Felix Brizuela D O

My mother was at garden crest's skilled nursing facility
for about 20 days; first, for 16 days and second time, for about 4 days. At first, coming from kaiser to sunset to garden crest was a shock as it felt like day and night. We have never been to a skilled nursing facility before and by the physical appearance, it felt dark, outdated and gloomy. Yes, they need to update their furniture. Yes, the staff is overworked and there are too many patients. Yes, the food looks mediocre. Yes, the rooms are small and feel cramped. However, after speaking with guests who come visit their loved ones and who have had prior experience with other skilled nursing facilities, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

What I can say about garden crest is that they have a very loving and caring staff. However, like all relationships, you have to nurture and grow those relationships. I came everyday for my mother's mental state- to remind her why we are here, to keep her spirits up, for her memory loss not to worsen, for her not to fall into depression. And through those 20 days, I got to know the staff. I personally witnessed how loving and caring the staff is to their patients. I saw them running to their patients when in need. I saw them not taking their lunch during as they were assisting patients. I saw them feeding patients who couldn't feed themselves. I saw them assisting patients with walks, baths, bathroom assists from taking them to the bathroom to changing diapers. I saw them lovingly hug patients, pat their backs, or other loving gestures to show that they truly care for that individual patient.

From the nurses, to the CNA's, to the activities team, to the kitchen staff, to the physical therapy team, building and grounds workers, and to those in administration, I see you. I see your compassion and you coming into work everyday to help those in need even when the days are so long and tiring. This is a grueling job and they deserve all the praise and recognition for their hard work.

There are so so many people I would like to thank. Lavina, Ruel, Miguel, Tom, Maureen. Lydia, Teresa, Jasmin, Juana, the philipina cna who also wears a back brace herself and appears to have a hard time walking herself. Irene, Moises, Ed. Jack, Shalini, George. John, Jackie, the activities girls who do exercises, crafts, paint nails, and takes the patients out for sunshine. There are so many more whose names that I never got, but I know who you are by face and I thank you. Thank you for your compassion to help those in need when they need it most. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The cna's work hard, and are trying their best. Yes, the wait time when you press the call button for someone to show up may take time (can be up to 30 minutes or more) but it is because they are attending to someone else. Please be patient and kind. It is a thankless job.

Thank you Lydia, who is a young mother of two including a 4 month old baby that she still nurses. I can remember so many times when Lydia was scheduled to take a lunch but I would see her an hour later, and she still had not taken lunch as she was attending to her patients. I vividly remember Easter Sunday when her 8 year old son was calling her to see when she was coming home so they can spend Easter together. Yet, she was attending to one patient to the next patient as her family was at home, waiting for her to come home. Yet, she took her time to care for each patient. Thank you Lydia, you are super mom.

Thank you Moises for my 50 million questions and always being so patient, always smiling, and always so kind. Thank you for walking me through the steps and helping me to navigate the health care system post discharge from the hospital.

We are now at garden crests assisted living and the staff here is also amazingly great. Thank you Jocelyn, Belle, Daisy, Nieves, Conchita, Heaven, Leo, Yvonne, and everyone who is at assisted living. I know mom is cared for when I leave after visiting hours. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This is the fourth time Ive been in this facility. It gets better everytime. The nursing staff are top notch. Tom, Miguel, Mercy, & Ruel truly care about their patients. The physical therapy team are phenominal. The office staff visit & work on anything we may need. They even arrange for transportation to outside doctor appointments. Moises, John, and Richard are part of the office team. The cooks deliver bright, light, & tasty food each and every day. Last but not least the CNA's are kind, loving, & patient. Marta, Josie, Evelyn, just to name a few. They treat me like Im family. I would never stay anywhere else!! Thanks to everyone on staff here, I love & appreciate you all.