Atria Park of Ann Arbor

Mom and Stepdad moved in together 6 months ago. The process of deciding that it was time for them to move from their home into assisted living and then choosing the best fit for them was agonizing. Having them be together was my number one priority. Stacee and Makenna were there step by step. I scoped it out first. My parents and I came to lunch, the nurse was available to do the assessment at that visit. This was a huge convenience. They weren't quite sure about moving yet. I visited other assisted living settings, my heart kept coming back to Atria. The restauraunt style dining, open spacing, cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, sitting areas on each floor allows for friends to visit, and community "feel" of the size of the facility. Atria is big enough to accomdate many, but not so big that one gets lost in the crowd. Meals are the time of day when Mom and Dad go to the dining room and everybody at least knows their faces and say "hello", and the wait staff know their names, their likes, and yet respectfully allow them to order for themselves. They assist when needed and yet allow for independence and dignity. I visit multiple times a week and at all different times of the day. I've seen the staff respond to emergency situations, such as a resident fall, an incident of severe cough and difficulty with swallowing in the dining room, and many walkie talkie calls for assistance. I have worked in many care settings over my life time. As I watch this team of caregivers, I am always impressed by their professionalism, their immediate response to urgent matters and even non-urgent matters. They interact with residents with kindness, patience, and respect. They are really tuned in to the individual needs of the residents. I can't name every single staff but there are several that I can give a shout out to: Makenna, Stacee, Maddy, Theresa, Scott, Sherry and Mary, all of the dining staff, Karen, Missy, Beth, all of the care staff who assist with bathing and self care,

Atria Park took care of my mom with empathy and flexibility at a difficult time. Partway through the admission process, the plan changed to hospice only. Atria Park still accepted my mom. Staff and leadership went above and beyond to welcome and help both her and the family during the move-in and her short stay, coordinating smoothly with hospice staff. And the final billing total was surprisingly reasonable.

To: McKenna Hindman, Director of Atria Park of Ann Arbor Assisted Living McKenna- Leaving Mother in your excellent care at Atria for the past ten years has proven a high form of trust, forged by your compassionate staff and Mother. It has been a great comfort to witness your staff care for her lovingly, as they would care for their own Mothers. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, but still of sound mind, Mother researched all the facilities in the Ann Arbor area.  She talked with residents & their family members, and with facility staff.  She ate in the dining rooms to get a sense of how staff interacted with residents and the aura of each facility. Mother has a Masters Degree in Education, and she did her research well.   Cognizant of the importance of her care when she would no longer have awareness of its quality, she targeted her research on the memory care unit of each facility with her husband, Bob. And she chose Atria. At Atria, you have crafted a team of staff members who have the heart to care for your residents lovingly, regardless of each person’s degree of senility, culture, race, sex, ethnicity, language, or any other demographics (which become meaningless in the face of Alzheimer’s and dementia challenges). Every one of my Siblings would take Mother home to live with us in a heartbeat!!!   But none of us could provide the quality of care, the stability of daily routines, the companionship, and the wealth of daily activities which ATRIA provides. As we enter the realm of hospice care now, it is our privilege as Mother’s children, and your honor as her caregivers, to walk this path together with her. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance through this process, and for your friendship throughout this decade of care. We are grateful to you always ⁃ Barbara Quenon Casucci Daughter of Betty Quenon Wurtz