"Just a note to let you know how pleased and grateful we are with Mom’s care. We want to especially praise Dina McDougald, Joanne (Wellness), Marissa, and all the service staff for room 215. We know Mom is well cared for at The Bristal, even during the 'rough spots.' Happy New Year!"
Karen & Walter Morgenstem
What a holiday party we had. Since I have been living at the Bristal in Westbury, I have found a new and wonderful life. Nick our director sure knows how to run an Assisted Living, the likes of which I have never seen before. But our Holiday Party really topped the cake. I had such a wonderful time, that I am almost speechless, which doesn’t happen too often. Blossom (that is me) likes to speak up, both positive and negative when necessary, but this party was by far the best.
When I spoke with Nick, I asked how they the Bristal staff got everything done so fast and so efficient to give us the greatest time. Us being – the residents, our family and other guests. I asked Nick how he does it, and he answered WE WORK AS A TEAM. Yvette, our AA, who looked as gorgeous as ever, was just every where doing everything, Susan in Marketing, well I hardly saw her all day as well. It seemed every one was always doing something. The last time I saw Tracy, she was moving tables and chairs. Kim was so busy, she was all over the place doing something. Colleen from reflections was moving tables, and putting up decorations and going from one thing to another.
Ann from recreation and Carol and Elizabeth, well they beat the band, blowing up probably 500 balloons and a couple of residents pitched in and placed them where we were told to put them, plus Ann was adding decorations to various parts of the building adding festivity to the party, and I saw Elizabeth helping watch after the residents, and Carol was right there with Anne, working as a team, Josephine from Housekeeping and Al from maintenance and their teams were moving furniture and it seemed like 1,2,3, all was ready.
But most of all with out Paul the Chef and his staff and Handsome Rob, (later in his Tux), were getting the FOOD and drinks ready for the guests.
It seemed like every one was WORKING AS A TEAM, and they were.
The music was awesome and I had the greatest time of my life. I am grateful to be a part of the Bristal at Westbury and Nick knows I would go to the ends of the earth for this place (my home).
For all those who didn’t and couldn’t come, make sure you make it next time cause Nick knows how to throw a party and MAN WHAT A STAFF HE HAS.Blossom Grimm
Resident
P.S. Lets not forget all the employees who helped make this party so successful – they are all great
Blossom Grimm - Holiday Party
"A very special thank you to all who work here. Your dedication and caring make each day special for everyone. The entire staff in the dining room, the chef who prepares food for everyone, the wellness clinic, the housekeeping staff, the aides, the maintenance men, and especially David and Alan all ensure that the Bristal is truly running in a manner that shines. It is so important to remember the good that people do and in this special season. I am writing this letter to acknowledge all of you!!!!!"
Mary Klein
"Dear Maryellen McKeon, I am sending you this letter to express my sincere gratitude for the past 13 months that my husband, William Knight, has been a resident at the Bristal in East Northport. He was in the Reflection unit. Your team of caregivers, Steven Williams, Jennifer Muratore, Jasmine Blaise and Karen were wonderful in making his stay pleasant and comforting. Their compassion for his well being always gave me peace of mind knowing he was well taken care of. So again I Thank You, and know I will always be grateful to you and the entire Bristal family."
Joyce Kleiner
Dear Nick,
My mom, Estelle Gordon, moved into the reflections unit of the Bristal, in May 2012, a few months after my dad passed away. Things ran very smoothly for quite some time. She had a full time aide during the day (Marva), except on weekends.
There came a time (January 2013), where it became necessary for us to let Marva go. It wasn’t long after that, that we began to hear complaints about my mom—she was angry, moody, and becoming physical with the staff and residents alike. We (her family) never saw any of this behavior, but we continued to hear it (mostly from one member of the staff).
As time went by, we began to notice a total change in our mom. She was lethargic, and had a glazed look in her eyes—almost as if she had a stroke. We were told that she was being seen by a psychiatrist, and was being medicated (Risperdal), to try and control her behavior.
Thankfully, and I am not sure when, Colleen Jones was brought in as the recreation director. What a breath of fresh air! Her way with the staff, residents, and family was not like anything we’d seen before. It became apparent that things were about to change for the best.
Not long after, she was promoted to Director of Reflections. What a turnaround for our mom. She is no longer on Risperdal, or anything else like it. We got our mom back!!
I can’t thank you enough for bringing Colleen Jones into the Bristal family. She has turned the unit into a friendly and relaxed place, where the welcome mat is always out. You can see it on the faces of the staff, and residents, too. They love being there, and so do we.
So, thank you, thank you, thank you for Colleen Jones. She is a gift!
Sincerely yours,
Sandy Sedlis
"While my mind is still fresh I need to tell you. Also, I am a fairly new resident, and my body and mind are growing after a day like today, I feel 10 years younger. Thanks to Anne and the entire staff at The Bristal Westbury, today was marvelous. This party, food, costumes, you, and again Anne, was the best Halloween I have had including making friends with a delightful man named ‘Joe’. I cannot find enough good words to thank you and I pray that God will be good to me and let me spend the rest of my life here.
God bless all, particularly Anne."
