Resident and staff testimonials.
Get an inside view of Woodside’s assisted living experience.
Resident and Family Member Testimonials
Sharon Schmidt, Daughter of Woodside Resident Dr. Emil Bolline
"We looked at about five other communities in Kalamazoo before choosing Woodside because we really wanted to find the right fit for my father. Some of the things that I saw at Woodside I just didn’t see at other places. One of the main elements I liked was the neighborhood concept, which means that Dad is with a smaller group of individuals, so it eliminates any “institutional” feeling.
"I also loved the bright, cheerful surroundings. When I first walked in I noticed it was very open and airy. It wasn’t “dated” but very fresh looking.
"The other thing I liked, and I really did look very carefully, was the community’s setting. My Dad’s room overlooks the Village Woods in back. He had always lived in places with beautiful views like woods, lakes and rivers, so I wanted to duplicate that as much as possible—a peaceful setting for him to view from his windows.
"I also met with the head nurse and was very pleased with our conversation in terms of the flexibility Woodside offered. I also asked to meet with a few of the caregivers so I would have a feel for Woodside’s philosophy in terms of patient care.
"So, I really did look at many communities, but I felt that Woodside was the best fit for what our family was looking for and what I thought would serve my Dad’s needs.
"With their personalized philosophy of care, I felt that the staff at Woodside would take a look at each resident’s individual needs and would try and adapt their services as much as possible. One example of this flexibility is a lady who lives in my Dad’s neighborhood who has a friend who lives in a different neighborhood on a different floor. The community was able to accommodate her so she could eat with her friend, even though she was outside the neighborhood.
"One of the things my Dad keeps telling me is that he’s glad to be close to me—within the greater Kalamazoo community. The other thing that he keeps emphasizing to me is that he realizes that my brother and I looked very carefully to find a good place for him and he says, “Thank you for finding the right spot for me.”
"The other thing I really enjoy is that, even though they break the neighborhoods down, residents still have access to areas within Friendship Village. For example, there is a little café there that’s really bright and sunny so it gives me another place to take my Dad on the premises that’s different from where he eats every day.
"I can just take him down the hallway and there’s a whole other world open to him. There’s a little store that’s pleasant for us to go to where we can look for little things that he might want or need.
"The other area that is probably one of our favorite spots is the Village Woods. It is a wonderful, restful, restorative, peaceful setting and it is just so pleasant to be able to go there. It’s a lovely spot for us to get outside together and it feels like you’re kind of far away even though you’re not because the Woods are so beautiful in all four seasons. It’s fun to watch the changes as the trees blossom and, later, change colors.
"I also appreciate Woodside’s varied activities. Probably the one my Dad enjoys the most is Happy Hour. The other activity he loves is the travelogues because he did a lot of traveling before he required assisted living and so it’s nice for him to reminisce.
"The other thing that is really nice that was important to me at the time I selected Woodside are the bus trips they offer … I just think it’s really important that people feel that there is a way for them to see the community outside of their smaller community. They are also taking residents to the Civic Theatre and the Kalamazoo Museum so they are really trying to help them enjoy the offerings of the larger community of Kalamazoo.
"I think the services Woodside provides relieve my Dad’s mind because he doesn’t have to worry about trying to maintain an apartment or fix his own meals. And it is very comforting to him and to us to know that somebody is there giving him his medications, reminding him about meals, and reminding him and encouraging him to go to the activities that are offered.
"I feel confident about the future because I think the staff really has an understanding of my Dad’s personality and are able to appreciate his sense of humor. They seem to recognize his personality and adjust his care accordingly."
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