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My mother has been living at the Diamond Willow facility in Proctor since it opened. From the beginning, I was pleased with the love and care Natalie, Lynn and their experienced staff showed my mother and my whole family. When someone is accepted at Diamond Willow, the staff not only accepts an individual, but their entire family as well.It was hard to decide that it was time for Mom to leave our home and live in a place where she would be far better taken care of then I could accomplish considering her condition and needs - one where she could have her own furniture and things that she would recognize as her own.
When I go to visit Mom, I am always greeted with a smile by the staff, and I find the home, and my mother's room, very clean and tidy. There is always a smell of home cooking, there are activities underway, and all the residents seem very happy. My mother needs special help and I find the staff ensures that she takes all of her medications and that all of her personal needs are cared for.
I truly feel confident in the ability of the staff, and I know if Mom should injure herself or become ill, the nurse and staff will contact me wherever I am and would take care of her.
It was very important to Mom that she not be placed in a nursing home and I feel we succeeded in providing her with the most pleasant and caring home-like situation available. Overall, we are very pleased with the care provided by Diamond Willow - we could not ask for a more caring environment in which to place Mom and we know that her needs are met.
-Anonymous Diamond Willow - Misty Ivy Suites - Proctor
I own a company, which provides direct care to individuals with disabilities. I have been involved in working with individuals with disabilities as well as the elderly population for over 20 years. I also have an Aunt who has lived at Diamond Willow since the Arbor Rose Suites opened. I tend to be very picky, not as just a family member, but as a business owner who is very familiar with direct care. I have never seen a better-assisted living facility than Diamond Willow. The care is impressive, the home is clean, the owners and administrative team are accessible, and the attention to detail with regards to medical issues is exemplary. I couldn't have asked for a more loving, caring, attentive environment for my Aunt. I applaud you Diamond Willow. You have mastered the art of direct care.
Respectfully,
-Shawn Neumann - Niece
Dear Lynn,
We are VERY lucky to have met you and have my Dad in your care. I really mean that from the bottom of my heart. My Dad is tremendously important to me. He has been a teriffic father and always did everything he could for me. I only hope that I can return the favor. I often wonder how different things would have been for him this past year if we had not met you. I doubt he would be as well as he is. You have gone above and beyond the call of your nursing "duties" to ensure he was well cared for. You are a wonderful nurse and I hope you know that at the end of the day, we are especially grateful for all that you do.
Alica
-Alisa - Daughter
Each of you has touched my Mom with special, individuals gifts of caring ~ extra ice cream with her meds; a braid, a flower, curls in her hair, manicured, painted nails; reassuring words in times of agitation; a spotlessly clean room and more .....I just wanted you to know I notice and appreciate all you do to offer Mom the quality of life I searched for and found for her here at Diamond Willow. Thank you so much.
-Alison - Daughter
Hi Natalie and Lynn, Just wanted to drop you a quick note, which I have been going to do for some time now, to let you know how pleased I am with the care that your staff at the Baxter facility gives my grandmother Helen Murray. It has been a great comfort knowing that Kim, Stacey, Brenda, and ALL of the staff really care about her the way that a "family" does. I am so pleased with the communication that I get about my grandma's care each time I come to visit and know she is in wonderful hands. I just wanted to give the staff some recognition for all of their hard work and the compassion and respect they have for my grandmother and me. They are the best and I know that is what you expect from your staff. You should be very proud of yourselves anbd them. Again, thanks so much. Have a great day.
-Rose Schumacher - Granddaughter
Dear Natalie,Saying "thanks" just doesn't seem like enough for all the nice things you did for Ag and for us, but that's about all we can do. Well be forever grateful to you for going down to Indiana and bringing Ag back to Duluth. At the time, it didn't seem like such a big thing, but when we look back, it was "awesome" - and we really own you for taking such a "load" off of us! And we're so thrilled with the wonderful care she received at Diamond Willow.
Also, many thanks for going to her graveside Memorial, which we felt was beautiful and a real tribute to a lady who hadn't lived in Duluth for about 60+ years.
Our only regret is that you and the staff never had the opportunity to know the "real" Ag. She was really something and you have lover her, as we did.
We're so happy she was up here where she had family. Thanks so much, Natalie.
Love from,
-Carole, Sue, and Patti
Dearest Natalie, Lynn & Staff:
I would like to take this time to encourage you and the staff you have working for you.
In May of 2005, I was given the task to find a facility in which my mother could live with dignity and where I would feel that she would be safe and honored. After checking out a few different Alzheimer/dementia homes in our area, I made a telephone call to Keystone Bluffs to see if they had accommodations. After talking to Natalie, I went to Diamond Willow-Arbor Rose in Proctor, a newly opened unit and met with Lynn. I recall walking through the front door and having a sense of care for the residents living there, trust from the residents for the staff, and an overwhelming feeling of love between the two. The interactions I witnessed on that very first visit were never questioned, nor did they ever change during my mother's stay. I truly believe I was guided by God to make that call, for Mom not only found a place that would take care of her medical needs, but a place where she would become family with all who would come in contact with her. She would be at home.
