Deer's Head Center

I’ve volunteered at Deer’s Head Hospital Center as a chaplain, so I know it well. It’s state run, and the staff are very empathetic and professional. They take the time to get to know everyone on a first-name basis – and they go out of their way to give individual attention. They’re also well trained; they’re constantly getting updated training.

It’s located in Salisbury, Maryland – and the setting is gorgeous. It overlooks a lake, and the grounds are well kept. They really encourage patients to go outside. They offer fishing, a sweetheart garden with a water fountain, a picnic area, all to get patients out of their rooms. They also have 3 activities each day. It could be exercise, sewing, group newspaper reading, bingo, or something else. And from what I’ve seen, the activities are well attended.

The food is good. It’s mostly prepared and brought in from the outside, but it’s not the usual institutional fare. And they do make their soups on site.

The rooms are mostly 3 patients to a room, but they have some private rooms. And all the rooms are clean and well kept. And they monitor the patients constantly. They're also very serious about safety and hygiene. They have a hand sanitizer in every room.

My Dad was for over a year before he passed and my stepmother,sister,and I were very pleased with his care. They were great about our family gatherings and my Dad loved the grounds. It is on a pond and he loved being able to get outside and enjoy the change of seasons and the wildlife.