Nat Dalton – Family Member

When I was in high school, we were told that our baby boomer parents were expected to live well into their seventies and we genXers would be a "sandwich" generation, caring for our senior parents and our own small kids at the same time. In reality, many of us became a "club sandwich" generation with four layers; small kids, senior parents and elderly grandparents to balance, while managing our own full time careers. We are overworked and richly lucky, blessed and stressed. In my family's case we have three senior parents, an eight year old son, and two grandmothers aged 89 and 95. Until recently, the "younger" Grandmother lived in Kingston and we visited at least every second weekend. She had difficulties but they were not too serious. Until they were, She deteriorated at a blistering pace. In a matter of days it became an emergency situation and we called on Orchard View. Within 48 hours we experienced extraordinary service and support from more than half a dozen staff who created a respite care space and all the supports and services to go with it. Though they were from variety of specialties, they had many things in common: they were extremely professional, highly competent, compassionate and dedicated. Each person communicated clearly with every other. Many people came in on their days off and worked extra hours beyond their shifts but none ever rushed us. They were flexible. They heard and retained everything we told them. They problem-solved. We could not be happier than to have both Grandmas in Orchard View. You will see us there often, sometimes our whole family, kid and dog included. We will be the ones who say "thank you" to every staff person we see, because we just can't say it enough.