Testimonials
For over 27 years, I have served as a Medical Director of a very large skilled nursing home. During that time, I have literally visited hundreds of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and community based residential facilities (CBRF's) and found few that meet the standards of Heartwood Homes Senior Living. The professionalism and accommodations of the staff are above and beyond those of other health care systems. As for the cleanliness of the facility, I have yet to see a facility kept as clean and neat as Heartwood Homes. As a retired doctor, I feel my standards are set high. As a professional, people often look to me for honest advice. With these things in mind, I can truly say I would recommend Heartwood Homes Senior Living as my first choice to any of my friends or family members who are seeking a facility for loved ones.
Frank Xavior VanLieshout, M.D. (Brother of resident)
In July, 2005 my family experienced an instant crisis. My mother became seriously ill and was taken to the hospital where she passed away six weeks later. Mom had been the at-home caregiver for my dad who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Mom’s incapacity made it necessary for my brother and me to find a care giving facility for our dad.
Due to the urgency of a placement, our options were limited. Dad was sent to a nursing home 30 miles away from Appleton. People have told me that it is possible to tell if a nursing facility is a good match after a 5 minute visit. My brother and I immediately knew that our dad was misplaced.
During the next months dad was confused and cried constantly. We had to deal with numerous phone calls from nursing home staff that seemed to not know how to care for him. He was subjected to abuse from other patients while residing in an unclean environment. In spite of my requests to make accommodations for his needs, nothing was done. My brother and I were extremely distraught.
I was told by friends that Heartwood Homes was opening a new CBRF in Appleton in October, 2005. We contacted Jason Schmitz who listened to our story. Jason interviewed dad and decided he would do well at Heartwood Homes. We moved dad to his new “apartment” on New Year’s Day, 2006. That move was the turning point of our family crisis.
At Heartwood Homes we are delighted with the immaculate and comfortable living environment. The kind and nurturing staff treats patients as family. Since the move, dad’s attitude and behavior have shown improvement. No longer does he spend his days crying. Since dad was never a hobby person, the staff at Heartwood Homes has found small daily tasks for him to do to make the time pass and to feel useful. Our family is welcome to visit at any time of the day. During our visits we chat with dad and several of his new friends.
Jason and the staff of Heartwood Homes have gone out of their way to help us with dad’s adjustment. They have gone the extra mile, including allowing me to send dad an email message when I was out of the country.
My brother and I will be forever grateful to Jason and the staff for helping our family through the difficult times. We know our mom would approve of dad’s placement at Heartwood Homes. It is the best!
Linda Weber (Daughter of resident)
I cannot say enough about Heartwood Homes Senior Living. I thank them so much for everything they did for my mother. My mom always looked so beautiful when I came for my visits. She never wore fingernail polish all the years I knew her, but all the time she was with them, her nails were done and her hands always looked so pretty. They gave her all the care she needed, but also did the little things that other homes don't have the time for. They gave so much TLC, I really appreciate it and so did my mother. Before my mother moved into Heartwood Homes, she was at another facility. She was always trying to leave; people would walk right past her without even acknowledgement. When she moved into Heartwood Homes, she never attempted to leave, not once. This told me that although she would rather be at home, she was happy living there. I felt more at ease knowing that my mother was with all of them, getting the care and attention she needed and deserved. I am especially thankful for the time and attention that Jason personally gave to my mother. Just before Christmas, Jason brought my mother over to my house for a visit; it will always be one of the nicest memories of my mom since her dementia took over. She treated Jason like the son she never had. She treasured the beautiful clothes she received from Jason and his wife, Lynn, for Christmas. She couldn't wait to show me when I visited. At the end, when Mom was admitted to the hospital, the support from Heartwood Homes didn't stop. Jason and several of the caregivers visited mom in the hospital, they kept in contact with me throughout everything, helping me whenever they could. My mom was lucky enough to spend her last days with people who cared very much for her - and for that I will always be thankful to Jason and his staff.
