As a 92-year-old, like many of my contemporaries, 2020 has been a year that has caused us all great trying times to our very existence and to our emotional stability. Having to weather a record-setting hurricane season, the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest and an emotionally difficult election campaign has been very stressful. I have always believed that challenges can be steppingstones to blessings. As Booker T. Washington wisely stated, “Success is to be measured by the obstacles which have been overcome while trying to succeed.” With the very wise leadership and guidance that we have received from VISTA Shores Assisted Living home, where I have lived for 7 years, we have all weathered what was potentially a very traumatic year. Faith in God’s plan for each of us has also been a most important factor in our gratitude for all of our blessings of this year.
– Frank I., M.D.
Please extend my appreciation to the team in caring for my Dad. He received the best care while at SummerHouse Vista Shores. Knowing that he was being looked after properly definitely put me at ease. Thanks again for everything y’all have done. I greatly appreciate it.
– Alexander N., Son of Resident
I cannot express to you and your team how special you all are to me! Your job has got to be one of the most emotionally demanding jobs! Your entire team has been so special to us, but there are a few that have been outstanding. I will tell you Courtney S. at the Concierge Desk is phenomenal, she is the heartbeat of the community, she knows everything going on and is willing to do anything I have ever asked of her and always with a positive attitude! Another angel you have working there is Lody, this employee does so much for my mother. What a joy she is! Her upbeat attitude and personality was a highlight for my mother every day! Another wonderful employee is the nurse upstairs, Claudette, she was always so kind to my mother! There were many times I would be facetiming my mother at night, and she would come into my Mom’s room and hug her and treat her so kind!
It goes without saying how special Zoe is to all! Zoe I really could not have made it this long without your patience and kindness and understanding! I will miss you most Courtney, you run a fantastic business. You are the heartbeat of the whole place, thank you for your time with all of my mother’s difficulties over the years. With this being said you know you all will be missed.
– Susan G., Daughter of Assisted Living Resident
It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving for me to tell you how grateful I am for the team at SummerHouse Vista Shores. What Courtney and Zoe – and absolutely, Charmy — have accomplished in the last 9 months is nothing short of a miracle. I trust them professionally, but even more than that, I trust them morally. The woman I hired to sit with my mother, who has seen the inside of dozens of assisted living and memory care communities said, after a few visits to Vista Shores: “I’ve never seen anything quite like this place.” I sing the praises of Vista Shores all the time, and if the chance to give a referral presents itself, you can be sure I’ll follow up. Thank you for maintaining high standards even under such adverse conditions.
– Skylar F., Son of Memory Care Resident
I just wanted to take a Moment to thank you and all of the wonderful people at Vista Shores for the care and concern that you showed to my Mom during her seven months there. I am so grateful that she was surrounded by such loving people during those last months of her life. It was a great comfort to my sisters and me to know that she was safe and that all her needs were met. And my Mom appreciated all of you very much.
– Linda T., Daughter of Assisted Living Resident
My Mom, Mary Jane B., is a resident of Vista Shores and I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate her caregivers and all who work there. I am afraid of leaving anyone out since they’re all wonderful, but I did want to mention a few by name at this time for their extraordinary care and concern.
Courtney Bartholomew does such a great job getting information to us and dealing with anything that comes up. She is so concerned about the residents of Vista Shores! Courtney S. is my Mom’s BFF! Mom loves her! We can call Courtney any time Mom doesn’t answer her phone and Courtney can tell us exactly where Mom is, who she’s with, and what she’s doing! She’s amazing! Zoe is such an amazing nurse! She even helped Mom when she was at home on the weekend. Zoe had someone at Vista Shores take a picture of Mom’s leg (which had a cut) and send it to Zoe so she could take a look at it, talk to the doctor, and medicine prescribed. All this was done on her day off! Faith is such a blessing providing transportation to Mom’s doctor visits since I have difficulty getting her in and out of my car. The last time Faith brought Mom and I met them, it was raining, and Faith paid no attention to how wet she got in order to cover my Mom with her raincoat and keep her dry. So thoughtful! Connie does such an awesome job planning activities and entertainment for the residents. Even when they were quarantined last year, Connie brought them things to do in their rooms. She’s amazing! Lody takes such wonderful care of Mom, too! She’s like the Energizer Bunny! Such a hard worker and so kind!
It makes my family and me feel so much better knowing Mom is with people who care for her so much. For example, in May we got a call saying that Mom was very weak and had to go to the hospital. When we got to Vista Shores, Mom had Courtney B., Courtney S., and Zoe with her. They didn’t leave her side until the ambulance came. And when Mom was in the hospital, they called to check on her. So thoughtful! They really are part of our family now! We love them! More importantly, MOM loves them!
Thank you again for all you do. You are very much appreciated!
– Elizabeth F., Daughter of Assisted Living Resident
While there were many places that both my Dad and Mom could have gone to, we chose Vista Shores due to the longevity and experience of the Vista Shores leadership and the care provided. There is something about Vista Shores that comforts me in knowing both of my parents’ needs are met. The care, love and just the gentleness they show Mom and Dad warms my heart while it eases my mind.
– Jane L., Daughter of Assisted Living and Memory Care Residents
My father was most recently a resident at SummerHouse Vista Shores Assisted living and Memory Care and prior to that, was a resident at another local community. I moved my father to Louisiana after my mother’s passing who was his caregiver since his diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia. The previous community and Vista Shores was night and day.
From my first point of contact with Vista Shores with Admissions. This experience was a totally different experience than the other facility. Prior to and during his move to Vista Shores, I then became introduced to Courtney Bartholomew and Zoe Tobias. Throughout my Dad’s stay and throughout this journey until his death, both Courtney and Zoe have been invaluable with their guidance and wisdom as my Dad became acclimated with this new environment, his change in mental capacity and the progression of his disease. I cannot say enough good things about these two individuals.
I came every morning to Vista Shores before work and got to see firsthand the team that worked the night shift and the morning shift. On weekends I would also stay through breakfast. I went almost every evening to eat dinner with my Dad and on a handful of occasions; I would come during the day when I was not able to come that evening at dinner. My point for outlining this is because I got to know every Care Partner and nurse in the Memory Care neighborhood. I spent a lot of time talking with them and interacting. At some point I became somewhat of a permanent fixture. I got to see firsthand how they cared for and loved the residents there. It was not because I was there, I witnessed every single person take their job seriously and approached each task and challenge with compassion and patience. It was real.
The few times that I was not there for dinner, they always assured me that they would make sure Dad ate and drank his water. I can honestly say that I never felt more comfortable with a team of caregivers. I have worked in healthcare for over 25 years. I consider myself a patient advocate and know the importance of teamwork to be an effective caregiver, to serve and win the trust of a patient’s family. I can tell you that the team at Vista Shores does just that. I cannot say one negative thing about anyone who I have come into contact that is a part of the Memory Care team at Vista Shores. They work together as a strong, cohesive team. They became family to me and my Dad as they have with the other residents and families.
– Jeff M., Son of Resident
