Maplewood at Newtown

There are many staff members who make up the Maplewood Community that are truly special. I want to thank the entire staff for all they do and hope they stay safe. We are so deeply grateful for your caring.

From what I see my dad seems to be settling in nicely. It can be an adjustment but he's getting used to it. He likes having his meals etx. He like to be outside. He really likes the staff at Maplewood and thinks everyone is really nice.

One good thing in this crazy year has been knowing that everyone at Maplewood has been taking good care of my Mom. It's made dealing with my own issues easier. Thank you to everyone for putting themselves at risk for others.

Whoever hired everyone for this building was a genius- all the staff are angels. There are a lot of sweethearts that live here too. It is a real community and family here.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for arranging the wonder, magical, date night the other night for our aunt and uncle. It was a special evening for them and memories for all to treasure. We are so grateful for all you and your staff have done for them to make sure this special time they have together is peaceful and relaxed so they can enjoy each other’s company most of all.

In a word-overrated....for the big money My experience with a loved one was there was variability with care due to understaffing and quality of aides, and so much attention was paid on outward looking items-like beautiful flowers, etc, that basic care items were overlooked, such as not keeping up with toilet paper in the rooms, neglecting use of compression stockings, etc. The memory care unit was understaffed. Had problems with air conditioning that took way too long to fix for a unit with an elderly person in it. Fairly disappointing.

From both mom’s feedback and my own observation, the staff in general have been very caring, attentive and responsive. I can’t imagine the increased pressure you’re all facing and am very thankful for all you are doing!

I'd like to take a few moments to express my gratitude to the leadership and staff at Maplewood at Newtown. Throughout these challenging times, they have been caring, consistent, and communicative. I know that I will leave out individual staff members who have been influential in my parents' experience, so I think I will just speak in general terms. The nursing staff has been wonderful and caring. There have been times when Mom and Dad were impatient when their requests for visits were not answered promptly. I always tried to encourage them to be patient and call again, if necessary. I'm sure there are so many critical needs that need to be dealt with, and triaging decisions are not always clear to the patients. But, in terms of the care they ultimately received, Mom and Dad have always been satisfied. The staff has always been responsive and professional in communications with me. The dining hall staff has been as attentive as possible. Mom and Dad always comment on how the waitstaff must move so quickly to accommodate all of the diners - I can't imagine the amount of patience that must be needed to deal with all of those hungry seniors! The aides who help my parents seem like family members. When someone has popped in while I was visiting, the conversations were friendly and personal, demonstrating a special level of care. I recall my dad asking one aide if she would be coming back to help him to bed that night, and she assured him that yes, she would. He appreciated the care that person delivered. I fear that this lockdown might be putting a crimp in consistency like that, but I haven't heard any complaints. The folks in maintenance perform their jobs with competence and compassion. From assisting during move-in, to helping Mom and Dad to put up pictures, to helping them with apartment issues, they are always responsive. At one point, the apartment was stiflingly hot, despite the proper settings on the thermostat, and [name removed] stopped in frequently until the problem was solved. While I've always admired the organizational work of administration, the work done during the pandemic has been exceptional. Roughly weekly updates, honest communication of the situation, on-the-fly adjustment of facility procedures to keep residents and staff as safe as possible, are some of the things that are visible to the outside world - I'm certain there are many more activities that go on that are less visible but equally important. I think I had better end here, despite my suspicion that I have left out some important points. I am so grateful that Mom and Dad landed at Maplewood. Thank you, everyone, for the work that you continue to do during this very challenging time.

We have found nothing but love and kindness from the entire staff at Maplewood. From the dining room to the front office, everyone has been helpful, caring and dedicated to the people they serve. This dedication has become unmistakeable in the past few months as Maplewood has tried to find new ways to connect families and to engage residents. They have reached out in multiple ways with creative and resourceful ideas. Mother's day was one such example: despite being quarantined, I know that each and every resident was made to feel special and loved through small but meaningful acts of kindness by staff members. You have continued to make these very difficult circumstances tolerable. Thank you!

