The best staff anywhere

Over 7 years ago, we made the hard decision to place our Dad in Ridgewood Veterans Wing, Saint John. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Mom was simply not equipped to handle the situation. From Day One, Dad was welcomed, and we as a family were invited to be involved in his care. I made a point of getting to know the staff who were involved in his daily care, but over those seven years before he passed last April, I came to understand just how fantastic all of the staff at Ridgewood really were. I'm not just talking about the nurses and aides, it went far beyond that. The maintenance, custodial, and foodservice staff also made it a point to get to know him. On days when he was ornery and refusing to get dressed or eat, one of the custodial staff suddenly became the only person who could get him to do it.

The staff celebrated birthdays anniversaries, Christmases, and as is so important to Veterans, Remembrance Day, with us. They became our friends, our extended family. There was never a time when I had a question, a concern, or a request, that it was not handled properly and professionally. When I thought a meeting with key staff members was necessary, it was never refused, and any concerns or questions were never dismissed as unfounded.

As I have said many times, there is no way that these people could do their jobs just for money, it takes very special people to do what they do.

When my Father passed, every staff member of the staff lined up in the hallway to pay their respects as he was taken away, a touching and meaningful gesture that I won't forget.

But more than that, I am fully aware that my Father was not the only resident at Ridgewood, nor was he any more unique or special than any other resident there. The staff does everything I have talked about here, to every other resident.

Of course, it was never desirable to see our Dad live his final years or days, suffering from a punishing disease, but I cannot hope to describe the utter admiration, respect, and gratitude I feel for each and every one of the staff members who so much as took as a single moment to touch my Dad's (and our) life,

They are remarkable and I hope they can be recognized for their exceptional professionalism, caring, and compassion. Thank you for giving me this forum.