July 2011
From Gilman Park Resident Council:
Julie has been Executive Director of Gilman park for nearly two years.
Her first year was a big adjustment in her style of managing. She had not worked with people not in dementia for some time. Julie learned quickly that we were a more normal group and would expect and would respond to a sharing of ideas. She brought a different expectation to our concept of assisted living.
The dining room was changed from “an eating place” to a “Five Star Restaurant” atmosphere. Our orders were taken and delivered by waitress and waters. The tables were formally set and the menus more cosmopolitan that before. The halls and the Great Room were redecorated. Julie definitely has a talent for interior design. Simply by moving furniture and rearranging pictures she changed the Great Room into a Hall for entertaining and meetings. Our Activity Room changed from a common storage type room into an inviting place for visiting as well as for crafts and games by adding color and tables with chairs.
Julie has brought the community into our building and lives by staging games such as bingo, peanut auctions and talent show to include the community.
Her sense of community also has been demonstrated by having fundraisers for Alzheimer’s Association. They include rummage sales, bake sales, raffles and hot dog sales. All have been well attended.
Julie has shown compassion and caring for us. Recently one of our longtime residents passed away leaving a cat without care. Julie took the cat, it’s bed and personal property and moved them into her office where she reestablished his home. We may visit him anytime. He has adjusted well and we all cheer Julie for it.
Julie is available for personal as well as business conferences. She is fair and honest in her judgments.
We respect Julie as an Executive Director and a friend. She brings many pleasures to our lives and we are looking forward to many years of having her here with us.
Yours truly,
Edna
Resident Council President
April 25, 2011
Dear Frontier Management,
I recently lost my mother who was a resident at your Gilman Park Assisted Living in Oregon City, Oregon.
I do not even know how to thank Frontier Management for having such a wonderful home for our elderly parents and more on employing the “team” who coordinate the everyday needs of our parents and their family.
Julie Taylor, Executive Director continually went beyond any expectation a family member or resident could wish for. Her door was always opened if we had any question or concerns and we felt her loving way toward all the residents at Gilman Park.
As busy as Ms. Taylor was it was not unusual to see her personally checking in on the residents or showing up on a weekend in her work clothes to help paint or work on the grounds. Ms. Taylor could refer to each resident and their family by name always offering a beautiful smile. I often wondered how she could remember so many names. Ms. Taylor should be considered a gift or the head Guardian Angel. Without her knowledge, experience, leadership and I believe love I do not know how my sister and I would have made it through all our troubling times.
The Care Coordinator, Lisa made so many things possible lightning our hearts for mother's needs. We often found Lisa visiting mother asking her if there was anything she needed.
The Receptionist Kathy and Office Manager Beverly both laughed and cried with us. They both shared the aging process and what we were experience as normal and we were not alone.
Sweet Dorothy from the kitchen brought mother's tray nearly every day. Mother looked forward to seeing her and she considered Dorothy her friend.
It would be almost unworthy to mention all the med aids and aids that mother adored for I’m afraid in leaving someone out. It is probably best in saying they were beyond the call of duty and mother referred to them as her girls and she truly loved them.
Without hesitation I carry business cards from Gilman Park with me at all times. I am quick in telling my friends and acquaintance my wonderful experiences and the many employees at Gilman Park that I shall never forget.
I feel forever blessed knowing that my mother was in the safest and loving care.
Thank you frontier Management for this experience.
Sincerely,
Shar
December 2010
Thank you all so much for always being kind and taking care of Dad, and all the Mom's and Dad's living at Gilman Park. You are wonderful and we appreciate you very much.
God bless you all….
Bill and Rob
December 2010
Our family would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to you all for the love, care, support and friendship you gave our mother during her brief
stay at Gilman Park. She never met a stranger, and made many close friends during her last months with you – some residents, and some caregivers
and med-aids.
We could not be more impressed with the wonderful care she received. It takes a very special kind of person to do the kind of work you do.
Throughout all of this difficult time we have learned that God has many angels that help people when things aren't going well. They sometimes come in unexpected packages, but they are there if you look for them. Many of them dwell at Gilman Park.
God bless you all, and may you have a blessed 2011. Thank you so very much,
Barb and Kathy