Better Living

We moved our sister in law [name removed] into Brown Deer Place last November. That was the best thing we could have done for her. [Name removed] was living at home by herself and her health was getting the best of her. Since her arrival at BDP her health has improved dramatically. She now gets three delicious meals a day. We no longer worry about her not eating. She also has made many new friends to keep her company. We also like BDP is conveniently located close to stores,doctor offices, banks,and about any where you might want to go in Coralville. Our decision to choose BDP was easy after we met the staff. [name removed],[name removed] and all staff members are truly professional and ready care for their residents. There is no doubt that when my wife and I are ready to take it easy and enjoy life,BDP is where we will be heading.[Name removed]

My mom moved into Brown Deer months ago and they have exceeded my expectations. She was very resistant to moving from our home to an independent/assisted living. However, everyone was so warm and welcoming that mom adjusted very quickly. I am sure this is due to the warm inviting family community they strive for. [Name removed] & [name removed]’s door is always open and anytime I have had questions or concerns they were addressed immediately. My mother’s happiness is always a priority. I have also observed that everyone that works there seems to love their job. I highly recommend Brown Deer.

My Mom moved into Brown Deer Place (BDP) in August of 2010 with her husband who had dementia. He lived in memory care while she lived in independent living. This worked very well as Mom did not have to go outside the building to see her husband and was allowed to stay with him in the daytime for as long as she wanted. She usually stayed from 6:30 A.M. until around 8 P.m. They ate their meals together. But she went back to her apt. to sleep. When he passed away in 2011, Mom chose to continue to live at BDP as she said that was where her friends lived. The other resident were very supportive and caring as were the staff. Mom really liked [name removed], the manager as well as [name removed] ( public relations) and her husband who came occasionally. She also liked the maintenance man, [name removed] and [name removed], the supervisor of the caregivers . There are too many others to mention who were so helpful. There was also one resident who would reprogram her TV, let her know what channel the Hawks were on, and put new batteries in her weather radio and lift chair as needed. Mom did not always like what was being served at mealtimes, but knew she could order off a menu and get what she wanted. Mom loved the activities and participated in most of them. A favorite was Bingo, comedy and music presentations by people from outside the building, visits from children in the surrounding schools, physical fitness classes, reading books from the library or reading the newspaper, doing puzzles, weekly trips to the store or Walmart as well as drives to see the sights around the area. She could have used the shuttle for appointments but I was able to do that with her. I also set up her medications on a weekly basis. When she was hospitalized during her stay, Mom either went for a period of time, to memory care for assisted living or sometimes came directly back to independent living with personnel assisting her as needed, checking on her frequently. And they brought meals to her room when she didn't feel she could go to the dining room She loved the social gatherings which occurred weekly and also the popcorn which was popped once a week. Overall, my Mom was where she wanted to be and liked the place very much as the staff (for an extra charge) made her bed daily, assisted her with her shower twice a week, cleaned her apt. weekly and changed her sheets weekly as well as doing all of her wash. I would recommend BDP.

I was invited to do caricatures of the residents. We were in the South lounge sitting area which had great lighting. Many had never had a funny drawing done of themselves. All of the staff were very helpful. I especially noticed the way [name removed] gently kept on encouraging one of the residents who was a bit undecided to have her caricature drawn. Finally after all others were finished, she let me draw her. I had a great time talking with them and listening to them laugh about their drawing and sharing life stories. It's never for late to try something you have never done before!

Prairie hills has been a great community for my mother! Numerous staff, including the Executive Director, Health Director and the Environmental Director have helped my mother adjust to a loving, caring environment. I would highly recommend this facility to any family needing a place for an elderly family member.

I moved here from another Assisted Living community in town and am highly satisfied. All staff are very good to residents. There are lots of activities going on so you can keep busy every day. This is a great place to live!

My mother has lived at Emery Place in Robins for going on 5 yrs. It is so comforting knowing that is is taken care of in such a wonderful way. She loves the activities and entertainment they have. The drives around town & parks, going out for lunches at different restaurants They have a “Dare to Dream” program that is awesome! My mom was gifted a hot air balloon ride, that was unbelievable. The staff is so great! She has made many wonderful friends at Emery Place. We’re so glad that we found this place for our mom!

