We have decided to get my mother here in Sarah Neuman. The first impression I got was excellent. Well actually not totally excellent because we entered through what I think is their dementia units. There were people just in front of the television. However once we walked through that unit, it is night and day compared to the other facility. There was a bright and airy visitor and patient space. It is built around a very large garden. In effect, there's a three sided building around the garden. The patient's room was bright and large. It looked fresh. The aides looked cheerful and willing to help. We ate in a public space, and the food was good. What is particularly appealing here is they were doing something new. They call it a Small House, but it is a different living concept where they try and get away from the institutional style. It is a small section with 13 or 14 patient rooms. It is arranged around a very large central dining room and open kitchen. They are trying for a home-like atmosphere. But the downside of this idea is the aide spends a little more time in keeping the kitchen spotless instead of caring for the patients. They do seem to have a good medical staff. There is a nurse on the floor during the day. It is a pretty good place, although it is weak on the number and creativity of activities.

The staff was very precise and took all precautions to ensure safety. The staff at times was a little too careful but that is not a bad thing when dealing with people in those conditions. There were many different activities to assimilate residents to the environment so they did not feel alone, which is something that unfortunately is too common in places of this nature. The people that came to visit to volunteer at the facility were just as helpful as the paid staff and made the residents feel as if they were at home. The food was good but sometimes the variety was not as good as it could be. The service however made up for this and I never heard a complaint from my relative. Every time I went to visit I heard nothing but positive things and it was comforting knowing that the environment at the facility was one that a resident would describe as being reminiscent of home.