Testimonials:

Dear Brookhouse Home,

I wanted to acknowledge the effort and support of Paul Murray, Clinical Director, and the staff at Brookhouse Home.

Over the last month Paul Murray has helped my family navigate the complex world of elder care. He showed great empathy for me, my family, and my Mom (age 95 ) as we address the needs of an aging parent. He is kind, caring and very professional in all aspects of the work he does. Upon visiting the home, the staff, activities director and everyone I met was very welcoming and efficient. The home looks like one of Salem’s Sea Captain’s historical federal style homes and is elegantly decorated.

Paul Murray always makes himself available. He is very detailed oriented, offers fresh insights and works to provide creative options, guidance and follows up in a very timely manner. As you know, dealing with an elder parent can be a very stressful situation. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work with Paul, who has so much experience, is always calm, reassuring, and willing to go the extra mile. His top priority is the wellbeing and safety of the residents. Brookhouse Home is a gem in Salem.

Thanks so much,

I can tell you that Teresa was a favorite of mine and my 3 brothers and 2 sisters over our lifetime and we are happy that she enjoyed her years living at Brookhouse. We know that she was well cared for during her years with you.

We got to enjoy a surprise birthday party there and I got to visit a few times. I was jealous of her location right across from the ship at anchor! As a family, we tried our best to get greeting cards and postcards off to her throughout the years and were very happy with your supportive services over her time with you.

My cousins sing your praises for the care you provided their mom over the years. I hope that this small token of appreciation will help your organization continue do the great work you are doing.

Shortly on my return after spending a week away from Brookhouse Home, Judy and I had a brief chat about Brookhouse. Our chat crystallized my realization that Brookhouse is now both home and haven to me. Here at Brookhouse, the staff provides the “home & haven” from which I can enjoy for whatever remaining time I have.

What or where is “home and haven” might one ask? For me, these are places where one finds comfort, humor, laughter, tears, all the emotions humans feel with family and friends.

My life experience has taken me from Mississippi to Chicago, Bath (England) to Honolulu, and Richmond (Virginia) to Salem and Brookhouse Home. “Home and haven” are not necessarily one’s birthplace nor where one’s family has established roots. Thanks to all the staff, Brookhouse has become “home and haven” for me.

My thanks to all the staff here who create the home and haven I enjoy. As one age and approaches the end of one’s life expectancy, it is a blessing to find a haven such as Brookhouse where emotionally and physically one can find, enjoy and experience all in safety and comfort, with laughter and tears, and whatever remains for one to experience.

For me part of the frosting on the cake is the view of Salem Harbor from my windows. It is also playing Bingo, and not having to shop for groceries. Primarily, however, the frosting is flavored by the staff about whose caring and attention I cannot speak highly enough. From food to feeling I relish their help and attention to whatever need/reaction comes/occurs/happens. My thanks to all of you who make my life so pleasant.

Just wanted to be in touch. It seems to me…….Janice has never been happier in her life! The Brookhouse Home is no doubt a wonderful place for her. She is thriving there, so much so that we have trouble reaching her on the phone! She is so engaged with her new life and friends – she loves it there. She also speaks so highly of the staff and services she receives.

Thanks very much for all the work you and your staff do to make her life meaningful and comfortable.

It is of great comfort and relief to know she is happy, well cared for and safe at Brookhouse.

Hope all is well with you and your family in the New Year.

I love this place, I really do! I feel very safe and secure, and well-liked. If you want something, you only need to ask. That goes for food, everything. If I say to Shawn (Food Services Director) I like such and such, it’s on the menu the next day! You don’t have to worry about bills, medicine, laundry, anything. You are expected to be independent, but if you need help it’s there. I love the food, it’s great! The staff is very caring , they really care about you and they all seem to love their job, and I think it’s not an easy job. I didn’t like being alone, so this is perfect. I didn’t want to depend on my children, so this is wonderful. Lots of freedom, love it!

One of the most difficult decisions is deciding where to place a loved one when they no longer can live independently. Our Mother was independent enough to get around without help still cared for herself, but she needed help with her medications, her meals and we wanted her someplace where she wasn’t alone for most of the day. We are so fortunate to have found the Brookhouse Home for Women.

Immediately it was apparent to us that the staff who work at the Brookhouse, are caring, friendly, and attentive and they all seem very happy at their jobs. Seeing how the staff responds and treat residents was one of the major reasons we chose the Brookhouse.

The location, the gardens and grounds, the beautiful rooms filled with period antiques and the fact that you can bring your own furniture into your private bedroom just made it all that more appealing to us and we were struck by how clean and pleasant the home is. We immediately knew this would be the best place for our mother and we have not been disappointed. What we thought might be a difficult transition for her has instead been one of the best moves for her. She has found new friends, plenty of company, daily activities, field trips and she loves the activity on Derby Street. Knowing that she is being cared for but still independent has been reassuring for us and we are so happy this home exists for elder women and for the wonderful staff who care for these women.

Dear Judy and Staff,

It has been over 2 years that my mother has been a resident at The Brookhouse and in that time she has flourished from the wonderful personal care and attention that you and your staff provide to her. This has given me and my family peace of mind that only comes when you know your loved ones are safe and well cared for. This shows in the smiling faces of the residents as well as warm greetings from the staff when I come to visit my mom. She enjoys the camaraderie with the friends she has made there and loves all of the activities that your Activities Director plans for the ladies. My brothers and I thank you and your staff for taking such wonderful care of our mom.

Thank you again,

As we clean up from hurricane Irma, I am again reminded how grateful I am to have mother safe in your care there at Brookhouse. Being more than a thousand miles away, it gives me the greatest sense of comfort knowing all her needs are met in such a nurturing environment.

It is hard to find the words to express the gratitude I feel for the personalized care and concern that you and your wonderful staff give to Mom, and all of the ladies, on a daily basis. This summer was another example of “the above and beyond” that we as a family so often witness. Your staff rearranged their schedules to provide the hairdo, shower and dressing for mother to attend our neice’s wedding in July. You made the day special for her.

Every visit is like walking into one big family reunion. Getting to know the residents has been a joy. I know that I can speak for my brothers when I tell you that you have the magic formula for assisted living. Having to place a loved one in the care of others is one of the hardest things we have had to encounter as a family. You and your staff relieved us of that anxiety. Mother calls it home now. We feel blessed.

I have been at Brookhouse a little over 2 months and I cannot think of any place I would rather be. I fell in love with my new home from the first day I got here and the only way I know how to describe it is – – This place is everything that any person would want to live out their senior years. I feel that many of them do not know about Brookhouse and I feel so lucky to be here. I hope I will be here until God takes me home.