We have received some testimonials from some families of our community members in Toms River and River Edge regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and our response. We’ve shared some of their words below and want to thank our Regency Family for their continuing efforts.
River Edge
To say we were informed on a timely basis is an understatement. Regency was spot on with safety protocols and precautions immediately. Regency kept us in the loop with weekly updates listing how they were proceeding and what they asked of us as well.
I told many friends and family that it was my “own personal miracle” that Regency stayed open and my mom did not miss one day! The decline mom would have experienced would have been profound if Regency had to close.
Adele B
Regency’s outstanding reputation holds true even during a pandemic! Mom loves going and we are so grateful for everyone that works at Regency. They all take such pride in the care and safety of our loved ones. I don’t know where we’d be without Regency! Caregiver journey is truly the most challenging one I have ever encountered, in so many ways. I thank God every day for the care my mom receives and the fun she has at Regency!
There are not enough words to express to all of you how very thankful and appreciative I am for the service that has been given to my husband Richard. He is 80 years old and has been going to the Regency for almost a year and a half now. Rich is not the type of person to sit in front of a TV for hours at a time. He likes to be kept active, he enjoys helping, he enjoys doing know matter what the activity.
The pandemic put another stress level on me. I didn’t know what to do, as far as whether or not I should continue sending Rich to the Regency or to keep him at home. I called the Regency on several occasions to get a feel for my being comfortable sending him. Every call was a positive one. I was assured over and over again that you were doing everything to keep Rich safe, i.e., disinfecting the vans before he was picked up and disinfecting them when they got to the Regency. You were taking temperatures before they entered the building. You were going to social distance. You were disinfecting when they went from room to room. You were having them wash their hands or using hand sanitizer when appropriate. Everything you said and did made it easier for me to make a decision to go forward. I spoke to my family and they also realized that their dad needed stimulation and to stay active and avoid further decline. So we made the decision to have their dad continue to go. I am so thankful for all of you for what you did and how everything was handled. Even when changes were implemented you handled it. Testing was implemented for all staff and the opportunity for members and their care givers was also offered. Again I am so thankful that the Regency stayed open so that our loved ones could continue to go to a place that cared for them and kept them active.
I belong to a few Alzheimer’s support groups and the reports I received from them were not that good. They questioned me about how the Regency was still able to be open and why their facilities were closed. I always gave them a positive view and told them how very diligent the Regency was on keeping Richard and the other members safe. They were all very impressed and wished that they were close enough to be able to have that opportunity.
Etta W
So Regency, (The Company, Administrators, Staff and Drivers) a heartfelt thank you for all you do. You are appreciated more than you will ever know. I would like to give a special shout out to Fay, Sweta, Deb (at front desk), Rosanna, Mona, Debbie, and the drivers Stephen, Michael, Jarmal and Sergio. I wish I knew more of you personally but to all of you thank you.
I want to thank the Regency River Edge staff for weekly updates to our family informing us on the safety protocols they followed during the pandemic. We were worried if the club would have had to close down, what would mom, Cathy G, do & how would it affect her mindset & would we see a decline without all the activities that keep her mind busy. It was a critical time in this world for everyone, and with all things closing down, the importance that the club remained open was also very critical to my family as well.
The staff was diligent in communicating with us weekly with the precautions they were taking & also were so kind & compassionate with all the phone calls I would make asking how they were implementing safety procedures, even tho I read the emails, to be sure my mom and the other members were safe at all times.
Our mom has found a home away from home, made several new friends & we have seen such a difference in her since she has been a member & she actively attends at least 5 days a week.
We trust the staff so much & we knew mom was going to be in good hands & we could send her without any hesitations or concerns. My family is extremely grateful that we all found each other.
Thank you Faye, Sweta, Deborah & all the other staff!
Gayle, Gary & Jeff C
There are not enough words to express to all of you how very thankful and appreciative I am for the service that has been given to my husband Richard. He is 80 years old and has been going to the Regency for almost a year and a half now. Rich is not the type of person to sit in front of a TV for hours at a time. He likes to be kept active, he enjoys helping, he enjoys doing know matter what the activity.
