Kosta at Smyrna

We have had a wonderful experience at Kosta. My mother arrived very sad and depressed and physically suffering and the team at Kosta really brought her back to a good place. She loves the food, companionship, and is enjoying great care. We couldnt be more happy and feel fortunate that we found Chris and his team.

I was looking for a place for my mother, and did a google maps search for assisted living places and this one popped up. I remembered seeing something at the site, which is just a normal home in a normal neighborhood. I filled out the information request, and Chris called me. He is very friendly and knowledgeable and spoke to me for quite a while, then invited me to visit the house. My husband and I visited and were very impressed by the amount of thought and effort put into creating a homey atmosphere and making the residents feel at home as well as cared for. The staff are very nice and have been with him since he opened this place 5 years ago. Chris has created what he calls a 'Golden Girls Cottage,' a place for women with dementia who need more than Assisted Living can offer, but who aren't ready for Memory Care. Capacity at the house is 6 residents, with 2 caregivers during the day and 1 at night. Food is home-cooked, water intake is monitored, and care is taken to preserve the dignity of the ladies living there. Chris will also provide names and numbers of family members who have brought their loved ones to Kosta. I don't think my mother is ready for a place like this, but when she is, I hope there will be a place ready for her here.

EDIT: this review was for Kosta at Smyrna under the ownership of Chris Bernaski. He has since sold to new owners and this review is NOT for them. I have moved my Grandmother.I will take any chance to tell anyone who will listen how blessed I was to find Kosta! To understand what a godsend they were, you need to know my story. I first noticed my Grandmother had dementia in September of 2017. My Mom passed away when I was 21 and I was in town for my Uncles Funeral. My only other Uncle has been in jail my entire life. Unfortunately, it was my understanding that I had no power to take care of her or do anything, even though I was the only persons he had. She was living an hour and 1/2 from any family on her own. At the time, I was living in Texas with my fianc. I flew back multiple times to try and find a way to take care of my Nana since she refused to leave her home. I ended up having 2 seizures from the stress of it all. After moving back to Georgia, I was finally able to get an Elder attorney to redo her POA so I would be able to take care of her. I put her in the only nursing home I felt comfortable, where my Mom used to work. However, I would have to have a 24/7 sitter with her because she was so active and lucid. One of the nicest men Ive ever met, Alan, helped me with that. I was hoping it would be for a few days, but Nana was so upset and too aware of where she was. They called me constantly to talk to her because she was upset and wanted to leave. She told me if I made her stay there she would take pills to end her life. Having a sitter indefinitely was not affordable for me. I needed to explore my options. Alan introduced me to Chris with Kosta. I knew the nursing home wasnt the place for her, but I didnt realize I had another option! We were discussing the possibility of my Nana moving there when I found out her insurance was not paying for the nursing home and I would have to pay for that on top of her sitter. Chris was able to meet with my Nana, let me bring her for a day, and determine it would be a good fit within days. Everything was so easy and the least stressful part of everything Ive had to deal with. I was able to decorate my Nanas new room with all her things so she felt at home when I brought her. I loved that they referred to the home as The Golden Girls. The ladies who care for them, Nina, Dottie, Veronica, and Ghilunda, are some of the kindest people I have ever met. They treat all the women with respect, kindness, and sincerity. I love that they are all similar ages and around the same level of dementia and mobility. My Nana is no longer confined to a bed, taking medicines she doesnt need to make her sleep, and wasting away with depression. I have been able to watch as she blossomed into this happy, fun, giggly woman that I didnt know she could be! She has new friends who keep her company and share stories. They have a sweet dog, Riley, who is also a therapy dog who can tell if the ladies are upset and can refocus on her. It feels like a normal house! They cook home cooked meals! She is able to be active and go out to eat, get her nails done, get her hair done, and go to events. When I talk to her I hear the joy in her voice that I dont ever remember hearing before(even when she was at her house). She doesnt beg me to come get her. She has a doctor who comes to her and gets to know her so she only takes the medicine she NEEDS. This is the best quality of life I could hope for her. I know she is well taken care of. I dont have to worry. Her friends can call and visit. I get pictures and updates! She calls the Kosta house Home and we are so blessed to do so!!! Thank you Chris, Nina, Dottie, Veronica, and Ghilunda for guiding me every step of the way. Thank you for sitting with my Nana until she fell asleep while she was getting acclimated to her new home. Youll never know how appreciative I am of all of you!!!

My mother moved into Kosta exactly one week ago today. Prior to that, she was at a facility that offered Assisted Living & the progression of her Alzheimers made it necessary to find another place for her. After hearing about Kosta from said facility, reviewing, & checking personal references, my five siblings & I decided this was the perfect fit for our mother. As I said, its been one week, & were all seeing improvements in her attitude, behavior, & appetite, & she is now getting up at 7 am & dressing, going on outings- that in itself is a miracle! Kosta has been a godsend- I knew it from the beginning. After visiting Chris, Dottie, & the other residents, there was not a doubt in my mind. My siblings & I are experiencing a peace of mind we havent for about 2 & 1/2 years, ... & so is our sweet mother. We also get frequent FaceTimes from Chris & Mom. What I do know is this- there is an honest, caring nature at Kosta, & I can sense the rewarding satisfaction from Chris & the staff when the residents succeed. Sincerely, Krista Helms

My sister and I visited Kosta two days ago (12/01/2018) and enjoyed every minute! We were greeted at the front door by Dottie, one of the daytime CNAs, and one of the sweetest most loving people you will ever meet! The house is welcoming, clean and neat and feels like home. We were there during lunch time and the home cooked meal look and smelled delicious! Our mothers room is somewhat small, but absolutely all that she needs. It is comfy and cozy and the staff and other 3 ladies living there were amazingly sweet and welcoming to our Mom. We loved the attention paid to detail. Chris, the CEO of Kosta, is the ultimate professional, as well as being extremely dedicated to the care, comfort and happiness of the ladies who are entrusted to his care. At Kosta you have the feeling of one big family! We are so happy that our mom has the opportunity to share this lovely home with the amazing ladies who are also going through the same chapter of life as she, and to have such loving, qualified people taking care of her. We feel blessed to have found Kosta!