My husband has been a resident at Garden View Care of Chesterfield center since June 2009. He was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Disintegration (FTD) earlier that year. FTD is a type of dementia characterized by personality changes, poor judgment/ reasoning, extreme inhibitions, inability to learn and retain information and or speech difficulties. Clearly, it was a devastating diagnosis for our family. His behaviors became unpredictable and in some cases dangerous to him and to us. Our choices were very limited: we could increase his medications to quell his behaviors (over medicate) or move him to a residential facility that would provide a safe and secure environment.

We choose to move him to Garden View because of the memory care focus and activity program. The staff worked tirelessly to make him feel safe as well as useful during the transition. Being one of the younger residents, the staff involved him in helping others, setting up activities, and leading the exercises. There is always something to be involved in – a game, singing, a craft or a cooking session. They schedule many special events throughout the year and appeal to the varied interests of the residents. As his abilities have diminished, they continue to accommodate and adjust activities to meet his needs.

The staff treats him with dignity and respect. Everyone – without exception – an activity manager, housekeeper, nurse, CMT, food server, housekeeper or administrator greets him as a friend. They appear genuinely happy to see him and his family as well. He is relaxed and comfortable and has developed good relations with other residents. They formed a community and watch out for each other. I’ve only had this one intense experience in a nursing home environment. No one wants to move a loved one to a protected environment. Garden View has changed my previous perception.

As we approach the end of service Garden View Care Center has provided to my mother, I wanted to take a few moments and share my appreciation for everything you and your caring staff have given.

With many seniors diagnosed with the Alzheimer’s disease, special care is needed to address the confusion, frustration and sometimes non-compliant protests to care. My mother was no exception. I experienced first hand the heart filled response your staff employed to meet her every need – not through challenging or commanding corrective action but by introducing conversation, guiding her response and redirection to leave her feeling safe and secure. Within weeks she regained the weight loss she had experience before coming to Garden View and was actively engaged with others in song, games and meals.

As the years continued, your staff remained unwavering in their commitment to total care. Regardless of the time, shift, weekday or weekend, my visits always found your staff engaging and attentive of not only her needs but also those of others. As her memory faded and she was unable to recognize family and friends, your staff never failed to acknowledge and reintroduce us, relying on the personal relationship and trust they had developed with her to provide words of comfort and assurances, allowing her the dignity to recognize and embrace our visits.

The care provided was not absent expert attention to her physical health. The frequent care plan meetings allowed me to gain the confidence and trust in the administration of care. The records retained and the openness to share those records was comforting. The follow-up phone calls to those timely notifications of unanticipated slips, trips or falls have been of great value.

I realize that once my mother leaves Garden View, my visits and conversations with you and your staff will come to an end. I couldn’t turn this chapter in our relationship without expressing my sincere gratitude for the professionalism, dedication, attention and affection you and your committed team have provided to her 24 hours a day… each and every weekday, weekend and holiday.

If I may ever be of service, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,
Forrest V.

During the 63 years that I’ve cared for my special needs son, I knew the day would come when I could no longer provide the care he needed. I so dreaded the day I would have to leave him with “strangers” in a “stereo typical” nursing home. David dealt with many physical and mental disabilities including blindness secondary to a brain tumor at age 6, leaving him so dependent and vulnerable.

The day I feared arrived several months ago when my family and physicians became aware of the toll his care was taking on my aging body. After helping me try to deal with his worsening dementia my daughter led me to understand it was necessary to make other arrangements for his future care. Realizing my reluctance to proceed and my fear of the Covid situation she wisely started the research process.

The best advice we received was from a friend who said “you really should check out Garden View Care Center they took such good care of my dad .They’re really great people there.”

I am so grateful we took her advice. From our first contact with GVCC we have had nothing but a positive experience. The “stereotypical “Nursing home I feared is actually a clean, attractive facility located in a quiet park like setting. The “strangers” that caused me concern I now see as kind, friendly, caring people working together to provide a safe, therapeutic environment for their residents.