The pandemic put another stress level on me. I didn’t know what to do, as far as whether or not I should continue sending Rich to the Regency or to keep him at home. I called the Regency on several occasions to get a feel for my being comfortable sending him. Every call was a positive one. I was assured over and over again that you were doing everything to keep Rich safe, i.e., disinfecting the vans before he was picked up and disinfecting them when they got to the Regency. You were taking temperatures before they entered the building. You were going to social distance. You were disinfecting when they went from room to room. You were having them wash their hands or using hand sanitizer when appropriate. Everything you said and did made it easier for me to make a decision to go forward. I spoke to my family and they also realized that their dad needed stimulation and to stay active and avoid further decline. So we made the decision to have their dad continue to go. I am so thankful for all of you for what you did and how everything was handled. Even when changes were implemented you handled it. Testing was implemented for all staff and the opportunity for members and their care givers was also offered. Again I am so thankful that the Regency stayed open so that our loved ones could continue to go to a place that cared for them and kept them active.
I belong to a few Alzheimer’s support groups and the reports I received from them were not that good. They questioned me about how the Regency was still able to be open and why their facilities were closed. I always gave them a positive view and told them how very diligent the Regency was on keeping Richard and the other members safe. They were all very impressed and wished that they were close enough to be able to have that opportunity.
Maureen, Eileen & Family
So Regency, (The Company, Administrators, Staff and Drivers) a heartfelt thank you for all you do. You are appreciated more than you will ever know. I would like to give a special shout out to Fay, Sweta, Deb (at front desk), Rosanna, Mona, Debbie, and the drivers Stephen, Michael, Jarmal and Sergio. I wish I knew more of you personally but to all of you thank you.
Toms River
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff at The Regency in Toms River for taking such good care of my mom. She has been coming to your facility 5 days a week for 2 years and thoroughly enjoys it.
Before the pandemic, she enjoyed all the musicians, the lunch outings, as well as getting her hair and nails done! Since the pandemic has curtailed these activities, she still looks forward to attending! The mental and physical activities you engage your members in keep them alert, busy and happy. She comes home with such nice crafts and literally sings constantly to songs on the radio. She enjoys the daily exercises and games as well.
It is wonderful to have confidence that during this extremely trying time you and your staff are taking all necessary precautions to keep your members safe. The daily temperature checks– before they get on your shuttle, before they enter the building and multiple times during the day — show your organization makes the safety of your members a priority. My mother also tells me that your staff is constantly sanitizing tables, chairs, walkers, etc.
As I was not furloughed during this pandemic and had to continue to go into the office five days a week, it was critical that I and my family felt confident and had Peace of Mind that mom was in good hands. Again, it is with great gratitude that I thank you and the entire staff, including the shuttle drivers who are always courteous when picking her up and taking her home, for staying open during the pandemic.
Carol L
I just wanted to commend you and your staff for all you did and continue to do during the COVID pandemic.
The clients you serve can sometimes be challenging even on a good day. I’m sure COVID created a logistical nightmare on so many levels from enforcing hand washing to activity planning and maintaining social distancing. Age, pre-existing medical conditions and the inability to follow directions mean that your clients are at an increased risk for getting sick, Yet, you kept everyone SAFE- employees and clients alike! It was essential for The Regency to remain open so that many of us who are considered “essential employees” could continue to perform our jobs. The fact that you remained open with ZERO cases is very impressive!
Even if every day there wasn’t as much to do as before, the main thing is that I had a place to send Roger where I knew he would be safe and well cared for. And everyday your drivers brought him home with a smile on their face, behind a mask, of course!
You all are truly HEROES!
Donna P
The Regency Memory Care Club in Toms River, NJ, has been a LIFE-SAVER for my mother and my family.
