April 29th, 2010 (written by the son of a new resident)

I just wanted to thank you and the wonderful staff at Watermark at East Hill, and share some of my experiences during the two week endeavor of getting my parents settled. When I arrived at their home in Heritage Village on April 8, I knew something needed to be done, but didn’t know where to begin. We were considering a live in aid but knew that was less than an optimal solution. We looked at [another Southbury lifecare community] but the reception we got there was cold and clinical. Even my dad, who is usually not perceptive in such matters, realized that something was wrong and insisted we look at Watermark at East Hill again. When we arrived at East Hill, we were met with the warm smiles of Anne and Heather. After spending a few hours with Heather looking at apartments and having lunch, I was convinced that this is what I wanted for my parents but didn’t think we would be able to afford it. After going over their finances with her and then getting your approval, I felt I must have a guardian angel.

Once it was established that the move was feasible, there was still much to be done. Their condo had to be put on the market and all of their things needed to be moved and the house had to be cleaned out. The list of resources provided by Watermark proved invaluable and because of the trust that Heather had instilled, it saved me days of looking for movers and a real estate agent. Again, everyone I dealt with seemed to bend over backwards to help. During the week that followed, whatever help I needed, Heather and Dorothy were always there and always with a smile.

On the day after the move, my mom was not up to eating in the dining room and asked me to get her a salad at the coffee shop. When I got there, there weren’t many salads left and so I called my mom to see what else might work. Jeff overheard me and said he could make whatever she wanted. I gave him the phone and he put together exactly what she wanted.

Even a casual encounter with Theresa from the dining room showed evidence of the universal sense of caring that I have received from everyone at Watermark.
The only snag I ran into during this whole adventure involved transferring my mom’s Internet service to the new apartment. I did not realize how long the AT&T process was and I was not able to be around for the final step of the installation. Again, the staff at Watermark came to the rescue, this time in the person of Kathleen who assured me before I left, that she would get my mom up and running. True to her promise, my mom’s Internet service was up and running this afternoon.

As further evidence of the positive atmosphere at Watermark, even the movers commented on how much nicer it is to do a move to Watermark at East Hill compared to [another Southbury lifecare community].

Again, words cannot express how indebted I feel to everyone I have met at Watermark at East Hill. Without the constant support from everyone I dealt with, I don’t think I could have done this. Please feel free to share my thoughts with your wonderful staff.

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Dear David,
I was talking with Michelle about my wonderful visit with my daughter and granddaughter. She said I should tell you because Watermark at East Hill was the perfect host. Perhaps this is the way you envisioned this place to be used.

They came late Wednesday night from Vermont. Before settling with the Birchwood Guestroom we did a lot of catch-up talking and laughing and polished off a bottle of wine I had purchased at our own Bar/Pub.

The following morning we met for breakfast in the new Gallery Café then off to the new fitness center where the three of us worked out on all the new equipment. After ¾ of an hour my granddaughter took a quick swim in the new swimming pool.

Did some shopping, having ordered Box Lunches from the Watermark Kitchen. The day was so beautiful that a picnic was a necessity.

I had several meetings to go to so they packed up their car for later departure. We agreed to meet at the Bar/Pub for a drink at 4:30. There we joined other residents eating shrimp in a basket for supper. The Vermonters left shortly after having been thoroughly Watermarked!

It was a lovely visit and I never left the campus!

Happily,
Barbara Hamlin

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