People often send us notes of heartfelt appreciation. Here are some examples.
-----
Just wanted to say hi and thank you again for all the helpful information. I wanted you to know that I went online and read your article. It was great. I printed it so I can share it with others. My biggest regret is that we never did have "that talk" and that everything happened so fast we were totally unprepared for it. The point you made about people holding on to their homes and possessions really touched a nerve. I'm already feeling a burden from our lifestyle that I want to change before it's too late. I need to make my husband see that a lot of the "stuff" we think we need is just wearing us down, physically and financially. I'm going to share your article with him, so wish me luck.
-----
To the entire staff -- I want to thank you for all the wonderful care, kindness and consideration you gave during his rehab at your center. He would have never come home feeling so great without all your help. You all gave 110 percent. Even visiting family members felt so welcome. You are the "hidden treasure of north county."
-----
Words cannot express our sincere gratitude for the outstanding care you provided our mother. May God bless each of you.
-----
To the most awesome and dedicated nursing staff. Thanks for the excellent hands-on care.
-----
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate all that was done for my aunt. Your care and quality of service was beyond our expectations in every area. From the nursing staff and assistants, to those that made sure her clothes were laundered, and the great cooks (we ate at the Sunday buffet and and the food was as good as any restaurant) and especially the incredible physical and occupational therapists. All made a very difficult situation easy and a great experience. It's been a week since being discharged and she is doing great. We went out today and she bought some new furniture. She's just like her old self -- she has come a long way -- back to healthy, because of your great care. A heartfelt thank you from me and our whole family for not only doing a great job, but for going beyond and doing it with such care and love. God bless you all.
-----
To all my friends at Village North who took such good care of me. If I had to choose a place to live it certainly would be Village North.
-----
Thanks to all of you for taking such excellent care of my Dad. We appreciate the care and compassion that all of you demonstrate on a daily basis. May God bless you all this holiday season and always.
-----
To all you caregivers for my Dad . . . thank you for taking such good care of him. It certainly couldn't have been easy at times, but we -- his famly -- really appreciate your efforts and most importantly he did also. I hope each of you a joyous, peacful and blessed Christmas.
-----
I am counting my many blessings this year. It is because of all of you wonderful people who gave the best care. I fell, broke my arm and was in so much pain. I was weak and listless when I came from the hospital. All of your staff was kind and patient with me. You have the greatest therapists in the world. I wouldn't be home for the holidays if it weren't for all of you. Signed, your thankful patient.
-----
The front line of care, the CNAs are to be commended for the care provided. Very responsive to needs with a caring attitude. Many are just wonderful people. Thank you.
-----
I just read about Village North's perfect score with no deficiencies during last week's state survey of the Skilled Nursing Unit.
Hats off to you and your staff.
It makes me feel very comfortable having my Mom living at VN to see this report. My family and I have never questioned the care provided Mom and are truly pleased with the facility as a whole. We've had friends who have visited and remark on how nice and clean and comfortable the environment is.
As Mom's Alzheimer's certainly seems to be getting worse as days go by, we feel she is being well taken care of. Some days it is very difficult to walk in to visit, as you never know how Mom will be that day. It was less than a year ago she was living on her own and now she can barely function for herself. I have to say your staff consistently have a smile and a hello. They are always willing to listen and you are never made to feel as though you are interrupting them with a request.
Thanks so much to you and your staff for your care and concern.
Again, congratulations on your accomplishment. It is certainly representative of the high quality and expertise of the Village North facility.
-----
A special thank you to all of the staff at Village North. Vancy is doing well and remembers all of you fondly. All of your care and help was very much appreciated. She always says how nice her stay was at Village North. Thanks and keep up the great work.
-----
I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking such good care of Robert and Melba. All of the nurses were excellent. Bob wanted to die there with friends who cared so much about him. All of your staff were excellent. His sister appreciated that he slipped away knowing that he was amongest friends, and is now in the kingdom of the Lord. Thank you so very much.
-----
All staff were very considerate and tried very hard to make my stay pleasant.
-----
The nursing assistant would come right away to help and was very gentle with my Mother.
-----
I want to sincerely thank you and all the staff at Village North for the wonderful care our dad received while he lived there. He was most recently in the Health Center for 2 years, but was a resident for a total of 4 years -- independent living, assisted living and then to the Health Center. In all levels of living, the family was pleased with how the staff got to know him and his needs.