If I may quote from the Bible, in Romans, we read, "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them...the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness...Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor...Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs (of the saints) and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:6-13) This is the atmosphere I found at Arbor Rose. You and your staff are not only giving excellent care to residents whom no longer can care for themselves, but want to, you and your staff are doing God's work here on Earth.
Thank you is such an empty sentiment to offer all the caregivers that have been part of Mom's life. Thank you is the only sentiment I can think of that expresses my sincere feelings. It is at times as this, that I wish I was the greatest orator in history, sadly I'm not, so THANK YOU for everything you did for Mom and myself, and continue to do for humankind.
May your work ethics never be compromised.
Ever grateful,
Robin
-Robin - Daughter
My Grandma had been living in a nursing home following a hip fracture and complications that required her to have 24-hour care. I was excited to hear of Diamond Willow's new concept of providing the same type of care as a nursing home, yet in a home-like setting. Grandma was able to move into her own suite in the first facility built in Proctor and was thrilled to have her own furniture (even her queen size bed and couch) in her room! The staff were well trained, caring, and met her every need. The move to Diamond Willow enabled Grandma to live out her final days with dignity. Thank you Diamond Willow for a wonderful experience!
John Lund
-John R. Lund - Grandson
My grandma Ila Wells lives in your Mt. Iron facility and I know my mom has said this before but you have a great facility. And I mean that whole heartedly.
I've worked in the human services industry and have worked in nursing homes. This being a small town word travels fast about what happens at what facility within the industry and honestly I was dreading having to move grandma up here and have to choose between the lesser of the evils basically. My mom looked at your facility and so did I eventually and I didn't want to get attached in case it didn't work out for whatever reason but I'm so glad it did.
Gramma has opened up so much. If you had seen her before compared to what she is now it is a world of difference. I love that she's social there and that your staff encourage it. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time.
I'm happy that me and my parents don't have to dread going to visit her. That you have treated all of us well too. I used to dread having to walk into her last facility because people there just weren't nice.
I've never seen happier human services staff either. Which alone says a lot for your place. And it's not like a fake friendly it's coming from a real place.
I don't get to visit that often as I'm ironing out the last details before I get to grad school this fall but should we ever have to discuss elder care (and I'm sure we will I'm going for social work) I'll be arguing that your facility has this figured out on how to do it right.
Thanks for all you all do,
Katherine
-Katherine Grandaughter
Our sincere appreciation, Sherry, for your respectful and professional last minute tours and expertly answered questions and compassion!
You were a sincerely convincing "cruise director" and we are so happy we signed on with you, Sherry!
God bless you and your staff!
-Family of Lucie Starkovich
My aunt, Linda Ness, loved her home at Diamond Willow. Linda loved life, people, good food, fun activities, caring for others, and a beautiful home. She found all of these at Diamond Willow. We found peace of mind and joy in knowing she had a home she truly loved at Diamond Willow. Although the meals, the setting, and the interior design made Diamond Willow a beautiful home, it was the attentive, skilled, loving, and respectful staff who made our experience with Diamond Willow one for which we will always be grateful. We recommend Diamond Willow to anyone who wants to give their family member the best possible home.
-Jim & Glenna Alstad
The staff at Diamond Willow deserve all the credit in the world for their attentiveness and care. Their sympathy and kindness helped our Aunt softly through the end of her life and eased the way for us also. The atmosphere of warmth and love enabled us to focus our energy where it was important. We thank them all.
-S & J Jaconetti
Hi Amy,
Please convey my sincere appreciation to all your staff, especially during this Nurses' Appreciation Week. In my opinion, one week is not nearly long enough for nurses to be recognized for all you do.
I don't have Natalie's e-mail address, but I hope you can pass along to her and whoever it is who does all the hiring for all the 5-Star establishments, that they certainly do a remarkable job of finding the most caring, dedicated people who I've ever seen working in the important job of caring for our loved ones. I can now compare the staffs from Keystone Bluffs and Diamond Willow to 2 nursing homes that Mom has been in within the last 2 years. There actually is no comparison. The feeling of comfort that I have leaving both of my wonderful parents in your care is priceless. This is certainly not the outcome I would have wished for the end of life for my mom and dad, but since we were left with no choice in the matter, I am eternally grateful that I found you all to help us with this difficult process. It is amazing to me that I have not met one person at either of these facilities who has acted like the job they have isn't the most important thing they could be doing. I believe that is not only a credit to them as individuals, but in a much bigger picture, due to the philosophy and deep-rooted belief and priority of the management and owners of the corporation.
Thank you again, Amy.
Regards, Jan Anderson
-Jan Anderson Nurses Appreciation Week!
We are so happy with the care that our mom, Hazel receives. I'll be gone most of June and although I think of my mom often, I don't worry about her. My sisters live a distance and connot come often so it's very comforting to know she's well taken care of.
--My love to the wonderful staff at Diamond Willow--
-Family of Hazel