Braemar Living at Medford

I live out of state and rely on one of my sister’s to interface with Braemar week to week in the care of our mother. I come several times a year and am always grateful that we found Braemar. She had been at two other facilities previously and the care wasn’t as personal. It makes Braemar such a gift. They have made accommodations for her that suit her needs. They are patient and kind with her dementia. My several times a year visits are a blessing. Though, I am not known as well as my sister is, I am greeted cordially and have even developed over the past few years a relationship with one of her aides. There is genuine care and love for my mother. When I walk with my mother down the hall, staff and residents, greet her by name. Often, they remark on her kindness or niceness. It is so hard to leave a parent in a facility, especially a parent who made her family’s life a dream with her thoughtfulness. I am so very grateful for the ways Braemar cares for my mother. It has given me such peace of mind. Thank you, Braemar, for the almost six years of care you have given my mother! Our family is very grateful!

My mother will be 95 years old this summer. She is incontinent and has advanced dementia. After living in a senior residence and then another assisted living facility, we moved her to Braemar Living of Medford in June of 2019. Because of her dementia, I was told that if she became a “flight risk” she would not be able to stay. I totally understood this as the facility does not have a lock down unit, and of course this is in her own best interest, but I knew it would not be a problem as my mother did not like going out when it was too sunny, or rainy or too windy or too hot or too cold. You get the picture. From the first week she lived there, I was amazed at the kindness and courtesy she received by all of the staff. The aids treated her with love and respect, and the director, Tracy Moodie gave a special dispensation for Mom to eat meals over a longer period of time to accommodate the way she is such a slow eater. (She always was!) When I walk down the hall with Mom, every employee we pass says hello and calls her by name. When she needs medical care, the nurses are always helpful and kind. We love Wendy in Wellness who has always looked out for Mom. The staff are very helpful. Lisa, Jeremy and Mandy who work at the front desk are always welcoming with a friendly greeting. And quick to answer questions I may have. Juan in maintenance has been helpful and friendly when I needed help with a stuck window or a chirpy smoke detector or changing the toilet seat for a higher one for Mom. I can’t say enough about the aids who gently and lovingly care for and nurture my mother. The ones I know best are Rosa and Mariana and Patricia, and I can see how she responds to them with love too. I know there are so many other people there, whose names I can’t remember who have provided excellent service and care for my mother. I would be lost without them all! Thank you all for making these last six years safe and happy ones for my mother and for giving my sisters and me, the peace of mind that Mom is in good hands.

What a GOD SEND the Braemar Hamlet at Medford was for my Aunt Agnes - a resident for 9 years. As a frequent visitor; I met all the workers from Tracey (Admin); Winnie (Wellness); Heidi (Banking and Recreation); Lisa & Jean, Tammy (Recreation); Nurses (from Cindy on down); Aids; PT, cafeteria workers; (more than I can name), etc. For nine years the staff included me in all updates on my Aunt (health, activities, her solo singing in the chorus, when she lost her eyeglasses, hospitalizations (my Aunt has tremendous anxiety) etc.) When my Aunt first entered the Braemar Hamlet she was very cognizent of her surroundings and able to take care of her personal needs (eatting and washing). As her memory faded; and, as she declined in health - the Hamlet toileted her every 2 hours; ensured she was clean and presentable; engaged her in activities and continued to keep me informed. I phoned the Hamlet many times....and, someone always answered and they always knew where my Aunt was in the facility. Over time, my Aunt's needs exceeded assisted living (she was dehydrated, had severe memory loss and no longer able to remember to brush her teeth). The Braemar Hamlet staff helped me make the decision to move her to a full nursing home. This was the hardest decision of my life - which the Braemar Hamlet staff helped guide me and made this transition easier for both my Aunt and me. I wish I didn't have to move her. The Braemar Hamlet is clean, caring, pays attention to dietary needs (my Aunt got her ice cream every day); has a great Wellness staff and many recreational activities. I give this facility a 5 Star....with its caring attitude and professionalism. (BTW - I visited 19 assisted living facilities - and, for my Aunt - this was the best on Long Island.) If I needed an assisted living for another family member or myself - this is the environment I would want to be in. Thank You Everyone at the Braemar Hamlet, especially Tracy Moodie. You manage the staff exceptionally. Your compassion is evident with all the residents.

My father moved into medford braemar may of 2023 . The first few months were very difficult with him adjusting to his new life . Once he adjusted things seemed ok . As time went on and his disease progressed i started noticing a decline in his hygiene. Now when we first moved he was diagnosed with dementia which they were aware of and i was told as long as he is not a “runner” he would be fine there . But once he is incontinance he could no longer live there. Communication with staff and drs were absolutely horrible but since i lived close by and able to visit regularly and was ok with that . Well things went bad in December of 2024 . One day i went in my dads room n smelt strong urine smell when i took apart his bed i was in disbelief at the mattress, i bought, The urine stain went straight through n through the box spring. It was brown n disgusting . Obviously hes been urinating regularly. When i brought it to winnie (head nurse) attention she blamed aids for not yelling her this was going on . We resolved with aids bought a new mattress with protective covers . I was never asked for him to have to move out due to incontinance . I was told they would do better at waking him at night to toilet . Then I started noticing him wet during the day, again brought to their attention and was told he will be reminded to toilet every 2 hrs. Welllll none of that ever happened so i would have to go much more frequently to help him myself . 2 days before Christmas i went to help get him ready for bed . To find him in his room with his pants filled with poop. Now i am not in the field and that i could not change so for the first time pulled the help cord in bathroom at 7:50 pm again at 8:00 again at 8:05 and again at 8:15. NO ONE ever came !!!! I had to leave my father n go in hall to find an aid . I found her sitting in laundry room on her cell phone . I approached her that i called 20 mins ago n was told that she was busy. Well that did not go well . I was rude n nasty (as she deserved) thank God it wasn't a real serious emergency but that wasnt the point. At that moment i knew i needed to move him to a safer environment! I had a meeting with Winnie n social worker on Christmas Eve to discuss what happened and was told i am sorry and will talk to the aids. I told them i will be moving him shortly.and i did and couldn't be happier at his new memory care facility. The point of my story is Braemar (tracy n winnie) are running a business and need to keep their beds filled regardless of the care needed for the patients. I should of been told my dad needed to be moved die to his disabilities but never was. I gave the aids hell but have realized they are hired for assisted living which is very different care then people who require everyday care. So its not the aids its the administration that made our experience a living hell his last few months there. I will be reporting this to the state as well. By law they have 7 minutes to answer a help call button. I had to go look for someone after 25 minutes. Shame on the staff there! They are horrible ! And it stems from their management!!!! Please be aware of putting your loved one there if they have any form of dementia, this is not the place for them!!!!