This letter is a testimony as to the wonderful, caring, loving, family type relationships provided by Open Arms With Love Assisted Living Facility.
In August of 2006, our family had to entrust the care of our mother to someone else. This in itself is a difficult decision, finding some place with people who care makes it even harder. Our task was easy once we found Open Arms With Love.
From the beginning, we all fell in love with Lorna and her staff. They treated mom as if she was a family member and the facility was always clean and welcoming. All of us visited at different times of the day and evening. Even our friends visited mom and they were made to feel welcome and a part of the extended family group. It didn't matter when we arrived, everyone was clean, up and dressed, involved in something going on in the home.
For over two years mom was a resident and an involved member of the family that resided and worked together at Open Arms With Love. They shared holidays, outings and each other's company. This was a home – not a "facility".
Towards the end, when mothers' care could have been turned over to another type of facility, Lorna and her staff worked to keep mom in the home she had become familiar with, and helped her to pass with dignity and peace. They didn't have to do this – they wanted to for their "family".
There are not enough words to express what having mom at Open Arms With Love meant to our family. We would be happy to talk with anyone considering the placement of their loved one in a facility, as we know this is so hard on a family. All of us would recommend Open Arms With Love as it was just like adding on more family to take care of family. An experience we all felt blessed to receive.
Please contact Open Arms With Love for information on how to contact us.
God bless you all.
Debra Thompson
March 6, 2009
Lorna and Staff,
Our family wants to thank you for the loving care you gave my mother, "Sue", during the two and a half years she lived in your home.
During our search in Brevard County, we found to our dismay, some of the smaller home environment type facilities, were crowded, lacking in cleanliness and uncaring to the needs of the people in their care, both physical and emotional. When we found you, it was a breath of fresh air, and not once was anyone in our family disappointed in her attire, the condition of your home, the food and snacks served, and the over all attention given to her everyday needs, even though we stopped by to see her unannounced at all hours of the day and night.
Prior to moving Mom to your home, she was in a large assisted living facility in Brevard County for a period of about 4 months. During her stay at that facility, she fell so often that she spent more than half of her time in the hospital emergency ward. The facility said they could not give her special attention during the night since they only had one attendant for 12 rooms in each cottage. We knew we had chosen the right place for Mom when you cut the legs off the bed so she could reach the floor and you monitored her during the night. Needless to say Mom stayed out of the emergency room while in your care and we were able to answer the phone without fear of being called to the hospital.
Mom felt so at home in your care that when we took her out on weekends, she would give us a run down on where you had taken her and what you had done, but always wanting to go back before nightfall to "Her Home".
The one thing she never failed to tell us was how good your food was, which all in our family can attest to. Not only was your food delicious and nutritious, but the extra effort you did for Mom is greatly appreciated. You made it so she could eat even though she was missing all her teeth and part of her jaw bone, which she lost to cancer years ago.
When we first brought Mom over to you, Lorna, you told us that when in your care she would be treated as you would treat your own mother. I never forgot. "THANK YOU", you lived up to your every word.
Thank you and your staff for being there for Mom, especially her last days. It was a comfort to us knowing that she was loved every moment while in your care.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
THE RODRIGUEZ FAMILY
To Those Looking for a Caring Facility for a Loved One,
We wish to express our appreciation to Open Arms with Love for the wonderful care being given to our mother.
In September 2006, the sudden death of our stepfather revealed a number of things regarding our mother's life which we were never aware of. None of us knew that mom had severe dementia. I live further north in Florida from my mom, my sister lived in New York, and our brother in Illinois. My sister, being the only child unemployed at that time, had to spend two months in Florida to help care for mom as well as organize her apartment for sale so as to be able to move her further north in Florida closer to me and my family.
Through the recommendation of a co-worker, I was given the business care for Open Arms with Love. To people with dementia, routine and familiarity are very important. Lorna knew this and knew how difficult mom could be. Yet she considered mom her family from their very first meeting.
From mid-November of 2006 up to today, mom has been taken care of better than any of her own children would have been able to. Her dementia can be extremely taxing at times, yet Lorna and her staff treat mom with the utmost care, humor and don't take mom's insults to heart. They take care of all her daily needs and tend to her and the other residents with love they would give to their own family — and that's what it is, a family. It's an atmosphere that is always clean and happy. Birthdays are always celebrated as are all holidays. The house is decorated for all occasions and family is welcome at any and all times! From manicures, haircuts, arts & craft to games, the "family" at Open Arms with Love is always well cared for and happy.
We know the difficulties in having to realize that someone else may be better suited to care for a loved one and we know it's not an easy decision to make. My sister and I both struggled with the feeling of being failures as daughters for not being able to care for our own mother. We could never thank Lorna and her staff enough for the care they have given mom these past three years and the care they continue to give her. We don't know what we would have done if not for Open Arms with Love. We know that mom is not only well cared for here, but loved as well. The name of this home is well suited.
If we can be of assistance in easing anyone's worries about the care given here, please ask Lorna how to contact us.
Our gratitude to you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Susan Bonaventura
Liz Pearsall
Dr. William Schwartz