Will the staff treat Dad with dignity and patience?

This is what we all want for the people we love. And while choosing the right community is incredibly important, you also play a meaningful role in shaping that experience. The families who stay connected—who visit, who are seen, who build relationships—help create a deeper level of care.

The staff truly becomes an extension of your family, and like any relationship, it grows stronger with connection and communication. It is important that they truly know your loved one—their routines, their preferences, what brings them comfort, and what does not. When do they like to wake up? Do they enjoy naps? What time of day do they feel their best? And even the small but significant details—like whether they prefer a shower in the morning, afternoon, or evening—these are the things that preserve dignity. When a team understands the person beyond the care plan, patience and respect naturally follow.

Note: If something is off with care, it may be a misunderstanding and can be addressed with a quick adjustment to the care plan. Caregivers see what is in the system. For example, if mom changes her mind and wants showers in the AM instead of PM, make sure the "nurse" and/or "executive director" know that she has changed her mind and that the care plan has been updated. Otherwise, caregivers follow what they see in the system. This reduces frustrations and keeps everyone on the same page.