Staff Testimonial: Trusting Otterbein with Our Own Family Members

Posted on: November 12, 2021
Otterbein Cridersville executive director Kristin Powell and her father Ray Jackson.

Many senior communities refer to their residents as family, and Otterbein SeniorLife shares this same viewpoint. In fact, our staff believes in this philosophy so deeply that, when the right opportunity comes along, we can confidently entrust our own family members to the top-quality care of our fellow staff partners at Otterbein.

This was certainly the case for Kristin Powell, executive director of Otterbein Cridersville, whose grandmother had a positive experience with inpatient post-acute rehabilitation at Otterbein.

“This is the first time in 30 years that I’ve felt 100% comfortable in having a family member come to the place that I work,” she said.

Watch the video below to hear more from Kristin and her father, Ray Jackson, regarding their loved one’s experience at Otterbein Cridersville.

A Positive Experience for Guests and Families Alike

Having spent the past 30 years serving seniors in the long-term care industry, Kristin has witnessed many families go through the process of finding care for their loved ones. When it was her own family member in need, she had no hesitation recommending her own place of employment, Otterbein Cridersville.

“I knew the heart of my own staff. I knew that they love our residents as their own family, and I was confident that [my grandmother] would have the care that she deserved,” she said.

The result was an enriching experience for her grandmother and an ultimately positive outcome, as she was able to return home after her rehab stay.

“From our end, we had very short notice, so knowing how [Kristin] felt about her work environment and everything here, it was just a natural choice,” Kristin’s father, Ray, added. “It went very well. We were totally satisfied.”

Trying New Things and Forming Lasting Memories

During her time at Otterbein, Kristin’s grandmother felt right at home and enjoyed the company of all the Otterbein partners caring for her. She even broadened her horizons and took advantage of opportunities to try something new.

“She ate things in all her life she had never even tried, and she tried them for the first timeDinner plate of baked chicken and vegetables. and really enjoyed them and just enjoyed the partners’ interaction with her,” Kristin said. “She became close to a lot of the staff members, and still talks about some of them to this day ― that she misses seeing them.”

Of course, Kristin wasn’t surprised that her grandmother formed such close bonds with the staff. After all, Kristin feels the same way about her fellow staff partners.

What is Post-Acute Care and Rehab Like at Otterbein Cridersville?

Otterbein’s post-acute care and rehabilitation services are available to both current Otterbein residents and non-residents. It’s a great option for those planning for recovery after an upcoming surgery or looking for a place to rehab after an unexpected hospital stay.

Related: Everything you need to know about post-acute care >>

Many former rehab guests describe the environment of Otterbein post-acute care as inviting and supportive. For Kristin, knowing what her grandmother could expect from herOtterbein Cridersville Home experience put her mind at ease.

“I liked the fact that she would have a private room, that it was a homelike environment,” said Kristin. “The furnishings were very accommodating and comfortable, as well as the fact of just the excellent care that our partners give every day.”

Services Offered in Post-Acute Care/Rehab at Otterbein

  • Licensed nurse 24 hours/7 days per week
  • Wound care management
  • Respiratory care
  • Social services
  • Wellness promotion
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Psychological services
  • Health management

Learn More About Post-Acute Care at Otterbein