Discovery Village Stone Oak — Local services in San Antonio

No memory care facility will ever get a 5 star from me because I always want perfection for my mother. But Franklin Park TPC tries diligently to help me meet my goals for mother: safety, comfort, and happiness.

There does seem to be turnover within the caregiver ranks but, really, it takes a special kind of person to do this work. Some caregivers are better than others but FP has been hiring and my mother has gotten some caregivers that are so loving and compassionate. They make it possible for me to leave mom every day knowing she will be cared for. When I have an issue, I report it to the director. I know they look for ways to resolve it when I see changes.

The memory care director is also pretty responsive and has helped me find good resources for mom. She also gives me ideas and facilitates improvements to mom’s room to make it more safe. Today she came to talk to me about some products that might make mom more comfortable and save some money.

The food services for memory care are not as flexible as in assisted living but, again, when I have issues with mom’s meals, I contact the food service manager and he works with me to correct it. I taste my mom’s food and I have rarely tasted anything in the 14 months she’s been here that wasn’t quite tasty.

I see my mother every day and really hate it when I have to miss any days let alone a week or more for a vacation. But one of the staff members helped me with that. I send mom video messages every day I’m gone via his phone and he brings them to her so she can see I’m thinking if her. And he sends me videos back! This means the world to me.

Memory care activities are really vital to my mom’s happiness. She likes the drummer that brings in his instruments for the residents to drum music at his direction. She enjoys the animal experts that brings in creatures from snakes to llamas! And she is a regular winner at the three weekly bingo sessions. She also participates in exercise sessions in her community...I even participate in those! I wouldn’t be able to provide all this if I tried to keep her at home.

It is difficult to get thru to memory care by telephone, especially towards the end of the day and after hours. But I contacted the new director of FP TPC about this and he is working on a backup system.

All of these people I “contact” or report issues to have given me their mobile phone numbers and usually answer a text within an hour unless it’s the weekend. They encourage me to let them know how things can work better and do try to improve services. I appreciate that.

No place is good enough for mom or will get it perfect. We’ve had some major ups and downs as my mother AND I have gotten adjusted to her living in a memory care facility. I sometimes feel trapped learning that major changes to mom’s environment can trigger decline in her condition. But by working with the Franklin Park TPC management and caregivers, I have, over this past year, become more comforted that they are doing their best and looking for ways to ensure that my mother stays safe, comfortable, and happy. I think that’s what we all want for...

In November of last year, I placed my partner at Franklin Park TPC. I had to move him from a facility where he was not getting the care that I felt he needed and deserved. I toured so many facilities before finding Franklin Park TPC. I met three times with Jackie, the Director of Nursing. We went through pages of questions I had prepared after learning what to look for and what was important. She was very impressive, caring, knowledgeable, and professional. If you need a home for your loved one, I recommend Franklin Park TPC for the following reasons:

STAFF- The staff are well trained, kind, loving, and involved. There are a lot of tenured staff which indicates they like being a part of the FP TPC family. I have spoken with them, they love the residents, the family environment, and the mission of Franklin Park. There is even a family of sisters, all in nursing school, with each of them taking their turn to work at Franklin Park. That tells you this is a place that is truly special.

FACILITY- The facility is well designed. It is open, bright, cheery, and filled with touches of home. Blinds are opened each morning to let in the light. Living rooms are warm and inviting. The courtyard allows for great visitation and time for Robert to enjoy the sunshine. Lots of places to walk and gather outside. The residential rooms are warm and comfortable. There is a window box at the entry to the room where you can place items that tell a story of your loved one.

ENVIRONMENT- I have found Franklin Part TPC to be the kind of place that provides a nurturing and loving environment. Activities are specifically designed to the resident. While Robert is limited in what he can do, the staff ensure he is a part of what is happening each day. The wing is quiet. You won't find televisions or loud music blaring. You will find a home here. You will find comfort.

LEADERSHIP: There is accountability at Franklin Park. The director and assistant director are there each day working with the team. They invest in ongoing training. It is not just a bullet point on a flyer, they do it. They are well versed on all state and local regulations. Everyone is part of the team and respected. I receive monthly communication keeping me up to date.

PEACE OF MIND: Lastly, and this is so important. This is such a difficult road for those that find yourselves on it. I know Robert is loved and well cared for. I know when I go to bed, he is safe, and surrounded by people who care and are trained to take care of him. I have seen it first hand. If there were an option to give it more stars, I would. They took us when we were at our lowest point and gave us hope and Peace of Mind. We are grateful. Thank you, Jackie, Wendy, David, Andrew, Mariana, Kyla, Claudia, Robin, Gera, Stormy, JoAnn, Maria, Mary, Katriana, Miguel, Katie, Graciele, Kalli, Donna, Jayme, Annie,...

From Judy Gellhausen: My late father moved to Franklin Park-Encino Commons in mid-2018 after residing in an independent living facility for a few years. He had dementia which was progressing and I was deeply concerned about his safety and ability to care for himself. Although initially resistant to change and adamant that he did not need any help, my father rapidly adapted to his new environment, largely due to the outstanding staff and services offered at Franklin Park. The entire staff (including but not limited to caretakers, nurses, front desk staff, dining room, housekeeping, and activities coordinator) treated my father with kindness, patience, and respect. My father's short-term memory was poor but not once did I ever see anyone lose patience with him or become frustrated. On the contrary, several staff and employees went out of their way to converse and interact with my father. He signed up for virtually every activity, event, and outing and always had a wonderful time. After only a few months there, my father suffered a severe stroke and it was apparent he would not recover. My father returned to Franklin Park on hospice care and spent the last few days of his life in his beloved apartment receiving attentive and loving care. He was almost 89 years old and had a wonderful life. My Franklin Park experience does not end there, however! My mother had been in a different assisted living facility for 8 years following a very debilitating stroke. Just two months after my father's death, it became apparent that I would have to move my mother out of her assisted living facility for various reasons. There was absolutely no question in my mind as to where she should live! My mother has now been a resident at Franklin Park- Encino Commons for one year and she is thriving and happier than I have seen her in years! She has been on and off hospice care depending on her health and the nurses are very much advocates for her to receive the best care available. There is easy and open communication with the nursing staff, caretakers, and support staff. I visit her on a daily basis and am always impressed by the care and attention I see provided not only to my mother, but to all the residents. It is such a blessing to know that my mother is being cared...