The Capstone at Royal Palm

I want to start by saying that I do not usually post public reviews, but after our experience with Capstone I felt compelled to do so. My 92 year old father had experienced Alzheimer's/Dementia for a period of time and was getting harder to care for. After touring different memory care living facilities in Palm Beach we decided to place my father in Capstone. This turned out to be a wonderful memory care that spotlighted the exclusive Shine program. From the skilled care giving team that provided care, compassion and respect for my father to the wonderful memory care director Brenda Johnson, all went above and beyond. My wife and I were there almost every day and saw firsthand the care and joy given to all the residents. My father was in his latter stages of this terrible disease and could not have been in a better environment. We were frequently told, your father is home with us. I cannot say enough what a blessing it was to have my father reside at Capstone until his passing. To all at Capstone, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Having recently moved to the Palm Beach area, we decided to look into moving my husband’s mother from a facility in North Carolina to be near us. We found The Capstone at Royal Palm, toured the facility and available rooms, and immediately set the wheels in motion. Capstone is beautiful from the moment you drive up. Clean, open spaces, and full of truly friendly, helpful, engaged employees. The Director, Ms Lewis pays personal attention to each of the residents and her staff. It is readily apparent that her warmth, knowledge, and hands on style of management has a wonderful effect on the entire facility. My mother in law is so happy to be moved into her own apartment at Capstone, complete with kitchen and walk in closet. She is discovering new things each day, like the outside garden area where residents can put their green thumbs to work. She also truly enjoys the food each day. We love having her so close now, but mostly are thrilled at how she has taken to living at Capstone.

Updated & edited review. It is imperative to recognise "Capstone" is composed of separate units providing different types of service: Kitchen, Memory Care (MC), Assisted Living, Medical, Staff Scheduling, Maintenance, etc., all under Executive Director control. Each unit has its strengths and weaknesses. My comments are strictly focused on Brenda Johnson, MC Director, and the S.H.I.N.E. approach to dementia. Other facilities park your loved one next to a TV and three times a day slide some microwaved "stuff" on paper plates in front of them. Not here, hot, full course chef prepared meals are served on real plates using bright colors for contrast. Warm moist hand towels are first up, both to clean hands and stimulate senses. Dementia patients respond well to taste, flavor, and presentation. Dignity, respect, life enrichment activities such as music therapy, singing, art, crafts, walking, etc, all designed for purposeful engagement, and to encourage social bonds. These ladies seem to each have a "crew" of two or three closely matched friends to hang with. Brenda Johnson ensures no one feels alone, abandoned, or left out. Brenda is a strong and diligent advocate for resident dignity / respect. Brenda ensures there is always something to do, no wasting away slumped in a chair, unless of course you are addicted to "I Love Lucy" reruns, some are. Brenda coaches and trains staff how to best address the unique needs of our vulnerable loved ones. Because of Brenda Johnson's presence, this is still one of the best decisions I've made and I am hopeful leadership will replicate the successes Brenda Johnson has brought to Memory Care in other areas. My wife has been in memory care for over a year due to a stroke. Gone is most the stress, worry and anxiety. I see her every day and it’s quality time. I know Doreen is being cared for, that Brenda Johnson is on site and a strong patient advocate for all our fragile loved ones. Zoom in one the attached photo, it is the resume of Memory Care Director Brenda Johnson illustrated by fun and happy time photos. Brenda ensures each and every resident entrusted to Memory Care gets the most out of life. Thank you, Brenda Johnson, for caring so much for our loved ones.

My sister Joan and I visited Capstone at Royal Palm prior to our mom moving in and were immediately impressed with the look of the place. The common areas are light and bright. The attention to detail and lovely furnishings make each area inviting and friendly for residents and their guests. There are also a number of outdoor areas that weather permitting, give residents a relaxing and lovely place to go to enjoy the day. Christina walked us through the apartments available for our mom. We loved the amount of natural light the apartments have, and the size of the rooms. We noticed a board of daily activities that can keep residents as busy as they like. We brought mom for a tour and lunch and were surprised at the restaurant style menus - the food was delicious and the portions were just right. The staff is friendly and helpful, and believe me we had many questions and inquiries that were met with patience and understanding. From start to finish it only took two weeks to complete all necessary paperwork and have mom move in to her new home! We would like to thank the staff - Christina, Laurie, Mary and all the people in the front office, Lasandra, Cindy and Gregory and the wonderful caregivers we met during sign-up and move-in. Mom is cared for and safe and our family is happy knowing she is in such a good place. Marianne Terrigno and Joan Alvaro