Want to know about American House? Ask a family member!

“Every single person that works here has enabled two of my relatives to thrive and find a life they can live happily,” said Mary.

This is a testament to, not only the care Mary’s relatives received by the American House Charlevoix team, but to the positive change in their well-being for having lived there.

Within a two-year period, Mary had lost four close family members. It was not only an emotionally challenging time for Mary, but one for her Uncle Bob, whose wife was one of those four. It wasn’t long before Bob, now in Mary’s care, needed hospitalization. After rehab, it was apparent he’d need daily assistance.

A grieving man who had extensive physical and mental impairments, Bob came to American House Charlevoix and found a home. “In rehab, he was not doing well,” said Mary. “Here, he healed. You couldn’t tell he had a traumatic brain injury. He was happy here.”

In short, he thrived.

He loved the American House Charlevoix team members. “He called them his girls,” said Mary. At mealtime, Uncle Bob was like a maître d’. He made sure people were taken care of, gallantly holding chairs for the women in the dining room.

When it was time for Mary’s mother, a very shy woman, to live at American House Charlevoix, she didn’t want to leave her room for meals. When she eventually did, she had Uncle Bob there to greet her and help her into her chair. Over time, like Bob, she too, thrived. “I will say, the people here are very attuned to the moods and how people act, and whether they’re happy or not,” said Mary. “After a while my mother spent every day out of her room, down by the fireplace doing her word searches. Every day! My brother and I were like, who is this woman, and where’s my mother?!”

Mary’s family successfully continued their story at American House. One, a shy woman who blossomed and is flourishing four years later. “Every day is a good day for her,” said Mary. The other, a man with physical and mental issues who became everyone’s friend.

“I can’t say enough about the staff, I have such affection for them. They filled such a hole for him,” said Mary, adding, “I don’t know what I would’ve done without American House.”

We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.