5 Star Review By Ricky Coffey
When I started looking for a senior living facility for my Mom, I contacted Dana Patterson (Community Relations Director) at The Lafayette. My wife had previously worked with Dana when my mother-in-law was at The Lafayette. Dana gave my Mom and I a tour of the facility and showed us the Studio and 1 bedroom apartments. After discussing with my Mother, we told Dana we were pretty sure we wanted the Studio unit, but wanted more time to think on it. Dana never pressured us to make a decision, nor did she try to persuade us to the more expensive 1 bedroom unit. I appreciated the “no pressure” approach. My Mom is the widow of a World War II veteran. I noticed in the Lafayette packet information that my wife had previously brought home details about VA assistance for spouses of veterans. Being on a tight fixed income, getting this VA assistance was key to my Mom being able to live at the Lafayette. I initiated the call to the number in the packet for “Elder Benefits Consulting” and worked with one of that company’s consultants to prepare the necessary paperwork for my Mom to submit a claim to the VA for spousal benefits. Cindy Jones (Executive Director) had no hesitation signing the required papers that I submitted to the VA, and was very willing to review and discuss the paperwork with me. With Cindy’s help, Mom got approved for “Entitlement to Survivors pension with entitlement to aid and attendance” benefits. Please explore this option if you are a veteran or spouse of a Veteran on a tight fixed income and are looking at moving to the Lafayette (or any other Senior or Assisted living facility). Now that my Mom has been at The Lafayette for 5 years, I feel very comfortable about giving this review. My Mom loves living at the Lafayette. I ask her quite often if she is still happy, and she always replies “I love it here, and here is where I need to be”. The staff and residents are extremely nice and helpful to my Mom and have made her feel right at home. I will not mention the Lafayette staff either by department or by individual name for fear of leaving a department or employee out. The entire staff is friendly, helpful and most important to me “CARES”. I am at the Lafayette an average of 4 to 5 times a week to spend time with my Mom. No matter who is working, the staff always greets me with smiles and are willing to help my Mom or me at any time. The staff has also been so friendly and helpful to other relatives who have visited Mom. On more than one occasion, a member of the staff has actually walked them to Mom’s apartment. Members of my family who have visited Mom at the Lafayette all have glowing things to say about how friendly and helpful the staff are, and that my Mom is fortunate to be able to live at the Lafayette. This is the perfect place for my Mom and makes it possible for her to continue to live independently. I love the staff/management and how they look out for the residents. As her son, the staff always treats me with respect. I love how The Lafayette promotes a family atmosphere. This is so important for all the residents, the majority who are elderly. To all the more than 100 residents at The Lafayette who read this, understand that no place will please 100% of its residents all of the time. I only ask that you be patient with the staff, and appreciate this wonderful place that my Mom and you have to live in.