Patrick O'Brien, a Dartmouth senior studying business and journalism, wrote a brief but piercing article that caught the attention of the board of directors that oversaw The Vine-an elite, century-old elderly care facility known more for its secrecy than its services.
The Vine operated like a world unto itself. Tucked inside a vast, walled compound of dark brick and white marble, it featured surveillance cameras, guarded gates, and even an irregularly patrolling black SUV.
Yet within those imposing walls, employees enjoyed enviable perks: high salaries, generous benefits, a private log-built pavilion with grand fireplaces, and cabins for staff and residents' families. Workers tended to socialize only with one another, bound by strict confidentiality rules and an insular culture that discouraged outside connection.
After losing his parents and grandparents in care facilities, Patrick felt skeptical about the industry, but when The Vine reached out to him about working there, he agreed to an interview.
How many facilities like The Vine exist? How could you possibly know?
