Monarch Communities

Because of memory issues, our family knew the time was coming for Mom to leave her home and move into assisted living. We knew Brandywine at Brandall Estates was 'home', almost from the moment we arrived! Mom has been there 2 years now, and has never been happier. The staff is by far the most caring, loving, and professional group of people I have ever encountered. I am happy to say that my once lonely mother now has a whole new family to love her, and more friends than she can count! She keeps busy with numerous activities, and never misses a well prepared meal, with their flexible dining. I cannot say enough good things about Brandall. Mom is happy , safe, and well cared for. Who could ask for more?

It is so hard to believe a year has gone by since I first heard of Brandywine, and in my hometown, no less! My father had been discharged from Wedgewood Rehab in August. The staff there realized my dad required around the clock care, that my mom wanted to provide, but was physically unable to. Initially, I arranged for a live-in aide, but after a few weeks, knew that wasn’t the best arrangement for my parents. I contacted Wedgewood for guidance and they had great things to say about Brandywine Senior Living in Howell. I called and arranged to meet Colleen for a tour. That was all I needed. The staff, the accommodations, facility, grounds and activities were perfect for my parents needs. I scheduled a tour for my parents during last years “Assisted Living Week”. There was so much activity, events scheduled, and an all around excitement amongst the staff and residents. My parents moved in two weeks after that tour. The arrangements made were very conducive to my parents financial situation. The transition went smoothly. Colleen arranged a 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration for my parents just five days after they moved in! I truly cannot say enough about the support and nursing staff. My dad became ill in April and the staff was very sensitive to his situation and really supported my mom through his illness. It was clear Dad wouldn’t recover and I made a call to the nursing director, Michele. She gave me contact information for hospice services. Dad was back in his Brandywine room within 5 hours and was being visited by staff and my mom was able to be with him, which was a true comfort. Since Dad’s passing, the staff and residents have shown true compassion towards my mom. Mom has handled her life changing events so much better with the support and love everyone at Brandywine has given to my mom. I am so thankful for everyone at Brandywine Senior living at Howell for making my parents feel so loved and cared for.

The minute you enter the door of Brandywine, you are greeted by the desk receptionist with a cheery hello and a caring attitude. My mother has been a resident at Brandywine for over 3 1/2 yrs. I searched for a facility for over a year and I am so glad I decided to place her in Brandywine. The nurses are excellent. They are always thoughtful, caring, and loving to each and every resident. The chef is excellent and the wait staff in the dining room are wonderful. They make sure each guest has what their palate desire for each and every meal. The activities directors are always working hard to make a festive day for everyone. Outside entertainment is constant and excellent. Games are plentiful all day long. In house gatherings are always fun. BBQ's in the backyard with the playground for visiting little ones and the fish pond stocked with beautiful koi amongst the flowers are beautiful and fun. The administration is ALWAYS available for residents and their families. I recommend Brandywine Assisted Living in Howell to anyone looking for a fabulous facility full of love, concern and fun times for their loved one.

My mother moved into Brandywine at Govenor's Crossing this last December, (2013), after a stroke abruptly took her independence away. At 85 years old she was still working 2 days a week in a doctors' office, driving, volunteering in the community and for the Red Cross. A very active life. Although the change in her residence and the change in her independence were dramatic and difficult for her to face, the staff at Brandywine at Govenor's Crossing has done and keeps doing everything possible to keep mom fully engaged in her new life. I have been to "mom's" at different times of the day and at different days in the week and I have always found the staff smiling, warm and welcoming. And believe me, mom is not an easy little cupcake to care for. I have always found the residents well cared for and as independent as the setting allows. Sitting together in common areas engaged with each other, meeting in groups for book discussions, bingo, exercises or entertainers. Sitting outside under the front porch or around the Koi pond, or walking the paved pathways around the residence. I have eaten with her several times in the dining area ...unannounced... and have never been disappointed by the selection, quality of the food or friendliness and compassion of the staff. I always leave Brandywine at Govenor's Crossing feeling assured that mom is well cared for and safe. Does mom want to be there? NO! She longs to back in her "own home" driving her car whenever and wherever she pleased. Of all the residences we looked at before deciding on Brandywine at Govenor's Crossing, I know WE made the right choice.

