From nearly deadly dehydration to pandemic mismanagement, Rhonda has advocated for her parents’ care since her father’s increasingly complex medical needs proved unsustainable for in-home care. After her father passed away, her mother, Irene experienced a fall that led to her own needs for rehabilitation and skilled care. In 2020, Rhonda was already unhappy with the care her mother was receiving at another facility when she came across an advertisement for The Restoracy and made the decision to visit the Whitestown location and see for herself if it truly was a different environment.
After her visit, Rhonda knew this was the right place for her mom who had cared for her husband for many years before their skilled care journey. A woman Rhonda describes as a fiercely independent woman with a strong work ethic who likes everyone. This is why it was important to them both that a care facility support Irene’s ability to stay as independent as possible, engage socially, and have opportunities to explore activities designed to enhance her quality of life.
Irene celebrated her 97th birthday at The Restoracy in 2024 and reflecting on the last five years of care Rhonda shares, “I feel like in many ways, they saved her life.” Her reflections about choosing skilled care and advice for families evaluating their own options are a valuable resource for those considering moving loved ones from another facility or their home.
Over a decade of experience shapes standards.
Rhonda’s journey to The Restoracy wasn’t her first experience navigating senior care decisions. “My dad was in at least three others before he passed, but I just don’t think the care was as good,” Rhonda reflects. Her experiences ranged from concerning incidents of severe dehydration that required emergency intervention to facilities where staff seemed unhappy and basic care needs went unmet.
When Irene eventually needed skilled care herself, Rhonda thought she’d found a solution at a larger facility. However, when the pandemic hit, the challenges became undeniable. “I felt like she was trapped in there,” Rhonda explains about her mother’s experience during COVID lockdowns. “She was pretty much in her room for months, and I was just so thankful to find The Restoracy.”
These challenging experiences, while difficult for the family, provided Rhonda with a clear understanding of what quality care should look like – and what warning signs to watch for. Her perspective offers valuable guidance for families who may be navigating these decisions for the first time or considering a change from their current care arrangement.
First impressions make all the difference.
When Rhonda and her daughter spontaneously decided to visit The Restoracy after seeing an advertisement, she arrived with skepticism born from experience. “I’m not optimistic,” she admitted. “I’ve seen so many other places.” But within minutes of meeting Bryan and touring the facility, her perspective began to shift.
“The Restoracy was the first place I didn’t smell that,” Rhonda says, referring to the institutional odors that had characterized every previous facility. “It was so clean and they keep it clean. I never smell a problem, and at the other place, that would hit you in the face so you’re depressed as soon as you get in the door.”
Beyond the immediate sensory impression, Rhonda was struck by the environment itself. “It felt like a home to me. The way the place is set up with the family dining and a nice living area where people can visit.” The contrast with institutional settings was immediately apparent; from private bathrooms to the overall atmosphere that prioritized dignity and comfort.
Perhaps most importantly, the leadership made an impression that lasted. “Bryan, he’s just super, and Ryan also. I couldn’t believe that two of them could be that wonderful.” This was particularly significant given Rhonda’s previous experiences where “the people in charge, they weren’t friendly and they didn’t act like they cared at all.”
The decision-making process and trusting your instincts.
For Rhonda, the decision came quickly. After years of advocating for her parents’ care and seeing the difference between adequate and exceptional care, she recognized quality when she found it. “I told Bryan I want her to come. And he said, ‘Don’t you need to ask her first?’ And I said, ‘I’ll ask her, but she’s coming.’”
The transition happened within a week. Rhonda’s confidence in the decision was rooted in several key factors that families should consider when evaluating care options:
Size and individualized attention: “I liked that there were 12 residents in a home. There were probably a hundred residents at the previous facility and I just felt like she would get a lot better attention in a smaller setting and she has.”
Communication and openness: “I feel like this is a place that’s open, where if there’s something going on, we can talk about it or find somebody that’ll figure out what’s going on for me.”
Transparency about costs: When Rhonda realized she’d forgotten to ask about Medicaid coverage, Bryan’s response reinforced her confidence in the decision. “He said, ‘It’s going to be the exact same thing, Rhonda.”
What quality care really looks like.
