Our parents lived on the Episcopal Homes campus for 5 years starting in 2014. Mom and Dad first lived in the Terrace Apartments for two years.( Dad shared newspaper delivery with Wade Tobin while they lived there.) Then they moved to Iris Park Commons when mom needed more care and support. ( She also was in Transitional Care for brief period when she had to be hospitalized before returning to Iris Park.) After mom died in 2017 dad had a hard time dealing with her absence and his dementia increased. So for his last year he was in The Gardens making friends with Karren by visiting the New Step, daily in her office on Matilida.

They were the beneficiaries of 5 of the wonderful programs of the ECH Campus. They were treated so well and loved the community and the activities available to them. As their children we were very reassured by the loving care and attention from all the staff. We were included every step of the way in decisions that were made about our parents needs. We also made use of the facilities for family gatherings during holidays and to celebrate birthdays.

We could not have been more fortunate to have our parents at ECH with the competent, attentive and genuine care they received. It's not an easy thing to watch your parents slow down and lose their faculties. In these years we saw a new level of devotion they had for one another that was beautiful and touching.

Now I feel like I will always be a part of the ECH community because of the open, welcoming spirit that our parents found there.