• Safety precautions put in place during this pandemic have aligned with state guidelines and have been strictly adhered to. Management has implemented and adjusted protocols quickly as needed. We have felt that the best interests of the residents, families, and staff members have been foremost in making difficult decisions. • Staff in place have stepped up to fill the absences of staff that are out due to illness or personal reasons. We can see them going above and beyond, working long hours, and performing a variety of duties to “keep the ship afloat”. They do all that they do with a smile and compassionate understanding. They should be highly commended for their hard work and commitment. • Activities to keep residents engaged and supported are appreciated. Staff in this area have been very creative about keeping some kind of entertainment going (i.e. outdoor concerts). They have also made a good effort to keep communication going between families and residents (i.e. facetime opportunities). A schedule to give residents time outdoors with a staff member has been developed. Not sure but some of these may not be happening as regularly as you hoped, given the limitations in staffing. • [name removed] at the front desk, has been a stabilizing force for everyone who enters and exits the building, keeping a positive attitude, and answering the phones in a pleasant manner. Staff members from activities who also assume front desk duties do the same. • Management’s openness and willingness to listen to families’ concerns, worries, and frustrations is appreciated.

I have been here at Maplewood Newtown for a year and a half and have enjoyed my stay completely with all my needs being met and especially my security. Last year in February 2019 we had a virus infect our residence. We were all in a 9 day lockdown and the staff and aides took such good care of us - had our meals and activities and care under control. It was perfection! I am very grateful to all for my care.

For the most part my feedback is almost entirely complimentary. Throughout my stay at Maplewood I had always felt that I was treated with care and compassion. Almost entirely the aides were the kindest and most considerate human beings that I had ever encountered.

From the time that my parents moved into Maplewood, the staff that have cared for them, in general, have been caring and capable. My family has been very comfortable with the decision that we helped my father to make in choosing the facility. We were and continue to be very concerned about our parents during this pandemic. From what I understand, Maplewood is taking all of the proper precautions to try to keep its residents safe. The screening of employees entering work each day is critical and I hope that this will continue for the indefinite future as it does not appear that covid will be going away any time soon. I am equally pleased that residents' temperatures are taken daily and that my parents and other were tested for covid when there was the potential that they were exposed. As you know, I was an early advocate of all employees wearing masks and gloves when around my parents and I hope that they will continue to do so throughout the facility. As careful as employees are and as thorough as the daily screening processes are, there is no guaranty that someone entering the facility is not asymptomatic and so I truly hope that these precautions will remain in place. . While I miss seeing my parents, I am thankful that family members are not allowed to visit for the time being. And that any residents testing positive are immediately isolated. I am comfortable from everything that you have told me and that I have read in your newsletters and heard from my father, that those of you running Maplewood are doing everything in your power to keep the residents safe. In conclusion, I want to give my sincere and heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of the Maplewood staff that comes to work everyday to take care of the residents. It is a wonderful place.

