Working with Kris has been a wonderful experience. She has helped with the transition of two residents to our community – her knowledge of dementia and each individual person and their needs has been an immense help in supporting the resident and their transition to memory care. She is a true advocate for seniors.

My husband has stayed at Echo Valley Respite with Kris Mason many times. Often Don
would visit for a long weekend but several times he stayed for two and even three
weeks. Don loved staying with his “other family” and truly Kris’ made him feel like he
was a part of their family each time he visited.

My husband loved the activities, card games, and just being a part of life on a little farm.
When he came home, he always talked about the chickens, pigs and walks on the
pathways. Kris is an amazing communicator, caring, patient, has a great sense of
humor, as well as a knowledgeable nurse. Her beautiful home and acreage are a
special retreat for guests while serving as a needed respite for the family.

I appreciate Kris's holistic approach to care. She works to create an environment and experience that welcomes and genuinely engages her clients despite any executive function or memory loss. I am always encouraged to learn that another family caregiver is taking advantage of this unique and much needed respite option.

Echo Valley Respite saved my life.

I was searching for respite for my husband outside of the normal memory care facilities, and by some miracle I found Echo Valley Respite and Kris Mason.  My husband loves staying with her and thoroughly enjoys all the fun activities she plans.  I have and will continue to highly recommend Echo Valley Respite.

The environment that Echo Valley Respite provides for families seeking respite care solutions is such an amazing experience to find here in Whatcom County. Once you come to the farm, you'll be amazed at the beautiful surroundings and the wonder of a small working farm. The level of care and breadth of experience that Kris provides for the visitors is exceptional. The experience that visitors have is that of being part of the family and not just a client being taken care of. I don't know of any other situation in the area that comes remotely close to what is provided by Echo Valley Respite. I would bring anyone I truly cared about to the farm and feel totally confident in the experience and care they will receive while they are there for their visit. Echo Valley Respite is a hidden gem that you'll be amazed to find in our community.

Kris had an amazing reputation among the Dementia Support Northwest caregivers. That is how I found out about Kris. She was so welcoming by coming to our house to meet us and then inviting us to her house for a potluck Sunday. Mike stayed for the first time for a week while I went to a wedding. Soon, I realized I needed a care plan of my own as Mike's dementia progressed. Mike started staying with Kris twice a month for 4 days a week each time. He was uncertain about being away from me but Echo Valley soon became his second home to even adopting Kris's Mom as his own. When it came time for Mike to enter a memory care facility, he wanted to go live with Kris. Kris took such good care of Mike that I could rest, recuperate, reduce that stress and be ready to help my beloved once again.

When I suggested a “vacation” at Echo Valley to my mother (because I was feeling very deep and real caregiver burnout) and let her know it sounded exactly like the farm where she spent happy childhood summers, my mother said, “sounds lovely, but not for me.” When she finally stayed with Kris and her wonderful family, Mom said “I wish I could live there.” It’s hard to top that sentiment. Kris has created a home away from home for older folks where they feel like part of the family- engaging them in meaningful ways and providing opportunities for fun. Kris has an incredible amount of expertise and experience in the field of senior care and dementia; that expertise is coupled with an incredible empathy, sense of love and caring, and deep intuition. She has been an invaluable resource and support to me, but, most importantly, she has become a friend to my mother. Mom lights up when she sees Kris! Dementia can be very isolating, but Kris has an easy way of creating warm and genuine relationships with those in her care. Although my mother has recently moved to a memory care facility, my hope is that she can continue to “vacation” at Echo Valley because it does her soul so much good. I am so grateful for Kris, her family, and her sweet dog, Dave, for opening their home and hearts to us.

I bless the day that I found Kris Mason and Echo Valley Respite. My husband has advanced dementia. As his full-time caregiver for many years, the time came when I needed a few days of respite. I could not have found a more loving, caring, capable, and experienced person than Kris. She is truly an angel among us.

It didn’t take long after a one-night trial stay for me to schedule regular longer visits for him. He loved his time in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings, and he just beamed when he saw Kris. She has an uncanny ability to sense what someone needs and provides a caring, enriching, safe, and enjoyable experience. And she is fun!

Sadly, the time came when he needed to be placed in full-time memory care. Kris encouraged and guided me through that heart-wrenching process with great compassion, her vast experience and wisdom. She continues to be the rock I lean on. There are no words to adequately express my deep love and gratitude for Kris, her family, and their devotion to helping those needing care and their families.

My name is Gerald Becker (84yrs old) my wife Elva Becker (84yrs old) passed away the end of August 2023 after 63 great years of marriage. We have two sons Mike and Bill; Elva was a very loving wife and mother.

