Review of Encore at Turf Valley

5 Star User Review

March 13, 2015

Re: Lisa Gambardella

Admissions, Encore at Marriottsville, Maryland

To Whom It May Concern:

My husband John Wessel has been a patient at Encore in Marriottsville, Maryland since February 12, 2015. He is being treated for a fractured hip and wrist both of which are complicated by his dementia.

He has been well cared for by the staff and therapist.

He is a patient at Encore because of the caring approach to clients by Lisa Gambardella. My daughter and I want to visit Encore when we thought my husband was to be discharged from the hospital. Lisa sat with us and described the care available. She provided written information and answered our many questions.

She was polite and very supportive. It was obvious she knew the facility very well but more than that was sympathetic person who understood the stress of placing a family member. When we learned that my husband was to be discharged much earlier than expected we called her and she indicated she would try to locate a bed.

Not long after that the Social Worker at the hospital came to my husband’s room and indicated that Lisa had advised her room would be available for John. Since John has been in the facility, Lisa has always been ready with a smile and listening ear. She is to be commended for not only selling the facility as part of her job but with her poise, gracious manner and interest in clients and their families.

I hope she can be recognized for her actions.

Genie L. Wessel, RN,MS,FASHA wife of John Wessel resident at Encore at Marriottsville Maryland.

Re: Lou Grimmel, Jr

Administrator, Encore at Marriottsville, Maryland

To Whom It May Concern:

My husband John Wessel has been a patient at Encore in Marriottsville, Maryland since February 12, 2015. He is being treated for a fractured hip and wrist both of which are complicated by his dementia.

He has been well cared for by the staff and therapist.

I have been most impress though by the hands on management style of Mr. Grimmel. As a nurse who worked and taught for a number of years I have been in many rehab and long term care facilities. I do not recall another with an administrator who walks the halls, talks one on one to residents, staff and visitors. Mr. Grimmel is always visible and interested in what is happening in the facility.

An example is that I was taking my husband in his wheelchair down a hallway. Mr. Grimmel walked by and greeted us. He then stopped looked at my husband and saw that his catheter bag did not have a privacy cover. He immediately called the nurses station and quite gently but firmly asked someone to bring on now.

I was amazed not only do most administrators not know what a privacy cover for a catheter bag is but would not take the time to make the call and wait to see that it is done.

I would like to commend Mr. Grimmel not only for that action but his continued presence in the hallways and units and his outgoing attitude to staff, patients and visitors alike. More administrations like him would improve a number of facilities I could name.

I hope you will acknowledge him for these special and to patients and relatives very important attributes.

Genie L. Wessel, RN, MS, FASHA wife of John R. Wessel (current resident)