When Grandpa lived in an elegant assisted living facility, his thin skin was always cracked and bleeding. His daughter paid an extra $15/day to have lotion massaged into his skin, but this rarely happened. Unequipped to handle Grandpa’s growing needs, the facility kicked him out. Thankfully, he alighted at Alexandria Victoria, a board and care home for nine seniors on the east side of Santa Cruz. Rosie Gryspos, who, with her husband, John, has owned Alexandria Victoria for 38 years, diligently tended to Grandpa’s skin, and it healed completely within a month. Rosie did this simply because it needed doing....no extra charge.
Santa Cruz is fortunate to have such a compassionate place as Alexandria Victoria for the elderly to call home. We learned, through Grandpa, that personal attention often falls through the cracks, and the buck gets passed in large facilities. In contrast, Rosie and her family give each resident compassionate consideration equal to the best that a loving family member would give.
A pair of golden lions guards the front door of Alexandria Victoria. A semi-formal living room with a fascinating array of collections, including bottle stoppers and pourers, nutcrackers and John Sr.’s paintings hosts families visiting with their elders or celebrating holidays. Soft drinks and candies are free for the taking. Each bedroom in the house is decorated with homey linens, rugs and antique furniture. Behind the house is a lush garden burgeoning with fruit trees, flowers and a jumble of green plants. A herd of very independent cats inhabits the back porch and garden area, offering companionship to residents sitting in the garden.
The setting, cosy as it is, is really the least of what Alexandria Victoria has to offer. The Gryspos family is the true gem here. Rosie and 23 year old John Jr. provide the bulk of daily care, and John Jr. recently got his Assisted Living Administrator’s license, paving the way for him to take over the business eventually.
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John Jr. with Grandpa |
After nearly four decades of experience working with the elderly at Alexandria Victoria, Rosie has developed a sixth sense that helps her instantly assess how each of her charges is doing. Betsy Magen, whose 91 year old father recently moved into the home, credits Rosie with catching the early signs of a recurring medical problem and getting it treated before it became a serious issue. At least twice before, when her father lived in an assisted living facility, this minor problem was missed and grew to crisis proportions, resulting in hospitalization and weeks in rehab. At another time, Rosie reduced one woman’s daily medication count from 23 to eight over a month and a half by working persistently with doctors and pharmacists.
Apart from the ceaseless chores involved in feeding, washing, exercising, dressing, and talking with the residents, there are always challenges that would drive a normal human insane. Asked how she can tolerate rising seven times each night to help the resident who requests repeated trips to the bathroom or drinks of water, Rosie, her greying hair lifted into a loose bun, gives a gentle smile and says “Well, he can’t help it.” Indeed, at moments of trial like these, Rosie turns to her Catholic faith and prays for patience. As Ann McCrow, whose mother lived at the home until her death, says, “Rosie qualifies for sainthood, in my opinion!” John Jr.’s mix of compassion, patience and humility is stunning for a 23 year old. He credits his faith and his Mom: “She taught me to care for people with my heart.”
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I'm glad to know such a caring place exists. And astonished.
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