Blossom Grimm
Dear Nick,
This past Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, I had the pleasure of attending the lovely barbecue sponsored by the Bristal in the Reflections Unit. My mom, Elia, has been living there since January and although the adjustment was a long process for her, she is well and thriving.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the magnificent work done by the wonderful staff of Reflections led by Colleen Jones. It is evident that my mom is receiving excellent care provided by a staff of dedicated and gentle, true professionals. The peace of mind that this affords my family is priceless.
May God bless the Reflections staff of the Bristal for all the work that they do in caring for those in such great need during a very trying part of their lives.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to excellence that is so obvious at the Bristal,
Linda Lipani
Dear Ms McKeon:
I am writing to advise you of the extraordinary care my mother, Judy Hogsett, received at the Bristal in Lynbrook. She was a resident there from Nov. 2010 to June 2013 when she passed away at Mercy Hospital.
She originally lived in the general population when she first became a resident and then moved up to Reflections almost two years ago. So the transition was seamless.
I have never met more knowledgeable, caring and concerned people that those on staff at the Bristal in Lynbrook. From the Director, Alan Parker—the most hands on manager l have ever met to the Business Manager. Maria Resnick—who rivals the best CPA to the administrator Judy Piazza to the larger than life angel of mercy. Shaniqua Hayes, the Director of Reflections—these are the best of the best in your organization and should be recognized as such. I have to also commend Dr. Robert Purvin, who took care of my Mom and was always available and the best diagnostician I have ever encountered.
My mother entered The Bristal when she was 94 and she not only lived there, she thrived. Always, clean, well groomed, fed and most of all loved, her last years were a joy to her and her family. We have only the staff at the Bristal to thank for that. My letter Is a minor mirror of the care and attention that all the residents there receive and It is because of the staff, from the Director on down. Their sincerity is genuine, the real deal. Not only do they care about each and every resident but they give of themselves willingly, cheerfully, and with a full heart. Their level of performance could never be achieved any other way.
Shaniqua and the staff of Reflections do a job that only a few could ever handle. They do it with respect, with compassion and most of all, with love. You can't imitate the care and concern they give, it is just not possible. Only those with a gift for life can do what they do all day, every day. Every time I visited my Mom I knew she was where she should be. She was happy, well cared for, and always, always, loved.
Just a few days ago a friend, Steve Meehin met with Judy and put down a deposit on the spot for his Mom who will be moved there within the week. He was delighted with the tour given to him by Alan himself and with all the praise and recommendations I have always touted. But as always, it is the Bristal in Lynbrook, everyone on the staff I have mentioned and also Cislyn, the recreation director in Reflections; all the aides there; Michele in Recreation; Mike and Bill In Maintenance; Harvey in the kitchen; Pamela in the Beauty Salon—just to name a few who are and will always be to me, my heroes. And I have no doubt that they will be recognized as such by Mr. Meehin as well.
Please extend to them the gratitude of myself and my family for all their kindness and for safely keeping, watching over and most of all loving my most precious gift: my mother.
Sincerely,
Lorraine "Rae" Hogsett Culotta
Nick:
I would like to bring to your attention a compliment, not a complaint. Usually when a letter is written to the Executive Director, it is not nice, but I feel that there are certain employees that you should be aware of.
First of all, with out Al Spisito and his staff, I would be sitting here and crying. The assistance in all instances, particularly one, that come from Environmental Services (that is Al and his staff) with my new TV and DVD player and the problems I had, (someone did half the job and left me hanging- and did not come back to finish the work required) I do not know what I would have done to get the job finished. These things mean a lot to me and the caring and concern from Al and Staff were just the utmost in caring.
I cannot begin to thank them, so I felt that you as director should be aware not of only complaints but good stuff as well. They are just super and caring.
As to Housekeeping with Josephine (who is just priceless) and Anne and her staff (recreation (they keep my day full, excited and stimulating (all of the gals, particularly with “Kings in the Corner” and “Black Jack”, and Howard with services on Friday and the other programs he runs as well.
I know that the front desk is run very well, and that with Tracy, Susan, Paul and Rob this is a wonderful place to live and that I am very happy and most of all cause they show my room and I hope that brings in prespective Residents. Again my hat is off to Al. But most of all to you!!!!
Also Kim, Yvette and Paul and Susan Mucci
All the aids and complete staff
Blossom Grimm Silverstein
Dear Ms. Carapolli.
I am writing to tell you about your exceptional employee, Susan Murphy. My mother lives in The Bristal in East Northport. Mom and I have witnessed firsthand Susan's professionalism and kindness.
Susan served our meal twice when Mom and I dined in the guest dining room with family. Susan did more than just "serve"; she treated us as if we were family visiting her home for lunch. She cared about our enjoyment and did everything possible to make it a pleasant lunch. She chatted with us and helped us select dishes we would like. She even made us custom sundaes for dessert!
Watching Susan interact with Mom brought tears to my eyes. She knew Mom's preferences. It was evident that she cared about Mom and the other residents. Her integrity was also evident in that she refused to accept a substantial tip.
Mom often tells me how kind Susan is to residents who may be unhappy or angry. Susan apparently is skilled at diffusing conflicts and encouraging smiles.
I hope that this letter will communicate to you, her employer, what a treasure Susan is and how much Mom and I appreciate her.
Yours truly,
Joanne Herrygers