Patients are in bright spacious rooms with two or four beds, decorated with loving care by the sisters, the patients themselves and others. Windows look out on the gardens and the peaceful atmosphere contributes to their comfort as well. Most of the patients are in ward-like situations because we've found that they receive more stimulation when they are not isolated. Dr. John M. Read III checks on the patients twice weekly and is always on call. Men are cared for in first-floor wards by male nurses and sisters.
Women are on the second floor.
The nine Hawthorne Dominicans care for patients on the women's floor and are always present throughout the building. Part of what works so well here is that sisters are assigned a ward and take care of the same patients for as long as they are with us. They develop a close, family-like relationship and the patients become very dependent on the sister who cares for them. A cheerful, no-nonsense administrator, Sister Gilmore was assigned to the Atlanta home a few months ago. She was previously to a Hawthorne Dominican facility in Massachusetts.