I asked my daughter-in-law, could you please help me find the very best care for my dad? She went to work on it. She did a lot of research. She called me one day. And she said, there is a place that’s being constructed. It’s not even open yet, but she said I love their philosophy on memory care. It’s just really unique, and I think you’re going to really like these people.

I was really excited because the way that I have a construction background, and my father, who we were moving into Barton House, was an architect. We were very impressed with everybody we met.

We were very impressed with the building, with the actual layout, because it was so intentional.

An Intentional Memory Care Facility

They had designed Barton House with everything in mind to make it comfortable so that the residents can navigate easily and feel at home. It was also very home-like, the fact that they only did one thing really impressed me as well to me, the very first and most primary reason for choosing a memory care facility is the heart and soul of the staff, because what you want more than anything in my opinion. And this was my priority is to have people around your loved ones who will act, who actually love working with people with dementia, that that’s their calling. That’s what God put them here for. It’s their heart. And. You have that everything else will fall in place. And that’s what I found at Barton House.

And my father always felt at home.

He always felt loved.

I felt loved.

I was family

I would walk in Barton House and it was, “Hi, Marsha, do you want something to eat? Do you want something to drink? Are you going to be here for a while? Are you going to feed your dad today, or do you want us to do it?” They would then pull up a chair next to me and we’d all chat. People would come by. I got to know all the other residents and they were like, you know, other families and members to me, that was probably one of the biggest blessings to me was that I was embraced as well, which made me a better daughter, a better caregiver. And happy to go and see him. It wasn’t just like, Ugh, I’ve got to go see dad.

You know, it was, hi daddy, it’s Marsha. I’m here to see you.

From the moment you step inside the house where the residents are secure and just get a feeling of peace and calm. It’s very clean. It always. You know, like a home, you know, occasionally you’re going to get those food smells, which is usually really good. And then you’re going to have, you know, just clean, not antiseptic, not unpleasant, but just like a homewood smell Barton House.

Barton House Memory Care Sugarland

The size of it was very important to me. They only have 24 rooms, so. If it was intimate and all the employees, all the staff know everyone in the facility and their families. I think my dad primarily likes the dining room, and since he’s moved in, he says the food is good. And he says that multiple times, usually when I see him.

But when we first were looking, we disliked the, I, the idea that the rooms were all along the outside of the building and the community space in the center, so that when the resident steps out of their room, they’re in the community space and P other people are there. They are greeted or encouraged to join.

The other really big thing that was important to us is that they have a beautiful fenced-in secure backyard. So to have a backyard where he could go and walk in a safe place was really important to us. My dad loves to garden, and he loves to walk and exercise. He calls. That feeling that my sister and I each experienced of relief.

Everyone is a caregiver

Peace. This is a good place. Has continued Bader house philosophy is that everyone is a caregiver. Everyone in the building is a caregiver. And I love that. That includes, you know, the maintenance man, Eddie, and the cooks and the staff. Everyone is a caregiver. So if dad’s having a problem or he needs something, they’re always interacting with them.

And because of that, they will interact with me, which is. Also important. So they’ll snap a picture of him having his coffee in the morning and send me a little text saying he’s off to a great start today, or they’ll call and say, can you just talk to him? He needs to hear your voice, which is so great that they recognize that he needs to hear my voice and be something.

Great communication

I’m so grateful that they pick up the phone and call me one of the ways Barton House cares for me as well as my dad is that, you know, oftentimes when we visit, it can be difficult, and not every visit is smooth. Sometimes he doesn’t remember me or stopping a bad day or any number of things and the staff.

Barton House Cares

It’s always willing to just listen to me after I’ve said goodbye to dad and hugged me, or, you know, have a cup of coffee or whatever, just to kind of recalibrate me because go, you know, spending that time. It’s so precious, but you’re very aware that it’s fleeting because Alzheimer’s doesn’t get better.

So every minute I’m with my dad, I want it to be the best, but sometimes it doesn’t work, and I’m always grateful for an encouraging word or, you know, just, just a hug or, you know, just, just encouraging to be encouraging. And the staff that’s very nurturing that way to me. So I know they’re being that way to my dad.

Barton House is in my own neighborhood, so when I went to work every day, I drove right by it when they were building it. And it made me curious. And then when it became apparent that we were going to have to find a place for my mother because her Alzheimer’s was advancing and it was a little more than my stepfather could handle.

Barton House is an amazing concept

So we started looking and I started looking at different areas and checking out things. And my husband said you need to stop on that Barton House and see what that’s about. So we went in and it was just the minute I walked in the place, and my sister also — this quiet and the peace feeling of it was just amazing. And their whole concept was amazing.

Catered to Memory Care

They totally catered to memory care people — to the whole setup. The track in the back, the rooms, the way that eat five meals a day for the nutrition, it just spoke to me. I mean, it’s like God said, this is it. So she’s been there for four years now.

You become a family within Barton House

They (Barton House) really encourage the families to eat with them, because it’s like all families, you become a family within Barton House of yourself.

They (Barton House) would have like an accordion come and play. And they had bubbles and the people liked it. They have exercise programs where they do the chair exercises. And I did a lot go to the exercise classes with them because I was, it was a time I got off work and I went by and that’s where they were doing their exercises. And, you know, I encouraged them on, along with the entertainment person.

Finding Barton House was God-driven

I’ve not taken one of my friends there and I have because I’m a nurse, I have lots of nursing friends, and every one of them have left that place and said, “Oh, Susan, you were so lucky to have found that place. And I said it was God-driven.

Two years ago my Dad came to live at Barton House.

I love the small, family-like environment. You feel like you are in someone’s home, complete with happy voices, music, and yummy smells. My Dad is always groomed and dressed in clean clothes, no matter what time of the day I drop by. The staff is 100% dedicated to know each resident as an individual.

Activities are planned throughout the day. Entertaining programs are scheduled several times a week to keep them engaged.

I would recommend Barton House to anyone looking for a place for a loved one with Alzheimer’s to live.

“I felt so safe leaving her in their loving hands. The house was always clean, the staff was always friendly and helpful and my mother was always happy.

I like the family atmosphere. The way they meet the individual needs and desires of each resident. They truly love them and express that love to them and their families.”

“Your care for the residents is obviously a “calling” and ministry. You love on them – you are patient and kind. You offer dignity and give respect to folks with this disease.

Thank you for caring for my mom.  Your staff is remarkable!”

“Barton House has been an integral part of my family’s lives. We will always be so grateful and thankful for the love and care that was given to David there and for the friendships that were forged along the way. May God bless each of you is our prayer.”

“The nurses called me about everything, even the smallest bump. The staff was always friendly and my Dad always looked nice and did not smell. I was welcome to visit him 24/7. Dad’s care and safety during Hurricane Harvey was amazing. I was flooded in, but they texted me for 3 days about their dry status. Other facilities were not so lucky. I even recommended Barton House in my funeral message.”