It takes time to let your family member settle into a facility and it takes time to adjust. It took my family time as well, and we are extremely pleased with the care our family member has received.
The second floor is beautiful and feels like home to the residents. We toured a handful of memory care facilities, and we are thankful the residents are able to have a place like North Shore Place that is clean, safe, calming, and full of people who care about them and want the best for them. As a family member, it is extremely difficult to give up the full time care of your loved one and give it to people you do not know. When you give up the care, you also hope that your loved one is taken care of in the way that you would. From our time at North Shore Place, we can tell you first hand that our family member is treated how we would treat her. The thought of every giving up our care to a Memory Care facility was painful to even imagine, but North Shore Place has changed our views for the better.
The staff on the second floor are phenomenal and extremely hard working. If anyone has not had the opportunity to experience what these CNAs, nurses, directors, and activity staff members do each and everyday with a positive, kind, caring, and loving attitude, then we highly suggest you come look at what they do and be incredibly thankful for it all. Our family member is clean, happy, and well cared for on a daily basis. Most importantly, our family member is treated with what we'd want most for her: respect and dignity. Our family member can not do many things independently and she is always supported and never in her room. The staff do everything they can to keep her engaged. Our family member has had multiple hospitalizations and the follow-up and follow through from the staff has been exceptional. Not only do the staff members care about each and every resident, but they care about the families involved. Alzheimer’s Disease not only takes a toll on the person themselves, but also takes a tremendous toll on the family. The staff on the Memory Care floor at North Shore Place have treated our family member and our family like their own. They care, they are loyal and trustworthy, and they are always there for us through everything. It is extremely hard to engage people who have a degenerative disease; however, the staff at North Shore Place put their all into keeping EVERY one of the residents engaged to the best of their ability. It is not an easy job, but they do it with grace and class. When we watch the staff try to engage the residents, we see their passion and love for their jobs.
The Director of Nursing (Grace) is outstanding. When we’ve needed anything medically related or a sounding board for our family member’s medical conditions, Grace has been there and has always had answers for us. Her follow through with us and the nursing staff is exceptional and she greatly cares about our family and all the other families. The Director of Activities (Leah) works incredibly hard to find activities and programs that keep the residents engaged and happy. She is always there for our family and is open to trying new innovative programs to engage the residents. The Director of the Memory Care Unit (Christine) is everything we could ever want in someone overseeing the care of our family member and more. Nothing in life is ever perfect, but when you come to Christine, she takes everything head on and is willing to drop anything for you and your loved one. Christine is always there to talk to, ask for advice, or help you navigate through the hardships of this disease. Our family has never met a more dedicated, passionate, and kind-hearted director/person then Christine.
Watching our family memory deteriorate with Alzheimer’s has been the hardest thing our family has ever gone through, but with the staff on the second floor, Christine, Leah, and Grace on our team, we have hope again and we feel more at peace. It takes a very special person to work with this population, and the staff at North Shore Place have our 100% support and gratitude. When we walk into North Shore Place and then go up to the Memory Care floor, we always comment to one another that we feel like family. We would highly recommend the Memory Care unit at North Shore Place to any family unfortunately going through this devastating disease with a loved one. Our family is incredibly thankful for North Shore Place and know we chose the perfect place for our family member. Thank you North Shore Place staff for all that you do and for the exceptional care you provide on a daily basis. We are forever grateful.