I am writing to commend the Front Desk staff for their exemplary service. They are professional,…read morecourteous, and cordial. A special shoutout to Shannah for always identifying herself when she answers an incoming call! The whole crew at the front desk is great; they help me with my packages and they have creative solutions to awkward situations. As for Merrill Gardens at Campbell, the people are kind and respectful. I appreciate their service. A wonderful place to live.

I always receive immediate help when I call the care givers…read morewhenever I need help. Many times I can't sleep with sweats and light headedness. Alway here in my apartment within a few minutes, asking if I want to go to the hospital. Most of the time I decline. This is a problem for the entire year. All doctors tell me that everything is normal.

The staff was very caring and kind to my dad . They kept me updated about his condition and were…read morevery kind to the family members.

My mother was under the care of the Princess Lodge staff in the last few years of her life . This…read moreis a very tough time for every family member and the staff at the Princess Lodge made this time as comfortable as possible. My mother entered into palliative and then transitioned to hospice care, while at the Lodge, the staff was very attentive to her needs and care until her passing. They worked closely with the hospice staff and were in contact with us constantly during this time. This is a trying time for everyone and the entire staff was very understanding and made every effort possible to help both myself and my entire extended family through this final transition. We all are very grateful for care the Princess Lodge provided.

After taking care of my wife for 6 years it came to the point where I could no longer provide her…read morewhat she needed at home. I researched many care facilities and toured 8 or 10 of them. When I found Palm Villas I felt that this was where she would receive the best care. I was correct. I live close by and between myself and her friends someone visited most every day. Palm Villas was always clean and smelled nice. Every staff member was knowledgeable and had a helpful and positive attitude. My wife was not happy about moving into a care facility, but the staff there turned her around. She frequently referred to them as "my friends". My wife declined fairly rapidly and needed ever increasing care and the folks at Palm Villas took it all in stride. They provided a level of care and supervision that I never could have given her at home.

My mom, Coleen just recently left Palm Villas after residing there for 5 years. My family and I…read morecould not be more thankful for her care there. This was the third place she had resided and by far the best. The entire staff treated my mom and us great. It was a sad decision we had to make to move her. She only left because my sister moved to a different community and we moved her to be nearer my sisters home. Thanks to the entire staff !! Bill G.

I recently toured The Watermark at San Jose with my mom, and I have to say--it exceeded every…read moreexpectation. From the moment we walked in, the elegance of the place struck us. Marble floors, high-end finishes--it felt more like a country club than a senior community. We were personally welcomed by the Executive Director, Kellie Shearer, who not only gave us a thoughtful and thorough tour but invited us to stay for lunch. We met Tony, their Executive Chef (yes, recruited from the Ritz-Carlton!), and the menu was exceptional. The food? Absolutely top-tier. We also got to sit down with some of the original resident ambassadors, who shared their honest and positive experiences. My mom--who had been completely against leaving her home--was suddenly asking me when she could move in. Kellie introduced us to the nursing staff, who were friendly, grounded, and communicated in a way we both understood. Then came the surprises: daily happy hours with live piano music, a surround-sound movie theatre, and even a putting green (which I personally loved). We had already heard about the mayor attending their ribbon cutting, but seeing it in person made it clear why it's getting so much attention. Fast forward--my mom moved in last month. She and Kellie now meet every afternoon just to catch up. That kind of personal attention is rare. Thank you, Kellie, for helping make this transition not just smooth, but joyful. Five stars.

