Gurwin Jewish - Fay J. Lindner Residences

It's very difficult to have a parent become quite different from their former self. It tugs at one's heart strings and requires more attention from the loved ones than before. It is a significant change from what was. My mother has been at the Gurwin Assisted living for four years now. She loves it there whenever I ask her how she feels about her life and, that includes the food!
The GAL has faced all of the challenges that all of these facilities faced. I have always felt secure during Covid and beyond. The measures taken have been very serious, their care and showing up during this time has been incredible. This has been an extremely hard time for all of these facilities and I would rate "GAL" 's response and responsiveness as A+. My mother made it through and is continuing to do so with flying colors.
My mom has Parkinson's, a progressive and debiliating disease. Yet, somehow she is pulling through. While there, I have noticed that the aides just check on her beyond their scheduled visits like for medication administration for example. They knock, she says, "come in" and it's often just to say, "hello." She is on their radar.
There have been quite a few occasions where staff have gone totally beyond the call of duty to provide comfort to my mom. There are a lot of "hello's" we encounter I have noticed just walking to the dining room on the occasions that I visit. These "hello's" are from the mainentance people, the receptionists, the cleaners, the aides that haven't even worked with her even, the other residents as well as the management staff. She is a part of the fabric of the GAL. She feels at home and that this is her home.
All of these facilities are experiencing fiscal changes but even with certain challenges the management and staff come back fighting to provide the best care they can. I feel taken care of too as I have become more and more my mother's keeper. The responsiveness to my concerns is attended to with respect, dignity and honesty. I am heard just as my mother is. Yes, it can be a lively and bustling place yet we are not lost in that. My mother is "Francine," not an apartment #. If she doesn't show up for something, she is missed and checked on. I have experienced that first hand.
At the GAL, my mother is being watched over so honestly I do not have to do it. I do not have to worry about her falls anymore or her poor judgement calls. She goes on a bus to have her nails done at her favorite parlor near by. She has her hair done by the hair dresser she has come to love at the Gurwin's beauty parlor.She attends exercise classes most every morning in person once again. She feels more special and important than when she was living in her condo. She has found her place and in large part, it is without me. This has freed up my time to attend to my own family matters. I need that time.
I could go on about the ladies she eats with at her table, the recreation therapists that keep her busy, the beautiful apartment she currently lives in. I could mention the religious opportunities, the classes, and the new friends she has made. She has even met some friends that moved in from her former condo association. Her memory isn't good enough now to play poker or other board games but there are games going on that can seem quite serious, lol. And when I have been there later in the evening, there are still activities going on like bridge, bingo, discussions in the dining area, or religious services. I saw a resident from my mom's wing sitting in the library reading the New York Times at 10pm on one pm visit. There is even a resident who walks the grounds regularly. I wonder sometimes if the residents get in more social activities and exercise than I do! It's a mix of all levels of need. Everyone fits in.
The location is fantastic but I fear I have gone on too much. I just felt the desire to share our experiences at the Gurwin Assisted Living. The effort to provide loving care and attention from the GAL to my mom, me and my family, deserves this review. Highly recommend.

My Dad moved into the assisted living in May 2019. We could not be more pleased with the care he is receiving. His quality of life is better than it has been in years. His apartment is spacious and bright. The aids and staff at the wellness center truly look out for him and call the family if anything seems wrong. There a plenty of activities to keep him busy and they are open to suggestions. We asked for some different types of movies and they are accommodating. The grounds are beautiful and maintained regularly. My brother is there weekly and I am there every 6 weeks and neither of us have found anything to complain about. We chose Gurwin because dialysis is right here, but knowing what we know now, I would have chosen here anyway.

Visitors perspective: The grounds are always clean and well kept. The staff are all patient and kind.