The Retreat at Cary

Erica Burdine

My family’s experience at the Retreat, was amazing! Both of my parents lived there. We were so excited to find a place where they could stay together. They had been married for over 60 years so the thought that we might have to separate them was incredibly heartbreaking. Both had dementia, but my mother’s was much more severe. They were no longer able to live in their home, and I could not manage caring for them like I had been doing. We needed a safe place for them. We were desperate and praying for an answer. I remembered seeing a friend of mine‘s post on Facebook about an elder care home in Cary where her mom was living. I reached out to her and she gave me Tara’s contact information. From the minute I met Tara and toured the retreat, I knew we had found the right place my folks. It was clear how much she loved and admired the all of the elderly living under her care. She was so sweet and tender toward them. My mom because of her dementia felt threatened by any person trying to help her but she took right to Tara. She trusted and understood that Tara and the staff were safe for her. This excellent care was evident throughout our years at the Retreat with all of the residents. Moving them out of the home they so loved was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Tara and the staff were so kind and loving to our family as we navigated this transition. They even let us bring my mom’s beloved piano! My parents were able to share a room, and we even brought items from their house to make it feel like home! I popped in often to see my parents often, and my dad was always very happy. He had his recliner, his meals, and lots of love from the staff. He loved to eat, and they always had snacks for him if he walked into the kitchen. My mom was a little more of a handful due advanced dementia. Not once did I ever feel like she was a burden to them. They loved her in spite of everything they had to put up with. It was hard at times for sure! My sweet parents lived out their last year’s at the Retreat. They were treated with dignity beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. No other nursing home or elder care facility would have even come close. The last days for each of them were very hard as they both died slowly. We were very pleased with the doctors they used. All the medical personnel they were so professional as we navigated the difficult last days. I have so many good memories and pictures to look back on from their time at here. I have recommended them to anybody looking for elder care, and will continue to do so without hesitation! Taking care of the elderly is one of the most thankless, difficult jobs on the planet. Anyone who CHOOSES to go into this profession shows what type of heart they have, and it’s a heart of gold in my opinion! Thank you Tara and all of the staff at the Retreat!