Community : Meet the Residents

I was well taken care of by the nurses, the nursing assistants, and rehab. I also want to compliment the Housekeeping Department as my room was so clean and well kept. While I am happy to return to my independent living apartment, I am very pleased to report that we have a wonderful sub-acute area here at Crane’s Mill. Thank you everyone.

Two years ago, Janet was called to heaven, and though I miss her terribly, I am surrounded by so many compassionate friends here at Crane’s Mill. Last month, I suffered a complicated health issue, and I didn’t realize what an important role the Crane’s Mill Health Center would play in my life. When I was discharged, I was too ill to return to my apartment, so I spent several weeks recuperating in the skilled nursing / subacute rehab area of the Crane’s Mill Health Center. There, I received many kindnesses, and great care from a 5-star nursing staff; I received physical therapy seven days a week, from a staff who always encouraged me, and I was visited daily by dozens of friends that my wife and I had made since coming to Crane’s Mill. I am back in my own apartment now, and I am so grateful that Janet and I had the foresight to move here ten years ago.

I had called earlier in the day and spoke with Meredith at the front desk about Kosher Options available for us in the evening while we visited with my Aunt. She offered that the Chef would go shopping to purchase Kosher Meat and prepare it for us. I declined due to my son being a vegetarian, but was so appreciative of the offer. I then figured we would eat whatever we could while dining at Crane’s Mill and then come home and eat a full meal. I decided to bring a box of Matzoh that we could nibble on throughout dinner.

When we arrived to dine with my aunt, Sapna, came over and greeted us. I asked what options were a possibility to eat during dinner. I inquired about Matzoh Pizza. Sapna was so amazing that she took our box of Matzah to the kitchen and prepared Matzoh pizza for all of us. It was so delicious!

Big thanks to Meredith, Sapna and the chef for helping us feel comfortable and maintain our Passover traditions while at Crane’s Mill.

Once when she was in skilled nursing, she was so ill that hospice was brought in, and even that was a good experience. The staff went above and beyond to try to revive her—incredibly, she pulled through and lived another 3 years! The quality of Crane’s Mill’s facility and staff, in all phases of care, was excellent. The nurses were always warm, caring, and upbeat, even when my mother put up a fuss over taking so many pills, or doing other things she didn’t want to do. The Recreational Services Director did an amazing job of keeping the residents occupied, playing games, showing movies, singing, doing crafts, etc. The PT staff was also wonderful—so warm and encouraging, even in the face of failing physical abilities. Even the dining staff was friendly and caring! When my mother finally passed away last October at the age of 98, I was truly touched by the outpouring of sympathy by the staff. The Director of Community Relations even came to the wake, which meant so much to me. The staff truly tries their best to make life pleasant for the residents; they took exceptional care of my mother in her final years, for which I am truly grateful. Thank you, Crane’s Mill!

Over the past year and a half, whenever Mom was hospitalized and needed physical and/or occupational therapy, she knew that Crane’s Mill was the place that would help her get back onto her feet, and become her independent self again. When Mom was living her last days on this earth, we had hospice care for her in the exact same room and bed that was previously hers. There was no discomfort or agitation because Crane’s Mill always kept her comfortable and safe.

There is not enough I can say about the medical care that Mom received at Crane’s Mill. Whenever I needed answers or help, they were always there to assist. Davisha Patel, the physician’s assistant, ALWAYS went above and beyond to help all of her patients and their families. She made them all feel special and safe. Davisha would visit my mom daily to explain as simply as possible whatever questions she might have had, as well as to encourage her in every way. She was a daily dose of that “special medicine” that mom needed, and I must admit that I needed too! She truly cared and it shone in everything that she did.

I will be eternally grateful to everyone at Crane’s Mill for making those difficult times less difficult and easier to bear for me and my entire family.

Everyone was so caring and kind–always greeted me with a smile, a good morning, or a good day. Love and care show through on how they treat you.

The rehab staff was very good, and I truly didn’t think I would get as far as I did in such a short time. The food was also delicious. I give everyone five stars.

One employee in particular was especially wonderful–Pat Wilson, in the dietary department. She made me the most delicious meals, and went out of her way to insure my diet was low-salt. She had a genuine concern for all of the people and always had a smile and a kind word.

I want to thank everyone for helping me during my recovery, and would recommend the Crane’s Mill Health Center.

