To the Palm Garden of Orlando Team,…read more
I, am writing this letter with sincere appreciation for the professional dedication, teamwork, supervision, compassion, and management oversight provided to my father, C.F. Mercado.
Our journey with Palm Garden began in June 2024 at Palm Garden of Ocala. From the very beginning, I was deeply impressed with the level of care, professionalism, and compassion shown to my dad. When I learned there was a sister facility in Orlando that would allow him to be closer to me, I had absolutely no hesitation in approving the move. I felt confident that if Palm Garden of Ocala provided such exceptional care, then Palm Garden of Orlando would continue that same level of excellence, love, and dedication and you absolutely did.
This letter is a special thank you to the entire Palm Garden of Orlando team.
Greg, Executive Director -- thank you for your leadership, collaboration, communication, and personal engagement with me and my family throughout this journey.
Melissa, Business Manager, thank you for your professionalism and support.
Tatiana, Nursing Supervisor, thank you for your oversight and for ensuring that my father's needs were always addressed promptly and compassionately.
Crystal, Maria, Berta, Mary, Arlene, and so many others were all together. Each of you made a lasting impact on my father's quality of life and on our family.
Berta, oh my gosh -- thank you for always watching over Dad in the dining room, keeping him calm, engaged, occupied, and cared for during meals and activities.
Mary, thank you for always keeping me straight regarding invoices, billing, and administrative matters. Congratulations on your promotion to Business Manager. It is truly well deserved.
Arlene, I previously singled you out because of the incredible connection and interaction you had with my father. Your dedication to involving him in activities, social engagement, and helping keep his mind stimulated meant more than words can express.
To the activities department, nutrition staff, CNAs, med techs, transportation staff, housekeeping team, therapy personnel, nurses, and every employee throughout the facility -- thank you.
The facility was consistently clean, safe, organized, and welcoming. Whenever accidents or unexpected situations occur, housekeeping responded immediately and professionally.
My father experienced many health challenges during his stay, and every issue was addressed with urgency, compassion, professionalism, and teamwork.
I especially appreciated the quarterly care meetings / virtual conferences where the interdisciplinary team reviewed his medications, nutrition, weight management, eating percentages, therapy progress, and overall health condition. Those meetings demonstrated true coordination and patient-centered care.
I also personally shared meals with my father at the facility, and I can honestly say the quality of the meals was outstanding.
Thank you for taking care of Dad's daily needs -- his hygiene, dressing, comfort, safety, transportation to outside specialty appointments, and most importantly, his dignity.
The drivers and transportation personnel were always caring, respectful, and dependable.
Most importantly, over the course of two years between both Palm Garden facilities, I cannot recall a single moment where I witnessed an employee being rough, impatient, disrespectful, uncaring, or lacking empathy toward a resident. That says everything about your culture, leadership, and people.
I have zero complaints. Zero.
For anyone reading this externally and considering care for a loved one -- this is the place. You can close your eyes, knowing your loved one will be safe, cared for, respected, and treated like family. Palm Garden truly makes residents feel at home.
My father has now transitioned to a specialized memory care facility where his advanced needs and secure environment requirements can be better managed, but Palm Garden of Orlando will always hold a special place in our hearts.
I know you miss my dad, and our family certainly miss all of you as well.
Thank you again for your love, compassion, professionalism, and dedication.
God bless each and every one of you.
With sincere gratitude,
Charlie Felix