Cui Rong Chen, lovingly called Chen Chen, was one of our cherished participants at the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center, our adult day health care center in Mountain View. After Chen Chen’s passing, her family visited to express their gratitude for the Center and the dedication of its staff. Below, her daughter, Flora Lee, and Flora’s sons, Ethan and Jayden Wan, reflect on the profound connection Chen Chen had with the Center and share heartfelt memories of her time there.
Tell us about your mom—what are some of your fond memories of her?
My mom loved to watch her favorite artists sing on stage and would always sing whenever she remembered the lyrics. I recall how we would go on family walks by the coast, and how she loved to watch the airplanes take off and land. My mom found joy in arts and crafts, and coloring—she would use her colored pencils to shade in one or two coloring sheets a day and then show everyone her beautiful work. Her cheerful and easygoing personality made it easy for her to connect with her grandkids, who could learn and speak Chinese after living with her. Her grandkids loved playing and chatting with her after school, and would even play fight with her, which made her incredibly happy.
When did your mom start coming to Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center?
My mom started coming to Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center during COVID-19. At first, she was a bit nervous to go, but after one week she told me that she was excited to continue this program as a part of her everyday routine. Even when the center transitioned to Zoom meetings, she was able to overcome the technological learning curving with the help of empathetic Center staff. She found the activities to be very engaging and shared lots of stories about what she did each day.
Did she have a favorite staff, favorite activity, or special moments at the Center?
At the Center, my mom absolutely loved playing bingo with her friends and winning prizes. During dinner, she would always share whether or not she had won anything that day, and how the staff were always so kind to her. She also loved having the opportunity to be involved at the Center. As an avid helper at home, my mom felt so empowered when the staff allowed her to join them in cleaning after meals and assisting her peers with crafts.
In your opinion, what role did the Center play in your family, in your caregiving journey?
Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center was a blessing for my family as we lived with my mom. The accommodating and welcoming staff—who displayed an awesome ability to care for and bond with their participants—made us confident that my mom was in a place where she could comfortably learn new things, find new friends, and grow her passions. The Center also allowed our family to perform our regular activities, such as work and school, with full confidence that she was in safe hands.
What made you choose the Center over other similar facilities?
From a first impression, I was amazed to see the management and staff radiate with passion and empathy when taking care of their participants, which our family greatly admires and respects. To my mom, Avenidas felt like home away from home. Just from her first few days of joining, she had already begun to express to us that enrolling her in this program would enrich her daily life with exciting and wholesome memories. As a family, we also greatly appreciate the flexibility and understanding on behalf of the Center, as they provided regular transportation for my mom, even though we lived nearly an hour away. We can confidently and unanimously agree that Avenidas was a very special part of my mom’s world.
Would you recommend the Center to others who have loved ones that need that extra care and attention?
Absolutely! Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center is undoubtedly a beautiful, warm, and cohesive environment that is more than capable of providing unwavering support.
Interested in learning about Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center for you or for a loved one? Call Clinical Outreach Specialist Susan Lam, RN at 650-289-5499 for more information or to schedule a free tour.