We were pleased that the medical team was always available and answered all of my questions, as well as listened to my suggestions. While we found all of the staff to be professional and caring, one of my mother’s nurses, in particular, Djemila, always had a smile on her face, and whenever I needed assistance she would say, “I can do that for you,” whether it was her job or not. She was always there to help in any way possible. She is not only a wonderful nurse, but a beautiful human being. Another employee, Pat, from the dietary department, always went above and beyond to help mom with her meals and her specific diet.

As you can probably surmise, we had a very positive experience, and I wanted to commend the staff for all that they do.

I would especially like to make note of Michael Maykish and his rehab staff on the way they helped me during my stay at Crane’s Mill. In the beginning, I was very apprehensive and insecure with respect to my rehabilitation progress. Michael spoke to me about Crane’s Mill and what his department was in charge of ensuring patients to perform their mobile functions properly. The discussion enabled me to feel much better about myself.

I would also like to mention some of the people I worked with whom I have very high respect for within the therapy group. These people were very knowledgeable, kind, considerate, and helpful. The therapists explained that after my discharge, it was necessary to continue exercising the routines they performed with me. The therapists I would like to mention are Sofia, Lisa, Jason, Nino, Terrill, and Lorie, all responsible, caring, outstanding professionals. Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not mention two employees that helped me recover more quickly from my illness–Pierre, my nursing assistant, and Chickee, one of the head nurses.

In closing, I would definitely recommend and advise others of the fulfilling experience. Thank you.

I want to say a special thanks to Rose and Folake of the nursing staff, Nino of the rehab department, Rebecca of the speech therapy department, Christina of the admissions department, Laurel, the social worker, and Pat of the dietary department. All of these individuals were very professional, courteous, and very caring. Thanks to their efforts, I was able to return home, and I am continuing to improve. Thank you.

Whether in assisted living, memory support, or skilled nursing, we always knew that Pop was safe, clean, well nourished and stimulated to participate whenever possible. It takes very special people to care for those in their declining years, and the staff at the Crane’s Mill Health Center can be counted among the very best. What a wonderful environment they provided for our dad.

When she needed medical care during the last 15 months of her life, it was gratifying to me that she received the same attention, care, and nurturing from the staff at Crane’s Mill that she had given to her students for so many years.

I am sure that the skilled professional efforts by the staff extended her life, and for that I am extremely grateful.

Several years later, my mother-in-law was moved to the memory care unit, and a few years later, my mother was moved there as well. Earlier this year, my mother-in-law passed away, and my mother is still a resident in the memory care unit. During all of these transitions, both these ladies were treated with professionalism, kindness, caring, and respect. Their nurses, especially Maria and Desmond, always tended to their needs, and the nursing assistants always had them clean, well-groomed, and showed a true concern for both of them. I am also very appreciative of the recreational employees, especially Nancy and Christina and the rest of the staff–who keep the residents engaged and active.

I just wanted to acknowledge the staff and to say a few words publicly about the wonderful care they provide. Thank you, Crane’s Mill.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I enjoyed my stay. The staff in the Health Center at Crane’s Mill was courteous, caring and willing to help. I can also tell you that the food was excellent. I was discharged earlier this month, and am continuing my recovery at home. I had a positive experience, and I wanted to commend the staff. Thank you for all you do!

Most recently, I was there for three months, recovering from pneumonia. The rehab staff seems like a family because they are so close knit and so helpful as a team. I was especially grateful for the large type instructions that the staff used when providing me with instructions for dealing with oxygen in my skilled nursing room. When I was discharged back to my own apartment, the staff created additional large type instructions for my exercises.

During my stay at the Crane’s Mill Health Center, the staff was also very professional and discreet, quietly coming into the dining room, sitting next to me, and helping me with my diet. Often, the staff would work as a close knit, two-person team, and they would help me navigate in a wheelchair, and later on a rollator. They helped me graduate from using oxygen while walking, and in using the oxymeter to plan the rest stops between our apartment and Towne Square. What a great team, I will be forever grateful.

In September of 2012, she was admitted to the skilled nursing unit at the Health Center at Crane’s Mill where she spent the last 13 months of her life. During that time, she was treated with professionalism, kindness, caring, and respect. Her primary care nursing assistant, Betty, always had her clean, well-groomed, and showed a true concern for her.

Laurel Fastow, the social worker, organized care plan meetings, and always kept us, her family, updated on her condition and her needs in a professional and knowledgeable manner. In fact, the entire nursing staff—the nurses, the nursing assistants and other caregivers were very compassionate, understanding, and interested in our aunt’s condition.

