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.

Not happy at all the way my sister was treated by the head nurse and med techs here they deprived…read moreher if medications in several occasions and treated her badly . She was deemed a Problem by many staff members . Her transition from The Ridge which was also bad was hard for her. While they made accept ions for her it came to be that she had a mark on her back and this wasn't the place for her .

Don't be fooled by what they tell you when you visit the facility to consider putting your relative…read morein there. I have been in the facility since my husband checked in there on March 28th of last year and I spend every day with him. Between 5-7 hours. i know all the staff and all the residents. l. Lots of times not enough staff. i have often waited up to 2o minutes for my husband to get his dirty diapers changed. They would be busy changing someone else, and tell me they were coming after they finish with that particular resident. I would go back to the room and wait for at least 20 minutes for them to come and change him. 2. The food is not the same as the residents in the assisted living get in the downstairs dining room. . Often there is no juice, no fruit, they run out of napkins upstairs. There are no place mats on the tables. Often they run out of silverware and they give out plastic. The food is often lukewarm or really cold. I used to go behind the counter to the microwave to heat up his fruit. I was TOLD in no uncertain terms that I was not to go behind the counter and warm up his food. That I had to ask the staff to do it. There is mostly not enough staff to serve the food and warm up his plate. I have often assisted in serving the food and cleaning the tables if there is only one staff member working the floor. I have been told that is now allowed, so I have just stopped doing it, even when they are short hand 3. I have often brought people in wheelchairs out of the bathroom who were struggling to open the door and move their chair. When they see me moving the chairs into the room , they run and take it from me. 4. The bed never has a top sheet. i have asked them to put a top sheet on the bed, so that he doesn't have to live with the blankets in his face. they tell me they "made his bed". I go in there and tear it apart and start over with a top sheet, like you make your bed at home. 5. We have started to eat downstairs in the nice dining room. We also sit down there during the day, because it is nice and quiet. Upstairs they have 2 different TVs going all day with competing sound and often very loud. 6. There are all kinds of rules that I am not aware of until I break them unknowingly and I am told very rudely that this is not allowed. I ecawas sitting downstairs in the dining room by the kitchen. the kitchen has a bell to ring if you want something, it takes sometimes a long time for them to respond and you never know if the thing is working, because you can't always hear it. So I open the door and call in and ask for what I would like to have. I was told that I had to wait no matter how long it took for them to come to the door, or I would not be able to sit down there with him anymore. .. and not very kindly. I was almost in tears. I think they are intentionally harassing me when I come, so that I won't visit and interfere with them. I was so upset, I went home. 7. I gave some of the care staff gift certificates from Marshalls for 20 $each. Only 2 of the people to whom I gave the gifts thanked me. If I hadn't been thanked by one of them I would never have known the gifts had been given out. 8.He has been on hospice for months and if it had not been for them, I would have despaired in his care. 9. I have noticed some hostility from the staff when I make a request. Some of them are outride rude . I am sitting there with my husband at breakfast at 8 Am and one of the people walks in and doesn't say good morning, or hello. They have purposefully made a point of not greeting me. They greet Jack when they see him in the hall when i wheel hm around, but they ignore me like I am part of the landscape. I hate to ask them to do anything at all. l0. Since it is a closed facility you have to ask someone to let you out of the door. I sometimes have to wait because there is only one person watching the residents and they can't leave. The others are often on another floor. I have noticed that some staff is pulling back to back 8-l0 hour shifts.That is dangerous with elderly if you are tired. They are all overworked. I expect to get a blowback from this posting and more hostility, but everything posted here is true. some of the other relatives and I have talked and we have agreed on this situation.

The memory care at this location is top notch. My mom was really having a hard time, unable to walk…read moredue to a brain injury at another facility. With the care at this Belmont Village, my mom came back to life. She went from zombie-like to energetic and talkative. She loves the caregivers, and it feels like they love her too. Do not hesitate to bring a loved one here for A+ care and safety. The rooms are really big, and there are beautiful areas to sit and get some sun and fresh air. The activity leaders are so kind and really try to keep the residents busy with chair yoga, music, karaoke, word games, BINGO... The staff is phenomenal, and there are folks like Walter, Juan, Wilma, Christine, and more that give joy and care to each resident. I love that they assign PALs (care givers) to groups of residents, and most will pitch in and help whether or not they are assigned to a particular resident. Poojan (MC Director) and Radhika (Sr. ED) can often be found with residents. You can feel so much love here. Don't think twice about checking this facility out for your aging relatives. You will fall in love and get your own peace of mind, knowing they are safe, loved, and engaged. Just look at how they brought my mom back to life!

I could given them 5 stars because of the modern design of the facility it's beautiful. The reason…read morewhy is 3 stars because of the poor quality care specially in memory care department. 1. When pulled the cord takes time to get somebody for help, I understand they were busy, but there are 3 PALS sitting in activity area and they were in there phones.I understand they are watching those fall risk residents but should be only one PALS is assigned. 2. I have witnessed, while they are serving food at the dining room there a few PALs eating in the counter. 3. They are always short staffing.

