Dawn Davison Brown, who resides in Alabama and has roots in Louisville, began her journey with Nazareth Home at a time when her family was in crisis. Her mother, Darlene Davison, collapsed from an illness and was sent to the hospital in 2013. When Darlene was ready to be discharged, Dawn found herself desperately seeking the next solution for her mother’s care with a two-day notice. It was during the Christmas season that year that Dawn called Nazareth Home for help based on a recommendation from her husband, Rick. On the other end of that critical phone call from Alabama was Mary Haynes, Nazareth Home’s President/CEO, who became Dawn’s guiding light in her great time of need.

“I was desperate. I was calling anyone and everyone I could find on the computer in Louisville. I never dreamt that Mary Haynes would answer the phone. She will always be my angel. I am grateful beyond words. God stepped in.”

With the nurturing care provided by Nazareth Home, Dawn’s mother was able to receive the support she required – first in rehabilitation (Recovery to Home) and then in skilled nursing (Spalding Square). This gave Dawn and her family eight weeks of peace during a very difficult period. Dawn was grateful for the friendly nature of the facility, as her mother was welcomed with open arms.

“I loved the inclusiveness of Nazareth Home. Mom was Presbyterian, I’m Methodist, and I thought the Nazareth Home was predominantly for Catholics,” said Dawn.

The financial aspect of her mother’s care was also a concern, but with the help of Nazareth Home, Dawn’s brother, Ross was able to navigate this challenge. The experience at Nazareth Home strengthened Dawn’s faith and inspired her to give back. 

As a gesture of gratitude and commitment to helping others, Dawn has personally donated monthly  and placed the Nazareth Homes Foundation in her will. She also appreciates the ongoing newsletters from Nazareth Home so she can stay informed on the organization’s activities and impact. 

“I knew Mom was being cared for and did not question that. It strengthened my faith, and this is the one gift I can give back in Darlene’s memory.” 

Dawn hopes to visit Nazareth Home again sometime, expressing her deep appreciation for the excellent care her mother received and the hospitality shown to her family. Her story is a testament to the impact of generosity and the importance of supporting organizations that provide comfort and dignity to those in need.

 “I made a vow and commitment to help others to give as I could. I was shown such generosity by Nazareth Home. My Mom was not expected to live long, but Nazareth Home gave us eight weeks of compassionate care. It was a gift to me living in another state. It meant so much to me that my mother experienced eight weeks of kindness and dignity.”

Dawn Davison Brown being a monthly donor to the Nazareth Homes Foundation serves as an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your story and for your dedication to making a difference in the lives of others through your gifts.

According to AARP, the Nazareth Home has once again earned a 2024 Customer Experience Award from Pinnacle Quality Insight. This award recognized both the Highlands and Clifton Campuses. 

Nazareth Home started contracting with Pinnacle Quality to conduct customer satisfaction surveys in 2020 and has received this award every year since 2021.

The customer satisfaction report developed by Pinnacle Quality Insight is designed to measure resident satisfaction in terms of quality of care and quality of life. Nazareth Home scored within the top 15 percent of the nation across a 12-month average. Out of 2,700 care providers and 50,000 customer interviews, only those facilities that scored in the 85th percentile or higher received an award. This achievement shows our commitment to delivering exceptional care and services to the elders and patients of Nazareth Home, as well as their family members.

“We participate in customer satisfaction surveys through Pinnacle as a way to hold ourselves accountable, so we always remain focused on delivering a great experience,” said Mary Haynes, president/CEO of Nazareth Home. “This process also ensures that, when needed, our team knows where and how to make improvements to maintain a high level of quality and professionalism.”

A sampling of Nazareth Home elders and family members participated in monthly telephone interviews that included open-ended questions as well as rating Nazareth Home in specific categories. Nazareth Home aggregates these surveys on a monthly basis to gain a better understanding of resident experiences and family member perceptions, then addresses areas that may require attention.

