45 Independent Living near Facilities Star, NC. Page 2

The staff at Holiday Stratford are extremely personable and friendly. Housekeeping runs a bit behind sometimes. Communication with our family is on point! The move in was a breeze. The meals are good quality and perfect portions. I have, and will continue to, recommend this facility. I know they've been purchased by another investor, so we're all praying that the staff remains employed! I promise they will not find another manager like [name removed]!

I would give heritage a 5 on all counts. Lots of activities and mom said the food was delicious. One especially nice feature was the small cafe in the lower level that is open for alternative meal choices if you don't care for the dining hall choices or want to eat at a different time of day when the dining room is closed. Also for those who want an independent living lifestyle but need some assistance there is a third party group that can be hired on an a la carte basis, depending on the needs.

We have been residents at Galloway Ridge for three years and two months. For us, living here has been a mixed blessing, but all the negatives are with the inevitable process of aging, not with Galloway Ridge which has performed in an exemplary manner. We have extensive experience in attempting to live as normal a life as possible when a chronic disease progresses in an inexorable pace, finally leading to a move to assisted living in skilled nursing a couple of months ago. My wife has had Parkinson’s Disease (PD) for 15 years, and the disease has made her less and less independent with time. We moved to Galloway Ridge at 12 years of PD after she became largely disabled (details aren’t necessary here), and I (her husband of 54 years) found it necessary to hire home care personnel to assist me in caring for her. This evolved into 5 days per week, typically 6 or 7 hours/day (while still in Independent Living). I believe there was justification for requesting that she live in Assisted Living after the first year, but we both were committed to maintaining her independent life style as long as possible. Recently she choked on food and was taken to an emergency room and hospital, and it was clear that upon discharge from the hospital, she would require advanced care. She was admitted to the Galloway Ridge Arbor and skilled nursing, where she receives 24 hr/day care. In short, we have experience with the full range of service at Galloway Ridge. The transfer to the Arbor was an amazing process and experience that is worth telling. Realize that we had established relationships with Galloway Ridge staff and felt comfortable communicating with them. As my wife lay in the hospital, I came to the realization that she would require at least some time in skilled nursing upon discharge from the hospital. I called the social worker at Galloway Ridge and explained our situation. She told me to contact the case worker at the hospital and to request a transfer to the Galloway Ridge Arbor. That was all it took! At the hospital’s recommendation, she was transported to Galloway Ridge by ambulance. When I arrived (a few minutes after her), she was comfortably situated in a new apartment in the Arbor, with very thorough care and assistance. I visit her two to three times a day, and have had many opportunities to observe the level of care she has received. In my opinion, the nursing staff is exceptional, and the services are comprehensive. It pains me to see the consequences of Parkinson’s Disease, but it is especially comforting to observe the exceptional level of care she is receiving. Frankly, the quality of care is so exceptional, it is in complete contrast to what some reviewers have reported on this website. It is worth commenting on the whole CCRC experience (and Galloway Ridge in particular). The senior(s) and their family must take the lead in establishing the daily life experience in their new residence. Certainly there are introductory interviews and assistance, but the CCRC basically provides quality facilities and physical environment (and the opportunity to participate in many activities), but the residents must make many daily choices. There is a tradeoff in protecting privacy and independence of the residents, versus directing their life style and care. The residents and their family are responsible for seeking out services and making critical choices. The staff at the CCRC (Galloway Ridge in particular) is here to help, but their role is not to control your life. If a resident becomes highly dependent, then the appropriate level of care will be recommended, but the resident and family must make the essential decisions and actions. Given an appropriate level of resident and family engagement, life at Galloway Ridge can be a wonderful experience with many opportunities for fulfillment and optimal health. Finally, it would seem appropriate to offer a view regarding expenses at Galloway Ridge. We analyzed the costs before choosing Galloway Ridge, and have generally experienced that the costs are in line with the benefits received. Of course it would be less expensive if one “stayed at home”, but frankly that trivializes the task of maintaining and managing a CCRC and assuring continuity with quality staffing over the years. The management at Galloway Ridge and the very active Residents Council (which contributes to governance) does a very good job. That is one reason why occupancy here is close to 100%. It is a very nice place and community in which to retire.