Judy LeDocq (Daughter of Resident)
My mother, Leone Tummett, was admitted to an elderly facility on
November 8, 2001 with moderate Alzheimer's. In less than one month my decision to admit my mother there became a nightmare. My mother spoke of neglect, being treated with no dignity and loneliness. On January, 2002, Jason Schmitz, became the owner/administrator of Heartwood Homes, when my mother began living in Jason's facility a drastic and wonderful change took place. She was happy, was served decent, well balanced meals and had activities to look forward to. My mom took on an instant liking to Jason and he became the grandson she never had. Her Alzheimer's has worsened but her love for Jason has increased tremendously. Jason takes the time to be with each person at his homes and is there to help them. Heartwood Homes is well cared for and the "care givers" are allowed and encouraged to talk and spend time with the people who live there. I have made it a special "mission" of mine to tell anyone and everyone about how wonderful Heartwood Homes are and always will be as long as Jason Schmitz is there to make sure all is well.
Paula Tummett (Daughter of Resident)
I have been staying with my mom at Heartwood Homes off and on for several days and nights this past month. I live in the Milwaukee area and prefer to stay longer periods, as her condition has been critical.
Since I’ve lived in Heartwood Homes around the clock, I have really gotten to see all aspects of her home and its operation. I’m so pleased and impressed with the facility, and more importantly, the staff. From early in the morning through the third shift – all of the employees take care of their duties expediently, while having, or taking plenty of time to interact with residents with cares, kindness, empathy, and affection. Their patience is commendable.
Many thanks go to my sister Sue who does all of the Guardian work on my mother’s behalf and once again made a great decision in Mom’s move to Heartwood Homes last fall.
Debbie Horst (Daughter of resident)
A few years ago, my grandma had been living with my mom and one evening my mother called me to say something was wrong with Grandma. She had been throwing-up (sick). The next day I realized that Grandma had taken 4 days worth of her medications. I determined that my grandma could no longer stay with mom safely. It was a very heart-wrenching decision for all of our family. What made it worse was that my grandma was in the early to mid stages of dementia. Living with my mom was all she remembered. I called Outagamie County Services and was given the names of several local CBRF’s. Heartwood Homes was one of the facilities that had an opening. After a tour and a meeting with Jason Schmitz, the owner, I decided that Heartwood Homes was the right place for my grandma. Jason and the staff made sure that those first days were as easy on my grandma as possible. As hard as it was to move my grandma, it was easier knowing that she was getting such TLC 24 hours a day!
I have been a Paramedic with a local ambulance service for many years. As a medic, I have been called to many local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and CBRF’s. There are very few that are able to “match and maintain” the high standard of care and compassion that Heartwood Homes makes look so easy. Not only is the house home like, the meals are nutritious and varied. The staff members treat the residents like family…. Their family! I was so impressed with Heartwood Homes, I became a Caregiver and am now a part of the Heartwood Family too.
Holly Adamovich (Granddaughter of resident, EMT-Paramedic, Heartwood Homes Caregiver)
I took care of my mother until she required more care than I was able to give her. Heartwood Homes was recommended to me by a healthcare worker that came to my house once a week. Finding Heartwood Homes was a godsend. They were more interested in providing excellent healthcare than how much money my mother had or didn’t have. The facility was clean, well maintained. The care my mother received was outstanding! They treated her, my husband, and I like family.
When my mother became gravely ill, she was taken to the hospital. The staff called to check and see how she was doing frequently. In fact four of the caregiver’s and the two owners visited her in the hospital before she passed away.
I would not hesitate to recommend Heartwood Homes to anyone.
Vicki Bahr (Daughter to Bertha Cook)
Dear Jason and Lynn Schmitz,
Holiday season is a good time to reflect on the past year, connect with important people in our lives and gie thanks. You and Heartwood Homes have been a gift to my mother Joan Klitzke and our family. We are extremely grateful for all you’ve done during her year at your residence.
