Encore at Wilmington

My father has been in this place for one week. He previously had a stroke that has left him paralyzed and basically unable to move and with vocal damage, so he obviously can hardly use his call button. On his first night in this place, he spent the night screaming out for his nurse and was only checked on once his roommate called for them. Since reporting that incident, there has been signs put up basically stating he’s a paralytic and needs to be frequently checked on. Even with these notices, the nurses have left his bed highly elevated in the air twice, where he has almost rolled off, as well as left lying in his feces for hours. Readers beware: Thoroughly do your research prior to entrusting your loved ones with this place!

I recently visited my grandfather at Shipley Living, where he has lived for many years in a two-bedroom cottage in Independent Living. Every visit is a joy, especially since we live out of state—it’s comforting to know there’s always a room for us when we stay. Most importantly, he is safe, well cared for, and enjoys a wide range of services and amenities. He consistently speaks highly of the staff, who have become like an extended family to him. Knowing he is happy and thriving gives us tremendous peace of mind. Thank you Shipley Living!!!

My mother is about 10 weeks into her recovery from a stroke and surgery. She had recovered from a larger stroke and a diagnosis of vascular dementia. While she was in the hospital for 2 weeks, I checked the skilled nursing facilities provided by Christiana in and around Newark & Wilmington. I was looking for a grounded feeling and evidence of an engaged staff - so I’m so very grateful to have found Shipley Living. I can leave at night with peace in my mind knowing mom is under the care of their dedicated staff of compassionate nurses, aides, and therapists. I feel like I am in a collaborative experience with them. When mom arrived, she had lost some swallowing function and would only say a few words. She was totally bed-bound and I wasn’t sure if she would regain her capacity to eat solid foods, talk and walk - even her legs started to drop from disuse. Because I am my mother’s primary caregiver, I could devote the time and energy needed during an extremely sensitive time in her recovery. Everyday, was by her side to advocate for her needs. In that way, I engaged with the staff and got to see the ins and outs of how the place is run. These are the facets of Shipley Nursing home that supported mom’s recovery: -diversity in the patient population: although not speaking, mom was very observant and learned a lot from watching other patients and their various capacities. -appropriate size: it becomes very easy to become familiar with staff and patients - really helps defer the crisis feeling that creeps up as a caregiver -staff! Some of the staff have been working for Shipley for nearly 3 decades. I think that speaks volumes. My favorite moments would be when someone I didn’t know would walk by my mother and offer a genuine “hello” and a sweet smile. OR when random staff would cheer & clap when she took her first tenuous steps. -consistent, persistent, responsive therapy program. If mom was too tired to actively participate in the therapy, they would pivot, restructure,