For this year (2024), Nazareth Home was recognized in the following areas/categories:

• Activities
• Communication from Facility
• Dignity and Respect
• Dining Service
• Individual Needs
• Nursing Care
• Overall Customer Experience
• Overall Satisfaction
• Professional Therapy Services
• Recommend to Others
• Response to Problems
• Safety and Security

Here’s what a few family members had to say about Nazareth Home in customer satisfaction interviews conducted in 2023:

“It’s truly a home environment with people who care. It’s a wonderful experience for the one who lives there.” – Judy T.

“I appreciate that they have fulfilled their promises on what they said they would do, and the staff are good.” – Aaron A.

“We’ve had a good experience there. We would go back if ever needed. It was certainly a positive experience, and we would recommend it.” – James T.

According to AARP, the approximately 42 million Americans who care for a family member or friend over the age of 50 contribute $600 billion worth of free labor to the economy. However, that care is not free to them. In fact, many individuals spend about a quarter of their annual income toward caregiving costs. Being a caregiver isn’t just an economic sacrifice – it’s also an emotional and often turbulent strain for the person. Because so many caregivers function quietly, expecting nothing in return, they exist quietly with few or limited resources.

Here are a few tips, ideas, and suggestions for easing the emotional and mental strain of being a caregiver to a friend or loved one:

Tips for Coping

Set routines:

To give structure and a natural flow to each day, try doing the same basic activities around the same time each day. Routine reduces the need for small or last-minute decisions each day that can add stress.

Use a planner or calendar:

Take advantage of a planner or calendar to document the older adult’s appointments and important tasks. This reduces the possibility of last-minute surprises since you will be able to plan ahead. 

Keep a journal:

A journal can be a key caregiving tool by helping you feel more in control. Writing quick notes in a dedicated journal means you will have accurate information about what happens and when it happens. And it makes it easier to share that information with doctors, family members, and other caregivers when you need to.

Find time to relax:

If you don’t care for yourself, your own physical and mental health will decline – thus jeopardizing your ability to provide care for your loved one. Consider asking someone you trust to fill in for you so you can find time to relax and do things you enjoy. Even having short breaks can make a significant difference in your day. 

Have freezer meals on hand:

Cook ahead of time and freeze meals in advance. This removes the stress of cooking on extremely stressful days and ready-to-eat meals are often healthier than fast-food options that may not be very nutritious. Ask family and friends to prepare pre-made meals as well, like casseroles – these can save time for you on a busy day when there is no time to cook.

Build in extra time:

Prioritize the things you can do each day realistically and plan extra time for those tasks. This way, if something takes longer than it should, you’ve already built in the extra 10-15 minutes needed. And if those tasks don’t take that long at all, you have extra time.

Seek help from others:

Seek out support from people in your neighborhood, church, workplace, or elsewhere who are caregivers as well and can relate to your experience. You could also consider forming an informal support group that meets in-person, virtually or even shares tips and ideas through group chats and texts. There are also services that provide respite care for exhausted caregivers.

Resources, Gadgets, and Tools

Technology is moving fast and catching up to the needs of caregivers. In just the last few years, digital apps and devices have transformed how we care for loved ones:

• Look into GPS tracking devices to monitor a loved one and know where they are in real time.
• Home cameras linked to your phone enable you to remotely check in on the whereabouts of your loved one, whether they are eating in the kitchen or watching TV in the living room.
• Health tracking tools are flourishing on the internet and on digital apps. These can help track blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, nutrition, and some can automatically send data to your loved one’s physician.
• While using live video chats like Zoom to help your loved one remain connected to friends and family, remember to also use this time to see how they might be able to help you as well.
• Use erasable whiteboards and calendars located throughout the home for reminders, instructions, and directions, especially for loved ones living with dementia.
• If the home is equipped with one of Amazon’s Alexa voice-controlled devices (like Echo), verbal alarms and reminders can be set up, and offer shopping options for those with mobility issues and assistance making phone calls. News and music are also readily available. 

Being a caregiver can be very challenging. So it’s important for caregivers to find ways to take care of their own needs, otherwise caring for an elder may become a struggle, or worse, impossible if your own health suffers. Caregivers can’t provide adequate care if they’re running on empty and should prioritize their own wellness to avoid anxiety, frustration, and burnout.