Our House for Respite

Pros

• The staff of Our House for Respite are regarded as the greatest and provide excellent care.
• The staff take special care of residents and create a loving, family-like environment.
• The home offers peace of mind to families through patient, attentive care.
• Verly Polk and Hamah Young make the experience overwhelmingly beautiful for families.
• The residence is small and residential, clean and well-maintained, with a caring staff whose passion is helping the elderly or disabled.
• Meals are home-cooked and routines are spot on in a spacious, home-like setting.
• The staff are described as angels, careful and attentive, and as friends to residents and their families.
• The facility is a safe, quiet, welcoming home with love and tenderness from caregivers.
• Families report no regrets about choosing Our House for Respite and praise the peace of mind it provides.
• The place is highly recommended for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer's, due to capable, patient, and compassionate staff.
• The environment is clean, inviting, and family-oriented, with residents treated like family.

Review

The collection of heartfelt messages about Our House for Respite (OHFR) paints a powerful, consistent portrait of a small, family-centered residential care home that feels more like a private home than a facility. Across many voices and many years, the recurring themes are care that is attentive, compassionate, and deeply personal; a setting that prioritizes dignity and comfort; and staff who are seen not just as caregivers, but as extended family members who treat residents with genuine love. For families who have had to place a loved one in someone else's hands, the consensus is that OHFR offers a rare combination of professional reliability and warm, intimate attention that brings a remarkable sense of peace of mind.

A standout feature in these accounts is the people at the heart of OHFR - Verly Polk, her son Hamah (often referred to simply as Hamah in the reminiscences), and a devoted team of staff whose dedication shines through in every note. Time and again, reviewers speak of Verly and Hamah as the anchors of the home, guiding care with a calm leadership that feels both capable and kind. The praise is emphatic: they are described as the absolute best, with staff who are angels, caring and patient, always with a smile. For families who worry about leaving a loved one in someone else's care, the sense that the owners are genuinely invested in each resident's wellbeing offers a rare and deeply comforting reassurance.

The personal stories in these reviews span a range of ages and conditions, but they share a common thread: OHFR provides a place where loved ones are treated with respect, tenderness, and individualized attention. One reviewer describes a husband who had never been apart from his wife until his stay at the House of Respite, and notes that the care his wife received there allowed him to feel the depth of her love and the quality of her care from a distance. Another family reflects on two years with their mother living there, highlighting how the small, residential setting enabled the staff to give her the attention she deserved - attention that many families feel would be impossible in larger, more impersonal environments. In each case, the emphasis is on a humane, compassionate approach that makes the experience of needing to place a loved one less daunting and more like joining a caring circle.

The depth of care described extends beyond medical attention to encompass everyday life and the home atmosphere itself. Reviews frequently mention the home-like layout - a spacious living room, dining room, kitchen, an outdoor deck, and a gazebo - as well as home-cooked meals and a daily routine that feels predictable and comforting. The setting is portrayed as a bright, well-maintained, gated residence where residents can enjoy normalcy and privacy, while still benefitting from professional supervision and support. The language used - "home environment," "spotless," "clean and welcoming" - underscores the sense that OHFR strives to preserve dignity and normalcy, even in the context of aging, dementia, or physical limitations.

Many of the stories center on the positive impact of OHFR on families' peace of mind. One reviewer explicitly calls the care a "gift from God," noting how the staff's capable, patient, and loving approach helped their mother through dementia and later physical decline. The sense of relief - knowing a loved one is in capable hands, that they are treated with respect and kindness, and that family members are welcome and able to visit - comes through as a common refrain. Other families describe how OHFR's compassion and professionalism allowed them not only to trust the care but to reclaim aspects of their own lives that caregiving had previously consumed. The recurring sentiment is that OHFR doesn't just provide care; it restores balance, confidence, and a sense of life continuing with dignity.

The testimonials also highlight the breadth of positive experiences - from long-term respite placements to end-of-life care. Several accounts emphasize the staff's attentiveness and the idea that residents are thought of as family members. For a grandmother or mother facing Alzheimer's or other aging challenges, these caregivers become more than medical aides; they become trusted companions who honor familiar routines, respect family visits, and maintain a sense of continuity and warmth. The combination of professional expertise and genuine affection is presented as the unique strength of OHFR, enabling families to feel that their loved ones are cherished with every interaction.

A few reviews stand out for their explicit endorsements of the staff's character and the home's atmosphere. The language used - "the home environment is blessed," "the staff are angels," and "they become your family" - conveys a deep sense of gratitude and belonging. The observations about cleanliness, the thoughtful care, and the willingness to go above and beyond further reinforce the impression of a place where care is not routine but personalized and heartfelt. In short, the testimonials suggest that OHFR delivers a level of empathetic, attentive service that makes a difficult transition feel meaningful and restorative.

Taken together, these accounts present OHFR as a rare kind of eldercare experience: intimate and home-like, yet professional and reliable; intimate enough to feel like family, yet organized enough to provide peace of mind for those who must entrust their loved ones to others. The consistent thread is trust - trust in Verly, Hamah, and the staff; trust that the daily care will be thoughtful, compassionate, and consistent; trust that the residents' preferences, routines, and needs will be honored. For families who seek a place where a loved one can receive tender, loving care in a respectful, dignified, and welcoming environment, all signs in these stories point to OHFR as a compassionate choice worth considering.

If you are exploring options for a parent, spouse, or another loved one, these testimonials encourage taking the step to visit and meet the people behind OHFR. The sentiments are clear: the owners and the team genuinely care, the home environment supports comfort and safety, and the overall experience yields not only excellent care but a renewed sense of peace for families. The final message across the many voices is a strong invitation - meet Verly Polk, meet Hamah, and see for yourself how a small, devoted team can transform the experience of respite and care into something that feels, to families, like coming home.

This part of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking for a comfortable and active lifestyle. With several reputable medical facilities in close proximity, including endoscopy and sleep centers, dermatology associates, pediatric medicine offices, and hospitals such as Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, seniors can easily access quality healthcare services. In addition, there are plenty of dining options nearby ranging from fast food chains like Taco Bell and McDonald's to more upscale restaurants like Goodwood Grill & Market. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS are also easily accessible for medication needs. For recreation, there are cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks for social gatherings or leisurely coffee breaks, as well as theaters and parks within a short driving distance. Overall, this area provides a blend of convenience and healthcare services that cater to the needs of seniors looking to make the most out of their retirement years.

Physicians

• Louisiana Endoscopy Center (0.5 miles)
• Louisiana Sleep Foundation (1.2 miles)
• Eye Care Surgery Center (1.3 miles)
• Bella Family Medical (1.5 miles)
• Louisiana Dermatology Associates (1.5 miles)
• Associates in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (1.6 miles)
• Allergy Clinic (1.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (0.8 miles)
• Don Carter's All Star Lanes (0.8 miles)
• Original Dearman's Soda Shop (1.3 miles)
• Goodwood Grill & Market (1.4 miles)
• Newk's Franchise (1.7 miles)
• The Chimes East (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Centene Corporation (0.8 miles)
• Healthsouth Rehabilitation, Hospital of Baton Rouge (1 miles)
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (1.4 miles)
• Our Lady Of The Lake Children’s Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Internal Medicine at O'Donovan (2 miles)
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Baton Rouge General Medical Center (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Brew Ha Ha (2.8 miles)
• la Madeleine (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Coffee Call (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Broadmoor United Methodist Church (2.2 miles)
• St George Catholic Church (3.3 miles)

Theaters

• MovieTavern (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• Hertz Rent A Car (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Parklawn Park (3 miles)