Letter of Recommendation for Remington House Assisted Living

From: Steve L. Epperson
Pilot Mountain, NC

January 3, 2012

Letter Of Recommendation For Remington House Assisted Living!

June of 2009 I was working in Denver Co. when I received a call from my Mothers around the clock caregiver that she had been fired and asked to leave by my Mother. Panicked and concerned because Mom could not be alone as she had dementia and Alzheimer disease I immediately started an internet search to find a place for her. Although I had done my homework by visiting several Assisted Living facilities in her local area (Tri Cities TN)prior to this day I was none the less very anxious. I searched the net for resources and found lots of valuable information and actually spoke to a professional who provided much needed information and great insight on the services provided at the Assisted Living facilities and also her recommended list of area providers. When asked the difficult question of “if it was your Mom where would you place her” she said all the facilities on the list were top notch but after much prompting she said she was most impressed with the Remington House in Kingsport TN!

By late June I had visited all the local facilities and pretty much made a decision but had not visited the Remington House. Call it fate or whatever but I had to attend a meeting in Johnson City TN a nearby city to Kingsport and the meeting ended early leaving me with some free time. Deciding on how best to fill the void I decided to make the drive to Kingsport and visit the Remington House Assisted Living Facility. On my arrival I was greeted by Sandra Spears, she showed me around the facility and grounds pointing out all the extras that every facility of its type provided. However their facility was much nicer and all on one level with out door areas just off the residents room. The view of the mountains was spectacular from the beautiful covered front porch of the facility and lots of white rocking chairs for all to enjoy. I imagined the story telling that must occur from the residents at that location and I could see my Mom in the middle of it all! However I am concerned as to would Mom be difficult for them to deal with since she didn’t want to move and how would she adjust. I expressed those concerns to Sandra along with a brief description of my Mom’s firecracker personality and she suggested that I bring her down for a visit so they might determine if it was a possible match on both ends! Still undecided and now leaving I could not help but feel this is the right/best place for Mom but how do I get her here? She was a Bristol girl and never wanted to live anywhere but Bristol and she had previously refused to consider any place outside of her hometown of Bristol TN. To make a long story short when Mom visited and met Sandra it was a friendship made in heaven. Sandra along with Robin made her feel at home and comfortable that she would not only be well cared for but she would also always be safe!

My Mom moved into the Remington House on July 3, 2009 and I can honestly say the results were amazing. When she moved in she weighed about 30lbs less than her normal weight, was very depressed and only spoke of dying. Within a week or two at Remington House she had a total attitude change, started eating again and really enjoying her life again! She made many friends with the residents and staff there and even become the spokesperson for the facility to share her love of the place with potential new residents! She enjoyed bingo, card games, special music sessions provided at the facility as well as the school children visiting during the holidays. I have to say most of all Mom loved the staff at Remington House. The kindness they showed to all the residents and the genuine loving concern shown to those residents most in need. You see my Mom worked in a nursing home during her career and was that loving care provider.

Regretably after about two and half years my Mom’s health declined to the point that we had to move her to a nursing home facility. The same one she had worked and helped residents in their final days but after a short stay she was very unhappy there and longing to go back home to the Remington House! Thanks to Robin taking the time to come out and reevaluate Mother I was able to grant her wish and move her back home….the Remington House!

Moms health continued to decline to the point she was hospitalized and placed under hospice care. After a short hospital stay and a determination made that she would likely not recover she asked to go home. Frankly I did not think it would be possible for her to be allowed to return but thanks to the fine folks at Remington House we were able to allow her final request. I will be forever grateful to Robin and Sherry (Complex Director) that they made a way to allow Mom to return for her final days. Folks I cannot adequately put into words just how wonderful this group of professionals were to Mom and our entire family! First and foremost they placed a high priority in making sure Mom was comfortable and not in pain with their around the clock nursing care, then Sherry (Complex Director) had a large recliner brought into her room for my comfort, they offered me sleeping quarters to stay so that I could spend as much time with my Mother as possible. You see they knew I was from North Carolina and staying in a local hotel. Sherry had special trays of food made for me and my family by Chef Angel. They were delicious and allowed us to stay with Mom longer. Honestly I can not think of anything more they might have done for Mom or our family, they were simply amazing.

My Mother passed away just a couple days after her birthday and Christ’s birthday on Dec. 28, 2011. Today I know that she is in a better place and her suffering has ended. I know the pain and understand the challenge of caring for an elderly parent today! Its difficult to know what and when to do what is best for that individual and can be very costly as well. I feel it is critically important to share my and my Moms story so that you can know there is such a wonderful place and group of people available to care for your loved one, when you cannot be there. That place is the Remington House Assisted Living Facility in Kingsport TN!

My thanks to all the residents and staff of the Remington House for all you did for Mom and ourselves. You will never be forgotten!

Sincerely, with Much Love and Appreciation,

Steve and Jan Epperson