We are writing to give a big public thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Mariposa Gardens. Mom lived in residential care on the Desert Sage floor. She made it to 95 years old and this was her last stop.
Mom made friends with many of the caregivers in the year and a half she was there; she told stories, talked about her horses and bravely smiled.
As mom’s mobility steadily faded away, her world was changing, and it is those front line people that deal with the disappointment and sadness that the resident feels.
At each declining stage, from the use of a walker, then confined to a wheelchair, and finally to the loss of any strength in her legs and arms, she was soon limited to “adaptive” clothing. This was a final loss of dignity for mom; she told me she felt like her clothes were just laying on her, which is actually true.
The staff went through the daily tasks with professionalism and compassion. We were so appreciative of that because this was difficult.
One day she said to me, “Do you think the girls are getting tired of looking after me?”
I said no, of course not. I mentioned that conversation to one person and many of the caregivers then took the time to tell her that it was not true at all.
Thank you to the Mariposa caregivers who went the extra mile, laughed with her, and helped mom/grandma die with dignity, respect and love.
Lynne Greenwood (daughter)
Sandy Gregson (granddaughter)
