Barbara Gladstone
Dec 2022
I found Regency Park Place in Corvallis in 2010 when I was looking for a nearby place to move my mother from Florida. It was the perfect choice for her, and she lived there happily for 6.5 years until she passed at the age of 89. I got to know the management, the staff, and the facility very well. I have nothing but praise for their consistent care and concern for every individual. When my husband’s Parkinson’s Disease progressed to his needing around-the-clock care, RPP was the only place I considered. I was delighted to discover that many of the same staff were still working there. In an industry where turn-over and staff retention are often problems, RPP trains, promotes, and retains dedicated staff for decades. The excellence starts at the top with the Rochelle Collett. Having begun her career at RPP as a caregiver, Rochelle knows first hand the challenges her staff will face. As Manager, Rochelle hires dedicated and capable people who take their jobs seriously and helps them to develop their own careers in healthcare. For instance, nurse Fabiola Luecke completed her RN training while she worked at RPP as a caregiver; Care Manager Anysha was herself a caregiver for my mom 10 years ago. The facility manager Terri Ellis and her staff not only keep the building spotless but build personal relationships with each of the clients. My mom considered her a friend. The management work as a team. Their example inspires the caregiving staff to perform the same way, supporting and filling in for each other in mutual support. Every new resident is welcomed, and their individual preferences, noted in an extensive intake interview, are accommodated by the staff. The dining room is the locus of social connections, and the food is restaurant quality. Fresh fruits and vegetables are in ample supply. The menu is varied and well prepared, with customized adjustments for each resident’s needs and preferences. A glance through this past year’s menus, prepared weekly by chef Sarah, will illustrate this point. Each month the Life Enrichment Director Linda Elder prepares a line-up of activities suited to the residents’ interests. These include gardening and book groups, daily exercise, outings to shopping and local entertainments, crafts and music, contests, and more. In the summer she arranges picnics, barbeques, and even a Luau with live island music. Every holiday is a reason for a party of some kind, including the monthly birthday parties for residents born that month. My husband’s health and vigor have improved from the care he has received there since he arrived. Getting his medications on a regular schedule, eating varied nutritious food, having as much (or as little) social contact as he desires, and the security of having help available at any hour have reduced his anxiety. Though the move from home to a facility was a challenging transition for all of us, Rochelle’s experience and advice smoothed the move, and within weeks, he was adjusted to his new routine. He is happy with the care he receives from the kind and patient caregivers, and I am grateful every day for their care for my beloved.