Transitioning a parent to an assisted living facility can be very stressful and overwhelming. However, the Brandywine Staff is ready to assist you through the entire transition and will guide you through the whole process. They are a warm and caring group of professionals, who treat each resident with kindness and concern. No one is ever ignored or left to feel lost or alone. The facility is outstanding...immaculate and beautifully decorated. The rooms are very cozy and everyone goes at their own pace. There are constant activities and all special events are planned to perfection and done with great pride by the staff. The Wellness Center is excellent, with top level nursing and the Aides are always pleasant and ready to assist. The management team is professional and readily available to help you in any way they can. I couldn't imagine my parent in any other facility at this point in their life.

Upon my Dad's death I knew Mom needed help and as she lived in another state over 2 hrs away I started to look for a place. I can't say enough good about the beautfiul facility and staff at Brandywine at Pennington. When you enter you feel like you walked into a grand hotel, no smells and very nicely decorated. Each room is spacious and well maintained. The activities are varied enough to appeal to all personalities. Mom loved the trips to the playhouse and restaurants. She felt safe and the nursing staff always made her laugh and treated her like a family member. For 6 years she enjoyed the great food, care and beautiful surroundings at Brandywine. You are not only a resident there but you become a part of the Brandywine family. Definitely go on a tour to see for yourself.

My mother has been at Brandywine Senior Living at Longwood for two and a half years and has benefited greatly from her experience there. When she first arrived at Brandywine, she was very thin due to a significantly reduced appetite. She has flourished at Brandywine, eating well, exercising and socializing to her heart’s content. The entire family is very pleased with her environment, the facilities are immaculate, the meals are delicious, and the staff is caring and committed. When researching and visiting assisted living facilities in the area for a new home for our mother, the family found many good and even excellent facilities. We chose Brandywine because it stood out!

It’s almost 2 years since my parents moved to Brandywine. Like every transition, there are blips with getting used to a new place and new routine. But at this point, both of my parents are at ease, content, safe and well cared for. My mother kept thinking of Brandywine as a sacrifice she needed to make for my father, but when she was in the hospital and rehab, she said “I can’t wait to go home” referring to her new home at Brandywine. I had a good feeling about Brandywine from the first time I met the Senior Administrator (who is also a nurse). She made all of us feel very comfortable and listened to all our concerns from size and type of room to finances and cost. She told us that the main goal was to have residents “age in place”. Even when other facilities feel the need to transfer to a nursing home, Brandywine will try to keep the resident. The facility looks like a resort with plenty of activities and compassionate nurses and aides to assist. Events are run by young, active fun loving people. You can see the lift that it gives the residents. All the employees know the residents by name along with their preferences and routines. Some important things to consider: • Doctor’s appointments can be arranged by the facility and a driver can take the resident. • Nursing is 24/7. Most facilities have nurses during the day but evening and weekends, nurses are only on call. There is a doctor for the facility that typically comes once a week. • Medication can be administered by the nurses. The pharmacy delivers 2 times a day. • A separate wing for Dementia / Alzheimer patients. The director of the unit is very affectionate and aware of the resident’s needs. She makes each person feel special while bringing out the most they can do. • Somerset Medical Center is the local hospital with excellent rankings. I can personally vouch for their outstanding service and care when both of my parent’s needed it. • Beauty Salon on site. • Physical Therapy on site. This is an excellent perk. When someone returns from the hospital and acute rehab, the PT provides the sub-acute care to get the resident back to normal. Therapy is also available without prescription (for an extra charge). • Exercise classes for all levels. • Laundry is done by Brandywine but there are “personal” laundry rooms if the resident prefers to do some items themselves. • Housekeeping. • Restaurant style dining with 2 new choices each day at each meal as well as a standard menu. • Jitney bus service to Church on Sunday. • Bus rides to local stores, restaurants, bowling, movies, plays, etc. • Some religious services scheduled on site. • Entertainment—weekly cocktail parties with music and special events. • Picturesque outdoor garden with pond, waterfall and seating. • Make sure you are comfortable with the commute from your house to Brandywine. You’ll be visiting and coming often! Communication is excellent. I tend to do things by email and would always receive a quick response to any of my questions or concerns. Our family stress level is down and our satisfaction level up. Brandywine is the best decision that we made.

I had toured the facility months earlier as a possible location for my parents and liked the facility. Due to a medical emergency we were required to move my mother here first and then my father after hospitalization and rehab. The administration and staff have been extremely helpful during this transition. They are both settled in comfortably and have adjusted to their new living situation. I have no hesitation recommending Brandywine Senior Living at Longwood.

