The Retreat at Cary

What I got for $27,498.15

Three days ago, my mother died and one thought that keeps playing over and over in my mind is, “I’m so grateful that I moved her out of The Retreat at Cary.” Mom lived her final four weeks in a different family care home, after spending five weeks in this one. The difference between the two is like night and day.

Tara Lowman talks about the importance of safety and comfort for her residents. She knew that my mom had osteoporosis and my biggest concern was fall risk. When I described two frightening incidents that had happened in my home, Tara explained that Mom was having vasovagal syncope – fainting after a BM – and yet Tara did not inform her staff that Jill was likely to faint on the toilet. On 3/6/25, my mother fell headfirst and cut her head on the tile bathroom floor at The Retreat. After EMS and hospice nurse assessments, Tara told me, “There was no way this fall could’ve been prevented.” I moved Mom out one week later. When I related this story to the compassionate owner of Mom’s new care home, she said, “Sure it could have been prevented. They just needed to stand in front of her when she was on the toilet.”

Three times when my mother needed rest, I wanted to sit next to her bed and hold her hand, yet was clearly told I could not go into the room because her roommate was sleeping. Tara upheld her policy, even after I pointed out the fact that nursing homes allow family members to come and go freely in shared rooms. When I told the Long-Term Care Ombudsman I was not allowed to visit in my mother’s room when her roommate was sleeping, she said, “That is a violation of your mother’s Residents’ Rights.” Tara asserted that her policy was in place to protect my mother’s roommate’s right to privacy. Because the roommate slept most of the day, Mom and I got no privacy. I visited my mother almost every day and it was standard practice for staff to move her (in a wheelchair) to the sunroom, where I waited. That room has windows on all four sides, an exit door, and a door to the kitchen – the hub of staff activity. Staff members routinely walked through the sunroom to enter and exit while I was there with Mom, even during a hospice nurse visit. I was appalled when Tara revealed that her staff members reported to her everything they saw and heard during my visits.

My mom had dementia and tried getting out of bed more than once during the night. I worried that she’d fall and break a bone. Tara told me state law does not allow a full bed rail in assisted living. I’ve since learned that the law does allow a full bed rail with a doctor’s order. At the very least, Tara could’ve put a cushioned pad on the floor in effort to prevent a broken bone and could have instructed her staff to lower Mom’s hospital bed every night. She mentioned the possibility of using a fall mat but didn’t order one from hospice. After Mom’s head injury when she fell off the toilet, one month after she moved in, Tara told her night staff that Jill’s motion sensor alarm took priority. I pointed out that the care aide might not be able to reach my mother in time to prevent a fall if she was on the opposite side of the house when Mom’s alarm sounded, and Tara agreed. Again, she claimed that nothing more could be done to prevent a fall.

My mother’s personality changed after leaving The Retreat. The light in her eyes returned. She felt loved in her new home, surrounded by compassionate caregivers. She shared a room there too, but we enjoyed plenty of alone time.

All that are associated with The Retreat at Cary truly care about the health and well-being of its residents and their families. Kindness, cleanliness and medical compliance are three of the top things that come to mind when thinking about the daily performance of the staff.

The retreat at Cary and Cary Corner are the best. I worked here for over 5 years and I can say the owner goes above and beyond for the residents at both facilities. The owner, the manager, and the staff are the best.The staff love on them as if they are family. The manager Ashley is the sweetest and most patient person to the residents. Holidays are like no other at these facilities. Families are invited to participate, but the owner makes sure the residents have celebrations as if they are still home. Tara has created a facility where the residents are cared for and loved. She fights for their treatment and encourages activities with the residents. Keeping them mobile for as long as safely possible. Residents are encouraged independence as much as safely possible. I have seen the owner sit with residents, laugh with them, and cry with them and for them. Ashley has brought out the biggest smiles with residents and brought the residents out of their shells when they dont feel like doing anything. Families are made to feel welcome and encouraged to participate in their care. I still carry so many fond memories of my time with residents and staff. From doing their hair and watching say yes to the dress to grilling outside during the warmer days to playing balloon volleyball or just sitting on the floor in a room and talking with a patient on oxygen who couldn’t get around as much. I have cooked with residents and gone out to eat with residents. They’re health is the most top priority. We have had residents who were wheelchair bound at previous facilities and have worked with physical therapy and they were able to dance with their daughter again. One of my most precious memories. I have been their for the downside no one likes to talk about with residents and making their transition as peaceful as possible. I have held the hands and hugged families as they say thier goodbyes. The staff will pull overnight just to ensure these residents are cared for. I have seen Tara go to bat for residents care over and over again. If you are looking for a home and not a facility to place your loved one the retreat is where I would place mine.

The family home setting at The Retreat at Cary offers a wonderful alternative to other care facilities. There is more staff per resident which results in individual care and attention. Our Mom felt at home with the loving caregivers and we had peace of mind that she was well taken care of.
The Retreat staff truly felt like an extension of family!

The Retreat at Cary Corner was an answer to prayer when we found it. My mother was 97, almost 98, when she moved in March 2023, after she broke her hip. Tara and the staff have been wonderful, very caring and kind, and my mom has felt safe and well cared for over the last year and a half. My siblings and I could not be more pleased with the care Mom is receiving in this lovely home.