Before my mother Rose, age 88, started at the Regency seven months ago, she was sad a lot, cried often, couldn’t walk well, and said things like “I feel so USELESS. I can’t do anything. What’s the use of living?”.
But then a miracle happened! My husband and I found the Regency, met with Gabriella, and very soon after my mother started attending, the change was like night and day!
Now my mother is cheerful, sings and dances at the Regency, plays sports there, does arts and crafts, bakes cookies, plays games, and more! The staff is unbelievable! She even showers there, and they do her hair and nails! She LOVES it!
My mother attends the Regency between 3 and 6 days a week which gives my father time to relax at home, read, get things done, and enjoy some alone time and also some friendship time.
I thank God every day for the Regency, for their amazing, competent, compassionate staff, and especially for Gabriella Carbonetto! Thinking about how wonderful they’ve been to my mother brings tears to my eyes!
Jane E
Thank you Regency Memory Care Club for your service to others during this difficult time.
Our mother is 85 years old and has been fighting Dementia for over 7 years. In August of 2019, our mom’s primary caretaker retired and we needed to get help for her during the day while we were at work. She was lonely and needed more than a house keeper/caretaker and a television. She needed friends and activities!
We checked out a couple of daycares, they offered to keep her safe, but not exactly what we wanted for mom. After some online research, we found “The REGENCY MEMORY CARE Club”. We knew instantly, this was exactly what we needed for our mother! The caring, loving staff, make every day happy and safe for her. She eats 3 healthy meals a day with friends and company. The non-stop games and activities keep her so stimulated and physically strong.
Her brain is active and she has been happier than we’ve seen her in years! Salon days and pampering always make her feel special. Trips out on the town and safe transportation every day to and from her home, has been so convenient for us. We enrolled her in September 2019 when we realized the affordable, expert care they were offering, was more than any one of us could provide her. The complete peace-of-mind they give us makes it easy to go to work every day. Mom’s success was our victory!
In March of 2020, Covid-19, spread across the globe and a pandemic became everyone’s nightmare. We were suddenly faced with a decision to change what had been working out so well for our mother. The Regency contacted us and let us know that they would remain open for mom’s daycare and what our options were.
They informed us of their plans and told us that every precaution would be taken to insure her health and safety each day. Along with checking temperatures and health screenings, they increased cleaning and sanitizing. They were no longer going on trips and were not having any visitors in the building. Instead, they increased activities with more crafts, games and music.
Having “essential workers” in our family and given the incredible care our mom had received up to this time, we felt that we made the right choice to keep her in the Regency Memory Club. The benefit out-weighed the risk. Her health and well-being was far better in Regency’s daycare program. Mom has never been cared for as well and we could not be more pleased. They offered our family help during the worst of it, they called, checked on us and offered us an opportunity to get a Covid test if we needed it. They contacted all of their families, throughout the shut-down, offering ideas and resources online to help cope at home. They send us pictures of mom smiling and enjoying herself (while being socially distanced from others). The awesome staff go out of their way to keep everyone stimulated and focused on having fun, not staring at a TV set! They even sanitize her walker all the time!
TRUST THE REGENCY MEMORY CARE CLUB! We DID, and it was the best decision we could have made!
Mary, Sharon, Maureen & Nancy
In the last week of February 2020, my husband, who has early onset Alzheimer’s disease, began going to the Regency. Just before he began going to the Regency, I was feeling that I was at the end of my rope. I had been losing weight, I was unable to sleep and I felt generally overwhelmed by the recent progression of my husband’s condition.
Shortly after he began going to the Regency the pandemic arrived and I was concerned that the Regency would be forced to close. They remained open. Vigilantly changing procedures to keep their members and their staff safe. They kept caregivers at home advised of the new protocols. They began taking my husband’s temperature before he got on the van that transported him to the Regency. And they took his temperature numerous times throughout the day. They provided masks and kept members at a social distance. And they communicated with the families.
When my husband is at the Regency, I can relax. Knowing he is being looked after, he is engaged, and he is safe allows me to have a life.
Meg C