There are no words that can truly express my gratitude and appreciation for the team at Pacific…read moreCare Nursing Facility. My grandmother spent the last several months of her life there, and she was given such compassionate, dignified, and loving care. She formed meaningful connections with the nurses, enjoyed participating in activities, and always looked forward to her meals.
My grandmother, who meant the world to me, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 93. When she was first diagnosed, she needed a level of care that I was unfortunately unable to provide because of difficult family circumstances. On the day she arrived at Pacific Care, I was overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, and stress. I remember snapping at the very first nurse I met. Instead of making me feel like I had made the wrong decision, that nurse met me with understanding and compassion. She recognized my emotions, listened to my concerns, and immediately reassured me that my grandmother would be well cared for. Throughout my grandmother's stay, every one of those promises was fulfilled.
I want to commend each and every nurse and staff member at Pacific Care, especially those who cared for my grandmother every day. Their communication was always consistent, they treated everyone with empathy and respect, and they brought genuine joy not only to my grandmother but to the other residents as well. It was clear that they cared deeply about the people they looked after.
They took the time to learn who my grandmother was beyond her diagnosis. Every day they made sure she had the newspaper so she could work on her Sudoku puzzles, catch up on current events, and look through recipes that she loved talking about. They would bring her tea, chat with her throughout the day, and even share some of their own family recipes with her. Every time I visited, the staff would smile and tell me how much they loved my grandmother. They would laugh as they told me she loved filling them in on all the latest gossip and stories while they worked. Those conversations became such an important part of her day, and it meant so much to know she wasn't just being cared for, she was genuinely known and loved.
My grandmother took great pride in being one of the oldest residents at the facility while taking the least amount of medication. She loved sharing that fact with anyone who would listen, and the staff celebrated those little victories right alongside her. They made her feel valued, respected, and incredibly special.
I was fortunate enough to spend holidays with my grandmother at the facility, and Valentine's Day will always hold a special place in my heart. Watching her enjoy a delicious meal while listening to live music was unforgettable. She sang along to every song and happily swayed back and forth in her wheelchair, dancing with the biggest smile on her face. It is a memory I will cherish forever.
I will miss my grandmother's phone calls telling me she had won at bingo. I will miss hearing her excitedly tell me what she had eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I will miss hearing the staff call out, "Carmen, where are you going?" as she happily wheeled herself up and down the hallways. And my favorite response was always, "I'm going to take your grandmother home with me, we love her." Those little moments perfectly captured the love, humor, and warmth that surrounded her every day.
My grandmother was truly loved and treated with kindness during her time at Pacific Care. The care, encouragement, and attention she received gave her the strength to keep fighting her cancer and every other illness that came her way. In my heart, I truly believe that without the incredible team at Pacific Care, her life would have been much shorter. More importantly, I don't believe she would have experienced the same peace, comfort, and dignity that she found there.
The day I came to collect my grandmother's belongings was one of the hardest days of my life. Even then, the staff handled everything with such care and compassion and they neatly packed everything up for us. They welcomed me inside, allowed me to thank them, and reminded me that I was family. Knowing that I am expecting my first child, they encouraged me to take care of myself and my baby. Even in the midst of my grief, they continued to show me the same kindness they had shown my grandmother.
To the entire Pacific Care team, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my grandmother a beautiful final chapter filled with love, laughter, dignity, and genuine compassion. Thank you for treating her like family and for making sure she always felt seen, heard, and cherished. Thank you for giving me peace of mind, knowing she was always in caring hands. The memories you gave her and the memories you gave me will stay with me for the rest of my life. Your kindness will never be forgotten.