Unsolicited written comments received
from residents and family members.

One of the first answers most people give when asked something like: "Why do you work at New Horizons?" is that they enjoy working with our wonderful seniors. One of the most important reasons New Horizons' staff enjoys working with these truly great residents is that their work is so often greatly appreciated by the residents and their families.

The many generous notes and letters, such as all of these below, go a long way in turning a tough day into a real pleasure. We are pleased to share with readers a few selected comments from unsolicited notes and letters, all of which reflect so well on our hardworking staffs in Marlborough and in Woburn.
 

"Eddie moved into New Horizons and became a new man . . . I really believe this was because his spirits were much better and because of the wonderful staff you have working with you . . . I can not say enough about the staff at New Horizons. I have never met such devoted, hard working, kind and caring individuals as the New Horizons staff."

Beth McCabe, Chelmsford

"What is your secret? Do you sprinkle pixie dust on the staff as they arrive at work? The reason I ask is because, for three years, whenever I talk to anyone at New Horizons they are friendly, helpful, and upbeat. No one seems to be a grouch or having a bad day. It truly is amazing!"

Betsy C. D'Angelo, Spring Green, WI

"On behalf of my mother and my entire family, we would like to take this opportunity to commend you on the superb care and service excellence that was always exhibited at your excellent facility. It is truly obvious that all, and I do mean all, of your employees have one thing on their mind each day. That is to serve their residents in the best way they can. I will always remember your facility with your dedicated staff as the best that I could have chosen."

Lois Ann Pappalardo, RN, Winchester

"The staff here has been tremendous, and to single out any one person or group would be a terrible disservice to all the others."

Eileen Williams, Woburn

"There have been miraculous changes in my mother since she's been with you at New Horizons. I never thought it would be possible, but your wonderful staff and facility have enabled her to enjoy life more than ever. For that I am eternally grateful."

Bonnie Wilson, Marlborough

"You and your staff were the key elements in my father's satisfaction with New Horizons and in my peace of mind in having him there."

Edward M. Bolesky, Marlborough

"In a very short time after Elaine moved and settled in, she realized that she had made the right decision to choose New Horizons for her new home. She could not be happier! I would like to personally thank you and your caring staff for making New Horizons the wonderful place that it is."

Judith Freeman, Waltham

"She went from calling it her "room" to her "home." You were always responsive to her needs and concerns; she and the rest of our family appreciate this caring."

Nancy Plumhoff, Stow

"I do want to extend my sincere thanks to you all who made the anniversary of New Horizons such a memorable event. I am certainly happy to belong now to New Horizons, and can take part in the various activities and functions. It is a caring facility."

Patricia Cogswell, Woburn

"The day my mother moved to New Horizons, two years ago, Ginger sat behind the front desk and greeted her with "Welcome home, Mrs. Schlemm!" I knew then that we had made a very good decision. I just wanted to extend a very heartfelt thank you from my family to yours."

Joanie Daniels, Bolton

"It is a gift to the family to know how wonderfully the residents respond to such a comfortable atmosphere . . . it brings a great sense of life back into their lives."

Connie and Jim Micarelli, Wakefield

"I have often marveled at the quality of your employees. Never once have I visited and not been impressed by the outpouring of concern they show to all the residents. My stepmother has never been happier than during the four years she has spent at New Horizons.

Joan Sopp, Sarasota, FL

"Thank you for a wonderful Mother's Day: the lovely dinner provided by the kitchen and dining room staff, the great band who played for us, the cocktail hour with fellowship time, and as always our own George Bustin for his musical gifts. I am very glad I spent this time "at home" - it was a joy-filled day! Oops - I almost forgot our lovely corsages - each one seemed to add to the sparkle in our mothers' eyes."

Jean Smith, Woburn

"I always find everyone cheerful and helpful, a very nicely run establishment, well maintained and very clean. I find a knowledgeable staff always eager to please. My family and I appreciate all your kindness."

