Testimonials - Letters from our Families
Dear Mike and Staff,
My wife and I greatly appreciate all the care you have shown during our parents stay here.
It is uncommon in today’s marketplace that people actually do their job and enjoy it, and you and the staff here exceeded all expectations.
It certainly shows from the administrator on down to the nurses and all of the staff that you take pride in your responsibility to the residents and their families.
Keep up the good work; you all rock!
Dear Mike (August 30, 2010)
On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to personally thank you and the “retirement center” staff for all the love and support that was provided to my mother during her stay at your facility. I cannot begin to describe the “weight” that was off my mind after Mother moved over the The Village at Westerville Retirement Center (the Retirement Center).
In the last four years of her life, Mother suffered from dementia, a terminal disease that slowly steals both mind and body from the afflicted. My father passed away in March 2005 and mother continued to stay in her home for approximately a year after his death. Between shattering her left ankle in a fall and the commencement of the progression of her dementia, it became evident that she could no longer remain in her own home. For the next three years, she resided in both an assisted living and a nursing home with occasional emergency trips to the hospital for a stroke and other ailments.
All during that time, I felt a sense of uneasiness for the life style care and nursing support that my mother was receiving at those institutions. That is, until my mother was moved to your facility at the beginning of February of this year. From that time forward, based upon my routine observation of my mother and the care she was provided, my sense of uneasiness faded completely. Your staff was wonderful to her and treated her with great care, dignity and respect. I especially want to commend the nursing staff for the diligent attention they paid to her. One of her nurses, Charles, is to be especially commended for the attention that he gave to her.
It was not only the nursing staff this is to be commended. From housekeeping, to the nursing-aid, to the administrative staff; from my observation, all areas performed not only in a professionally competent manner but with a great deal of caring for my mother, the resident. An example of this is my mother enjoyed walking the hallways in her wheel chair and upon one occasion, I observed an acknowledgement from every staff member that passed her in the hallway from assisting her where necessary to just wishing her a “good morning.” It was not always apparent that I was related to or accompanying her when this cordial behavior was observed.
Finally, I knew that my mother was safe under the care and supervison of this facility and its staff. During her stay, I observed that all prudent safety precautions were observed from the conscientious wearing of safety bracelets (falling and facility egress) to appropriate meal selections.
It was not easy to move through a period of your life when you must slowly say goodbye to a loved one. This is especially difficult when that loved one is not only a parent but a loving mother or father that has been instrumental in your life. You and your staff/facility lightened our family’s load while moving through this period. During the past seven months, I gained the sense that the Retirement Center was the best place for her. For that, I am indebted to the retirement Center. Thank you.
To all you lovely people at VWRC:
Thank you, even a million times, seems so inadequate for the care and caring you have given over the years and to our family especially the past three weeks.
The nursing staff and hospice team cared for her like she was their mother or grandmother, even some called her mama. Other residents became her friends, smiling, waving, holding hands when she couldn’t hear what was being said.
The kitchen and dining room staff prepared her food just right.
Greg’s group kept her clothes and room clean, especially Martha and Eleanor. Peggy was so good to be sure we were at her doctor’s appointments on time and came quickly to bring us back home.
The activities team made sure she did exercises as much as possible for her. Thanks to Carolyn for setting up the room for the celebration on Saturday afternoon.
The girls at the desk were always willing to help get the door open and to help in any way possible.
And the girls in the beauty shop always fixed her hair in a becoming style.
And there are probably a million things that you all did that I was totally unaware of. And I can think of many things – too numerous to write about.
My heartfelt thanks...
...to the entire staff at the Village for the compassion and care you gave to my mother.
Kay, Melissa, Charles and all the nurses: thank you for your gentleness in your care for mom and in helping her “get better every day.”
Shelly, Jo, Tonya and all the aides: thanks for treating my mother with dignity and love.
Shelly: You made her believe she truly was Miss America. She loved you and so do I.
Jo: Thanks for the hugs when I truly needed it. Tonya you always made sure that mom got where she was supposed to be and gently nudged her into doing exercises. I am glad you were able to be her aid at the end. And thanks for sharing your diet Cokes with her.
Denise, Mike and all the office staff: Thanks for all the help you gave mom and me settling in and in answering all my questions and calming all my fears. I felt as if we were all family and I will miss you all.
Dear Michael:
Please extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to all the members of your staff for the kindness and care they provided my father over the past five years. From the nurses, aides, food service and housekeeping to the various staff at the front desk, their care and kindness is reflective of your personal philosophy and how well you administer the service. Our family felt equally as comfortable as I’m sure my Dad did.
Thank you also for coordinating with Heartland Hospice that allowed my father to stay in your facility. We’ll have many fond memories of the people and care at The Village at Westerville.