When Aunt Julia passed away last month, we were comforted that she received the best care, and we would recommend Crane’s Mill to anyone. Thank you.

At the time, we were getting ready to relocate, my husband, George, needed sub-acute rehab along with some physical therapy. He temporarily went to the skilled nursing unit in Crane’s Mill to receive that care. I have to commend the entire staff for the wonderful care George received. The staff was caring, attentive, cheerful, and encouraging–they catered to his every whim!

Earlier this summer, he moved from the rehab area, and is now a resident in the assisted living area. He is doing very well. I have my own apartment in independent living, which is spacious and comfortable. George and I dine together, attend lectures, and participate in many programs. Both of us have all the amenities of home.

The residents at Crane’s Mill are welcoming, friendly, interesting, and very much engaged in living their lives to the fullest. The grounds are beautiful, and the community hosts many cultural events. Every week, there are art exhibitions, musical programs, and a variety of speakers who are experts in a wide range of subjects.

Moving to Crane’s Mill was the best decision we could have made.

My aunt was a resident at another assisted living facility for seniors when she fell and suffered a broken hip. After several days in the hospital, she was ready to be discharged, but she needed skilled nursing and sub-acute rehab. That type of care was not available at the facility where she had resided.

I had to select a place that provided this care, and I wanted somewhere that was close to home. One of the referrals I was given by the case manager at the hospital was the Health Center at Crane’s Mill. I toured the facility later that day, and decided to have my aunt brought there. I am so glad that I did.

The nurses, nursing assistants and other caregivers were very compassionate, understanding, and interested in my aunt’s condition. The rehab staff was knowledgeable, professional, and my aunt received the therapy she needed. The dietary staff, housekeeping staff and recreational therapists were very caring as well.

When it was time to discharge my aunt from the skilled nursing and sub-acute floor, we decided to stay at Crane’s Mill, and have her move into the assisted living area. We were very fortunate that an apartment was available. I want to especially commend Laurel Fastow, the social worker, and Barbara Davey, who helped with the admissions process, for their assistance during the transition process. I would recommend Crane’s Mill to anyone. Thank you.

Our independent apartment is spacious and comfortable, and we have all the amenities. Until this past December, I didn’t realize what an important role the Crane’s Mill Health Center would play in our lives here.

I had a complicated health issue during the holidays, and was hospitalized for an extended period of time. When I was discharged, I was too ill to return to our apartment, so I spent several months recuperating in the skilled nursing/subacute rehab area of the Crane’s Mill Health Center.

There, I received many kindnesses and good care by a great staff who encouraged me. I also was able to see my husband and my friends who visited me daily. I am very grateful that we had the foresight to move here 10 years ago.

When, very unexpectedly and suddenly, I was recently admitted to the hospital, this wonderful angel appeared in my room for a visit of support and encouragement. It was so nice to see her and to know that somebody from “home” came to learn how I was.

Crane’s Mill had thoughtful foresight to create the hospital liaison position and then hire such a lovely and caring person. I am fortunate to have a loving and concerned husband and have young family members nearby. That’s why we moved here from Ohio. I can only imagine how Crane’s Mill hospital patients with no family support, perhaps very ill and in pain, perhaps confused and scared, must feel when Barbara enters their rooms to give encouragement and a friendly smile in their time of need. I hopefully speak for them, that they must also feel that she’s an angel without wings. She is another important reason why my husband and I are fortunate to be Crane’s Mill residents. Thank the good Lord for Barbara Davey!

The residents and staff became his adopted family, and when we traveled back to New Jersey from our homes in Virginia during his final illness, we met that family. Those last two weeks were sad, but not difficult because everyone was so compassionate, professional, and helpful. The dietary staff kept our bodies nourished with delicious food and warm conversation, and David even made us our uncle’s favorite omelet. The nurses and skilled staff tended to our uncle’s every need, and the medical director, Dr. (Pradip) Shah, visited often and communicated compassionately about our uncle’s medical directives. How often do you see a doctor with a tear in his eye feed a patient?

Crane’s Mill will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we will be visiting again since we now have family and friends who are there, and we have befriended many of Uncle Ted’s friends as well. Thank you once again for such a wonderful retirement community that residents can truly call home.

Our family would like to thank the employees at the Health Center at Crane’s Mill for providing excellent care and sincere concern to Norvin. A special thanks to the therapy department, and to Michelle Exume, licensed practical nurse, and Hirfa Parsley, certified nurse aide, for their kindness.