FORT CAROLINE GARDENS, INC.

I am so thankful and grateful for this facility. It is family owned and run, and the staff is the best. They are always happy and attentive to my Mom. She loves it there. Also the level of care at this facility is great. My Mom gets great care and they always call me when there is anything wrong or if they see any changes in her. I appreciate everything they do to keep my mom happy and comfortable. Thank you so much Her Heart.

My family and I want to thank everyone at Her Heart Gardens for taking such good care of our dad. The staff truly loved my father. He nicknamed it "Danny's Place". My sisters and I visited my dad during the week and took turns with weekend visits at our homes. He was always talking about how good everyone was to him at "Danny's Place". Danny and his sister Alex will always have a special place in our hearts because of how grateful we are for the care they showed our father. They truly loved our Dad and they share our sadness as we all miss him! I am so appreciative that I take my class to sing Christmas carols every year as a way of giving back and saying thank you!

When the love of my life was stricken by Alzheimer’s disease, I faced the most awful, heartbreaking task of my life; finding a safe, loving, caring place to take care of her when I became unable to do so. I visited numerous assisted living facilities with memory care units seeking the best for her. Many of them had large, rather posh apartments and caretaking fees to match. What sold me on Her Heart Gardens was the kind, caring, courteous staff who work there. Everyone from management to supervisors, aids, and even the laundry workers are always so helpful in a cheerful way. The facility is not fancy, but it is kept very clean. I have never noticed any objectionable smells. I have eaten there a time or two and found the food to actually be good (I believe she’s gained a pound or two since no longer having to eat my cooking). They have activities planned regularly to entertain the residents, and a patio for them to enjoy some fresh air when it’s not too hot. My wife’s private room is small, but they have allowed me to decorate it in a way that makes it feel more like her home. It is everything she needs. I visit her fairly often, and notice that the staff not only call me and her by name, but all of the other residents as well. It is so sad what dementia does to people, but this is a happy place for them to thrive. She fit right in from the first day, and has never once asked me to take her home.

Thank goodness for places like Her Heart Gardens! In the spring of 2023 my then 92 year mother started going to adult day care when my siblings needed respite from the challenges of providing in-home care to someone with advancing dementia. Based on our positive experiences we placed Mom here full time a few months later. Mom had a hard time adjusting and acted out with the staff and other people living here for the first 6 months. Staff was very helpful and understanding. They paired her with roommates who she could get along with. She loved playing the piano and had a few songs she could still play as her dementia worsened. Fast forward to spring of 2025, Mom took a sudden turn for the worse and was hospitalized for 2 weeks with major heart problems. She needed higher level care and is now in a nursing home. The best things about Her Heart Gardens are 1) the small size. Mom could find her way around easily and family members got to know the care givers and staff; 2) family owned and family still is in day to day operation on site; 3) great staff. Many are long term in an industry with high turn-over. They care and are responsive to concerns. They got to know Mom and worked well with her when she was in a bad mood/acting out. 4) very clean facility with no odors; and 5) the facility is in a safe area next to single family homes. Her Heart Gardens charges a fair price for all they provide but they are not like the large, modern, “fancy”, corporate owned assisted living facilities in the region. So don’t expect steak for dinner and yoga classes. But if you are in need of affordable, safe, compassionate care for your loved one this a a place to consider. God bless you all for your patience with Mom!

From the moment my wife and I entered the lobby I knew we were in the right place. There was an immediate obvious cohesion of genuine, sincere caring from the staff, all of the staff. My mother has certain needs as in her dementia is getting worse daily and as I expressed these concerns someone I had not met yet put her hand on my shoulder and warmly stated “ We got her “ and they did. I come from a background in the service industry at the highest level and the love and caring towards the residents is not just comforting but remarkable. In a world where no one seems to care this quaint family run facility has found a way to select and train their staff in the paramount standard of exceptional loving care.