Vista Springs Greenbriar Village

N. Pumpa

The research for a Senior Assisted Living facility began in 2017. My husband of 66 years had Alzheimer's and required 24/7 care, and I was his caretaker. This was by choice and with the aid of two great psychologists, I attempted the long haul. The last couple of years were requiring more time than I could give him, and needed to go to the next step in his care. The kids spent days going to various Senior Complexes and narrowed three from the ten most promising. One was located in a rustic type setting and lots of walking paths and outdoor places to sit. It seemed ideal until we visited the rooms available. The hallway was narrow, and no natural lighting, and the rooms had nothing that jumped at you as a place you would want to make a permanent home. The second was cheerless and did nothing to invite me in as a resident.

I was discouraged and thought we might need to go another route. My daughter said we needed to at least look at the Greenbriar. We were impressed at the amount of light and how busy the residents seemed to be. We were shown the facility as is and what was going on. My first thought was how wide the hallways were and how light it was. Alzheimer's shy away from darkness, and that was a great plus. The same for the rooms. The walk-in closet was the thing that sold me on the two rooms that were soon to be our home. It was as if fate stepped in, and we had to move up our dates and move earlier than what we thought. Dave fell and had a serious head injury which required 26 staples and a lot of care.

Our rooms we originally picked were not available, and we had to take what I am in now. Better all around and closer to the elevator and overlooking the flag in front. My favorite sitting spot. We settled into a comfortable routine, and I could see Dave opening up and interacting with the other residents. Then a change in directors, and the morale was low. Caretakers and residents were not showing their best. I was ready to look again for a facility. Checked out a couple new places but not worth a change. Better the devil we know than the one we don't.

It was a low few months, and then we had Sheila, who brought a ray of sunshine to the place. I was delighted. Then we were told only temporary. My condo was sold on the first day on the market, and not an option for moving back. Our new director is a rare gem. Compassion and hands on policy and great with the residents. I am doing shirt protectors for the residents, have made a quilt for the Alzheimers Paint the Night Purple, collecting clothing for a charitable organization, and generally keeping busy with all the activities provided at the facility. Since my husband's passing, I needed to keep active. We have so many things offered and you pick and choose what suits your needs.

In closing, I need to relate an incident that happened the first week we moved to Vista Springs. They were celebrating birthdays, and a gentleman sat down at our table and started talking to Dave. This was Dave making a friend. Little did I know that it was Lou, and he was the topic of many conversations of the Alzheimer's single tracking mind. He was his first friend, and everyone knew about it that would listen. Thanks, Lou.

The fact all the staff call each resident by name is amazing. My pick for the most congenial, caring, and valuable asset is Patty at the front desk. She makes my day with her smile and general gracious demeanor.

The Spinners

I would like the management of the Vista Springs corporation to know how much my husband and I appreciated the care and concern that the entire staff of Vista Springs Greenbriar in Parma, Ohio, showed my mother during her stay at their facility.

I noticed right away the concern that was given to the individual needs of each resident. Special care was given that residents, during meals in the dining hall, were seated with others who shared similar interests.

The meals were nutritious and varied. If a particular meal was not to an individual’s liking, there were always tasty alternate options available.

Each day there were several choices of activities that brought the residents together for fun and informative interactions.

Before the pandemic, there were wonderful monthly themed evening meals that brought families together with their loved ones.

And residents looked forward to when there was a special week where the staff and residents were given the opportunity to dress according to a different theme for each day.

When there was inclement weather, residents could always go down to the fireplace or the café. In the café there was often fruit or bakery that residents could have with a cup of coffee or cocoa.

Friday afternoons were special because of afternoon happy hour. Mom’s friend use to always take Mom down for this weekly treat.

At Christmas time, residents looked forward to the special decorations that the staff put up in the halls and were proud to show off to their families the gorgeous Christmas tree by the fireplace.

The first encounter that family has with each visit is with the receptionists, and each of the employees assigned to this task are perfectly fitted to this responsibility.

Before the Coronavirus, the staff presented residents with fantastic field trip opportunities.

Vista Springs arranged meaningful church services and devotionals for residents.

The nurses and caregivers get to know the residents as individuals, and we were amazed that they were able to alert us when something was not quite right with Mom. This was important to us, especially during the pandemic when we couldn’t be there to notice these differences ourselves.

The Coronavirus pandemic presented Vista Springs with unbelievable challenges. Residents were confined to their rooms and certainly missed the social interaction with their friends. Bringing food to the rooms of every resident certainly added to an already full day of responsibilities. Despite these additional responsibilities, Chef Miro’s staff proved up to the challenge.

And when Mom got to the point where she no longer was able to participate in activities, Vista Springs saw that she was given extra special attention from the caregivers and arranged for daily facetime opportunities for our family. Even up to a month before Mom’s downturn in her condition, she was offered the opportunity for a bit of physical therapy.

When Mom was at the point where she was not physically able to eat properly, the caregivers took time and helped Mom cut out her portions and feed her meals.

We were lucky to have found Vista Springs Greenbriar, where Mom was able to enjoy her last years and live them out in dignity and with the love given her by the administration, the nurses, the chefs, caregivers, and the entire staff.

We cannot recommend this facility highly enough and will be forever thankful to them. And, although Mom was not always able in her last years to vocally express her appreciation, you could always see it in the big smile on her face.

Always at the risk of omitting some deserving individual, I could not end this tribute without recognizing two special individuals at the facility, administrator Jennifer Malynn, and 3rd floor head nurse Pam Milenovic. Any interactions we had with these two individuals were both personal and professional and illustrated their dedication to their jobs and their concern for both residents and their families.

We miss Mom. We will also miss the caring staff at Vista Springs Greenbriar.