Shipley Living

I visited Shipley Living and met with Chanel, Jameca, Joanne and Keisha and others. Everyone in this facility is very welcoming. The staff is extremely helpful. I also was fortunate to have tried the food. They have what was called the Shipley Burger. It was excellent! I met a few of the residents as well and it was overall a great experience. I was treated like family during my visit. Thank you!

My mother (96) has been a resident at Shipley Living for three years. She started in independent living, where she was very happy. She "graduated" to assisted living and is now in nursing care. She gets excellent care and is comfortable and content. Mom has always said the food is good and the employees all know her which she appreciates. The facility is clean and welcoming. I believe my mother to be safe and well cared-for at Shipley Living.

I recently visited my grandfather at Shipley Living, where he has lived for many years in a two-bedroom cottage in Independent Living. Every visit is a joy, especially since we live out of state—it’s comforting to know there’s always a room for us when we stay. Most importantly, he is safe, well cared for, and enjoys a wide range of services and amenities. He consistently speaks highly of the staff, who have become like an extended family to him. Knowing he is happy and thriving gives us tremendous peace of mind. Thank you Shipley Living!!!

My mother is about 10 weeks into her recovery from a stroke and surgery. She had recovered from a larger stroke and a diagnosis of vascular dementia. While she was in the hospital for 2 weeks, I checked the skilled nursing facilities provided by Christiana in and around Newark & Wilmington. I was looking for a grounded feeling and evidence of an engaged staff - so I’m so very grateful to have found Shipley Living. I can leave at night with peace in my mind knowing mom is under the care of their dedicated staff of compassionate nurses, aides, and therapists. I feel like I am in a collaborative experience with them. When mom arrived, she had lost some swallowing function and would only say a few words. She was totally bed-bound and I wasn’t sure if she would regain her capacity to eat solid foods, talk and walk - even her legs started to drop from disuse. Because I am my mother’s primary caregiver, I could devote the time and energy needed during an extremely sensitive time in her recovery. Everyday, was by her side to advocate for her needs. In that way, I engaged with the staff and got to see the ins and outs of how the place is run. These are the facets of Shipley Nursing home that supported mom’s recovery: -diversity in the patient population: although not speaking, mom was very observant and learned a lot from watching other patients and their various capacities. -appropriate size: it becomes very easy to become familiar with staff and patients - really helps defer the crisis feeling that creeps up as a caregiver -staff! Some of the staff have been working for Shipley for nearly 3 decades. I think that speaks volumes. My favorite moments would be when someone I didn’t know would walk by my mother and offer a genuine “hello” and a sweet smile. OR when random staff would cheer & clap when she took her first tenuous steps. -consistent, persistent, responsive therapy program. If mom was too tired to actively participate in the therapy, they would pivot, restructure, reschedule to be able work with her. -food/activities culture: there is a dining room. It’s not always timely or efficient, but they try their best and occasionally, there is a great dish or something that feels very homemade. There is a schedule of activities when rehab or long-term patients want to socialize. -no restrictions of visiting: this allowed me to feel welcome in the process of helping my mother and feeling comfortable there. Within this process, mom has moved to eating solids foods, talking, standing and walking with assistance. Seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, she is in the process of being discharged to go back home. I’m feeling positive and realistic about her progress. I wouldn’t be in this hopeful place without Shipley. All said, Shipley isn’t modern or super spiffy, it requires some patience, trust, and active participation in the process - but I know mom’s almost miraculous recovery is due in large part to their consistent care of their staff and the environment of healing that is fostered there.