What Our Families Say

Bridges is the place for my father. We have total trust and confidence in them. They have been nothing short of amazing during the whole process. The community is warm and inviting with activities, engaging social events, and good food!

– Son of Bridges® Norwalk resident

Bridges is a wonderful place. My dad is there now and we love it.  The whole team is a tireless advocate for your loved one.  Simple things like the food being really good and the residents going on lunch trips (with no additional charges, etc.) are huge pluses. Every team member is kind, friendly, and upbeat–which is beyond important. The most telling part to me is that when I’m on the phone with my dad and any member of the staff comes in (not knowing I’m on the phone), they are kind to my dad and joke with him. That to me is everything.

It’s an impossible time in life–having a loved one in memory care. We are just beyond thankful for Bridges.

– Daughter of Bridges® Norwalk resident

All of the staff at Bridges at Norwalk take such good care of my dad, starting from the Executive Director through all the departments. They are so kind and have a genuine interest in ensuring that he and all of the residents are well cared for.

Several who are in direct contact with Dad learned that he also speaks French, and they converse that way every day.

Meals are delicious, and guests are invited to join anytime. The chef is very creative and accommodating.

There are fun, daily activities to keep residents’ bodies and minds active. Dad was presenting to residents and guests about one of the books he wrote. Another resident author did the same a few weeks earlier. The team sees each resident for the whole person they were before their memory began to fail, and they strive to recall and celebrate their accomplishments. Everyone is treated with dignity.

There is a lovely, safe outdoor space with nice sitting areas and a paved walking path, plus a great rooftop area with frequent musical performances in the warmer weather.

The entire team is wonderful, and I highly recommend Bridges at Norwalk to anyone seeking a memory care residence for their loved one.

– Daughter of Bridges® Norwalk resident

Our mom was one of the original residents at Bridges. She has been living there since August, 2018. Carol’s husband, my sister and I made the most difficult decision that summer to move our loving mom out of her house and into Bridges. I will never forget that morning. The four of us sat in a circle at their house and gently let my mom know she was going to spend some time away from her husband, so he could take care of his own health issues. Our mom was confused and only half-aware that we were taking her out of her home, but she trustingly followed us out of the house.

We had all heard nightmares about neglectful and depressing assisted living homes and had battled feelings of guilt for months. But we knew our mom was no longer safe to live at home and her husband’s health was slowly deteriorating. We hoped that Bridges would be different. We visited a few times and felt comfortable with the staff, decor and community program offered at Bridges. That was almost four years ago.

Initially, our mom participated in the many activities offered at Bridges including yoga, ‘bowling’, bean bag toss, sing alongs, arts and crafts, painting, cooking and more. She easily made friends with the other residents as well as the friendly and attentive staff. She can no longer participate in most activities and she has lost the ability to express herself with words, but her smile, giggles, gestures and calm nature reassure us that she is comfortable and happy in her home.

My sister and I feel welcome and at peace whenever we walk through the portal to my mom’s world. I share conversation with the receptionist and often break out in ‘hum’ to the piano player, a musical on T.V. or ‘Glee with Lee’. As I continue to my mom’s room, I can usually hear the entertainment director enthusiastically conducting some activity calling to each resident by name to join in the festivities. Occasionally, the director or the head chef passes by and mentions something sweet about my mom as well. Many of the staff have been there as long as my mom, and in a strange but calming way, they feel like family. They are my mother’s family. They see her every day! Thank you Bridges for making the most tragic and difficult experience for us a little more tolerable. We appreciate ALL of you.

– Diane & Debby, Daughters of Bridges^® Resident

The onset of dementia has been a difficult time for our loved one, and for friends and family. We watched an independent, vibrant woman used to coming and going as she pleased to someone who was no longer safe on her own. Bridges restored our loved one’s sense of independence, humor – and our peace of mind. I cannot thank the staff of Bridges enough for the care and community they provide not only to the resident, but to the resident’s friends and family. Our loved one was treated with respect and as an individual who loved to dance, garden (she was particularly proud of her bumper crop of tomatoes grown in the lovely Bridges garden), dress up, and socialize. The Bridges staff is truly an engaged, special support team who helped her experience joy each day – and her friends and family, too!

– Kimberly D., Family of Bridges® Resident

The Norwalk Bridges is warm and welcoming to both residents and family members! What I appreciate most about Bridges is the respect given to residents from all staff members. Residents are treated with dignity regardless of their current condition.

I enjoy participating in activities with mom and am always welcomed whenever I show up. I have learned so much from the staff about how to interact with my mother as her dementia progresses. I model approaches from staff members to engage and re-engage mom for more meaningful visits.

My mother is so much more than just a resident. When I visit staff members take the time to share how mom is doing today or an activity that she particularly enjoyed; they know her and know how to relate to her as an individual.

The director is very responsive. If I have an issue, concern, question, I email and get a response the same day. I know from experience that issues or concerns I have shared have been addressed. Rather than defending ‘her institution’ she consistently tries to make it better.

I wish mom did not need Bridges, but I am glad and grateful that she can be there.

– Melissa, Family of Bridges® Resident