They let her in because she had the money to pay. They were in financial straits and needed sales.
You hit it NanK. Apartment occupancy was top priority and the owner, facing financial crisis, did not ask for background checks so anyone with the cash was sold the apartment.
That did not surprise me at all. Spending a lot of time in a nursing home, I’ve come to realize the importance of having beds filled. It was especially important for him due to his financial issues.
I think the administrators motive was money. I place like that need the renters to keep going. There was a community in our area that went bankrupt. It destroyed many people who had used their retirments to buy in
In addition to the owners’ very real need for money, Carol understood people well enough to be able to inspire trust whenever necessary. She was retired from her profession and gave off no air of danger. The owners must have felt the risk of problems from Carol was small. On the other hand if the residents knew about her past, they would be afraid and that could cause a host of problems.
Good point Marquita, money interests usually win out over theoretical future issues.
I do think they should have told the other residents. I was also surprised that they didn’t have stricter guidelines for living there, however aren’t we supposed to believe in rehabilitation?
I agree that it was all about the money. As to whether the residents have a right to know - as someone else mentioned, they do have a right to their privacy, but I also think it would be a safety/liability issue.
I agree - many decisions by retirement community operators have pros and cons no matter what is finally determined. Also, some people are unhappy at the same time that others are happy with the same decision!
If I picture myself as a resident of Sheldon Oaks, I would probably be annoyed that her past was not disclosed. Still, she did serve her time and has (at least theoretically) been rehabilitated. Through that lens, she deserves a chance to live out her life just like anyone else.