As the caretaker of four elderly sisters , 2 who were in assisted living facilities, I learned quickly that they are not all created equal!

When I needed to move one of my aunts from a facility she was in for a period of time to a new one, I was blessed to find The Cliffs at Eagle Rock. From the moment I entered this facility I realized it was a home, a home where people could spend their remaining years in the presence of the most loving, supportive, and professional caregivers.

The building is so very clean and beautifully decorated. It has a warm and welcoming feeling. The grounds are beautiful and the activities are endless! However, it is the caretakers who really set this place apart from the others! Everyone, and I mean everyone, from every department, is encouraging, kind, and compassionate with the aging. Your family is treated like their family!

After having lived through two other facilities, I am aware of what needs to be done to take care of someone in need. I always felt confident and comfortable leaving my aunt in the care of the loving Aides and Nurses at The Cliffs. Your loved one will feel like they are someone special, and you will have peace of mind knowing that they are being cared for by the best.

As a former special education teacher, The Cliffs at Eagle Rock gets an A+

When it became clear that my 98-year-old mother, Rosalia, would soon no longer be safe in an independent environment, even with assistance from daily aides, I began looking in earnest for a place to care for Mom. My first visit to the Cliffs convinced me that this was the place. But because so many people agreed, there was no spot for Mom. I asked Charlotte to put her name on the “waiting list”, and I kept looking. Indeed, Mom spent time in another facility who gave respite care while I was on a trip. However, I prayed that a spot would open up at The Cliffs, and often dropped in to see if anything had. I pretty much hounded Charlotte!

Finally, prayers were answered, and Mom became a resident. With old age and clinical depression working against her, the staff at the Cliffs kept her busy and engaged to her fullest ability. Even though mom had been reluctant to enter a nursing home, she soon felt comfortable, and my frequent visits helped to ease her anxiety. We both came to know and love the staff at the Cliffs, who took wonderful and gentle care of her.

In addition to having some Easter and Christmas dinners with Mom, we celebrated her 100th birthday with a big family party in the church basement, and on her 101st birthday, with a smaller celebration in the family dining room.

I can never thank the wonderful staff at the Cliffs enough for doing the job that I was unable to do . . . and they did it with love and enthusiasm.

To say that the Cliffs in West Orange is a wonderful place would be an understatement…. It is extraordinary, and I am very comfortable saying that there is none like it and none better.

Annmarie Rogers, Rosalia Barbato’s Daughter

I hope you, the residents, and your staff are doing well during these trying times. I can’t even begin to imagine how each of you copes with the stress and sadness that must define your days.

Enclosed is a holiday gift for your staff in recognition of the support they showed my mom during the early days of the pandemic. We were profoundly grateful that she was surrounded by such kind and loving people during the last days of her life. Although she could not see us in person, she had all of you at The Cliffs who in many ways had become her second family. In particular, your choice of Maria to help my mother every day was inspired. She treated my mother with such love and kindness. I’m sure my mother came to think of Maria as one of her daughters.

My sisters and I shall always be grateful for the wonderful care my mom received while she was a resident at The Cliffs.

Fondly,

Angela

Little did we know when my husband had to be moved into The Haven at The Cliffs, it would be a 5 ½ year journey. Over the years, I spent a lot of time there with him and when I could not be there, I knew the staff was providing loving care for him.

The range of activities and entertainment, a well-thought-out menu customized for each resident, a concerned nursing staff, all provided a very comfortable atmosphere at The Cliffs for one to age-in-place.

Concerns for the resident by the family were always address in a timely manner. We were very fortunate to have found the Cliffs.

Lenore

Recently I read an interview published in the Cliffs Chronicles where Sharde, Food Service Supervisor, provided a poignant quote, “The difference at the Cliffs from other facilities is the “homey” feeling that I get whenever I go to work.” And for me, she has captured the essence of my emotion every time I walk through the doors at the Cliffs. For over 6 years my mother, Madeline, has been a resident here and since I live nearby, I have been a regular visitor. Sharde describes the feeling of trust, belonging and comfort that I have always experienced from both the staff and residents. She went on to say that she comes to work to see her family! In all honesty, I can say I share her sentiments. The Cliffs at Eagle Rock became my family too. My sincere thanks to the whole staff for all you have done for my mom and all the residents and families.

With deepest appreciation,

M Kessler

I think so often of all of you good people who cared for my mother, Inez Walsh.

I am grateful for the memories of her making the staff and especially her personal caretakers laugh. It has been a heartbreaking year and it will take a long time to grieve our loss as I know it will for so many others. I hope each and every caring soul at The Cliffs knows how important their work is to residents and families, alike. I regret that Mom was not able to have the chance to be fully acclimated to her lifestyle there – she would have been an asset to The Cliff’s community.

Thank you, All, for your dedicated, caring and loving gifts of service to our most precious elderly! With hope for your good health, well-being, and for a year ahead of joy and peace and love.

With sincere gratitude,

C. Drappi

On behalf of my brother and myself, I wish to thank Leni de Guzman and all the wonderful staff at the Cliffs for the care and concern that was evident every time we visited our Mom.   No matter when we stopped by to visit there was always an Administrator or staff member available to discuss any issues that might arise.  The care and comfort that was extended during my Mom’s stay was outstanding.  There was such a feeling of “family” when you entered the doors, you knew everyone there was loving and compassionate.  Mom’s stay, unfortunately, was only four months long but those four months and the care she received at The Cliffs will always be fondly remembered.  Thanks again to one and all.

Our Mother, Ricky Zarn, lived in The Haven at The Cliffs at Eagle Rock for the last year and a half, until she died peacefully in November 5^th. We are enormously grateful that she was able to spend this last stage of her life here, where she was consistently treated with love, respect, and dignity. When we found The Cliffs and read that it is a Baptist home, we worried whether it was the right place for Mom as a Jew. It was absolutely the right place for her! Not only was she welcome there and her religion respected and celebrated, but the leadership and staff of The Cliffs have a genuine calling to care for the elderly of all backgrounds and religions. They truly do God’s work.

The staff of The Cliffs provides excellent, loving care to its residents. While many of the staff contributed to her safety and wellbeing, we must mention a few of the people with who Ricky and her family had a special bond. First and foremost is Monica Brooks. She is an extraordinary person and her leadership skills and gift of making connections with persons with dementia set the tone for The Haven. Mom loved Monica and Monica’s bond with her was incredibly strong. Monica was able to communicate with and understand mom even as Ricky’s ability to speak receded. She was like mom’s fourth daughter.

The leadership team at The Cliffs has been our genuine partner throughout mom’s stay there. Leni was always available and concerned and her fine leadership is crucial to the success of The Cliffs.

We are enormously grateful that our mother was able to spend this last stage of her life here, where she was consistently treated with love, respect, and dignity. The Cliffs have a genuine calling to care for the elderly of all backgrounds and religions. The Director of Nursing is a loving person who knows how to give care in a respectful and dignified manner. We would be remiss if we did not mention how clean and lovely the physical plant of The Cliffs is and that is not trivial.

Whenever we had a concern or an issue, Leni, Monica and Orlando would meet with Ada Beth, listen carefully to our concerns, thank us for bringing these issues to their attention and immediately address them. Who could ask for more?

Ricky Zarn had a wonderful life and she and our entire family were blessed with the love and care she received in her final year and a half at The Cliffs. We thank you all form the bottom of our hearts and may God bless you and everyone at The Cliffs.

Ada Beth Cutler