Since he was hard of hearing and was coping with being in a place he didn't always understand, it was very much appreciated that everyone was always very compassionate and friendly in dealing with him. Some examples include:
When in Independent Living, the food service staff always had a cup of coffee for him when he came by the dining room. They got to know his "wants" and when he came, he wanted a cup of coffee and that's all he wanted. Even though it often was not "serving time," he was served his coffee. Rarely did he order a meal on his own, though occasionally I heard that he ordered a "cheeseburger and fries" -- however, I'm sure with a little coaxing from the server.
When in Assisted Living, he went from not eating much of anything on his own to eating everything offered to him. He ate things I never imagined he would eat since he was a "meat and potatoes" guy. The people who cared for him while he was there were very caring and supportive and helped him to easily fit into his new routine.
The maintenance staff was also wonderful. From looking in on dad if he needed assistance or to help hang pictures in Independent Living to offering a friendly smile when passing in the hallways in the later days, dad recognized them as the friendly and helpful people they were.
While in the Health Center, he appreciated being able to eat in his room for the evening meal. This also helped me since I usually visited after work. I came often and was always well received. If I made requests for assistance, the responses were friendly and quick.
From time to time someone from the Health Center Desk called because dad wanted to talk to "his daughter." I appreciated those who helped him get over his momentary "lost feeling" by making this phone call. Also, in some instances, they knew him well enough to know he only had to be told that "Judy's coming" in order to satisfy him enough to go back to his room and settle in.
Because he couldn't hear, he was not always interested in the activities offered in the Health Center, but I heard that he was always ready to have one of the "treats" so often associated with activity time. He often was most happy just to sit in the TV room in the sunny window to watch the sky, the trees, the squirrels and birds or to watch TV in his room. We appreciate that he was provided the opportunities but also able to determine whether he participated in activities based on his own desires.
During his stay at the Health Center, he was usually cooperative but always thankful for all the help he was given. I heard often the joking manner between him and those who delivered his tray or brought his meds and the sincere "thanks" he gave them. He often told me, though not always in the same words, "They do a pretty good job of taking care of me, so don't worry." These comments were always unsolicited and from his heart.
In addition to the Health Center and other Village North staff that cared for him, there were residents and volunteers who also looked in on him from time to time. I'm afraid he was not able to remember names, but he sure did know them by sight and was made to feel at home by being called by his name. The family takes comfort in knowing his last days were spent with people who cared. On behalf of my sister and brother, I want to
send our sincere appreciation and acknowledge the excellent care provided by the staff of Village North Health Center to our dad.
-----
My purpose is to convey my experience and feelings about Village North. My dad was a very difficult person. He was very controlling and angry at life, especially in his last year with all of his medical problems. It was not unusual for him to curse, throw things and act out, no matter where he was. My dad was extremely verbally abusive to just about everyone who worked there, yet I never once witnessed any staff member retaliating. I honestly do not know how any of them tolerated going in his room, yet they did, day after day, and most of the time, they did it with a smile on their face. The day came when dad’s doctor called and told me that he was dying. As I mentioned above, the staff had long witnessed dad’s anger and abuse, yet he received nothing but kindness, compassion and the best nursing care from each and every one of them. On his last day, the nursing staff rearranged the furniture in dad’s room so that my family, including my mother in a wheelchair, could have adequate space to witness this last act of faith together. This was a very important event for my family and the nursing staff was very respectful and very compassionate. I know that my dad deeply wanted to die at his own home, but that just couldn’t happen. As far as I am concerned, he truly died among family at Village North. His death was an experience that I will never forget thanks to the devoted, caring and compassionate staff you have at Village North Retirement Community.
-----
I want to express how pleased my mother and my family are with Village North. Mom seems to be acclimating to her new surroundings. We have noticed quite an improvement already in her overall outlook on life, as well as the great company and interaction she is getting with fellow residents. She really enjoys meeting and talking with people and I can't believe it, she's hungry all the time. We were so concerned she was going to huddle away in her apartment and be too afraid to venture out due to the memory issues she has. That has not been the case. We are convinced, so far, this has been an excellent choice for her and look forward to many years of her residing in a safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment.