Good Shepherd Cottage

As with all facilities, daily visits ensure that your loved one is attended. I am from out of state, my siblings in CA work full-time jobs and were only able to visit over the weekend, for the most part. My mother had a little dementia, but was very independent & would wave away help from the CNA's to dress her. It was incredible that no one ensured that she was changed daily. I realized her same clothing was worn one entire week. This meant that she had slept in her clothes & obviously unbathed for an entire week!!! I was aghast as I had recently written an email to the head nun to pls ensure that my mother was changed & attended to despite her protestations. Do not think that your loved ones will receive excellent care because it is a Catholic institution. The CNA's are not paid well and have 8-10 patients to oversee. Of course, some try their best but the amount of work is hard and it is only reasonable that those patients who do not have daily oversight will be "forgotten". Family attention is paramount! Out of state family members beware!

I am very familiar with Santa Teresita, since my aunt resided there for several years, and I would visit her at least twice monthly. Santa Teresita is a Catholic facility, so it was interesting comparing it with the other assisted living facility she lived at for over one year. Santa Teresita was far superior in every area--room, food, quality and attitude of of the staff, group activities, etc. I honestly feel that the reason for the obvious differences between the 2 facilities is the fact that Santa Teresita is a religious facility. You could feel the warmth the minute you walked in the door. I also had the opportunity to get familiar with Santa Teresita's nursing home facility, which was located above the assisted living section. My aunt was transferred to the nursing facility after suffering a stroke. she would remain in the nursing facility until she died, about 1 year later. The quality and attitude of the assisted living facility was the same for the nursing care facility. I have nothing but positive feelings for Santa Teresita, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

I used to volunteer at Santa Teresita Manor. It is a decent facility. I never saw anyone get mistreated there or anything like that. However, putting myself into the shoes of someone who was in their care, I would have a few complaints. First off, the quality of food that they are fed is not very good whatsoever. Secondly, they are basically led or wheeled out and sat in front of a TV for most of the day. I thought it was wonderful that there are pets there that can be brought around to them such as a bird and a guinea pig. There is also a piano there in the day room, so if anyone knows how to play, they can come entertain the ladies. When they are not watching TV, they do have a couple of activities that I felt that the women enjoyed. One was painting nails. They could do it themselves or have a nurse/candy striper do it for them. Also, there would be bingo games at least once a week.

To whom it may concern; My father is currently a patient in the Manor. I am very saddened by the conditions that currently exist and the lack of staffing seen. Being born in raised Catholic I found comfort to some degree that my Father was in good hands. I was sadly mistaken, the patients care is inadequate. Those who are least able and have no voice are left for hours without attention. We stay with my father ALL day ... I have documented the happenings and am very saddened by what I have seen. These individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect ...they are not invisible. There is a man that was left for hours in his wheel chair ... and no one came to put him in bed. MY father was left for hours in his own mess and feces ... and no one came. Prayer is more then words ... they are actions. I have yet to see one nun on the second floor with the exception of the one. -I see plenty on the first floor though. These patients are dying ... they are isolated, they get minimal nurse people interaction per day. I am very disappointed My father does not have many days left ...it is important to myself and my family that he is treated in a manner of love and respect and most important dignity. Each of those patients withing deserve their dignity.