Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care

I am writing to express my sincere thanks the entire staff of Chestnut Knoll for the exceptional care my mother received while a resident there. It was a very difficult decision for us to move my mother out of her home of 60 years, and we were a little concerned as to how well she would adapt. My mother was a very private person and we knew she wouldn't engage very much. However, within days, my mother was comfortable and feeling warm and welcomed by the caring staff at Chestnut Knoll. The kindness of the staff members gave my mother much to smile about . . . and everyone loved her smile! I can't thank you enough for all that was done to make my mother's stay so comfortable. As she came to her final days, the support the staff gave my family was overwhelmingly kind and understanding, and so very much appreciated. Every aspect of her health and well-being was considered, and we know that at all times she was under the best of care. Again, our wholehearted thanks for caring for my mother with such love and affection. I will look back with nothing but gratitude for all you did.

My grandfather Leo was a resident at Chestnut Knoll for 7 years. He told me on many occasions that he liked the friendly staff and got along well with other residents. The facility offers a full calendar of activities each month, both inside as well as external excursions, in which he was a social and active participant. The atmosphere inside is very tranquil, and kept immaculately. Leo was very happy and content with his life there. As the family member working with the staff, I was pleased with the level of care he received and witnessing the staff treating him very well. I am also grateful for everyone's support in a tragic and difficult transition where Leo's son, my father, passed away in 2014 and I took over the responsibility as family caregiver from literally halfway around the world. The staff was always as helpful as possible with questions, requests, concerns, and communication overall. I would choose Chestnut Knoll again if I had the chance, and recommend anyone looking for a residence to check it out.

We chose Knoll Personal Care for mother. It was smaller in size than others, and the staff was very personable. It was quaint and more family oriented. My mother loves Bridge games, and she participates in all the exercises and other therapies the contractor set up. They put a lanyard on their neck so they can hit the emergency button in case of emergencies, like when they fall and can't get up. Her unit is right across the laundry room, but they can do laundry for her. They have an open refrigerator with great snacks, where they can get food at any time of the night. They have a hair dressing facility on site, and they are at a price cheaper than I can get a haircut.

My mom has been a resident at Chestnut Knoll for almost three years, first in personal care, and for the last 14 months in their memory care unit. Prior to living at Chestnut Knoll her health had declined both physically and mentally. My husband and I knew it was no longer safe for her to live independently and visited several facilities near her home in Boyertown, Pa. Since we live in Florida, a long distance from her and can visit only infrequently, it was important that we select a place in which we could be confident of the care provided. After visiting several facilities, our top choice was Chestnut Knoll, and we are so happy that it became her home. The care provided has been excellent. Before moving to Chestnut Knoll she was a frequent visitor of the Emergency Department and admitted to the hospital on a regular basis. Hospital admissions have greatly declined under the care of Chestnut Knoll and her chronic illnesses appear to be well managed. The Fox Optimal Living Program has been a terrific asset for her and I believe has helped her to continue to maintain some physical capabilities, albeit more limited with her decline over time. The memory care unit does a wonderful job of engaging residents in activities that occur every 30 to 60 minutes. Mom is never in her room when we arrive to visit her, which is great! Although her dementia has progressed she is still able to enjoy art in the form of painting or working with clay. She seems happy, and the staff does an excellent job of engaging her! Chestnut Knoll has a very homey environment with caged birds and turtles in many locations, and welcoming outdoor seating areas, which are other things my mom has enjoyed. There are regular special events held in the memory care unit, most recently we attended a very nice mother’s day event which mom really enjoyed. I have found the staff to be very caring and great to work with long distance, we are in touch by phone or email often. They do a great job keeping me informed of any health issues that come up, or needs that arise that I can provide for long-distance. I feel mom is in great hands with her Chestnut Knoll family and greatly appreciate all they do!

The decision to place a family member in memory care is painful, difficult and comes with many emotions - anxiety, sadness, guilt. My family and I cared for my mother in her home for many years but the time came when we could not provide the proper personal care. The responsibility to continue a good quality of life for our mother caused much stress to all of us. After visiting numerous memory care facilities, I decided on Chestnut Knoll for my mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s. She lived at Chestnut Knoll for a little less than a year. Considering my mother’s disease and how it progressed, The Chestnut Knoll team provided excellent care and a good quality of life for her. She had opportunities at Chestnut Knoll that she did not have being at home. My mother participated in Fox Rehab services, many activities and had opportunity to socialize with other residents. She also enjoyed the live entertainment provided monthly. Chestnut Knoll facility is modern, well laid-out, in a quiet corner of Boyertown. The facility offers a nice, warm and comfortable living environment. The memory care unit is secure but does provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors in the patio or garden areas. The staff is well-trained. The caretakers are friendly and full of compassion and support for the residents. The staff encouraged my mother to be as independent as possible when that was an option, especially in regards to participating in activities. I visited often and was kept informed with all aspects of my mother’s care. I enjoyed interacting with the residents and staff as they all became part of my family. Also, I was impressed that the administration and nursing staff was so active in providing direct services to residents. They know the residents well and treat them like family. The entire staff was very loving and supportive with my mother up to her final days when we brought hospice care in for her. This allowed us to care for her in a comfortable setting instead of moving her to a different facility. I would recommend Chestnut Knoll Memory Care to anyone who has a family member with dementia, Alzheimer’s or any memory care needs. Thank you Chestnut Knoll for loving my mother. Fondly, Nancy

My Dad, Jack was only a resident of Chestnut Knoll Memory Care for 6 months before his passing but when my brother and I had visited endless other facilities we were relieved to come to Stacy and find Chestnut Knoll. It's the "Home" feeling Chestnut Knoll exudes that we knew we found Dad's next home. The staff was always wonderful to Dad and myself as a visitor and I was always kept informed of Dad's daily changes. The facility is clean and friendly and I'm glad and relieved Dad (Jack) spent his last 6 months loved and cared by Chestnut Knoll. Thank you Chestnut Knoll for taking caring of my Dad during a time I couldn't.

I went to Chestnut Knoll and was very impressed with it. I thought it was very nice, but I also realized that it was not what I wanted for my wife and myself at this time. The rooms were very nice, private, clean, and well kept. I was impressed with the facilities, and the services that they provide. There was a group that was crafting and some other groups that were watching TV. They had a happy hour while we were there in the afternoon, which I was surprised to see, but it was very nice.

Years ago, when my wife and I applied for long-term care insurance, we were told that the average stay in assisted-living was two to three years. My father was a guest at Chestnut Knoll, Boyertown, PA, for eight (8) years. I would submit that his longevity at Chestnut Knoll was due to the care he received there. The facility is modern, well laid-out, in a quiet corner of Boyertown. There is a TV area, a library, a dining / activity room and plenty of visitor parking. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a professional manner, with guests having choices from a daily menu. The staff is first-rate. Not only well-trained, the caretakers are friendly and full of empathy for the guests. The admin staff makes check-in / check-out easy. Billing is efficient, using the opportunity to mail monthly activity calendars along with the invoices. There are numerous outdoor activities to choose from. They range from traveling to baseball games to listening to concerts on the lawn to judging in the annual car show. Indoor activities include exercise classes, mind-expanding games, birthday parties and musical events. Chestnut Knoll truly deserves its Caring Star for 2016.