Testimonials

In May 2022 my mother experienced a medical episode that necessitated finding a new facility to provide an increased level of care. Not an easy task since she lived 1,600 miles from Las Cruces, NM where I live. I did an internet search and discovered Vista Living Care(The Arbors) was 2.2 miles from me. I did a “drive by”. I stopped in to see if I could pick up a brochure, instead I received a guided tour of the entire facility. I met many staff members, and a few residents. The staff was attentive toward the residents and they seemed well cared for, content, and engaged. Then I met the critters. I knew how important having animals around would be for my mom. Monica Leos spent a significant amount of time with me. She answered all my questions, and provided a brochure, and copies of their book on dementia. After my visit, I knew I would not find a better solution for my mom. We used Flying Angels to move her cross country and she’s been at The Arbors since July 2022. The staff at The Arbors exceeded my expectations that first day, and they continue to do so. I am very grateful to have found them. 

My sister was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Degeneration about 12 years ago. Her diagnosis was life changing for my parents and myself. My parents were both in their early 70’s when she was diagnosed. They sold everything and moved to Colorado to help take care of her and maintain her lifestyle as normal as possible. She lived with my parents for about 10 years, before the strain of taking care of my sister became too much for our family, and my parents asked that I find a place for her. It was desired that she live in a nursing facility here in Taos and my parents would live close to me. This scenario would allow them to visit her daily and check on her routinely. However, that nursing facility denied my sister because I didn’t provide any financial background for her. 

I was then referred to Sierra Vista in Santa Fe by a friend whose own mother had Alzheimer’s. My friend begged me to call because if she could do it, she would put her mom at Sierra Vista. I called immediately and Yolanda was extremely cordial and helpful. I went the next day and visited the facility. I loved that it was like a home and secure and residents were free to walk around and try to live as normal of a life as possible. I immediately said yes and paid the deposit for my sister to move in. Never once was I questioned about money and could I afford it. 

On July 1, 2019, I moved my sister into Sierra Vista. It was extremely difficult for my parents, now in their 80's, to watch me transfer my sister into a facility. About a month later, I moved my parents to New Mexico and shortly after, my dad asked that I drive him to Santa Fe to see my sister and check the facility out. He was so thrilled to see her and how well she was cared for by the amazing staff. Two weeks after that visit, my father passed away. My mom and I both felt that he was able to let go and leave because his heart was okay and happy with what Sierra Vista provided for my sister. 
 

The Arbors has been a Godsend.  Before my mom became a resident, she was suffering from cognitive decline and was very unhappy. Once she moved into The Arbors and adjusted to life there she was much more at peace and well cared for. My sister, brother, and I are grateful to the Arbors staff.

Our mother, Shirley, died at Sierra Vista, in late 2020, December 21st. She was surrounded by the most loving, caring staff, who made her last years not only sustained, but thriving-- at no little sacrifice by loving caregivers-- during that time of Covid uneasiness and strict protocol,  you were the family for us extended to our loved one.

I did want to mention how extremely pleased I have been these past couple weeks in the manner the staff at Sierra responded to Linda's needs. Such a comfort to know she is noticed and her needs are met. Sounds simple, but I've seen instances when even that 'easy' approach and attitude have been missing. Thank you - and them!

We knew it was time to make the difficult decision, it was time to place mom into a memory care facility.  We did our research and decided upon Vista Hermosa.  I read about their philosophy on elder care and it just sounded like a good fit.   We met with the staff twice and were impressed with their dedication and knowledge and the facility itself was full of life and laughter.  It feels like a home, not an institution. They even have pets for their residents to love on.

I am a nurse with over thirty years experience in elder care.  With all of my knowledge in this field, it did not help me when making the personal decision of placing my mother into a facility for people with memory loss.  I was just a scared daughter and hoping I was making the right decision.

The staff at Vista Hermosa have been amazing.  From our first visit we knew we had  found a special place.  You can feel the love in this home.  They are always kind and helpful with true compassion and empathy as we were struggling with this transition.  They answered all of our questions, returned calls promptly, sent photos of mom to help ease our minds.  They even called a couple of times a day to give an update for the first few days.  I have been in this industry a long time and have never witnessed this level of caring. You can tell the staff are loving and try to give the best care possible from their hearts. We even received a hand written note from the owner.  This is a small privately owned company and their commitment to the residents shows in their actions.

For this being such a difficult decision on a personal level, we know as a family we made the right decision.  Vista Hermosa is truly a special home for elders with memory issues. Thank you to all of your staff for helping us in this major life transition.  I am finally sleeping at night! Your kind words and calm approach, insight, and honesty have been so helpful. You have been a true blessing to us!

I am writing to thank you for taking such good care of my wife Gerlinde. We, like many families, made some big mistakes deciding initially where to place our loved one. Some poor options were organized with luxury hotels; with movies three days a week and a trip into town to eat out twice a month, with Private rooms with TV and personal pictures on the wall, etc. We were quick to learn that they had no idea how to handle the memory impaired. After spending a month in the home with Gerlinde, I realized we had made a major mistake.

In late November 2018 we contacted you at Sierra Vista. We were fortunate that you had space by the first of December. You were able to pick up Gerlinde at Legacy and we never had to look back. Thus began a very long and close relationship with you and your staff. You cannot imagine my relief to realize that you had the personnel and facilities to confidently care for Gerlinde; including open sitting areas, family dining, bed rooms for sleeping or just to get away are always available, chickens and goats, turtles, fish, birds, an RN on staff, activities to involve residents, and minimum personal property. 