Linda DeMeo, Ashland

"Thank you for helping to make my 95th such a happy surprise. It was exciting to see all my young relatives, and I was proud to show them my comfortable, friendly "home." They are pleased to know I am so well cared for. Thank you for all the kind attention you have given to me."

Josephine Meagher, Woburn

"Wherever I have gone at New Horizons, I've encountered warmth and genuine care of staff in their contact with the residents. They truly reflect the philosophy that underlies the whole place. I know from the comments of many residents how they appreciate the day to day spirit of friendliness that pervades New Horizons."

Fr. Gene Trainor, Marlborough

"There was no way we could have foreseen that our mother would come to be so loved there, as well as so cared for. Please accept our profound gratitude knowing you have made such a difference in our lives."

Donna and Landa Linse, Boxborough

"I am deeply grateful to the entire staff who have given of themselves to respect, care, and love her. The nurses and aides are the finest group of professional caregivers I have ever met. Their devotion to the residents is unparalleled. . . I am sure in the years to come, the New Horizons staff will continue to provide care and love to all. Thank you."

Regina Cantella, Winchester

"A true family atmosphere is so evident there, and the constant caring for each resident lifts their spirits, as well as the family members."

Julie Gorgone, Marlborough

"Thanks again for the thoughtful care and kindness you gave Doug. You made him very happy for the six years he spent with so many friends. We will always remember this."

Family of Douglas J. White, Woburn

"Our family is sincerely indebted to the staff for the care and concern which so many have extended in loving and gracious ways to my mother in her nearly three years there. Many, many thanks."

Frank Fiorentino, Winchester

"New Horizons has been a wonderful home for my mother. It's not just the beautiful facilities that make New Horizons such a special place, it is the exceptional caring of the staff, their skill and patience and their willingness to go 'above and beyond the call of duty' to serve their residents."

Nancy Love, Acton

"Everybody is so happy here. I tell my friends from Needham that it is paradise on earth."

Donna E. MacDonald, Marlborough

"The warmth and caring of your staff have been most impressive. As a clinical psychologist with many years experience in residential and hospital living, I have been most impressed with how your total program approaches the needs of seniors with respect, sincerity, warmth, positive thinking and a degree of individualized attention I would never have dreamed possible (you can quote me)."

Dr. Richard T. Monahan, Sudbury

"We always had a positive feeling of caring and professionalism from each and every member of your staff . . . We hope you know our deep feelings of gratitude for the years Joe spent there. It truly was a 'second' home for all of us."

Dolores McManus, Lexington

"Just to be here has been a lifesaver for me. I felt surrounded by love. I am so glad we chose New Horizons as our home."

Dot Weldon, Woburn

"I wouldn't give up my [New Horizons] apartment even if I won Megabucks."

Mary Lombardo, Marlborough

"Michael has been so happy there. He calls his room "home." From the first day of Michael's arrival in November 1998, the friendliness of the caregivers and support staff has been just perfect. It is a culture of caring."

Deacon James and Muriel Kerrigan, Woburn

"I knew this was home as soon as I picked up the telephone. Eleven years later, New Horizons has been everything I could have dreamed of. There's no other place like this- I can see why so many other seniors are waiting to move in."

Bill Young - former resident of 15 years

"Too bad that I had to wait to grow old to live here."

Ginny Schwenn, Marlborough

"My mother could not be happier. New Horizons sets the standard for assisted and independent living communities throughout the country. If there were more communities such as New Horizons, senior citizens would get the respect, dignity, and quality of life they so richly deserve."

David M. Young, Marlborough

"I want to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff . . . for their outstanding efforts to make my mother's stay as comfortable and happy as possible. A good part of my career was as president of a large corporation. If I were still running a company, I would hire every one of them on the spot. They understand the important of client satisfaction."

Sal Macera, New Seabury

"Last evening I was enjoying a sunset walk outside my apartment, and thoroughly enjoying the beauty of the flowering trees and bulbs, I was thinking of Mother's Day. Suddenly I felt the presence of my long-departed mother at my side. She let me know that she has been looking down on me, and I am to let you know she is so happy that I am spending my dotage years here, in such a lovely place. A place where I can keep active and live life as I enjoy it."

