We had to put Mom there about four years ago. She has dementia and has gone from the Assisted Living wing, to Camellia, (residents with mild dementia-locked wing), to Jones I, (more significant dementia and physical problems - locked wing). Although we have not have the opportunity to experience all levels of care, Grace has options that range from active retirement life to end of life care, which is one of the reasons we picked it, as the dementia was only going to progress, and moving facilities would be so hard on Mom.
Words cannot express how lucky we feel to have found such a wonderful place for Mom. The grounds are extensive and beautifully kept. They have very little staff turnover - which in itself is amazing. EVERYONE there, from the maids to the attendants to the nurses to the administrative staff, acts as if each resident is THEIR grandmother or grandfather, and gives them the care and respect due to a family member. When you walk down the halls, residents and staff greet you. If I encounter a staff member unknown to me, they ask who I am visiting, and despite having numerous residents in at least 5 wings and residential apartments, they always know Mom. Although I do Mom's laundry, inevitably things go astray occasionally. Even the launderers know Mom, and will help me look for a missing PJ or sock! And when things do go missing, it is ONLY things like PJ pants or socks - nothing significant has EVER come up missing. (Unlike the facility where my aunt lived in the 70's, where she even had to keep her underwear in a locked cabinet!)
Depending on Mom's health, I am there 1 to 5 days a week. The residents are always clean and well kept - which I know must be a massive undertaking! Neither they nor the facility smell like feces or urine - again, must be a massive undertaking! The common area is artfully arranged and the residents are encouraged to participate in daily activities. Although Jones I is a locked unit, they have two enclosed gardens for the residents to enjoy, and if they are restless, the aides will take them for a walk on the beautifully landscaped grounds. And the food there is unbelievable! We have eaten there many times, under all circumstances from holiday meals to Tuesday lunch, and the food is always fabulous! The staff even has individualized menus for the residents to make sure that each resident has just the kind of food they need. And staff fill out a form for each resident to record how much food and liquid was consumed each meal, so that they can minimize physical problems due to undernourishment and dehydration.
I know nobody WANTS to take a loved one from their home and place them in a nursing home, BUT when a Nursing Home is your only option, as it was for us, you can be assured that your family member will be well cared for and your guilt minimized if you choose Grace. read more