At Benchmark, protecting the privacy of personal information of our residents and associates is of utmost concern to us. We collect Social Security numbers and other personal information, such as financial account and/or credit card information, (defined collectively in this policy as “Personal Information”) only when necessary to provide services and in connection with employment at Benchmark. We have adopted numerous policies and procedures to protect the confidentiality of such Personal Information in our possession, to limit access to such Personal Information and to prohibit the unlawful disclosure of such Personal Information as follows:

Access to Personal Information is limited to those employees who have a legitimate business need to access such information. Employees are prohibited from disseminating Personal Information to other employees or third parties unless required to fulfill a necessary business function of Benchmark or as required by law.

Paper records and electronic information containing Personal Information are destroyed prior to disposal.

Benchmark’s computer system including laptops maintains up-to-date firewall protection, virus protection and operating system security patches. All work stations, laptops and personal digital assistants (PDAs) have session termination procedures and password protection. Documents containing electronic Personal Information may not be transmitted by e-mail unless they are first encrypted or unless they are being transmitted to third parties such as government agencies that have provided us written assurances of security. Personal Information is prohibited from being stored on laptops unless immediately encrypted.

All Benchmark associates with access to Personal Information are trained on the proper use and protection of such information.

Violations of our policies regarding protection of Personal Information result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact our Risk Manager or our Vice President of Information Technology at Benchmark Senior Living at (781) 489-7100.