The Harbor at Hickory Hill

My mother called The Harbor at Hickory Hill “home” for seventeen months. We continue to give thanks that she lived in such a safe and compassionate community where she received excellent care from an incredible team. Mom was able to maintain her much-valued independence in her own apartment while receiving the opportunities for socialization and activities, balanced meals, and the routine that she needed. Chasity Conway, the director, is surely fulfilling her calling at the Harbor. Her passion for those with dementia translates into being an excellent communicator with the families and supporter of her staff. It is not unusual to see Chasity wiping down tables or offering assistance to the residents after completing administrative tasks. Mark Otwell, the facilities manager, is always attentive to the residents and families’ needs. Mark does an outstanding job at keeping the apartments safe and well-maintained. He works with families with requests and answers questions with enthusiasm and the desire to assist. One of the highlights of my mother’s week was chatting with Chaplain Bob Sandifer. Brother Bob ministers to the families, as well as the residents, with a warm heart and a gentle wit. Everyone including the caregivers, kitchen staff, nurses, administration, cleaning staff, and the activities director are well-trained to deal with the complexities of dementia AND seem to love their jobs. I will not mention specific names in regards to the daily care of my mother for fear of leaving someone out. As a whole, the staff members at the Harbor excel at keeping the residents happy and safe and do so with passion and compassion. They were very attentive to Mom, and she was able to bond with them quickly. Not only did Mom consider them family before she passed away on April 3rd, but we do, too.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this facility and the incredible people who work here. From the moment my “Gam Gam” moved in, we have felt nothing but peace, comfort, and genuine care. Chasity, the manager, is truly exceptional. She leads with compassion, professionalism, and a heart that clearly cares deeply about every resident and their family. The nurses and caretakers go above and beyond every single day—not just meeting needs, but truly loving on the residents. They know my Gam Gam personally, treat her like family, and make sure she is always clean, comfortable, and cared for with dignity. Her room is consistently clean, and the attention to detail does not go unnoticed. What stands out the most is the heart behind everything they do. This isn’t just a job to them—it’s a calling, and it shows in every interaction. It gives me such an incredible sense of peace knowing my Gam Gam is safe, loved, and well cared for. That kind of trust is priceless. I truly hope corporate leadership recognizes what a rare and special team they have here. Employees like this are hard to find, and they deserve to be appreciated and supported for the amazing work they do every day. We are beyond grateful.

My mom was a resident at Hickory Hill until she passed away in January. I cannot say enough good things about the facility and staff. Chasity, the Director, is excellent as are her staff. My mom felt cared for and about. We could not have asked for a better experience.

Prior to moving to AL, I worked for a hospice service in GA, playing music for residents in about a dozen residence facilities. Wanting to continue that “giving back,” I connected with Hickory Hill about a year ago. It has been a wonderful experience. 🌻 The staff is friendly and helpful in gathering the residents, ensuring their comfort in seating, and serving snacks. Many of the residents sing and clap along, and I always make sure I spend a moment with each individual before leaving. The management is very careful with their health, also. A couple months ago, there was a bug going around so they asked me not to visit. On the day I was supposed to play, I dropped off a stack of handmade greeting cards. The facility looks clean and well-kept, the food smells good, the staff is courteous, and provides a nice array of seasonal activities, indoors and outdoors. If you have a loved one needs residential care, check it out.

This is a beautiful community with an amazing staff! They truly care for their residents as their own. I’m so thankful for The Harbor.