Although David is limited in his communication skills I sense that he is becoming content, never asks to leave or return home. His days are now filled with activities and entertainment. He enjoys nourishing meals and lots of ice cream. He always lets me know everyone is nice. I’m told he still calls for mom when he needs something, but he now has lots of “moms” better qualified to respond to his present needs. Accepting this has increased my peace of mind. I’m thankful to all of you at GVCC for all you do for our David and so many others.

EB 2021

Starting in January 2021 my mother had a stroke and needed 24/7 care. This is a difficult time for any family when you realize you cannot care for your loved one and need help. We decided on Garden View Care Center of Chesterfield after careful consideration and investigations, and we could not be happier!

Garden View is in Chesterfield on several acres that look and feel like a park. The staff, which is so important, is exactly what you had hoped for. Very professional, so nice, and caring, treating our mother like family. There could not have been a more challenging time,due to the pandemic, for the families and for the staff. They worked through all the special requests we made, for example the window visits and FaceTime calls, in addition to their regular duties. Thank God those days are behind us and a family can visit their loved ones in person.

We are very grateful for the kindness shown to us and our mother. Special thanks to Jody, Amanda, Jordan, Nancy, Gilbert and the person I call the most Kerry, who is the gate keeper at the front desk.

If you decide on Garden View you’ll be treated like family. Garden View Care Centers is truly a special place.

JB 2021

I am writing to share with you the outstanding care of my mother received during her brief stay at Garden View Care Center. My mother suffered a stroke and was transported to Garden View on Wednesday, December 18 and she passed on Friday, December 20. She had hospice care from St. Luke’s and it was a seamless synergy.

When I initially went to Garden View, I was met by Mimi. She showed me some rooms and discussed the care of my mom would receive once she left St. Lukes and came to Garden View for hospice care. She was so patient and kind, helping me with a difficult decision.

I met Jerrica, The Director of Nursing even before my mother arrived. She made sure all the equipment had arrived and that her room and the staff were ready to except her. During her brief stay, every member of the team went out of their way to assure that my mother was comfortable and always asked if they could do anything for us. Her nursing team included Tabatha, Amber and Kelly all were very attentive making sure she was kept comfortable, clean and turned in her bed regularly.
The Nurse Aids were most kind and considerate – always asking if they could do anything for the family.

The hospitality cart was nice, providing us with a snack and hot/cold drink.

My mother passed at 9:15 PM on 12/22/2019 we were cared for by Rosie. She was kind and compassionate helping us through uncharted territory in a moment of grief.

Thank you for the beautiful plant that arrived at our home on the day of the funeral. It was so kind of you to think of us even after we were gone. You have a tremendous stuff working at Garden View and it shows in the culture of your entire team.

Thank you for all you did for my mother and my family.

MN 2019

On behalf of the Viefhaus family, I wanted to sincerely thank you and your wonderful team of caregivers!

When our 94 year old Mom who is being cared for by hospice, my sister, two brothers and I had to make the tough decision to place Mom and a full-time care facility. It was an even tougher decision on who to trust with our Mom.

You and your team did not disappoint. Your admissions team was prepared and made the transition easy for Mom and the family.

Our mom’s day to day care was professional but most importantly it was caring, provided by a truly kind and considerate team of caregivers – whether it was morning, during the day, evening or late at night!

You will always hold a special place in our hearts. You promised us that mom would get the best possible care – and you were true to your word.

We trusted you with our mom – looking back – we could not be more pleased with Garden View’s care! Better than we expected!

Thank you. You are the best

SV 2020

My 91-year-old mother is a vibrant, loving person! Years ago we had opted for assisted-living since my mother needed help with her medication and meals. Our family needed a home that offered a loving, trusted environment. One that had activities and staff that truly care about their residents. We changed assisted-living homes three times, due to poor communication with family and the lack of caring, knowledgeable stuff! You need to know that your parent is in good hands! Garden View’s skilled nursing care has offered my mother and family an extremely loving home with knowledge and support. The worries and disappointments of the previous homes have been replaced with a caring and trusted environment for my family. Our family is so thankful we found Garden View of Chesterfield. Mom is thriving thanks to them! I no longer worry about her quality of care. They have been outstanding In every way. I wish I had made this decision sooner. Thank you, Garden View for all you do!

