"Good afternoon. On behalf of our family, Beth and I would like to express our profound appreciation to you and your staff for the kindness, care, and attention given to Mom this past year. Recalling the past year of Mom’s first year of residence, it is easy to call upon any number of events, topics, and attention which were provided, not only to Mom but to our family at The Bristal. Beth and I could go on and on about the safety, health, welfare, and dignity which you have created for Mom. Our family is fortunate to be a part of the community in your residence and we are most thankful for all which you have done for Mom."
Richard Harris Rubin
Good morning Patricia,
Just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you and Barbara for being so helpful. I'm so glad that we were able to look at the Friendship suite and that Dad was pleased enough to want to be placed on the wait list. I'm crossing my fingers that the list isn't too very long and he'll have that option available to him in the near future.
Besides that, I want to say how happy I am with Bristal for my Dad. The community of people working there, and residing there, are wonderful and it made me feel so relieved to see that my dad has another 'family' there at Bristal. Everyone is so cordial and caring. Thank you very much for taking such good care of him. I look forward to my next visit.
Gratefully,
Janice Kolbeck
Dear Judy:
Sorry this letter has taken so long for me to write, between the moving of my mother into you fabulous facility and my traveling back and forth from North Carolina I Just do not know where the time has gone. I do not know where to start in thanking you and all the wonderful people at The Bristal. Your ability to make a difficult situation a pleasant experience is just one of your many attributes.
Over the years of dealing with businesses and people it seems that professionalism, service and human kindness is not their primary concern. You changed my opinion on human nature by your professionalism and kindness. If it was not for your flexible and ability to make changes to our best-laid plans, my mother would still be sitting by herself in her house and not at the beautiful Bristal with all the wonderful people and things to do.
You and The Bristal’s wonderful staff has provided my brother and myself with peace of mind by not having to worry 24 hours a day if our mother is safe and being provided for. Life is too short to have to worry day in and day out. I just hope that when my time comes people with your abilities and kindness will be around to provide that human touch in helping families make very difficult decisions.
Thank you again for all your help in making my mother’s transition into The Bristal a smooth and pleasing experience. There is so much more 1 would like to say but the words slow in coming. Writing letters of praise is something that I am very pleased to do and have some experience in doing. I used to write SO - 60 performance reports during the year and when these reports determined if you were going to get a pay raise or not you tend to get good or there were many angry people. Therefore, if there is anything I can do to sing your praise with your management let me know and I will open the floodgate of words of praising their outstanding Director of Community Services.
Look forward to seeing you next time I am back in New York.
Sincerely,
Richard F. Agresto
Dear Stephanie and Winsome,
I really enjoyed having the opportunity to spend time together at the “Resident of the Month” dinner.
We know you guys are so busy and involved every day, and so it is great to have a chance to sit around the table, chat and have some laughs.
Thank you for all your care and concern for all in your charge (especially of course Mom!)
Best wishes,
Linda Wisselman
Dear Naomi and All The Staff Members of Reflections,
The passing of a parent, even if expected, is never easy. We all know that she didn't remember if we had been there or not, who her grandchildren were and what the names were of the people who cared for her every day. For over two and a half years we have been visiting Sylvia at the Bristal and we hope that we told you often how much we appreciated all your efforts on her behalf. Now that she is gone and we have had some time to reflect back on all those months and the outpouring of genuine affection during her last days, we have confirmed what we already knew. The staff at the Bristal was exceptional and as a family we are so grateful for everything you did for us and for Sylvia. We know how difficult it can be to deal with a clientele who've lost their ability to appreciate, express thanks, be polite and never let you know that your work is noble and worthy. We hope that a heartfelt letter like this will convey some of the deep respect and gratitude that we feel toward all of you. Thank you for everything you did and continue to do for the families and friends of those afflicted with this cruel disease. With all our affection.
The family of Sylvia Wermes
The family of Marian Duhig, would like to thank everyone at The Bristal for the excellent care and many kindnesses extended to Marian during her brief stay.
It would be remiss not to single out Josephine Rivers. She went above and beyond what was expected of her. The professional, loving, compassionate care she gave to Marian was truly outstanding. What Josephine does is not her job, it is a ministry. Marian’s family took such comfort knowing that Josephine was with her when we couldn’t be there. She was her angel. We should all be blessed to have Josephine in our lives.
Again, our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at The Bristal, who were so kind to Marian and to us.
Sincerely,
Jim, Katie, and Cathy
Dear Ms. Mckeon,
This letter is a bit overdue but hopefully will reach the right desk after the fact.
My family was one that was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. My mother, Patricia Cumisky was living with me at the time and the storm devastated the part of the house that mom lived in. Under duress and with some sense of urgency we were forced to find a place for mom to live.
I was familiar with the Bristal as it is local to my home and also because my son, while in High School, performed there many times as part of a vocal ensemble. I was always impressed by the building and grounds and with the way the residents were treated by the staff.
