My experience with Willow Park was great, but it was just too far away. They were very organized. We fell in love with it, and we really liked it. In fact, we started the ball rolling to put my dad there, and then I kind of got cold feet because it wasn't close to where my mom lives, and she couldn't get there herself. We would have moved him in there by now if it had not been so far away. I was only allowed into their little vestibule between the two front doors to pick up documents and paperwork. I looked inside, and it was beautiful. We were looking at a shared room, which was quite small, there was about half a wall between the two sections of the room -- but we got a pretty good feel for it. One of the things that they pointed out is that when the nurse comes in to check, they can check two people at one time. It was a gorgeous facility. From the front windows, you could see into the main reception area, and they had it cutely decorated for Valentine's Day. When I went back the next time, it was decorated for St. Patrick's Day. I saw some interactions between staff and residents while I was sitting there waiting, and I just really like it. It's just a really nice place.

Willow Park was a bigger facility than the others I looked at, and it wasn't family oriented. The hallways were very long. For my mom, she would get lost there. You didn't really see anybody, but the staff, walking by. I don't think they were quarantined. I just think the place was so big. I had an appointment, but when I got there, the staff didn't even know I was supposed to be there and she called me by another name. It was obvious that they had two appointments at the same time. She was very confused about it. She said, "What I can do for you? What would you like to know?" I feel like they should have said, "This isn't about us. This is what we're going to do, and these were the things we do." She wasn't prepared at all; she was kinda flustered. I got very upset with her. She knew it, and she apologized, then she took me to see a room. It was a nice room, but I didn't get an overall loving feeling from it, which is what I was looking for, for my mom. They just showed me a sample of their room, but they didn't say what the kinds of rooms they have. The only thing that really stood out that they told me was that I can pay for extra and have some of the memory care people taken out and put in a group setting where they can socialize, but I feel that they should be doing that anyhow without extra money.

In short this is an extremely positive review of Willow Park and the great people at Willow Park, who accompanied my Mother and our family on a four-year journey through Assisted Living and Memory Care. The rooms and the food were very nice. The facility is relatively small which is an advantage in my mind. The space allows the residents to easily get around with a library and multiple sitting areas. The outdoor space is excellent with a beautiful rose garden. However it was clear from my very first tour with Mary H., that Willow Park was about people. Unlike other facilities, Mary introduced me to both residents and staff and let those full conversations be my guide on whether this was the right place to bring my mom. She was, at the time, in the early stages of dementia and could no longer safely care for herself at home. One of the unique programs at Willow Park is the amazing Bridges program, for people in early stages of dementia, who would likely need Memory Care in the future. In all of the places that I looked, (~ 10), nobody offered or mentioned such a dynamic and practical pre-memory care program. Monica is the heart and sole of the program. When the time came for her to move into Memory Care, Monica and Zach prepared us for event and let us know what to expect and how to deal with my Mom’s questions and adjustment. Memory Care was the saddest day of my life, however, the staff proved to me that she would be safe and well cared for. More than that, they became her friends and family. I visited 3+ times a week, but I could spend time with her and didn’t need to worry about other issues. If I thought she needed something, it was all quickly taken care of from her medicine, food preferences (ice cream) and entertainment. If I asked questions they knew the answers or would find out by the time I left. Aaron, Linda and Albina should be complimented for leading such a great team in a difficult situation. Most importantly, was the humanity exhibited not only during her final weeks, but also over her entire two years in Memory Care. After she was placed on comfort measures by the hospice team, the staff helped maintain her dignity and looked after her. We got a sense that they truly knew, cared for and loved her as a human being and not just a “resident.” As I was saying goodbye to her, it was clear the staff was saying goodbye to her as well. Over her last days they took impeccable care of my Mother and our family. Many thanks to all of the exceptional people who took the time to know Alice, feed her, keep her safe and truly give her dignity at a time when she was so vulnerable, we compliment Willow Park and their truly wonderful staff, praise you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.