When my mother could no longer live alone in her condo and needed daily assistance, we wanted to find a place in which she could be comfortable, safe, and cared for. In other words, we wanted a place she could call home. First impressions are always important: visitors to Emery Place are greeted by beautiful décor, the bright dining facility, a lovely, inviting lounge, and welcoming gathering spaces for extended families. The most important factor in choosing a new home for Mom, however, was the staff. EVERY member of the team at Emery Place is empathetic, compassionate, and personally invested in the residents who live there. Mom has been at Emery Place since August, and members of our family visit daily. We know first hand how the dining wait staff anticipates her meal choices because they pay attention to her favorites. We know that everyone on staff calls her by name and stops to engage her in conversation. On those occasions when she has had to summon help from the medical or managerial team, someone is there immediately to address her needs. I know it was difficult for Mom to accept the life changes brought about by her advancing age and a need for greater assistance in her daily routine, but I am forever thankful for Emery Place. I am forever thankful that she is well cared for by a staff who treats her like family. I am forever thankful for her new home.

My Grandmother recently moved to Emery Place and she is SO HAPPY. I haven't heard her laugh or seen her as mobile as she has been since moving in. Her only wish is she wants to move to bigger room now! HaHa!! She loves the activities, says the staff is so nice and she gets to stay as busy as she likes. The place is so clean, smells fresh and from my visit I can tell she chose the right place.

My mother originally stayed at Emery Place for respite care after breaking her back. Kudos to the staff for being incredibly caring and helpful in her recovery and facilitating her move back home. A couple of years later my mother had a fall and suffered a brain bleed and a subsequent stroke. My family and I have such faith in Emery Place and the folks there are so nice; it was an easy transition back. Mom was happy to return as a permanent resident. They provide a clean, comfortable environment with plenty of activities, good food, exercise opportunities and personal service. They address all aspects of her well-being. We are very happy with Emery Place and would highly recommend them.

My Parents have been residing at Emery Place for a little over a year now. It is comforting to our family to know that they are not only cared for, but cared about. The Staff is very responsive to any concern we may have and very reassuring as we navigate the unknown related to Alzheimer's.

My father-in-law was a resident of Sunnybrook in Ft. Madison for almost 3 years. Prior to moving to Sunnybrook, his health was poor and he was hospitized monthly. He enjoyed the social aspect of visiting and playing cards with his friends at Sunnybrook. His mental and physical health also improved while at Sunnybrook. We credit Sunnybrook with giving us a couple more years with him.

I am very happy with Brown Deer Memory care unit in Coralville where I found a place for my sister. It is perfect for her with the level of care that she needs at this time. I spend time with her almost every day so I have had many opportunities to interact with the staff and observe their interactions with other residents. I am so relieved to see my sister in a safe and appropriate new home and to be relieved of the cares that she now needs. [Removed]

I’m really pleased with this place. I’m really surprised the amount of care that my love one gets. She’s in assisted living so she can feel some type of independence, but she also has supervisors looking after here every so often. The facility itself has a very straight forward layout. It’s very good for someone like my love one and it’s impossible to get lost. They also have a nice outdoor area off the lounge where residents could sit outside. All in all I am pleased with this location and it’s better than I expected.

[Removed] was great, she was a wonderful resource for information and very concerned and compassionate about our situation. I would recommend [Removed] and A Place for Mom to anyone looking for help finding long term care options for family member.

Prairie Hills - Ottumwa is great. [Removed] was above and beyond helpful getting my parents moved into Prairie Hills last month, despite dealing with her own Dad's medical emergencies that weekend.

My brother has been a resident at Emery Place for over a year now and I could not be happier with the staff, the activities and the wonderful care that my brother has received! Because my schedule is full, he is driven to any doctor appointments free of charge which is a huge help for me. My brother can be a challenge at times, but there are never any issues or problems which is because of the outstanding staff at Emery Place. I'm so happy that I found Emery Place....they are a true blessing to me and to my family!!!

We can rest easy knowing that Mom is cared for 24 hours a day in a safe and loving manner! Staff at Emery Place routinely go Above and Beyond compared to all of the places we reviewed before making our selection, first for Assisted Living and now that Mom has moved to Memory Care. Whenever we have had questions, our concerns have been addressed right away, and the newsletter is exemplary! We couldn't be happier! [Removed]

My Mother who is 93 years old has been at Emery Place for two years. They keep her active with activities and outings. She has a very nice one bedroom apartment. The staff are very friendly and greet her by her first name. She is treated just like family. The meals there are very good and if there is something that she does not care for on a certain day the have a very good menu that she can use to order something that she wants. They have a wonderful program called Dare to Dream that allows them to do something that they would love to do. Mom went on a hot air balloon ride. I think that it was one of the most exciting things that she has ever done. It will be a fabulous place for her to live out the remaining years of her life.

My father moved in the second day that Emery Place opened. I had been looking in the area for a good 6 months when I saw it being built. I stopped in and talked to [Removed] and made my decision then and there. I have never regretted that decision. I am always made to feel welcome when I visit which is often. Due to another family medical situation, I was out of the state for 5 weeks this past summer. It was a comfort to know that Dad was being cared for and I could call and check on him at any given time. I have total faith in the care that he is provided