Memory Haven

We found Memory Haven Sumner for Mom. I like the concept. It's small and has two cottages with 12 residents in each one. They have enough aides to help out and a nurse on staff. We feel better that she's there. It's a dementia/Alzheimer's place, so they know how to handle that diagnosis, and it's good for my mother because she's not alone and has other people there that are like her. We've been very pleased. The adult family home where she was was wonderful, but we felt like she was being disruptive there, so we're very happy that we found this. She seems to be happy with the food and has not complained about it.

This was a nice and caring place UNTIL I saw the way management treats the staff esp. this woman named Kim. She was being so unprofessional and yelling in front of the elderly I was so disgusted I felt bad for there person she was yelling at not just the cna but for the elderly. Not a place my grandmother IS coming to EVER. Take my word for it or not but if you love your loved ones then be careful.

I will start by saying that every caregiver and staff member at Memory Haven Sumner (MHS) is awesome! My father (who has Alzheimer's disease) was at a larger community for the previous 2 years before I moved him to MHS. I knew a lot of caregivers from his stay at the previous community, however his disease got worse and was told he needed more care than they could provide at the "assisted living" community. I honestly did dread having to move him to a memory care unit because of what I was told they were like. I conducted extensive research of 6 memory care facilities in my area, and was less than impressed. When I finally did have to move Dad, John M had just opened a brand new community, Memory Haven Sumner, and from the moment I met John I knew something was different. He personally came to meet and conduct an assessment of my Dad. Dad, who was very suspicious of new people liked John right away! During one of my first meetings to enroll my dad, John gave me book called "Creating Moments of Joy" and once I read it, I started to understand what dad's care should have consisted of, compared to what he had received for those two years before MHS. John said this book was required reading for all caregivers selected to work there. I learned more than I ever knew about communicating with (and caring for) dad and people with Alzheimer's disease. John gave me a tour of the beautiful community and even showed me where Dad's room would be. He spent the better part of the day with me, learning about Dad and providing me with general and specific information on care for people with Alzheimer's disease. He was amazing. I learned from him in a few days what no one else had taught me about how to relate to my Dad. Frustrations (from my ignorance) disappeared and my relationship with Dad was more beautiful than ever. I met all the caregivers shortly after moving dad into MHS, and as the community was less than a few months old, when I met them they were busy doing all the things that caregivers do. From the very start, I saw that their "gift" was "creating moments of joy" among all the residents. They pay close attention to the things others look over or look around. As busy as the caregivers are, they ALWAYS make their time with the residents seem like they have all the time in the world for them. They taught me how to "get into Dad's world, because as much as I'd like him to, he can't come into ours". I always watch them, study them, ask them questions. They always make time to provide information on how to provide these "moments of joy" for our loved ones. They always know the condition and demeanor of every resident at all times. Having recent extended experience with caregivers at the assisted living community, it was immediately apparent that these people were DIFFERENT! One of the most outstanding things I noticed occurred not long after I met the staff, everyone calls everyone by name rather than "Sweety" or "Honey" or other patronizing, (and in my opinion) belittling names I have heard caregivers call residents. So awesome how each staff member looks the residents in the eye, sits down, shows them they matter! Every time I see this, it is amazing to watch how the residents respond. If they are having a "bad day" caregivers do not leave their side until they are better. I see this every single day. Dad loves the staff and his beautiful home! Many times, well meaning caregivers will speak one way to residents, and another way to their families or others without dementia. Their demeanor changes distinctly (if you have been on the family side, you KNOW what I mean). One of the first things that impressed me about the staff at MHS is the way they spoke the same way to the residents they spoke to me and other family and staff. Same tone, same respect, same kind of awesome communication....and a lot of smiles and laughter. A caregiver by general definition is "one who provides care". The Memory Haven staff provide care, quality of life, expert clinical assistance and comfort, not just for the residents of Memory Haven Sumner, but for the family members of those residents. I love my dad, he has been my hero my whole life. As much as I love him, I cannot be physically present with him every day and even if I could...I could not provide the care he needs by the hour on my own. Memory Haven provides something daily I have not seen anyone provide. They make a difference in every life they touch every day by purposely "Creating Moments of Joy". Those of us who need the best for our loved ones want the most caring, efficient and loving home atmosphere we can provide. From personal experience, there is no place like Memory Haven Sumner.

Memory Haven Sumner was a wonderful facility but wasn't quite what my mother needs right now. When her needs are at that point, we will definitely consider it. They had good activities and good help. The community room and the rooms were nice. The staff was very accommodating, and the tour was great. They took a lot of time to show us everything and explained everything to us, so it was really informative. They were very good.