My father has now lived at The Watermark for one year. During that time, the experience has been…read moreinconsistent--at times acceptable, and at other times deeply concerning. The cost of care is extremely high, and additional fees are added for things that should be basic. If a resident exceeds a certain number of medications, there is an extra charge simply to administer them--despite these being small, routine pills. If staff are asked to ensure a resident showers, that also results in additional charges. Housekeeping is supposed to be included, yet there have been multiple occasions when my father's bedding was not washed, leaving him sleeping in what I would consider unsanitary conditions. In addition, there are many times when I visit and the fronts of the cabinets are covered in greasy fingerprints, as if they have not been cleaned or wiped down in months. After his first year, his rent increased by over $300 per month. The increase is for no other reason than to get more money. Just because you can raise the rent doesn't mean that you should. He hasn't been given more care, he hasn't utilized any of the facilities on the grounds. In fact he sits in his room and just watches television all day. The food hasn't gotten better or worse, he hasn't gotten more care or less. So again a rental increase is not necessary. Compounding this issue, prior leadership sent me the rent increase letter that failed to include the discount he receives, making it appear as though the increase was nearly $1,500. This caused unnecessary alarm and confusion and further eroded trust. There have also been numerous occasions when I have specifically asked staff to please not allow my father to simply sit alone in his room in front of the television all day. Despite these requests, I have not seen any meaningful effort to engage him in the community or encourage participation in activities. This lack of social engagement is particularly concerning and directly impacts his quality of life specifically since he has dementia and Alzheimer's, social interaction is extremely important to help the disease progress less aggressively. Many of these issues stemmed from prior leadership, which I understand is no longer in place. I believe I can personally attest to at least one reason for the high staff turnover. On one occasion, I called and asked to speak with a specific leader. I was placed on hold, and when the receptionist returned, she said she was transferring me. When this leader picked up the phone, she answered with a curt and rude "what," as though she believed she was speaking to the receptionist rather than a family member. Speaking to staff--or anyone--in that manner is completely unacceptable. When I clarified who I was and why I was calling, her tone barely improved. The interaction was unprofessional and left a lasting impression. While the care staff themselves appear to want to do a good job, there have been serious lapses. One example was when my father complained of what was dismissed as a sunburn, when in reality he had a severe case of hives. He later ended up in the emergency room while traveling. When we returned from that trip, we found his bathroom had flooded. Rather than immediately sending someone to clean and sanitize his apartment, staff was told to offer to him in a model room for the night. This was an unacceptable solution. He had just returned from vacation here he was ill the entire time and wanted to rest in his own apartment--not be displaced. We were also informed that there was no maintenance staff on site at night, which is deeply concerning in a facility of this nature. It took an excessive amount of time for someone to come up and mop the floor, and even then, the area was not sanitized--only mopped--despite the fact that it involved toilet water. I have read many reviews stating that appearances can be deceiving, and unfortunately, that can be true. It is a beautiful new building. There has been significant staff turnover, which I believe was directly related to certain members of leadership who are no longer there. Overall, I am cautiously hopeful that with the leadership changes that have been made, things will improve. However, given the level of cost and the expectations that come with it, meaningful and consistent improvement is not optional--it is required.

My 100 year old father lived for eighteen months at the Pompey location. He was very happy with the…read morehome like environment and the loving care he received from his caregivers. Each day he had a sponge bath or shower and clean clothes, so there were NO unpleasant smells there. He enjoyed their breakfast each day and nice home cooked meals. All the people were very kind and always responsive. We could not have been more pleased with this home.

My aunt had come to live here almost two years ago, after experiencing some life changing…read moreillnesses. It was for us to see her in this condition, my cousin truly found a great place for my beloved aunt's final care. This place was very much like a home. Very clean and orderly. The staff was always welcoming and friendly, like family. I cannot express how much I appreciate their loving care. It's really nice to know that there are still heartfelt people in the world. Thank you all.

Toured Atria Willow Glen as a potential independent living community for my mother. They also have…read moreassisted living and memory care, should she need it. Atria is a gorgeous place with huge trees, gardens, koi pond, and creek. The person who gave us the tour was the memory care director. She was very warm and knowledgeable and genuinely interested in getting to know my mom and her current living/health situation. The dining room is clean and spacious and there was a friendly warmth from the staff and residents. I was pleased to find out in addition to three meals a day, they serve coffee and breakfast all day until 5pm. When a resident is sick or just doesn't feel like going to the dining room, they can have food delivered to their apartment. There is also the option of cooking in the small kitchen in their apartment. Atria has lots of activities and events for residents. They go to interesting places like San Francisco, Monterey, etc. There are groups to join, too, like a knitting or writing group. Garden plots are available in the community garden and there is a heated outdoor swimming pool. My mom loved the apartment she was shown. Since this was the first community she looked at, we are going to tour a few more before making a decision. It's hard to imagine a nicer place.

Just a concerned citizen - I love that the seniors get…read moreoutings to shop and experience some independence. However, I find it very unsafe to not have personnel on site monitoring their movements in the shopping plaza. I just encountered a resident who forgot where she needed to meet for pickup. I give credit to how quickly they arrived, but even the man who answered the phone seemed rude and lacked compassion. I worry because the Almaden plaza usually draws homeless as well as thieves. God forbid they lose their memory at the wrong time. I hope this is an issue with rapid resolve for the sake of others' elderly loved ones.

Referred by Kaiser- very disappointed; doses not speak good English - made fast decisions without…read moregetting more info. Will be contacting Kaiser Admin .

Derick was extremely responsive, caring and went the extra mile to help my family find a place for…read moreour loved one. He checked in regularly, answered all our questions (and there were many), and followed up when he said he would. I would definitely use him again and refer him to others. Thank-you Derick for making a tough couple of days easier.