The Bristal was my first phone call, and a fortuitous one. Many people found themselves in the same situation as myself, with more people displaced than facilities available. I spoke with Karen Caroppoli and Judy Svendsen several times those first few days and they could not have been more concerned, considerate and helpful. I also must acknowledge Rhea Welch in resident services and Angela (Nursing staff) as well as JoAnne in the Wellness office. I had tons of questions and concerns- this wasn't a 'planned' move and I was more than a bit anxious at first. They all gave me the time and attention I needed to know mom was happy and safe.
In the first few days it became dear that many of the staff members at the Bristal were seriously impacted by Sandy. To my knowledge, the worst being Judy Svendsen. She was able to understand, commiserate and offer helpful advice all with good humor and compassion despite trying to put her own home back together.
Since mom's move in she has had a couple of 'bumps' but I must say the care at the Bristal truly has been exemplary. Everyone from housekeeping, dining room, wellness, recreation, line staff, resident services, PT-OT. front desk...maintenance...all so helpful and concerned.
...I know I am missing a few names and I am sure there are many behind the scenes players whom I've never even met...but Mitzi, Tony, Hanna, Sheila, Theresa, Shelita, Ruth, Colin, Kathy, Mary, Laurene, Soline, Ruth...have been wonderful.
I own a small business and know that in a service oriented industry the people you hire make or break your product. Whatever your hiring or training practices are, you have a fantastic staff...
Our sincere thanks - from the family of Patricia Cumisky / Bristal Massapequa
Gail McGinley
Hi Stacy,
I called to talk to Mom tonight late (at least for her) at around 8:30PM, and they said that she was still up as she just got back from an out to dinner outing and then a drive to see Christmas lights. I can't begin to tell you how good that made me feel that Mom Is out with her friends on the town for a night and then to drive to see Christmas tights. You are an incredibly special person who thankfully is the activities director at Reflections. Your wonderful ideas for activities means the world to not only our family members that are there, but also for us; their loved ones looking in.
Thank you again for once again putting a smile on my face, and mom's too!
Thanks,
Michael Sengstaken
Dear Readers,
I'd like to share a letter I recently received from a family member.
Regards,
Maryellen McKeonDear Mrs. McKeon,
This letter is a bit overdue but hopefully will reach the right desk after the fact.
My family was one that was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. My mother, Patricia Cumisky was living with me at the time and the storm devastated the part of the house that mom lived in. Under duress and with some sense of urgency we were forced to find a place for mom to live.
I was familiar with The Bristal as it is local to my home and also because my son, while in high school, performed there many times as part of a vocal ensemble. I was always impressed by the building and the grounds and with the way the residents were treated by the staff.
The Bristal was my first phone call, and a fortuitous one. Many people found themselves in the same situation as myself, with more people displaced than facilities available. I spoke with Karen Caroppoli and Judy Svendsen several times those first few days and they could not have been more concerned, considerate and helpful. I also must acknowledge Rhea Welch in resident services and Angela (Nursing staff) as well as JoAnne in the Wellness office. I had tons of questions and concerns - this wasn't a "planned" move and I was more than a bit anxious at first. They all gave me the time and the attention I needed to know mom was happy and safe.
In the first few days it became clear that many of the staff members at The Bristal were seriously impacted by Sandy. To my knowledge, the worst being Judy Svendsen. She was able to understand, commiserate and offer helpful advice all with good humor and compassion despite trying to put her own home back together.
Since mom's move in she has had a couple of "bumps" but I must say the care at The Bristal truly has been exemplary. Everyone from housekeeping, dining room, wellness, recreation, line staff, resident service, PT - OT, front desk...maintenance...all so helpful and concerned.
...I know I am missing a few names and I am sure there are many behind the scenes players whom I've never even met...but Mitzi, Tony, Sheila, Theresa, Shelita, Ruth, Colin, Kathy, Mary, Laurene, Soline, Ruth...have been wonderful.
I own a small business and know that in a service oriented industry the people you hire make or break your product. Whatever your hiring or training practices are, you have a fantastic staff.
Our sincere thanks - from the family of Patricia Cumisky, The Bristal at Massapequa.
Grail McGinley
Pulling Together After Hurricane Sandy
Dear Rich,
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and new year.
I also wanted to compliment your staff. There are so many new faces residents and staff. However, your vision, philosophy, and supervision has transferred down to all your staff members. They are caring, friendly, and nurturing. This is exactly what I was looking for when I chose the Bristal as my Mom’s (Evelyn) new home.
Again, please relate my message to the departments that deserve the recognition – wellness (Jennifer, Veronica, Sarah, John, Andrew, Merida, Trish, Fabiola, Mauve, Roxanne, Rebecca.
The front desk – Nancy, Rudle, and Jim, and your handymen (I can’t remember their names and maintenance man).
The dining room – Susan and her staff and my mom’s cleaning lady (I can’t remember her name either. I do remember how sweet she is). Thank you again.
Shelley