So far things have gone very well at Bella Terra. My loved one has had nothing but good things to say about her time there so far, she says the food is great, the aides are helpful, and the nurses have been wonderful. We're very pleased with the experience so far.

Ever since my parents toured and then made the decision to make Brandywine in Princeton their new home, I have been impressed with the level of care and sincerity of the staff. All members of the management team and caring staff are friendly and go the extra mile in trying to provide for the best interests of the residents. The number and varying types of activities also provide for a well balanced list from which the residents can choose. Whether inside or outside, the facility presents an attractive appearance that the residents and their families can be proud of! If you are planning for your loved ones at an assisted living facility, make sure Brandywine is on your list!

I visit Brandywine once a month and can't say enough about this facility. In my profession, I go to at least a dozen other similar facilities in the same time frame and none can compare with Brandywine at Princeton. The Residents are offered so many opportunities in this gorgeous facility. It's not your typical Assisted Living, as this is clearly The Best of the Best! The Activity Department is exceptional and offers Events that are imaginative, creative and involve Residents at so many different levels. I'm extremely impressed with their devotion to the job as it speaks volumes about their commitment to the Residents.

A place you can have confidence that your love one will receive proper care and attention. Administers are very supportive and friendly. Staff very competent and caring. After one and a half years experience, no complaints.

Nice facility. Need to be able to pay for 2 years of care and they will accept medicaid along with pension and SS and put it in writing.

My father was very resistant to moving out of his home into an assisted living environment. He was sure he would not like it, hated the whole idea of change, wanted to stay at home despite all obstacles, liked his independence, had neighbors who could look out for him, etc., etc. When it became evident that he could no longer stay at home alone, we began a search for his next residence. Thank goodness we found Brandywine! From the very beginning, the staff were more engaging, helpful and accommodating than one could reasonably expect. The environment is a lively one, nearly all the time, as there are numerous daily activities to choose from. From exercise classes and bus trips to bridge and poker games, there is rarely a dull moment. The most shocking part of the whole experience for me, as his daughter, and I think also for him, is how much both residents and staff seem to enjoy the place. The upbeat spirit of the staff and community is just what the doctor ordered for my dad. He appears to be flourishing and not at all sorry about leaving his home behind. As for me and my siblings, we are delighted to see how happy he is and how much healthier and safer he is at Brandywine.

The activities Director and staff provide the residents with daily mental and physical stimulation that is of the highest caliber. Artistic endeavors include painting classes utilizing the talented residents as teachers, sculpting 3D landscapes, Seasonal wreath making, floral arranging, and it goes on and on ....... The entertainment spectrum runs from Opera performances to Pop, Big Bands, and Rock. The entertainers are all professionals, who encourage the residents to participate. Physical and mental stimulation is addressed in a holistic method with stretching exercise class, games including Bocce, Ring Toss, Bean Bag Toss, Card Games, Bingo , Word Games, and Wheel Games. The Director and Staff create an all inclusive atmosphere and are genuinely friendly and caring to residents and family members alike.

The staff at Bella Terra should be commended for the excellent care they extend to the residents. They are professional & extremely personable. They care about the residents.

Overall I think they've done a great job with the care at Brandywine, we've been very happy with it. The facility itself looks very nice, and the staff have all been very friendly. They seem to have a genuine caring concern for the residents that they look after. They also do a good job with the food!

Karen and the Staff at Bella Terra, It was about two years ago when my mother moved in to Bella Terra. She had been in the Hospital and her doctor recommended Rehab. We took her to Concord Rehab in Lakewood and the therapists there said that she could no longer return to her house alone. I had been watching her for years before and saw the slow onset of her dementia. At first it was only a forgotten word or two, but it was progressing and just before going into the hospital she was having trouble with everyday chores. I decided that it was time for her to move to a facility where she could get help and be watched. We looked around and settled on Bella Terra, and took a one bedroom apartment in Assisted Living. Most of the first year was great there. She was participating in activities and going to her church on Sunday, even bringing some of the other residents with her. I am told by the Reverend that they are still coming to church. After a while, she began to want to stay in her apartment and was again having trouble with her chores, and after a bout of depression, we moved her into Legacy Court under your care. You and your staff did wonders with her. I know she could be a handful, but you all know what you are doing, and the care and love you showed my Mom. You all made her last days as good as I could have wished. Thank you for your care, love and kind card to me from all of you. Should anyone ask, I will them that we made the right choice when she moved to Bella Terra.

Awesome choice for my mom! She was so reluctant to move and really loves it there! What a fabulous staff!