SONGBIRD IN THE COUNTRY

My mother has lived at Songbird for a year and a half, and I am so happy we found this home for her. It's a beautiful house on a large piece of property. It's peaceful. I remember the first time I went to visit, when I stepped through the door I could sense the calm, homey, warm vibe. And to this day, it still feels that way every time I visit. The owners and the staff are wonderful, caring people. Mom was at a different facility before Songbird, and I am so grateful that she's in a much a better place now. The care there is organized, professional and attentive. I never have to worry anymore. And my mother is happy there...she's content and has not a care in the world. She enjoys the meals, socializing with the other residents, sitting out on the porch, and playing a little piano. She also loves the singalongs when Matt and Karie (the owners) and some of their family members play music for the residents. I highly recommend Songbird to anyone who looking for a care home.

I brought my mother to the highly recommended Songbird Care Home in the Toro Park area, just two weeks before the Covid shutdown in California. Unfortunately, care homes were on the Covid high safety list under quarantine and I wasn’t able to see Mom until Mother’s Day, wearing a mask, face shield and sitting 10 ft. apart. Very strange indeed. My point in mentioning this is that, Songbird provided the peace of mind in knowing that Mom was safe and being cared for excellently by Sheila and the rest of the staff. My mother’s mental decline over 2020 contributed to her penchant for wandering, creating quite a challenge for staff. Matt and Karie provided my sister and I the opportunity to relocate her to their Monterey facility Carmelo, which has a more controlled perimeter and along with more staff. Had Mom not been a dementia wander, Songbird would’ve continued to be an excellent fit for her and myself, since it was only ten minutes from my home. My sister and I highly recommend Songbird and Carmelo Care Homes for your loved ones. Kent

Two and three-quarters years ago, after a search around Monterey and Salinas, I found Carmelo Park for my mom. It was just the right size facility, on a quiet street off a green belt. It was clean and well cared for, and the price was right compared to other places. Even better was the community feeling that the management and staff created. Matt and Karie, and their trash of 25 employees are just the best. Jennifer and her staff of resident care employees are truly warm and wonderful. Jennifer runs the team with true care, lightheartedness, and efficiency. She has worked there for over 25 years. Much of the staff has also been there for years and they take a caring, loving stance toward their residents. During the time Mom has been there, I have been interested to observe that employees who have left have returned to work at Carmelp Park. It is difficult for people to live in assisted living. My mom still thinks she's capable of traveling and living on her own. She longs for days that are passed. Despite that, she has never had anything unhappy to say about any of the staff or management. They truly care about their residents and about each other. One of Mom's early room-mates was a very dear person. In our comings and goings, I learned that her daughter-in-law found Songbird Care Homes because she had taken a temporary job at Carmelo Park. She was so impressed that when her mother- in-law needed placement, Carmelo Park was their choice. There are a few special things about life at Carmelo Park. Our family is not of the conventional spiritual bent. I was concerned that there was a regular "church service" listed on the calendar so I decided I needed to check it out. My experience of it was that it was a gathering based on uplifting songs and messages lead by Matt on his guitar - a gathering that could be enjoyed no matter one's orientation to spirituality. My experience of Matt at that gathering was that he was coming from a very honest, effortless, authentic place. Before Covid, I attended the Christmas Party. It was the sweetest surprise - not what I expected at all from an assisted living holiday party. There was a beautiful spread of food created by AnnaLyn and her kitchen crew, singing and games lead by Matt and Karie and their family, and lots of good visiting. It was an afternoon of high spirits attended by residents, their families and friends, staff who were off for the day, staff family members, Matt and Karie's entire family, and even former staff who came back to celebrate, I was amazed. Similarly, before Covid, I attended a Halloween party where staff members' sweet, costumed children came to trick-or-treat from residents around the dining room. Covid has changed a lot. I had loved having lunch from time to time with Mom and her table-mates, catching up with them, and hearing their stories. Not being able to visit face to face has been a real blow. Matt and Karie made visiting easier by refinishing the bottom floor deck, buying chairs and an umbrella, and making a lovely space for residents and their loved ones. During Covid, Matt and Karie used the isolation time to paint, replace flooring, and update the home. Things are returning to normal bit by bit. There was a patio bar-b-que this Fourth of July, 2021. It was a Sunday and I was surprised that Matt and Katie showed up with their girls to attend and lead the sing along. I miss regular lunch visits and the ability to visit with other residents and the staff. My hope is that soon Covid will be under enough control that it will be easy again to visit again freely. The Mazerik family and the Carmelo Park staff have found a way to make a living by creating as much of a home as possible for their residents. I truly can't imagine a better place for my mom.

My wife and I are very lucky in finding Matt and Karie and their care facility . Our son was struck by a hit and run driver eight years ago leaving him with a traumatic brain injury and all the issues that go along with it. Even though he is only 55 years old and not the classic assisted living resident, they took him in and put up with all the re-adjusting issues and have been very patient and understanding. There are no services available for people like our son who are in need of full time support. If it wasn't for Songbird and their great staff, I don't know where we would be. Thank you Karie and Matt John and Nori Bridges

The level of care and concern for patients at this facility is amazing. Matt and Karie are working hard to provide the highest level of care to their residents. They are genuinely concerned with residents specific needs. If my parents ever need a place to live and want to stay in Monterey County, they will stay here