And as it turned out, you were soon looking out for both me and Gerlinde. Yolanda gave me much appreciated help with Gerlinde's wardrobe. She introduced me to Buck and Buck, invited me to a support group, Christmas Parties, Fiesta Parties, leisurely afternoons on the patio, new friends from the residence families. I was able to spend two to three hours a day and grew quite close to everyone that worked there. And then came covid 19. 

Pandemic changed everything almost immediately with no visits. This called for more creative approaches: facetime calls, window visits, zoom conferences. Those who visited frequently were able to stay in touch by telephone and have to this day, We all now are part of a large extended family. Sierra Vista did everything in their power to provide excellent help under very trying circumstances. You not only provided excellent care for Gerlinde but also offered me consultation. For this I will be forever thankful. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease but you handled it with pure kindness and grace. 

What impresses me is the home like atmosphere that is maintained in this facility.  Having to put my older sister who was always my best friend into a home at 48 because of dementia was very difficult.   I had planned on putting my sister in the nursing center here in Taos, but because I was never asked for her financials we were denied. A friend of mine here in Taos, recommended Sierra Vista to me.  I had never heard of this facility  I immediately called Sierra Vista and Yolanda accommodated meeting with me within 24 hours. 
 
I was so impressed with how much Sierra Vista was like living in a home.  I signed my sister up and was able to move her in within about a week.
 
In visiting before COVID, every resident and their family were so amazing.  I will never forget sitting with my sister and a fellow resident had family visiting at the same time.  They shared stories of my sister hanging out with them when they visited and that they enjoyed having her with them.  It was amazing to see them share food and talk to her like they had been forever friends. 
 
This is what sticks out in my mind.  No matter who is there visiting a relative everyone is treated like family and they were always included.  It was a real blessing to me because living 60 miles away, I couldn’t always get to Santa Fe to see  my sister.  She was always treated as a family member by the staff and the residents and their family. 
 
I have had a lot of comfort knowing that when I do see my sister now through a window, she still recognizes me.  Almost 9 months after COVID hit and her disease progressing, my sister still knows my face.  It speaks volumes as to the quality of care she is receiving.

We wish you to know how grateful we are for the love and care that you showed Shirley in her last years, and for the especial efforts you exerted in her last months. We will always be grateful.

We want to thank you for the wonderful, loving care you gave our precious Mother for all the time she was with you. We know that Mom felt safe and loved while she was with you - And we could feel how loving you were with our Mom. You all come from your heart. It was as if you were her family caring for her. We are so grateful to you all for your excellent care you gave our Mother. 
And what a gift of peace of mind you gave us - we knew we could trust you, even during this challenging pandemic, to take impeccable care of all your elders, including our Mom. We feel very fortunate to have found you and entrusted our Mom to you. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we love you!  

For the past five years, Sierra Vista and Vista Hermosa have taken care of Charles.  Knowing I could no longer physically take care of Charles, I was so relieved when he entered Sierra Vista at the beginning of 2016 because I knew I had found the best possible place for his care.  One can sense the kind, loving atmosphere when entering a Vista Living Community.  As you know I visited every day until the pandemic hit in March and observed first-hand the great care given to Charles and all the elders.  You also care for the families who entrust their loved ones with you.  When family and friends came to visit, all were impressed by the wonderful environment and loving care at Sierra Vista.

I am so grateful to you, the staff, and the caregivers at both residences for taking such good care of Charles.  Staff and caregivers alike treat the elders with love, kindness, dignity, humor, and compassion.  I also appreciate the love and care you expressed for me and Charles’ family and friends when we visited.  You always made us feel welcome and expressed care and concern for our well-being, often accompanied by hugs. I will always be grateful that Charles spent his last years and days at Sierra Vista and Vista Hermosa.  

This letter is to recognize all of the staff and caregivers of the Arbors for their laudatory commitment to willingly accept such a commendable degree of bravery and dedication to protecting and providing for the elders during this difficult moment in time. Your service exemplifies the selfless principles and character that comprise the long list describing the "unsung hero". 

This is the most effective operation I’ve witnessed since Dad entered the facility over five years ago. The current, competent staff of helpful, kind care partners is the best group of workers to date. Employees seem to enjoy their jobs, performing them well, even though some of the tasks may be unpleasant. The all-around atmosphere in the facility is pleasant, loving, clean and full of love for the elders. Blanca’s leadership has made a huge, positive difference. Thank you for allowing my dad and all elders to spend their days in such a facility. 

We want you to know how much our family appreciate you - and all of you at Sierra Vista. Your kindness and love are so wonderful to experience. I know Mom feels it and that's why she's so content and feels so well taken care of. I see her expression of happiness when one of the members of your care team comes over to her. It warms my heart, our hearts, to know how well Mom is being cared for. And we are so grateful that you have assembled a group of caregivers who all - without exception - are the cream of the crop! 

Not a day goes by that I don't miss Mom.  Sometimes the best of times come to mind, sometimes the most difficult.  Sometimes just the comfortingly mundane.  But these recollections always come round being ever grateful for the kind and loving care she received at Sierra Vista.  And, just as significantly, all the help and perspective you gave our family in Mom's final years.  Mom truly did seem at peace, especially at the very end. 

The incredible insights and dedication, tenacity and patience of all the staff are awe-inspiring.

Memory loss is not pretty, is not recoverable, and presents significant challenges to caregivers. Sierra Vista has been excellent in maintaining a staff with the physical stamina and disposition to deal with these challenges.