Pearl Carella, Marlborough

"I wish to thank the staff for the kindness and care extended to my father in the year and a half he resided at New Horizons. Moving in was not easy for him, but the staff very slowly and patiently involved him in activities. He ultimately became known for his Bingo prowess! I'm sure that my father would want me to extend his thanks to you and the rest of the staff."

Sandra Morse, Wellesley

"During her five years at New Horizons, Mom appeared to be the happiest she had been in years and for this we have you folks and New Horizons to thank. Her entire family are most grateful."

Barbara Schleicher, Marlborough

"On behalf of the entire Ciotti family, I extend to the board of trustees and the wonderful staff at New Horizons, our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for being such a warm and friendly part of my mother's life. Although she only spent 15 months at New Horizons, that time was enhanced by the facility and the manner in which it operates, and most assuredly by its devoted and highly competent staff."

Daniel Ciotti, Winchester

"I happen to work at South Shore Hospital, and I have also worked for Mediplex Nursing facilities years ago. I have never seen a facility that impressed me as yours did! I hope that someday your company will build in the South Shore too. The company has thought of everything."

Ellen Clinton, South Shore

"The residents have voluntarily told me how much they enjoy being there. I wonder if you realize the effect you all have on its success. My name is Ida Boodakian, and I approve this message."

Ida Boodakian - trustee, Winchester

"Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to you and all your staff for the care and concern shown to my mother during the last four years. She was the happiest I have seen her, and you made her last few days as comfortable as was possible, right down to personally sending her off in the ambulance."

June E. Coye, Windmermere, FL

"I do want to take this opportunity to thank you and all your staff for the last 15 years. You provided Uncle Bill with a wonderful home and superb care. He was truly very happy at New Horizons. To quote Bill, 'He didn't know he was entering heaven on his arrival there'."

Ann Suskind, Lexington

"If they gave Academy Awards for retirement communities, we would certainly nominate New Horizons!"

signed "A grateful, appreciative and satisfied resident"

"My sister and I send our thanks for your hospitality at the recent summer reception. As usual, you did a wonderful job planning and presenting this event, but most important of all to the success of this party is the friendship and helpfulness you show to all the guests, residents, and visitors alike. Thank you for the lovely party and for all the kind and helpful things you do throughout the year."

Lorraine Keating, Arlington

"My aunt and uncle adjusted to their new lifestyle immediately. They made new friends, enjoyed the many activities and field trips, loved the dining room atmosphere and the general feeling of family that New Horizons promoted for the residents. When I would visit or have dinner, I would observe that special bond between staff members and residents."

Fred C. Cammon, Woburn

"Not only is your staff competent, but you should be proud that they are friendly, caring and working long hours without breaks! Quite an adjustment for us - as the former owners of an old Victorian, 13-room house, 115 years old! One call brought wonderful help and comfort."

Max and Betty Miller

"New Horizons was truly Alyce's home. She was her happiest there. She loved taking her guests on the grand tour. We feel very fortunate to have been part of her life there. It brought us together with the wonderful people who are New Horizons. We plan to stay in touch!"

Bill and Marge Monahan, Arlington

"I am having a difficult time putting into words what New Horizons meant to our family. New Horizons was my grandfather's home for six years, and it was home to him. And I am thankful we were able to bring my grandfather home to New Horizons for his final service. Then to host a reception there after the service was above and beyond any words we can express."

Denise, Meghan, and Christopher, Hudson
 

New Horizons' management is exceedingly proud of its accomplished staff, and equally pleased to add its own praise to the chorus of compliments above. Working alongside the staff, our managers are able to observe a great many of the above-and-beyond-the-call actions by staff that prompt so many residents and family members to send in their extraordinary letters.

Additionally, as managers, they are also privy on a daily basis to even more acts by staff that further reveal their dedication and kindness, but that are hidden from view of most residents and visitors. We believe it is our staff of exceptional people that has most enabled New Horizons to build its reputation as a truly caring place where residents enjoy good living and each other.