After five years at The Restoracy, Rhonda has a clear perspective on what makes the difference in senior care. The transformation in her role as a daughter, rather than primary caregiver, has been significant. “I feel much more involved in her care as far as knowing what’s going on,” she explains. “I’m getting calls from the nurse practitioner when things are going on which makes it really, really helpful to me. I just feel involved and I don’t feel like a burden if I ask a question.”
The social environment has been particularly beneficial for Irene, who Rhonda describes as naturally social and caring. “She was like the dorm mom. She was always helping somebody that was in worse shape than her.” The activities program, led by Kim Rowe, provides consistent engagement that keeps residents mentally and socially active. “My head spins. I couldn’t keep up with it if I was there,” Rhonda laughs. “It’s always different. She always comes up with different things to do.”
The famous Slip n’ Slide Day event exemplifies The Restoracy’s approach to maintaining dignity while creating joy. “Everybody’s so patient and kind and just made them feel like they belonged,” Rhonda recalls, noting how staff went to great lengths to ensure every resident could participate safely, including using special carriers for those with mobility challenges.
Practical advice for families considering their options.
Drawing from her extensive experience, Rhonda offers specific guidance for families navigating senior care decisions:
Assess caregiver stress: Rhonda emphasizes watching for signs that family caregivers are becoming overwhelmed, noting how her husband’s observation about her mother’s exhaustion caring for her father prompted action.
Consider timing: “I would rather mom went in there with all of her faculties doing really well” rather than waiting until crisis hits.
Make unannounced visits: “My friend told me this advice one time when I was looking. She said, ‘Don’t show up at a certain time. You show up when they don’t expect you and see how many people are lined down the hall in wheelchairs, not getting taken care of.’”
Trust your senses: Pay attention to smells, cleanliness, and the overall atmosphere. These immediate impressions often reflect the quality of day-to-day care.
Observe staff attitudes: “Even the nurses didn’t seem happy at the other facilities. They didn’t seem friendly” compared to The Restoracy where they “genuinely try to help meet residents’ needs.”
Don’t rely solely on recommendations: “I just think you have to figure out for your own situation when it’s necessary to start the process and I think I should have just done more research than just listening to somebody tell me, ‘Oh, that’s a great place,’ when we looked for my dad’s care.”
The emotional journey from caregiver to daughter.
One of the most significant benefits Rhonda has experienced is the shift in her relationship with her mother. No longer having to constantly advocate with facilities as her caregiver, she can focus on being a daughter. “I wouldn’t be able to take care of her the way they are with all the medications she takes. It would not have worked.”
This transformation has allowed for new traditions to emerge and meaningful connections to remain strong. The family now gathers at The Restoracy each July 3rd for fireworks viewing, creating new memories while honoring their relationship. “It’s just nice that we can go there and be there and join with her and have a family get-together,” Rhonda shares.
Trusting your instincts and advocating for quality.
Throughout her journey, Rhonda has learned the importance of advocacy and trusting instincts when it comes to care decisions. “Trusting your gut is one of my favorite things. And the older I get, the more I believe in it,” she emphasizes.
Her advice for families considering a transition from another facility focuses on reframing the decision: “You’re not putting them in a facility, you’re putting them in a home to be helped. At The Restoracy, it’s not like they’re in a facility and sitting out in the hallway in a wheelchair all day.”
The difference, she notes, is profound. “It’s more like visiting friends than a facility. It’s great.”
The peace of mind that comes with quality care.
As Irene approaches her 98th birthday, Rhonda reflects on the journey with gratitude. Despite the natural challenges that come with aging, she has confidence in the care her mother receives. “I wouldn’t want you to have to do all this that they’re doing for me here,” Irene has told her daughter, acknowledging the professional expertise and comprehensive support she receives.
For families considering their options, Rhonda’s experience demonstrates that quality senior care isn’t just about managing medical needs. It’s about preserving dignity, fostering social connections, and supporting the whole person. “They saved her life,” Rhonda concludes, “and I don’t think she would’ve made it another five years at the other place.”
The Restoracy’s approach to care has provided not just professional medical management, but a true home where Irene can continue to be herself–social, caring, and engaged–while receiving the support she needs to thrive.
Explore your options.
If you’re considering skilled care options for a loved one, whether transitioning from home or another facility, take time to visit and observe. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and look for environments that prioritize dignity, individual attention, and genuine care. The difference in quality of life, for both residents and their families, can be transformational.
Contact The Restoracy to schedule a tour and experience the difference that personalized, professional care can make in your family’s journey.