Maplewood at Newtown has been the perfect place for my aunt. It is not so large that she would get lost or become just a numbered resident. It is not so small that she would become bored. My knowledge of Maplewood at Newtown has derived from what I have seen for the last 7 years and from stories. Maplewood at Newtown has made great efforts to keep the environment updated and comfortable. It is a bright clean facility that to our families account is "nicer than a 4 star hotel", the only thing missing is a pool! There is an outdoor garden for gardeners, a movie theatre, a small store to buy any needed sundries, a pub, and a lovely courtyard with colorful plantings. To my recollection, within the past 7 years the carpet has been switched out twice. The wallpapering and painting redone once, and the artwork moved and changed to create a new, interesting space. The HVAC has been updated. Maplewood at Newtown staff has worked hard to keep everyone happy. Offering meetings for residents to hear requests on anything from food to trips to activities. The staff has worked to create a friendly environment in the dining room by taking seating requests - switching out table sizes to accomodate those requests and honoring birthdays with flowers and balloons. Food choices can be made from the daily menu of locally sourced foods to almost anything a resident could dream up off menu, including special dietary needs being accomodated. Activities are numerous - although my Aunt says that there is never enough BINGO!! - which is played at least once a week or more. The best part of Maplewood at Newtown is the staff. The most caring and accomodating staff you can find is at Maplewood at Newtown. Every nurse has for the last seven years has been kind, communicative and skilled. They have always had an open-door for any questions or concerns that myself or my aunt have had. They had assisted my aunt through her life journey at Maplewood which has included several of the expected illnesses that the general population contracts with ease and success. The receptionists make it a point to know names of not only residents but every family member so that as they enter the building they are greeted by name. [Name removed] has made it her job to not only know my whole family and their names, but also what they do and has taken it upon herself to provide residents with change/dollar bill requests. She has been a treasure. The aides at Maplewood at Newtown work hard to facilitate ease of living and seem to always slip in and out unobtrusively when needed. My aunt has been in residence for at least three executive directors and four activity directors each of which have worked hard and been successful to meet the needs of the residents and their families. They are easily accessible and work with positivity and care. I have always witnessed a smile and an ackowledgement by name. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the custodians as well as the former head custodian, now excutive, [Name removed] who not onlys keep the facility comfortable, but clean, bright and running smoothly from puttting up chairs for a music venue weekly to assisting residents with looking for an earring that may have fallen into their personal lounge chair! Religious services are held on site for those that wish to partake for both Catholics and Jews with celebrations throughout the year to meet every resident custom. Circle groups facilitated for bereavement have been done with care and have been a blessing to both the residents and their families. The past couple of months has really challenged the staff at residents at Maplewood at Newtown - as it has to the rest of the world - with Corona Virus. The executives and nursing staff at Maplewood of Newtown were early in making the decision to quarantine, disinfect, mask and change the daily routines of the staff and residents. As a result the families have been quite fortunate to rest easy knowing that their loved ones have been cared for with catered dining brought to each quarantined resident, activities rearranged to accomodate social distancing measured, and the use of technology to keep everyone connected with the outside world. Staff has gone above and beyond to successfully distract and care for residents during their now 2 1/2 month quarantine going so far as to cut hair, provide zoom meetings, and create a tv channel for all residents to view. As a result, the Maplewood at Newtown residents and their families have been so very fortunate to not have to endure what has occurred at many other assisted living facilities throughout the northeast. The families have always been updated on when Covid finally did make its way into the community as well as any number of residents that contracted the virus. At the present time, I can share that Maplewood of Newtown escaped the horror that occurred in nearby facilities due to the diligence, expertise, care, and attention to all that could potentially occur with their population recognizing early on the potential threat and creating and implementing mitigating policies. My family and I are most thankful for the work done at Maplewood at Newtown. Sure, there have been speedbumps along the way, like not enough BINGO! or the apartment being too hot or too cold, or some laundry getting lost, or the response of an aide to a call button not timely enough, but for the most part Maplewood at Newtown has been a most wonderful place for my Aunt to live and be cared for and if asked, I know that she would say the same.

I cannot say enough about Maplewood at Newtown staff for their outstanding precautions and care given to my mother during this pandemic. My mother along with my father ( who passed away three years ago) has been a resident for nearly five years. During this difficult time they have gone up and beyond to make sure that our family and myself ( who lives in New York City) knows that she is safe and well taken care of. The biggest compliment to the staff is to watch Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Levin honoring wellness nurse [name removed] - for everything she, her team and co-workers are doing for all the residents. That says it all. My mother is an independent, social, and active 94 year old that enjoys all the activities that are offered. I highly recommend Maplewood at Newtown.

I have been very impressed with how Maplewood has been treating my mother-in-law. We enjoy the email feedback from Maplewood that comes regularly, and we enjoy all the ideas that you have all come up with to help the residents feel loved. She seems peaceful every time we visit her. We have no complaints. We know that you are all being as loving as possible. We have always seen that. However, Maplewood has helped her immensely when it comes to the subject of balancing all of her medication and needs. It seems like such a delicate balance, and we are so grateful, and we do not want to mess with that perfect balance that seems to have been achieved. One year ago, she was helping me and we had lunch together and she drove herself everywhere and her memory seemed perfect. Her loss of memory happened so quickly, and she also had broken the vertebrae when she fell down in her condo, so she went from being perfectly self-sufficient to having that back problem with full-fledged dementia within such a short time. It made me feel comfortable knowing that she would be in good hands down there in that unit.

I work with a client as a private care partner in this facility and they are very helpful, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work besides. They are attentive to my client, take my concerns and input seriously and make me feel like part of the family. They also take their responsibility to my client very seriously always making sure to do their part for them and not relying on me.

I am a resident here and have lived here for a while. I didn't think living away from my family I would find family but I have. I have great friends and a lot of fun every day. We always have weekly music programs, good conversations with our friends and a lot of chances to do interesting things. I can tell my aids really love me. I like the food and the dining staff spoils me.

Hard transition at first . I went from a 8 bedroom house in a rush due to my partner's health. I'm very happy here, everyone has been wonderful. Really great, friendly. I'm rediscovering things I like and getting around more.

I have lived here for a while though I don't remember how long. I've got good friends here and a lot of good people who take care of me. I have a lot of fun and wouldn't live anywhere else.