I cannot say enough good things about Brookdale Walden Ridge and the care they provided my mom during the last two months of her life. We came to Brookdale during an incredibly difficult chapter for our family, and looking back, I truly don’t think we could have chosen a better place for her.
The facility itself was always exceptionally clean, and the programming was wonderful. There was always something happening, including live entertainment-Motown Mary was a particular favorite! More importantly, though, the staff was dedicated, caring, responsive, and respectful. Communication with our family was excellent, and we always felt that Mom was genuinely known and cared for as a person.
Karen, the Marketing Director, was a standout from the very beginning. She went above and beyond to help us get Mom a room at exactly the time we needed one, but her involvement didn’t stop once Mom moved in. She became one of Mom’s trusted people and would frequently step into a caregiver role when Mom was anxious, helping to soothe and reassure her. My mom had always been an incredibly busy person who wanted to be involved and useful, and Karen understood that about her. During her own busy workdays, she would bring Mom into her office and give her little “jobs” to do with charts, sticky notes, labels, and other office tasks. Mom truly believed she was helping, and it gave her a sense of purpose while keeping her happily occupied for extended periods of time. It was such a thoughtful and compassionate way to meet Mom where she was.
And Karen’s care continued all the way through the end. When Mom was dying, she even came in on her day off just to see her and spend some time with her. That meant more to us than I can express.
Sonya, the Director of Nursing, became an anchor for our family during Mom’s final days, and through it all, became a dear friend. Her depth of knowledge and experience with hospice and end of life care was invaluable. She sat with us often while Mom was dying, helped us navigate the complicated world of comfort medications, answered our questions, and continually put our minds at ease during an incredibly emotional and challenging time.
One thing I will never forget was Sonya’s advocacy for my mom over a holiday weekend. When communication with the hospice company became difficult at a time when Mom’s needs were changing quickly, Sonya stepped in and facilitated communication in a way that I simply wasn’t able to do myself. She went to bat for my mom and our family when we needed someone to advocate for her, and it meant the world to me. Having someone with her knowledge, compassion, and determination beside us during those final days was an incredible gift.
Joel was one of Mom’s primary caregivers and med techs, and he also went far beyond what we could have expected. He is such a genuinely kind and authentic person, and by the end, he felt like family. When Mom passed in the middle of the night, Joel was the one who called us. Somehow, it felt completely appropriate that his was the first voice we heard. He also sat with all of us and asked the most thoughtful, beautiful questions about my mom, which allowed us space to reminisce.
There were so many other med techs, caregivers, and staff members who treated Mom, and our entire family, with kindness, dignity, patience, and respect. Caring for someone at the end of life is incredibly difficult work, and we will always be grateful for the way the people at Brookdale Walden Ridge cared for her and for us at the end.
My mom spent only the final two months of her life there, but in those two months, the staff became an important part of our lives. During one of the hardest experiences our family has ever faced, we knew she was surrounded by people who cared about her.
Five stars for the facility, the programming, the communication, and most of all, the people. We could not have chosen a better place for Mom at the end of her life, and our family will always be grateful to Brookdale Walden Ridge.
Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge is at the top of the list for care, enrichment, and a safe space for anyone whose family member needs the specialized care for Alzheimer's. This facility has a small number of residents and a high number of caregivers, allowing for one-on-one interactions, focused care, and enrichment opportunities to maintain a healthy balance of client freedom. I am a volunteer who spends time speaking with the residents from morning to night. Each resident has a beautiful story that they may not be able to share due to this debilitating disease that takes their precious memories away. It is the caregivers who love and nurture these beautiful people when their families cannot be due to location. I challenge anyone to come and spend a few hours (not just 30 minutes to say you were there for a visit) with the residents to see that their care is outstanding, before passing judgment. I am appalled at the misleading review below about the condition of the facility. I volunteer because my mother-in-law was an Alzheimer's victim; now my future holds a loving father who is heading down the same road. I would not hesitate to have my loved one be a part of this community in the future. Thank you, Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge, for allowing me to give back, support a forgotten community, and nurture the minds of your residents, who may not work as they once did but still have something to offer.
