The Hacienda at the River

These photos are to accompany a review of Hacienda River - Tucson Retirement Community that I just posted. Note: Entrance door, dining room, community courtyard, one apartment with “California Closet” built-in desk.

My mom moved into Mesquite, the assisted living building at Hacienda at the River, in September, 2020. It was in the middle of the Covid pandemic and it was a tough time for everyone. The residents had to stay in their apartments and activities were suspended. It went from being a very busy “happening place” to very quiet. We did window visits and phone calls. This was not unique to the Hacienda, it was happening all over the world. It was such a dilemma, providing good care and socialization but keeping the residents safe. The Nayas became my mom’s new best friends. There were ups and downs as administration, staff, residents and families navigated this difficult time and the gradual return to normal. Overall, I think it went as well as could be expected, keeping the residents healthy and connected. Many staff members and residents have left since the pandemic started. The new people hired have generally been good and if there is a staff member that doesn’t fit the warmth and caring of the Hacienda culture, it seems they don’t last long. The staff, especially the Nayas, set the tone for everything from the residents’ sense of well-being, to the welcoming inclusion of the families and friends that come to visit. I want to mention how unique and wonderful the horse visiting program is at Hacienda at the River. Since my mom moved in, she has gone faithfully on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the patio or the corral to see Prissy and Herman and to visit with the handlers who treat mom with respect and warmth. This is a highlight of her week and every time she talks to anyone about her living situation, she mentions the horses. I have come many times during the horse visits and I am always in awe of their beauty and dignity and how much a part they play in the atmosphere and reputation of the Hacienda. The handlers are always friendly and knowledgable and they love my mom which makes me so happy. She has a special relationship with the horses and they are part of the reason I think she has done so well since moving there. When I was a little girl I took riding lessons at the Old Adobe Riding Stables, the site of the current Hacienda at the River. I love this continuity of “the old western Tucson” and the current home for my mom. I want to send out an official thanks to Jose Cruz, the nurse at Hacienda at the River, and the Nayas he oversees in the Mesquite assisted living building. My mom had a ministroke in February and I credit the the Nayas with noticing it quickly because of their close attention to the residents and the fact that they know my mom so well. They noticed that she slept in and when she did get up, they saw her dragging her left leg a bit and having trouble keeping her left arm on the handle of her walker. They called Jose and he checked her out quickly. Her vital signs were OK and she had regained strength in her left side by then but her speech was a little slurred and she seemed confused. Jose called me and calmly told me what was going on. We took her to TMC right away. Jose had a packet of all her important information ready for us and he calmed me down because I was upset and worried. His information packet was very helpful at the hospital. The transition from Hacienda to the hospital and then back again went very smoothly. We can’t say enough about the special care my mom receives. Besides being organized and professional, the Nayas, Jose and the staff treat her with respect and love. A special thank you to Susan Foss, the concierge who is the “heart of the home” and manages all of the day to day comings and goings and phone calls with grace and warmth, to Chris who is in marketing but is often present and interacts so kindly with residents and families, to Brit for her activities and to Eliza, the wonderful art teacher. My family and I thank all of you for providing such a comforting safe home for the last chapter of my mom’s life. From Peg and Pete Jorgensen

How would you like to be a resident at The Hacienda at the River…enduring the smell of smoke on caregivers. Also, to know they are handling your food and linens after just having a smoke. But that is not the issue here. It’s that those caregivers are permitted to smoke adjacent to the walking/biking pathway immediately west of the community. Many of us frequently access The Tucson Loop via this pathway. My email to The Hacienda’s Executive Director to find another, less public, area for employees to smoke remains unanswered. It seems reasonable that passersby may do so in the fresh air and absent this unsightly display. Thankfully, I am a neighbor, not a resident at The Hacienda at the River. #WatermarkCommunities #HaciendaRiverTucson

Hacienda River - Tucson is a GREAT community. It was our second choice simply because our preferred choice is suburb located. Otherwise, Hacienda River was our in-Tucson choice, by far! We were hosted for lunch and had terrific Club Sandwiches, and the Restaurant Director introduced himself and answered our food service questions. Courteous staff all around! Be advised: These staff members are knowledgeable, courteous, and ready to introduce you to their community. For us, Lisa Terry-Jones received us, provided a sit-down to cover key questions, then gave us a first class tour of the community. Do yourself a favor and take a Look!