Belmont Village Review…read more I am 91 years old and have been a resident of Belmont Village for the past four years. Throughout my life, I have remained active and have been fortunate to enjoy many fulfilling experiences. As I approached retirement, I often imagined what it would be like to live in a fine hotel, where comfort, excellent service, and peace of mind were part of everyday life. I have achieved that goal. Belmont Village is professionally managed by a creative, compassionate, and dedicated staff who consistently strive to provide exceptional care and service to every resident. Their professionalism and genuine concern for our well-being are evident every day. The community is ideally located directly across from the Winchester Mystery House and adjacent to Santana Row, one of the Bay Area's premier shopping and dining destinations. Santana Row is beautifully maintained, secure, and offers an ever-changing variety of restaurants, shops, and community events that residents can easily enjoy. The dining experience at Belmont is another highlight. Chef-prepared meals are served three times each day by a courteous, well-trained staff in an attractive, spacious, and beautifully illuminated dining room. The quality of the food and the pleasant atmosphere make every meal enjoyable. Belmont Village offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing support, and memory care. Fortunately, I remain in good overall health and am not experiencing any significant physical or cognitive limitations beyond what might reasonably be expected at my age. However, I recognize that health can change unexpectedly as we grow older. Knowing that additional care is readily available if and when I need it gives me tremendous peace of mind. After four years here, I truly believe I am in the right place at the right time. Belmont Village has given me not only a comfortable home, but also the confidence that my future needs will be met with dignity, compassion, and professionalism. I wholeheartedly recommend Belmont Village to anyone seeking an exceptional retirement community where quality of life, outstanding care, and personal respect are clearly top priorities.

If you are struggling with the difficult decision of moving a parent into assisted living or memory…read morecare, I cannot recommend Belmont Village San Jose enough. My brother and I were terrified that moving our mom from a different facility would worsen her dementia, but the exact opposite happened. From our very first interaction, Shelia was incredibly helpful with the initial tour, answering all our questions and easing our minds. Once Mom moved in, the care was seamless. Allyson (Memory Program Director) and Gilda (Director of Resident Care Services) are absolutely incredible. From day one, they made a genuine effort to learn everything about our mom's history and specific needs to help her settle in. The transformation has been unbelievable. Our mom was not willing to leave her room at another facility, but now she has genuine friends, eats in the dining room for all meals, and stays active. She loves her trips to the on-site salon, watching TV with her new friends, and going on outings like scenic drives and picnics in the Rose Garden. The nurses and PAL caregivers (Personal Assistants for Living) clearly have specialized training and truly know how to work with people with dementia. Every time I visit, the PALS always update me with heartwarming stories of what my mom has been doing. Not only has this move been life-changing for our mom, but it has brought a sense of calm to my brother and me. Knowing our mom is surrounded by such great care and love when we aren't there is priceless. Allyson is wonderful about keeping in touch--she even texts photos of our mom enjoying herself, which means the world to us. Communication at BVSJ is excellent, and they even offer family support groups led by the amazing Tami Anastasia, an Alzheimer's and dementia consultant. We've learned that not all assisted living and memory care facilities are the same--the heart and dedication of the staff at Belmont Village San Jose make all the difference.

My family cannot say enough good things about Caring Hearts. The staff there is dedicated to…read morehelping the residents there live with dignity and a sense of belonging. Michelle makes it a practice to reach out to families with "Good news" and pictures that show everyday successes and small joys. Prior to going to live at Caring Hearts our mom lived at a much larger (And frankly much more expensive) care home. However the level of personal care and attention that she now receives has resulted in a substantially higher quality of life for her.

I wanted to write this review for Olivia and the staff at Caring Hearts. They are really dedicated…read moreteam and are doing amazing work. My father has been doing much much better under their care than in other places we've tried. The facilities are always clean, the workers are super attentive to my father's needs, and visiting hours are very flexible. Olivia has been very kind to my father and I throughout the entire process of getting him situated. Additionally, they offer a very reasonable rate for the level of care they provide. I cannot recommend Caring Hearts enough.

Wonderful place. Really takes good care of my grandmother. Doing wonders for her health and…read morelifestyle here. She especially enjoys the dining and how chef Nicholas always take care of their requests. Will continue with her care here.

This is my review regarding care giver Rosa. Rosa is outstanding and she has helped me several…read moretimes. Always very friendly and super good and understanding when she was providing me help and assistance. I find her a pleasure to be around and for sure when I have needed her help. She is a big asset to Merrill Gardens!!! Thank you Rosa!