Dear Dee, Thank you for all you've done for our family during our time at Arbor House. We are so appreciative of the care and thoughtfulness shown to my dad, and we know that you lead by setting that example. We will miss seeing you and the other great folks here. We can definitely keep up with what's going on via Facebook. It's so difficult to move dad, even though I know it's necessary. I look forward to sharing my/our wonder experience here with other families need/ looking for solutions in their aging situations. Thank you, Dee! Linda and Joe B. and Harry H.

To those considering Arbor House for your family member: Every time I visited my father at Arbor House, I had an overwhelming feeling of confidence in the decision we made. While it did not eliminate my mourning and sadness, it brought me deep comfort. My dad lived at Arbor House for a year and a half. He died in his "home" after a short stay away in the hospital and a short visit from hospice. The management and each staff member created a peaceful transition. We visited several residential care facilities before entrusting my father to Arbor House, which was recommended by a geriatric professional. It was clear from the initial meeting and evaluation that they were committed to the peace and safety of these family members inflicted with dementia. They set out to familiarize themselves with dad's medical/physical condition, wants and needs and have unfailingly sought to meet these. That is true for all of the staff, and I saw how that was the case for other residents. They alerted me to medication refills, behavioral changes and suggestions for mental and physical needs. Several times their staff or visiting home health professionals were witness to emergencies which actually saved his life. I expected my dad to resist the move since he was becoming highly agitated and unruly at his previous residence. Natalie and the nurse watched as my fear subsided. I was amazed and relieved how my dad was comforted by the layout of the settings, the activities and the technique of the staff. His even ate well-rounded meals where he had resisted for years. They became a part of my extended family team. My young daughter and I would dine there, attend events and just stop by for long visits. She'd play along side the residents in activities. It was a healing environment for all. The loving spirits of the people who chose to work there is inspiring. Staff/residents relationships are formed; staff teamwork though the shifts creates a consistent level of care. I still go back to visit telling them how much of a difference they made in our lives and in the lives of all who reside there. The work is challenging but the people I got to know made it seem effortless. They truly enjoyed the days they had with my dad; they mourn him too. Our family was blessed to be cared for by gentle, patient professionals. A Paul

Just to let you know that you were correct about special people like Mom, Louise, Peggy, Luther, Hazel and Caroline and others needing to be living in a very special home like Arbor House. I certainly wish we had allowed Mom to live there a year earlier. The need for less people to be around with eating, socializing and just day to day living is certainly a plus for their comfort and care. The smaller group setting with just eating together was certainly a plus. It was strictly not understanding the special needs of memory care for my mom and probably selfishness on my sister's and my part for thinking she needed more space than what she had at Arbor House. It was more difficult for me and my sister to move mom in than it was for her. I loved to visit with her and all the other wonderful people that lived there. It was heart warming to see the care and love that was and is provided for them. I always tell others about the needs of memory care people and how wonderful Arbor House was to my mom. It is kind of like sending your child off to school for the first day - just a twinge in the heart. Once, again thanks to you and your wonderful staff that helped and loved my mom for her stay at Arbor House. Judy Crump

My wife is a resident at your Arbor House facility in DeSoto, Texas and I would like to make you aware my great satisfaction and appreciation with the facility there and especially with the concern, compassion, commitment, and excellent level of care that my wife has received there. Her condition has improved and her spirit has really been raised since she was moved there in August. I would also like to highly comment Ms. Shirley Hall and all the staff that have contributing to her wonderful care. I know all too often all you hear are complaints and I wanted to spread a little of my appreciation to your community. Thanks again and please know that the staff certainly are a credit to your organization! Sincerely, C.L. Pawkett, Jr.

Dear Ms. Donica: I just wanted to share with you the experience I had with your facility Arbor House Lewisville and my Mom's last few months of life. I had been caring for my Mom for the lat four and half years of her life. She suffered from Alzheimer's. Toward the last months of her life, I personally was tired and overwhelmed with all the responsibilities caring for my Mom. While she did live with me all those years, it only took me the first few month of caring for her 24/7 to realize that I could not do this alone. During the next four years I engaged many form of care for my Mom. During the last months of her life I relied on a hospice agency and daycare centers for the help. Arbor House was one of those daycare centers. I used Arbor House pretty much toward the end of her life five days a week. I appreciated the daily staff ratios and the interaction the caregivers had with each residents. While no daycare center completely met all of our needs. I felt that Arbor House came very close. Whenever I did share a concern with your staff, I could count on having the situation handled right away. After visiting two other daycares, my only recommendation to you and your management staff would be to take good care of your caregivers and try to do small special things for them as often as possible. I know they can easily be burned out caring for those that suffer from this horrible disease. Being appreciated as a caregiver can make a difference, I know this from first hand experience. Sincerely, Dana K. Davis Dear Ms. Donica: On October 26th our father, James W. Smith, passed away in his room at your facility in Granbury. He had been a resident there for about five months. We want you to know about the high praise we have for your facility and staff there. As we struggled with the initial decision to move Dad from his home and visited several facilities in the Granbury and Glen Rose area, we were immediately impressed with the caring, professional, and candid conversations we had with Tammie O'Connor. She helped guide us through this initial period and continued to provide us with support through the rest of his life. We also have high praise for your staff nurse, Nancy Smith. She was always available to us, answered any questions we had and she seemed to take very personal interest in our father, as well as the other residents at Arbor House. Dad lived in the peach wing the entire time he was a resident at Arbor House. We cannot say enough good things about those who took care of our father on a daily basis. Certainly the cast changed over the months, and some were better suited to our needs than others; however, the remarkable thing was how many of these girls became like family to us and our father. During the final two days of his life, as we became more and more aware that his time on earth was increasingly short, we were given every possible consideration from everyone there. This means so much to us. The staff helped share our grief and we were even visited by some of the staff who were not currently on duty as well as some who had moved on to other jobs. We don't think this kind of devotion happens accidentally. We want you to know that you have good reason to be very proud of the service you provide at the Arbor House in Granbury. Sincerely yours, Lazane Smith Lyndell Smith To all the staff at Arbor House, We send our sincerest thanks to each of you for the loving and tender care you gave to our dad during his years at Arbor House. You always made us feel so welcomed whenever we visited him. You went out of your way so often to add the special little touches that helped to make it seem like home. You took great care of our dad and we assure you that your kindness, professionalism and loving ways will be long remembered by all of us. The Beckel Family Shirley, Nancy, Jim, Kenney and Ron, Jr. Questions or concerns? Contact: Shaye Donica Chief Operating Officer (405) 801-2879 shaye@arborhouse4u.com