Aunt Mona's Care Home

Pros

• The community provides excellent care in a safe environment, contributing to the loved one's well-being.
• Mona McCallister made the difficult transition smoother by taking the time to understand the resident's needs and concerns.
• Residents at Aunt Mona's enjoy a variety of stimulating activities, fostering social interaction among them.
• The flexible visiting hours allow family members to spend quality time with their loved ones easily.
• Since moving to Aunt Mona's, there has been a remarkable improvement in the resident’s behavior and daily habits.
• The balanced meals and snacks provided are crucial for residents' health, particularly for those with dietary restrictions.
• The clean and organized environment of the group home reflects the high standards maintained by the staff.
• Overall, the positive atmosphere and kindness of the staff contribute significantly to residents’ happiness and sense of community.

Cons

• There was a lack of privacy in the dining area.
• There was also a lack of respect at the community.
• The assisted living option reminded her of a hospital setting, which was not desirable.
• Attempting to care for her mother personally became overwhelming and ineffective.
• The rooms in the private home were too small (8x8 rooms) for comfort.
• The mother's behavior before moving in included sleeping all day, staying up half the night, and refusing medication, indicating significant issues prior to her transition.

Review

When it comes to finding the right care for a loved one, the decision can be both daunting and emotional. For families seeking assisted living options, various factors come into play—level of care, environment, socialization opportunities, and the overall atmosphere of the community. In exploring these options, one family ultimately chose Aunt Mona’s—a smaller community that offered an intimate setting devoid of the hospital-like ambiance found in larger facilities. Although there were some concerns regarding privacy in the dining area and a perceived lack of respect at certain moments, their experience has largely been positive.

The decisive factor for choosing Aunt Mona's was not only its size but also its location. It allowed for convenient visits from her husband, who could easily bring her home for family time. This aspect proved invaluable as family connection is often crucial in such settings. The food served at Aunt Mona’s received high praise for its quality, and the staff consistently demonstrated kindness and a friendly demeanor which reassured the family about their loved one's well-being.

Mona McCallister played a vital role in easing this family's transition into assisted living. Her attentiveness was evident from the beginning; she took time to understand not just the needs of the resident but also addressed each concern expressed by family members. This level of personalized care helped ensure that their loved one's move was as seamless as possible amidst what can often be a challenging process.

One particular challenge for this family stemmed from their loved one's recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Just six months prior to moving into Aunt Mona's, they attempted to provide care themselves with some assistance from an agency and help from friends or relatives. However, it quickly became apparent that this arrangement wasn't sustainable: their mother’s sleeping patterns were erratic; she exhibited inappropriate eating habits; refused medication; and experienced episodes of anger and depression.

Since relocating to Aunt Mona's, however, significant improvements have unfolded in their mother's behavior and daily routines. The structured environment provided her with three balanced meals along with snacks every day—an essential consideration given her diabetic status. Being surrounded by peers has also fostered meaningful interactions; one touching example included her joyfully sharing Valentine candy with fellow residents, highlighting how she began to view them as friends rather than strangers.

While this family felt they had firmly planted roots within Aunt Mona's community due to these positive changes, potential challenges related to socialization remained on their mind. They recognized that while Aunt Mona's had many advantages—the cleanliness of facilities managed by a very organized type A director—that perhaps other environments might better cater to higher social needs should those arise in future discussions about care options.

This heartwarming narrative shines a light on both the triumphs and challenges faced when transitioning a loved one into assisted living arrangements. As families ponder similar difficult decisions involving elder care or memory support communities, understanding personal preferences—whether it be larger social settings or intimate group homes—is critical in ensuring both peace of mind for families as well as a fulfilling life experience for residents like those at Aunt Mona's.

This part of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to relocate. With multiple pharmacies located within close proximity, access to necessary medications and healthcare supplies is readily available. In addition, there are several cafes and restaurants offering a variety of dining options, as well as theaters for entertainment. The area also features numerous parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For medical needs, there are reputable physicians nearby, ensuring quality healthcare services. Places of worship provide spiritual support, while transportation options like the nearby Long Beach Airport offer convenience for travel needs. Overall, this part of Rancho Palos Verdes offers a well-rounded and accessible environment for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Lees Sandwiches - Gard (7.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.7 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)
• Donut King 2 (9.1 miles)
• Corner Bakery Cafe (10.2 miles)
• Starbucks (10.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Rolling Hills 2 (2 miles)
• AMC Del Amo 18 (5.1 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN South Bay Galleria 16 (7.7 miles)

Parks

• De Portola Park (2.4 miles)
• Sur La Brea Park (3.3 miles)
• Charles H. Wilson Park (4.3 miles)
• Sunnyglen Park (6.6 miles)
• Shoreline Aquatic Park (7.5 miles)
• Rainbow Lagoon Park (7.8 miles)
• Noble Park (8.3 miles)

Physicians

• Monica B Espiritu M.D. | Kaiser Permanente (2.5 miles)
• Paulson Theresa A Palos Verdes Dermatology Rolling Hills Estates (2.6 miles)
• Harbor Ucla Medical Center - David Durkovich Do (4.9 miles)
• Lighthouse Pediatrics (5.4 miles)
• UCLA Health Manhattan Beach Pediatrics (9.4 miles)

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (2.7 miles)
• King's Hawaiian Bakery (4.1 miles)
• Tendon Tempura Carlos Junior Restaurant (4.8 miles)
• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (5 miles)
• McDonald's (5.7 miles)
• Monkish Brewing (5.8 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Peninsula Community Church (3 miles)
• St Catherine Laboure Church (8 miles)

Transportation

• Port Of Long Beach (8 miles)
• Metro - Willow Street Station (8.2 miles)
• Komar Aviation Group (10.1 miles)
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) (10.9 miles)