Empowering People to Live Their Best Lives

INTRODUCTION: Caregiving is an ultimate act of love. But caregiving becomes more difficult as an illness gradually takes independence away from our loved one as well as that of the family caregiver. Certain kinds of dementia cause physical deficits that render our family members into toddlers. The patient becomes incapable of doing most things for themselves. There are few decisions harder to make than deciding to put a spouse, or other loved one, in a Memory Care or an assisted living facility. The decision may come with a burden of guilt as well as initial grief and loneliness. But placement is often the best decision. THE REVIEW: When my wife was placed, she required help for all the activities of daily living (ADLs). Based on the quality of Brightstar in-home caregivers, Brightstar Homes was my first choice. After a tour of the facility, my wife was placed in their “Taft” home. (Important Details) —The Brightstar/CMoore homes each hold about ten residents. —All of the meals for the residents are made from scratch. It’s familiar comfort food. Most special dietary needs can be met. —There are a minimum of two staff members on each shift. Often there are more. —Upon acceptance to the home a residents POA/Advocate fills out a complete bio of the resident. This helps with ongoing care and socialization. — A comprehensive care plan is established when a resident enters the home. The plan is modified as needed based on input from Keystone Health or new requirements. —Resident status reports are issued every six months to the residents advocate. —The homes are self-pay. —Typically, the Taft home smells fresh and clean. —The homes have very comfortable patios and visiting areas. —Activities are provided periodically. —They do not provide Nursing home care level services such as feeding tubes or giving infusions. —Medical care is provided by the outstanding Keystone House calls Health team with over sight by Brightstar nurses and the on-site Med-tech. —The care staff takes pulse and oxygen readings as well as issuing meds and logging changes. They will call medical support in the event of a significant physical or mental change —Hospice support is provided by outside agencies for some guests. —Pedicures are provided periodically and are included in the monthly fee. —Hair dressers are available for a fee. —It was necessary to purchase a TV for my wife’s room. Her bed was provided by Medicare via Norco. Family members can also provide familiar furniture and memorabilia for guest rooms. —Disposable underwear is provided by the loved ones family. —Doors to the outside are secured by electromagnetic locks to prevent wandering as well as unauthorized entry. --One truth about placement is that the family caregiver often feels that no one (except themselves) can properly take care of their loved one. A paradigm shift is needed to recognize that >>the care team is truly an extension of the caregiver's family

INTRODUCTION: Caregiving is an ultimate act of love. But caregiving becomes more difficult as an illness gradually takes independence away from our loved one as well as that of the family caregiver. Certain kinds of dementia cause physical deficits that render our family members into toddlers. The patient becomes incapable of doing most things for themselves. There are few decisions harder to make than deciding to put a spouse, or other loved one, in a Memory Care or an assisted living facility. The decision may come with a burden of guilt as well as initial grief and loneliness. But placement is often the best decision. THE REVIEW: When my wife was placed, she required help for all the activities of daily living (ADLs). Based on the quality of Brightstar in-home caregivers, Brightstar Homes was my first choice. After a tour of the facility, my wife was placed in their “Taft” home. (Important Details) —The Brightstar/CMoore homes each hold about ten residents. —All of the meals for the residents are made from scratch. It’s familiar comfort food. Most special dietary needs can be met. —There are a minimum of two staff members on each shift. Often there are more. —Upon acceptance to the home, a residents POA/Advocate fills out a complete bio of the resident. This helps with ongoing care and socialization. — A comprehensive care plan is established when a resident enters the home. The plan is modified as needed based on input from Keystone Health or new requirements. —Resident status reports are issued every six months to the residents advocate. —The homes are self-pay. —Typically, the Taft home smells fresh and clean. —The homes have very comfortable patios and visiting areas. —Activities are provided periodically. —They do not provide Nursing home care level services such as feeding tubes or giving infusions. —Medical care is provided by the outstanding Keystone House calls Health team with over sight by Brightstar nurses and the on-site Med-tech. —The care staff takes pulse and oxygen readings as well as issuing meds and logging changes. They will call medical support in the event of a significant physical or mental change —Hospice support is provided by outside agencies for some guests. —Pedicures are provided periodically and are included in the monthly fee. —Hair dressers are available for a fee. —It was necessary to purchase a TV for my wife’s room. Her bed was provided by Medicare via Norco. Family members can also provide familiar furniture and memorabilia for guest rooms. —Disposable underwear is provided by the loved ones family. —Doors to the outside are secured by electromagnetic locks to prevent wandering as well as unauthorized entry. --One truth about placement is that the family caregiver often feels that no one (except themselves) can properly take care of their loved one. A paradigm shift is needed to recognize that >>the care team is truly an extension of the caregiver's family

Brightstar provided a safe place for Dad to spend his final months in a nurturing environment that felt like home. Staff members were diligent in following up with issues Dad might be having and effectively communicated with both me and hospice. The staff treated Dad with compassion and kindness, with many of them coming to feel like family. Highly recommended for your loved ones.

I recently had the opportunity to visit a dear friend at this BrightStar care home, and I must say, it was an impressive experience that surpassed my expectations. From the moment we visited, it was clear that this service and home was built on a foundation of compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to creating a nurturing environment. The caregivers and nurses were truly exceptional. They possessed not only the necessary skills but also a remarkable patience and understanding that made all the difference. They made sure my friend had her own space and felt at ease. Each member of the team displayed a genuine passion for their work, ensuring that residents received personalized care tailored to their individual needs. Their ability to connect with those they cared for, often going beyond the call of duty, created a sense of trust and comfort that is invaluable in memory care. The atmosphere of the home was incredibly inviting and warm. It felt less like a facility and more like a cozy residence where families could feel at ease. The attention to creating a familiar and homely environment was evident in every detail, from the decor to the layout. This home-like ambiance encouraged social interaction and provided a sense of belonging for residents. Family involvement was highly encouraged and supported. The staff made it a point to communicate regularly with family members and friends, providing updates and involving them in care plans. This open line of communication fostered a strong partnership between the caregivers and families, making everyone feel included in the care process. In summary, the service experienced was exceptional. With dedicated nurses, a supportive and caring team, and a home-like atmosphere, it provided not just care, but a sense of community and comfort for both residents and their families. I would highly recommend this service to anyone seeking compassionate and professional care for their loved ones.

Our experience with Brightstar Cate Homes is excellent care with a compassionate and professional staff. The facility is clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. The staff is attentive to individual needs, ensuring personalized care plans for each resident. Family members can feel confident that their loved ones are in safe, caring hands. Overall, it’s a warm and welcoming environment that prioritizes residents’ well-being and dignity.