NG 2021

Hello my name is Tim, son of a current resident at Garden View Care Center of Chesterfield, and I wanted to share my story of the wonderful care my mother receives at Garden View. Prior to coming to Garden View, my mother had fractured her neck during the middle of the pandemic lock down this past summer. Things were difficult to say the least. No visit and everything done by phone and video chats. After mom’s rehab from her neck injury, I had to find a permanent place for her. Some places just refused to take her for pandemic reasons or other reasons. Fortunately, I found Garden View Care Center of Chesterfield. Not only did they rank high in all areas I found during my research but they were able to take her in as a resident. This facility could handle my mother’s problems now and in the future. I did not want to move her again. They have doctors, dentists, therapists and hair care professionals, all come to the facility as well as on site x-rays allowing her to be safe and not to have to leave the facility during the pandemic lock down. I felt some relief. Now the hard part. They had to fill my shoes and do everything I would do for my mother since I could not go in. They did their best to help me help my mother from a distance. My mother keeps them on their toes to say the least. We have had many challenges along the way and Garden View has risen to the occasion. I am happy she is there, safe, and treated like family. The staff at Garden View are wonderful and feel like an extended part of our family as they take good care of my mother.

TW 2021

Dear Charlotte:

As we approach the end of service Garden View Care Center has provided to my mother, I wanted to take a few moments and share my appreciation for everything you and your caring staff have given.

With many seniors diagnosed with the Alzheimer’s disease, special care is needed to address the confusion, frustration and sometimes non-compliant protests to care. My mother was no exception. I experience firsthand the hot filled response your staff employed to meet her every need – Not through challenging or commanding corrective behavior but by Introducing conversation, guiding her response and redirection to leave her feeling safe and secure. Within weeks she regain the weight loss She had experienced before coming to Garden View was actively engaged with others in song, games and meals.

As the years continued, your staff remained unwavering in their commitment to total care. Regardless of the time, shift, weekday or weekend, my visits always found your staff engaging and attentive not only her needs but also those of others. As her memory faded and she was unable to recognize family and friends, your staff never failed to acknowledge and re-introduce us, relying on the personal relationship and trust they had developed with her to provide words of comfort and assurances, allowing her the dignity to recognize and embrace our visits.

The care provided was not absent expert attention to her physical health. The frequent care plan meetings allowed me to gain the access and trust in the administration of care. The records retained and the openness to share those records was comforting. The follow up phone calls to those timely notifications of unanticipated slips, or falls have been of great value.

I realize that once my mother leaves Garden View, my visit some conversations with you and your stuff will come to an end. I couldn’t turn this chapter in our relationship without expressing my sincere gratitude for the professionalism, dedication, attention and affection you and your committee team have provided to her 24 hours a day each and every day, weekend and holiday.

If I may ever be of service, please do not hesitate to call

FN

Dear Mr. Winter,

My mother, Anna, Was a resident of your Garden View Care Center of O’Fallon from October 11, 2006 until her death in April of this year. She had dementia as well as other medical problems for your nurses and other staff members to deal with. At no time was our family unhappy with the care she received. During my visits I also saw how caring your staff was with other residents.

Your entire staff from Janitors to aides, nurses, Leandra, April, Charlotte, Paul and others were always very kind to her and to me. I received assistance from your director of nursing and accountant for problems I had with my mother’s insurance companies. All I had to do was ask and they would probably take care of the matter or advise me of what to do. Then you much better than I what to say regarding these matters.

The Care meetings were extremely helpful to me. I was kept current on her medications, dementia progression, and their observations. I could tell them what I saw during my visits and we work together as a team. I asked any questions I had and always got an answer.

My mother also always enjoyed your fall festival as other relatives would visit her at this time. She liked all of the hustle and bustle.

On the day she died in her sleep I went there immediately and was hugged and given kind words by all who came in contact with her over the years. I was very touched.

I will never forget each and every one of them for all they did for my mother and for me.

LB