Mother having Alzheimer’s dementia, when her friends are still active, busy, and independent has been a blow. But it has been softened by the care, competence, and good humor of your staff. We are continually amazed by the consistent quality of caregivers at Heartwood Homes. My husband and I have our own security access key to the facility, because we get to Appleton from Minneapolis, often unannounced, because we’re not sure of our schedule. My sister Barb, in Miami and I call regularly “the home” regularly, and my sister Judy, in Appleton visits regularly. Your staff is always friendly and is obviously engaged in the social culture of the residence. Comments from family and friends are consistently positive.
We love that music plays over the speakers, and that people are o.k. with mom dancing around. There also seems to be a lot of fun antics going on. Several weeks ago the Packers were playing the Minnesota Vikings. When I called mom from Minneapolis that night, your staff put her up to saying “Go Pack Go!” I could hear everyone giggling in the background. Very Funny!
Our sincere appreciation for all you do. Many thanks. Have a joyful and warm holiday season.
Kindest Wishes, Carol Klitzke
I am writing to you on behalf of myself, my family and most importantly, my mother, Agnes Luchterhand. As long as I can remember, my mother had said she wanted to die in her own house. The doctors decided that she was not capable of taking care of herself. My family and I were forced to find her another home. It killed us having to do this, but if we had known then what I know now, we wouldn't have worried so much abut it. While my mother was living at Heartwood Homes, she was put into the hospital several times due to failing health she would often ask me when she would be able to go home. The "home" that she was referring to was Heartwood Homes. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my mother would have come to think of this place as her home. I am so grateful for all the time you and your workers spent with her. She trusted and cared for everybody who was there to take care of her. She was never lonely and I believe she died a happier person because of you and your staff. I just wanted to write and thank you and your staff Jason. Though my mother was in pain before she died, she felt comfortable and safe in your company. Thank you Jason and tell your staff the same. Without your home, we would have been forced to put my mother in a nursing home and I know she wouldn't have been happy. She died a happy person who felt loved and cared for not just by her family, but by all of you. I am forever grateful...
Nancy Sheldon (Daughter of Resident)
My reasons for choosing to perform my volunteer hours in the assisted living environment do have, I must admit, personal motives. My father is in the early stages of dementia and it will not be long before such a facility is home to him...Since I have been investigating and visiting assisted living sites for almost a year now, I do have an idea of where I don't want dad to go. Being sure of where I want him to go is another decision altogether...At any rate, I had been leaning towards Heartwood Homes. Recently purchased by a new owner, Jason Schmitz, I liked his motivation and sense of real commitment to providing quality care. When I approached him about working at the facility to earn extra credit for a class he was very receptive to the idea. This guy, I thought, has nothing to hide - two points for the administrator. As I pulled into the shared driveway I was again impressed with the curb appeal. (The two facilities) are pleasant looking and well tended. Upon entering the home the thought immediately struck me that this facility did not at all smell like what I remembered nursing homes to smell like as a teen, for I was met with the pleasant smell of appealing aromas. A mix of fabric softener and roasting chicken... In conclusion, I would like to say that this experience has helped me on several levels. I feel a stronger sense of conviction that it is OKAY that dad will be moving into a facility such as this as long as it is a home as well cared for and as warm as Heartwood Homes...
Laura Erickson (Volunteer, excerpts from term paper)
I just wanted you guys to know that I have enjoyed my time at Heartwood Homes. Honestly, I had a lot of fun. I have worked at a couple of places like this and I believe that you provide the best care. Even the other place I have worked, where the residents pay an arm and a leg to live there, it's supposed to be all luxurious, I think the residents are happier at Heartwood Homes. You two are great people to work for. Jason, I think it's great how you care so much about the residents, spending time with them and doing the little extra things shows in the residents and the homes. ...
Maria Cross (Former employee)
