I have never met such an outstanding group of nurses and aides as I have at Deer Meadows.
My mother was a resident in Bair 2 and lived there for about two months. She had end-stage lung cancer, COPD, and was basically unable to get out of her bed.
The staff on Bair 2 treated mom like a member of an extended family and really loved her. I can't list all of the extra special things they did for her or recite how often they tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible. I know some brought her specially prepared food from home in the hopes of getting her to eat more. Others stopped in on their break and chatted. Sometimes the staff ordered food from the outside and invited mom to order something too, just like one of the girls.
During her last week, the staff gave an extra effort to make sure that mom (as well as my wife and I) was as comfortable as possible in terms of medication and hygiene. Staff even brought in a reclining chair when my wife and I stayed overnight several times. They also asked us if we wanted something to eat or drink frequently; they wanted to make sure we were comfortable too.
On the day she died, as each shift ended, most of the staff came into the room to say goodbye to her. It was very sad, but also very beautiful. My wife and I wondered many times, "Where do you find people like this?" All I know is that you did.
As a division president, I know that it is the employees that make or break a business. In that respect, my wife and I thank Deer Meadows for doing such a marvelous job. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the superb work of the following people: Frank Hayward, Jolene Huber, Mary Jo Buchanon, Nancy Ortiz, Margaret St. Louis, Dawn Williams, Kathy Dooley, Janel Pierre and Sheddnika Porter. I am sure there are others I've missed, but they all were fantastic people. We were privileged to know them.
Edward T. Kilgallon
