I am not sure if we met before, but I am Sherrie Nagin, Lucille Gandin's daughter and I live in New York
Although my brother Robert dealt with you on financial matters, and on most issues of my Mother's care, I wanted to tell you how grateful I am that my mother was at Carmel and that Bobby Arcangel was her (and our) angel.

I know that she received the best care possible at Carmel. Somehow you have managed to put together all the right ingredients for outstanding care of the elderly. The use of a small home, the high standards of cleanliness, the availability of transportation, the loving and devoted staff, and the excellent physical plant all have made Carmel a model for elderly care.

Whenever I spoke to my Mother, whether by telephone or in person, she always said that she was fine. And despite her dementia, I think she felt fine and well cared for. And despite her incontinence, she always looked and smelled fresh and clean. Actually, the entire house had the air of a private home, not that of a nursing home that blasts you with a combination of unpleasant odors and the strong smell of bleach.

My mother's visits out for family occasions were always treated by staff as big occasions, with my mother dressed, coiffed and manicured appropriately.

My telephone calls and my visits were never treated as intrusive, even when I gave my usual 40 minutes notice before arriving at the front door. I was told to "just walk in" whenever I visited, and I did.

In mid-August our son, daughter in law and their two boys, in Los Angeles on vacation from their home in Virginia, came to see "Nana." Bobby wheeled my mother onto the back patio. My mother visited with Avishai, one of her eleven great grandchildren, for the first time. And Avishai and his 5 year old brother Julius had much fun running around in the backyard. I was grateful that all this could happen in such a comfortable setting.

I want to mention also, that Susan was always so helpful and always so pleasant.

I will miss my mother terribly. I will also miss the warm and welcoming visits on Tyrone Avenue. My husband, Larry, joins me in sending you this letter.

With much appreciation,

Sherrie Nagin

As you know my mother-in-law has been living at one of your residential homes since October 1998.

My husband and I were novices to the care if the elderly when we found ourselves in need of a place for Sarah, who suffers from Dementia. We investigated over thirty board and care facilities and nursing homes during the summer and fall of 1998. The facilities were at all ends of the spectrum: large, small, clean, soiled, expensive and moderately priced. We chose Carmel because we were positively impressed with our initial interview and visits with you and your staff at the different homes you manage.

We felt we were choosing well, but having had no personal experience in this arena, we did not know the complexities involved and we could not know if we were making the right choice.

It is my pleasure to write this letter to share our feelings about your Residential Care facilities. Our personal experiences with our management team have been exceptional. They are professional and knowledgeable and current about each resident. They are totally committed to and in tune with the many aspects of geriatric needs. While Sarah suffers from Dementia, other residents have different debilitating health issues. I am constantly impressed with each visit to Sarah at how versatile and responsive the caregivers are with each resident. The concern and understanding given to each individual is extraordinary. Besides the love and support Sarah id given, she is clean and well-groomed; she is treated with dignity and kindness and respect by the caregivers; she receives excellent attention and custodial care; she is the best that she can be under the circumstances of her illness.

The facilities are always immaculate. The cleanliness and neat interior of the homes is a measure of the overall attention to detail given buy the management and staff. The homes are very cheerful, decorated and maintained with current photos of the residents. The meals are prepared from scratch and are highly nutritious with concern for individual dietary needs and an overall attempt to keep the food low in sodium and sugar. The food is delicious (speaking from experience!). The safety measures that are in place are impressive - buzzers sound whenever any door is opened. There is constant monitoring of the medicines of each resident; it has been our experience that the caregivers notice a need for a modification of the pharmaceuticals even before the attending physicians.

Leonard and I feel extraordinarily lucky to have found your organization and we feel privileged to have Sarah as a resident.

Sincerely,
Pamela Schaeffer

Dear Israela and staff.

I want to thank you very much for taking such goof care of my mother Edith Racimora. I don't know if you realize just how much you have done for my mother means to her. I know that sometimes when my mother feels scared or sad she can get into complaining and not appreciating. Yet on many occasions she has said to me that besides living with me, she cannot imagine getting better care. If she did live with me I don't think her care would be any better, she just would not miss me and instead miss everyone else in California.

I would also like you to now that you provide a very valuable service not only to my mother, also to me and the rest of my family. Your good, caring, and kind care has made it easier for everyone in my family to enjoy my mother more, and to live our lives knowing that my mother, my children's grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend is in good hands.

Also thank you for keeping me informed about my mother. I want to know any time there is a change even if it is a good one. Also thank you for the pictures and news- letters.

Israela, please feel free to share this letter with those who care for my mother. Also feel free to show this letter to anyone who is considering placing their loved ones in your care. You can also give them my office phone number, which is (xxx) 282- xxxx. This is the best number at which to reach me.

Sincerely yours,
Richard Racimora.