Gary O'Bannon
Jul 2026
My loved one has resided at The Laurel at Norterre, a Tutera Senior Living community located near Liberty Hospital, since July 2024. During that time, I have developed a deep appreciation for the people who care for her and for the commitment they demonstrate each day.<br><br>I considered recognizing individual staff members by name, but there are simply too many deserving people, and I would not want to unintentionally overlook anyone. Plus, I'm very bad at remembering names! The staff COLLECTIVELY deserve the highest marks I can give them. They consistently demonstrate compassion, patience, professionalism, and an excellent bedside manner—all the qualities a family hopes to find when entrusting a loved one to a residential care community.<br><br>Caring for residents requires more than completing assigned duties. It requires understanding that each resident is an individual with a unique personality, history, preferences, and needs. The staff at The Laurel have shown that understanding in the way they interact with my loved one and in the dignity and respect they extend to her. Knowing that she is surrounded by people who genuinely care about her provides reassurance that is difficult to put into words, particularly on days when she is not at her best in terms of health and/or demeanor.<br><br>I also want to mention that I've seen meaningful improvement in the facility’s nursing leadership and care coordination since Tabitha Dye became Director of Nursing. Tabitha is a familiar and reassuring presence to my loved one because she makes a point of visiting with residents. These are not quick, “check-the-box” appearances. She takes the time to get to know them, ask about their likes, dislikes, preferences, and concerns, and make them feel known and valued as individuals rather than simply cared for as part of a routine.<br><br>Like many senior living communities, The Laurel sometimes relies on agency personnel to supplement its regular staff, particularly on weekends. I have noticed a significant improvement in the quality and consistency of those individuals as well. That deserves recognition because continuity of care is EXTREMELY important to residents and their families. Kudos to The Laurel for being attentive to the quality of supplemental staffing and for working to ensure that all caregivers meet the standards residents deserve.<br><br>No care community is without challenges, but what matters most is how leadership and staff respond, improve, and remain focused on the people they serve. Based on my loved one's experience and my own observations for 2+ years, The Laurel has demonstrated a sincere commitment to compassionate, resident-centered care.<br><br>I wholeheartedly recommend The Laurel at Norterre to families seeking a community where their loved one will be treated with patience, dignity, compassion, and genuine personal attention.
