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

There are no words to express the gratitude we feel on the care that was given to our Mother over all these years.  The Administrators and staff at the Cliffs show an amazing amount of dedication and compassion. You are all truly sensitive to the needs of your residents.

Over the 11 years that my Mother made her second home at the Cliffs, there was never a time that she felt that her life was useless or not complete. In the beginning of her stay, she thoroughly enjoyed the activities that were provided to the residents. She especially enjoyed playing dominoes and all the lunch trips that were provided. She was always ready to help out wherever she could and that made her feel useful and gave her a sense of accomplishment.

In her later years, when her health began to fail, the care she received was outstanding. Her family cannot begin to repay you for the generosity and love that the staff and administrators provided. Please accept this token of our extreme gratitude.

Our Mother originally was a resident of The Presbyterian Home in Newton, KS in the Alzheimers wing. When her husband died, my sister and I were confronted with the dilemma of leaving her in familiar surroundings in Kansas or bringing her to New Jersey and The Cliffs. With prayer, I knew it was the right time to move her closer to us. It was not a simple decision nor was the trip on an airplane with a 91 year old, but once Mom was safely in her new room at The Cliffs, I was at peace with our decision. The Cliffs had arranged for everything and her room was fully furnished when we arrived. When I looked out the window of her new room, I saw a spacious Interior courtyard, walking paths, green lawns, flowers, and beautiful blooming red bud trees. I knew Mom was home.
Mother received excellent care from the Cliff’s staff over the next 4 years. I noticed Mom’s mental acuity actually improved because of the many special daily activities in the Haven. Mom and I always attended the Annual Christmas Concert in the Chapel and when I would come before lunch, we would sing old songs from the 40’s with all the Haven residents. When possible, I would push her wheel chair around the beautiful walking paths surrounding the Cliffs.
On Mother’s Day 2015, I wheeled Mom around the Cliffs and decided to take her to the Upper Gazebo. Below is a picture taken that day in May; I treasure this beautiful moment, her last Mother’s Day.

When mother began to fail, St. Barnabas Hospice was called to assist in her final days at the Cliffs. Hospice along with the Cliff’s staff took such wonderful care of Mom and helped my sister and me to fully understand the dying process. Daily, Cliff’s staff would come to Mom’s room to comfort and pray with us. The compassion and sincerity exhibited during those last days was almost beyond words.
I so appreciate the 4 years Mom spent at The Cliffs. Thank you, thank you too all who knew and cared for our Mother, known affectionately at the Cliffs as Gee Gee.