Greenwood House Home For The Jewish Aged

My Mom lived at Greenwood House for the last 2 1/2 years before she passed away in March. Greenwood House was a life saver for both us her family and her. They were one of the few nursing homes that had a locked Alzheimer's Ward which she need desperately. They were one of over 30 homes we called and researched that would take her, even though she was on Medicaid, had a history of violence. After a especially difficult period of time just prior to admitting her to Greenwood House we knew that she was both a danger to herself and my father. She became very violent and got to the point where we could not reason with her, calm her down or care for her ourselves. After an especially difficult time when my father was in the hospital and we were caring for her she became uncontrollable. Destroying property (not on purpose she just could not control herself) for example she tore apart the bedroom she was living in, in my home ripping the closet doors off their hinges, and destroying everything in her path, the final straw was when she start to beat on my father and myself, I know it was just frustration and none of her behavior was her fault it was just this horrible disease, but we knew she was a danger to herself and us. On the suggestion of a psychiatrist at COPSA we admitted her to Carrier Clinic for observation during her stay her violence increased to the point where she physically injured some of the staff there (by the way Carrier was another amazing facility). With Carrier Clinic's Social Workers assistance we were able to stabilize her the best we could. In consultation with the doctors there and the social workers it was determined that we could not let her go home again, one of the most painful decisions I have ever had to make (and don't wish on my worst enemy). Based on her financial situation (essentially she had little if any money at all, her history of violence, the fact that she needed 24 hour supervision (while at my house I used to sleep in the hallway downstairs so I could stop her from leaving the house and wandering at any hour of the night), and her inability to reason or understand what was happening to her or control her actions we were rejected from almost every nursing home we contacted. Then I contacted Greenwood House (NJ Jewish Home for the Aged) from the start they understood and were extremely patient with us answering every question explaining that they never turn away anyone for financial reasons, and that their locked ward would be the best place for her. Within weeks a spot opened up and they admitted her no questions asked. Although I harbor a lot of guilt for "putting her away" it was really the only answer to keep her safe and provide her as much quality of life the disease would allow her to have. The staff from the nurses, volunteers to the business office and administration always put the her and her family first, it kind of restored my faith in humanity and even though I wish we could have cared for her until her passing it just wasn't possible but we never left a visit feeling that she wasn't safe and being cared for. I would recommend Greenwood House for any family struggling with the decisions we had to make, and I thank everyone there caring for her in a loving way.