Grace Swartz, Elder (to Jesse, care partner)
“This is a valuable place. We are lucky to be here, and to be investing our time here. And the children are special, too. It’s not just a building. It’s a place to LIVE.”
Becky Zehr, family member of David Habeggar-
“I appreciate the outings and activities are provided for the elders as a way to engage them in a meaningful life activity. I know this has benefited my father beyond what our family could ever have hoped for during this time of his life. Thank you for your vision and efforts that keep life special for all of us connected through Cottage Garden.”
Fred Kurtz, family member of Jackie Kurtz-
"Thank you for all the love and care you provided mom the last few months of her life. You went above and beyond for her. Cottage Garden provides as close to a glimpse of heaven that we'll see on this earth."
June Yoder, family member of Shirley Gingerich-
" We cannot find words to express our gratitude to all of you for your loving care of our mother. She couldn’t always find the words to express her appreciation for you love and warmth, but she felt truly blessed to be a member of your community. Each of you shared your unique gifts and talents to offer her a rich and full life in her last years. Your vision for caring for elders with dignity until death is being accomplished."
Sharon Miller, BSN, RN, Advisory Board Member-
"As a nurse with years of experience working with hospice patients and also with the elderly, I have always been amazed at how our society cannot or does not know how to face death and aging. We do not value the wisdom people can give us at the end of life, whether aging or dying. The Cottage Garden provides a microcosm for the community as to how we can live together, young minds and old minds, young bodies and aging bodies, healthy bodies or unhealthy bodies. What a breath of fresh air to have in our community a place that all people are valued and have a voice in what happens in their daily lives. This is a healing environment for ALL who enter the doors. We are blessed to have an exceptional model of how to give and take care among the generations."
Jerry Van Putten, Elder
"Everybody's got a spot. We all have to work together. We've got to be thankful that we've got friends around us. People just want to be loved. Most people realize what they've lost and how they can help other people. We can learn to love each other, to think about how we can help another person. If you can do it for a little while, maybe it will change them. . . and change you. Life is good."
Kimberly Kurtz-Briskey, family member of Jackie Kurtz
“How do we thank you for the loving care you gave to our mother the last few months of her life? Cottage Garden is filled to the brim with God’s love pouring from each care giver, filling not only the needs and wants of each person lucky enough to reside there, but also to the family who loves them too.”
Carolyn Johns, family member of Shirley Gingerich
“We can’t express how grateful our family is for your loving care of our mother. your concept of elder care is absolutely the best, and your staff are so patient and knowledgeable. More than you know! Mother seems less depressed. She says “I like it here!”
Vi Bontrager, Elder, Cottage Garden
(Reflecting on her experience with Jesse, a care partner)
"These are smart kids we have here. It is so neat that they can come here and share what they love with us, and they can feel complete. Let's here what they have to say. It's good for them, our youth, for us to listen, and it makes you feel like its all worthwhile - the time you spend with them. It's good for them, and it's good for us."
Jo Marie Alderman, CNA, Care Partner-
"The elders at Cottage Garden are invited to share the stories of their lives. They are included in everyday preparations of meals, and help in doing things that keep the home orderly and running. Our elders share in visiting with all that come; there are no off limits in sharing of friends and visitors. All are included at meals, which makes for laughing, story-telling and a general feeling of contentment.
The elders have input in planning the day, including shopping and other outings. Music concerts are held at the elders' requests and all enjoy. Everyone has a voice. Plans can change if needed, to fit a special outing or entertainment event.
Because of the interactions of everyday, elders have a full day of living at their pace. By spending time as a group or one on one, elders at Cottage Garden share how life was lived in the "olden days" as well as finding different ways to do things from the "younger generation".
When an elder offers to teach you to knit, or shows you how to bake, when an elder enjoys winning at checkers, or offers you the use of her songbook, it makes for a lovely and pleasant place for all of us.
WE live here. There is a life here. No one comes here to die."
Burthelle Schroeder-Pelz, Elder, Cottage Garden-
"During a lifetime, change is always taking place. Sometimes change is punctuated with a period! There is no time to protest. "The End", is displayed on the film screen at the end of a movie. What is not announced is that a new beginning has already begun. That is why it is so amazing!
Grandpa Schroeder described faith in the words of a hymn "God will take care of you." In my life these words of consolation were words for a direction hardly realized in the midst of pain and even bitterness. Friends had read in the newspaper about a new home being built specifically for the care of elders, following the Eden Philosophy. Arrangements were made to move to the new home. Bob and Carolyn Zook had opened their home, where TLC is emphasized. How many times I have said the words- "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done." Where? How? Why?
Where - 309 Nebraska Avenue in Goshen is where I experience acts of love and TLC. How - Love is taken (note the present tense) seriously. Why - Sometimes it takes a drastic event to occur to cause such a truth to become a reality. Practicing hobbies, reading, listening to music- at house concerts or on the TV, talking, visiting with others, in person and on the phone are encouraged and made possible.
We actively participate in our own care--getting the newspaper, folding laundry, folding dinner napkins and setting the table, and menu planning. The kingdom, His kingdom, has come here. An ending has become a beginning. Living is doing, and how it is done in the secret, indescribable difference."