**Why Do I Love Cornerstone So Much?**
I'm glad you asked.
In 2019, we made the difficult decision to place my parents in an independent living facility in the valley. Initially, I was optimistic. It seemed like a good fit for both of them. However, it soon became clear that my mother needed more specialized memory care, so we were referred to a facility in the Spokane area. My visits there, though frequent, left me increasingly unsettled. I began to notice that my mother was being heavily medicated, often appearing groggy and detached, like a shell of her former self. The more I observed, the more it became apparent that their primary method of care involved over-sedating her. It was heart-wrenching to see her in such a zombified state, and I knew I couldn’t leave her there any longer. I made the decision to move her immediately.
Next, we tried another highly recommended memory care and assisted living facility in Liberty Lake, hoping for better. But life threw us another curveball when my father, who was still in independent living, suffered a stroke. He spent weeks in a rehab center, slowly working his way back to health. Once he was strong enough to leave, we moved him to the same facility as my mother, though they were placed in separate buildings due to their differing needs. Unfortunately, my mother's condition continued to decline. She became restless and agitated, frequently attempting to leave the facility. In one of those attempts, she tragically fell and broke her hip.
We moved her to the rehab facility where my father had been, as we had been pleased with the level of care he had received there. But during her recovery, my mother had a severe psychotic breakdown. The hospital downtown where she was taken determined that her vascular dementia had been exacerbated by too many medications. After this harrowing ordeal, she was discharged and returned to the memory care unit in Liberty Lake.
For a brief moment, it felt like we were back to square one. Both of my parents were in the same facility, but something still didn’t feel right. One day, a kind and compassionate caretaker pulled me aside, expressing serious concerns about the level of care my father was receiving. She mentioned that the owners of the facility seemed indifferent to his needs, and strongly suggested that I move him. I spent time investigating and visiting my father more frequently, and I quickly came to the same conclusion. It was time for another change. This time, we moved my father to a facility in North Spokane. They offered both independent and assisted living, but with his declining health, it became clear he required more personalized care. The staff there, to their credit, recommended Cornerstone.
From the moment my father was transferred to Cornerstone, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and relief. It truly felt like we had found a place that could be called home—a warm, nurturing environment, unlike any other. The difference between Cornerstone and every other facility we had experienced was profound. The staff was not only attentive but genuinely compassionate. The environment was welcoming and comfortable—exactly what you would hope for when entrusting the care of your loved ones to someone else. Soon after my father’s arrival, I moved my mother to Cornerstone as well. It didn’t take long for a room to become available, and once she arrived, I could finally exhale. For the first time in years, I felt at ease.
Cornerstone gave me something invaluable—peace of mind. The care was exceptional from the very beginning, and you could feel the difference the moment you walked through their doors. It never felt like a typical care facility; instead, it was like a home away from home for my parents. The warmth and respect that radiated from the staff made all the difference. My parents were finally treated with the dignity they deserved.
Both my mother and father found a sense of comfort and happiness at Cornerstone. They were cared for with tenderness, respect, and a level of professionalism I hadn’t seen elsewhere. After the frustrations and heartbreak of moving them from place to place, I finally found a sanctuary in Cornerstone. It was the answer to my prayers, restoring my faith in what elder care could and should be. In hindsight, I wish we had found Cornerstone from the very beginning—it would have saved us so much heartache. I wholeheartedly believe that Cornerstone is where families should start when looking for care for their loved ones. There’s no need to look anywhere else.
In 2020, my father passed away on the very day that COVID-19 arrived in the United States. It was a profound loss. Just eight months later, my mother joined him in eternity. While the pain of losing both of my parents is still fresh, I am comforted knowing that in their final years, they were in the best hands possible.
Every time I drive by Cornerstone, I’m filled with gratitude. I’ll forever be thankful for the care, love, and respect they gave my parents during their time there. The staff at Cornerstone not only cared for my parents, but they also restored my trust in elder care, and for that, I will always hold them in my heart. They gave my parents the dignity they deserved in their final years, and for that, I am eternally grateful.