A little over 3yrs ago I became aware of my wife's gradual cognitive decline which continued to progressively get worse which required me to obtain medication for her. I had thought at the time as a 24/7 Caregiver I would be able to handle my Wife’s battle with Dementia, however I realized that I was getting over stressed and not providing the care I thought I should.
I contacted NWRC services which in turn gave me a list of Certified Caregivers, Luck would have it I was able to obtain the services two times a week of a Retired Nurse with a background caring for patients with Dementia. My Caregiver realizing that I needed some time for myself recommended that I contact Kris Mason who operates Echo Valley Adult Day Care and Respite in Maple Falls WA.

After contacting Kris, we setup an appointment for her to visit and introduce her to Elva. Kris spends several hours getting to know my wife developing a knowledge base of my wife's daily routine, meals, habits and medications.
I prepared comprehensive paperwork detailing my wife's medication schedule etc. Soon after I scheduled a visit for my wife and I to visit Echo Valley [Respite].

We found a beautiful well-designed property and comfortable home setting.
After review I did not hesitate to schedule my wife for several weeklong vacation stays. During these vacations stays at Echo Valley [Respite] Kris provided [me] with daily email and pictures of my wife's visit. The daily communication provided [me] with the assurance that my wife was being well cared for.

During the last visit in early August when I arrived to pick up my wife Kris took me aside to recommend that I should seek In Home Hospice Care for my wife. Kris provided me with a clinical write up which helped me obtain a doctor's referral for In Home Hospice Care. Whatcom Hospice was fantastic in providing me with everything I needed to assure my wife had the best of care. Kris continued to support and monitor the In-Home Hospice Care and [was still] supportive of me even after my Wife’s passing.
I have been very fortunate to have been introduced to a very good and professional Caregiver who introduced me to Kris Mason at Echo Valley Adult Day Care and Respite. My wife passed quietly in her sleep at home [at] the end of August. I have come away from this experience without any regrets and only fond memories of our marriage.

This all thanks to Kris Mason Echo Valley [Respite], Sherry Agnew Caregiver and Whatcom Hospice.
Gerald Becker

Echo Valley Respite has been a life changer for my husband, myself and my Dad.

24/7 care for a loved one with dementia just is not sustainable and I was feeling very overwhelmed.

Finding good care is a very difficult process and I feel so blessed to have connected with Kris at Echo Valley. My Dad absolutely loves it there and I have complete confidence that he is receiving the capable and compassionate care he needs.

Kris and Echo Valley Adult Day Care and Respite were an absolute lifesaver for our family and the care of my mom. Kris’s extensive knowledge and experience with seniors and dementia, along with her graceful, supportive, and calm demeanor were an invaluable resource in helping us navigate my mom’s changing needs. Most important of all, Echo Valley was a wonderful, engaging and calming place where my mom felt safe and loved; and gave her spouse and family respite so we could rest, work and make sure we were in the best frame of mind to give my mom loving care when she was at home.

The time came when we all needed more support and guidance and that is when you, Kris (and family!) and Echo Valley Respite stepped in. I think each of us, as family members, was unaware of how much stress and strain we were under; each in different ways. Fear, frustration, sadness, exhaustion, confusion, lack of communication, doubt, anger. All of these, and more, reared their ugly heads.
With Echo Valley Respite, Mom had a beautiful, peaceful, relaxing, loving, and fun environment to be in as well as benefiting from engaging activities and conversation. She loved coming to spend time with you and the Echo Valley team! We hoped for all that; but you blew us out of the water with so much more. You reassured us with your amazing professionalism, experience, and honesty. You provided time and space for refreshing and processing for us as family members. You facilitated improved communication between us as a family as well as with medical professionals and our long-term care insurance company. You handled emergencies and long nights with such calm; reassuring us. You have helped us with decision making and to process our grief along the way by speaking truth, in love, to us.
In the last week of Mom’s life, you were right by our side. You helped us with so many resources and getting hospice engaged seamlessly. You demonstrated your true compassion and care for those that you serve. You have been a beautiful reflection of light and hope in a challenging time. Thank you, Kris
(and to your family too!). We consider you family.

Kris Mason and Echo Valley Respite have been a wonderful resource that allowed my wife to live at home and also receive loving intermittent care with Kris and her family in beautiful Echo Valley. It gave each of us an opportunity to “recharge our batteries “and look forward to reuniting at home. 

Kris is a trusted advisor and loving friend to seniors and their families, helping us navigate through the difficult times and decisions. I can’t imagine anyone more able to care for a loved one!