Joyful Living

Renee'

Chris was such an excellent resource in helping me to think through what the options would be for my mom. I truly appreciated his candor, wisdom and creativity. He is definitely an asset to this heartbreaking business.

DM

Kosta at Smyrna is a well balanced facility. It's a situation where most caregivers are licensed and work on shifts. They're very consistent with their treatments on the clients, very caring and dedicated in making sure the clients are punctual and active as they can be. They take their clients out to different events. It has a well focused care where a lot of organizations don't offer. Originally, my mom started off in a private situation. Now she's in a semi private situation which actually is better for her because it forced her to interact more than she would otherwise and they get along well. It's helpful for them in their advanced stage to be able to not have a situation where they would feel neglected; it means to her a lot. We've had different events where we have shared food but as far as having a regular meal with them when they're eating on an everyday basis, I haven't done that. They varied a great deal in food which was good. They make sure they have a lot of fruits and vegetables. I prefer what I see here in their dining experience and it's a lot better in what I see in a different location. They do an excellent job.

Susan

They do a very good job. They're very caring, attentive and really seem to care. My mother's room is very nice and always clean. I think one of the things I could honestly say is that the facility never smells. When you go into a lot of places, they have that urine smell and that doesn't happen there. Their activities include going out to museums and going out to eat.

John

It's a very positive environment in Kosta at Smyrna. They're very active with the residents. For example, they just took them out to The World of Coke this week. They've also done an outing to Stone Mountain so they really do try to keep them active and really promote a loving atmosphere. I've been impressed with the care my mom has received. All the meals are prepared in their kitchen. I've eaten there and definitely my mom's eating well. It's balanced meal with a very good quality. My mom's room is clean and comfortable too.

Larry J.

My mom was formerly a resident of Kosta. The staff was very loving. Because it was a smaller, the families were included, like for the 4th of July celebration. So basically I found it to be a great place for my mother at that level of her dementia. They did games, little projects, took them out quite a bit to church and those kinds of things. My mom's room was neat and tidy. A lot of the food was home cooked meals that they prepared and sometimes they would bring in food like barbeque or pizza. The care aspect and the employees were exceptional.

Deionne

Comparatively, Kosta is great. I had my mom in a couple of assisted living places. They were quick to want to move her to memory care which was fine because she needs memory care but what really made a facility like that is they're locked in a certain space within the facility. I wasn't comfortable with that because my mom is very energetic and very active and to lock her in a room with all the life of her personality would have squashed that. It would also have made her progress further and would have been traumatic for her. After talking to Chris, I went and checked his facility. It's a smaller setting. There are two caregivers there through the day, actively watching the adults and so I was better with that. The facility itself is well kept. They keep it clean. The CNAs have to clean the place and cook the meals. I don't know if they qualify but my mom gets plenty to eat. They eat out a few times too and they eat well. Mom has her own private room. I bought the bed that's in it because the bed that was in there was not satisfactory. He has since changed some of the furniture and has done some work since my mom has been there. They also take them to a lot of different places; they do go out a lot. They took them to the World of Coke and to plays. I like that too. I still think it's still great for them to stay active. I do want her to be able to go because I don't want her just sitting there. She wasn't a TV watcher and when they're at home, there's not much to do but watch TV. Sometimes, they play games. I like to go there and play games with them like bingo. Chris himself is very passionate with what he does. He's young and still has a lot to learn but what I love about it is his passion. He does a good job and I don't want to take anything from Chris but I think he should have someone either in management there with the girls through the day or he should have cameras. Because I don't know what happens when I'm not there. That's my only real issue. I honor and love my mom and I know most people do but it's hard for me to give control of her to someone who doesn't know her. But it's a great facility.