Nancy is a wonderful lady. We love to see her smile and so much appreciate her hard work and…read morededication to helping others. Thank you so much for having Nancy there. She is a blessing.!

After several months of my brother's care in assisted living at Carlton, l am ready to give a…read morereview. I like the atmosphere at Carlton and there is a beautiful view of the Cottle Park from his room. The food there is good and there is are several choices offered. They give family members two free meals a month, which is a brilliant way to promote family & friends visiting. My brother seems to enjoy inviting me to join him in meals. I appreciate the staff, many of whom have been working there for several years. However, my brother doesn't request help. Often when l get there his tv isn't functioning and he is sitting in a snarl of his sheets. Pedro in maintenance is very nice and helpful when I visit if l ask. Mary, the evening supervisor was extremely prompt and efficient last when there was a hygiene issue. However I have had a request in for them to replace a doorstop for months, the one he has is broken and has punched a hole in the wall, which later allowed the knob to punch a hole as well. The door hinge is out of adjustment, causing the door to slam loudly. These things that take a little bit more work are just not getting done. Transportation to medical appointments is efficient and timely. I wish I could say the same for things he would like to attend like a luncheon out.

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.

I enjoy living at Merrill Gardens...the Staff is always chipper...specially my caregiver Rosa and…read morethe front desk Receptionist Adrian...I recommend Willow Glen to folks out there

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.

A heartfelt thank you to Isabelle, Tamara, and Jocelyn for your outstanding dedication as…read moreCaregivers. You're compassion professionalism, and unwavering commitment make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents every single day. Thank you very much for your kindness, patience, and the positive energy you bring to every shift. I'm truly grateful for everything you do. And I really appreciate the dedication you show to the residents and community. I want to take a moment to recognize Isabelle, for your dedication kindness, and positive difference you make everyday. Your hard work is much appreciated! She's consistently demonstrates compassion, professionalism, and a strong commitment to providing outstanding care for residents her attention to detail, dependable work ethic, and willingness to go above and beyond make a lasting impact. Isabelle is an amazing med tech She's so kind and patient and very professional and very knowledgeable

(Watermark Almaden) I would like to comment on my journey living at this Assisted-Living for over a…read moreyear. An experience that was a nightmare- ongoing power failures for four months - yes - I have the flashlights, the blanket, battery operated mini lamps issued to the residents during this time / apologetic news letters weekly (waiting on parts) for generator. After a formal complaint was made, a Transformer finally arrived on premises. Twice pipes broke in the ceiling of my bathroom, flooding my bath and kitchen area. Rent was raised twice in one year. Covid rapidly spread throughout the building (was hospitalized for 4 days). Ventilation is very bad as they do not routinely change filters in Apts or Common area. When I ask to have it changed (as my Apt floor was showing evidence of black spots) - Maintenance states " only if you need it". I might add this is rental property (saving money). The food is the worst- Vendor is US foods. NO stable management. Lastly, I advise anyone interested in this Community to do your own extensive research on the internet (You will be surprised). The microwave oven never worked in my Apt. Kept tripping the breaker. Reported the problem one month after moving in - never resolved ! Finally approx 4 months upon leaving they said the microwave was too big; but never offered to replace it. I also would like to mention the elevators are often inoperable/they have four floors. I encourage everyone to be extremely cautious before putting your love one in these Communities as it is very costly/ stressful to re- locate .

Like everyone in this situation, finding the right place for your parent as they age is one of the…read morebiggest challenges. My mom had been living in an ADU on our property for the past four years, but she reached the point where she needed additional care and a place where she would feel safe, secure, and supported. After visiting almost every senior living community in the San Jose, Los Gatos, and Saratoga area, we finally came across Novelle. So far, our experience has been extremely positive. On our very first visit, we met Brayan, and he was one of the biggest reasons we chose Novelle. He was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, accommodating, and genuinely cared about helping us through the process. He reflected exactly what we found throughout the entire community--beautiful surroundings, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and a bright, cheerful environment. We also had the opportunity to meet several residents, all of whom spoke very highly of their experience. In fact, a couple of them had transferred from facilities in Los Gatos because they felt Novelle was a much better fit. It's still early, but so far, we couldn't be happier with our decision. I'll be happy to provide an update after Mom has been there a little longer.

Always tricky going through the process of a parent being at the point where being at home is no…read morelonger the right thing to do. My mom needed to go from her home to Memory Care. Not a ton of options and they are all expensive. But...after touring several locations, the Novelle property on Almaden Expwy, was BY FAR the best landing spot for us & my mom. When touring places, i asked myself, would i feel comfortable visiting...was it an inviting place? Novelle does it right. It essentially feels and presents like a hotel...high ceilings, caring staff and well thought thru design. Access is simple, parking is simple and most important, my mom has transitioned well there. Have nothing but great things to say and if you're looking for a contemporary and up to date IL/AL/MC facility this spot can't be beat in my opinion. First class staff, great menu's and food. Thankful to have found Novelle.

My dad is here at Oakmont San Jose, Leslie the person who gives my dad his meds is so nice and…read morekind! We appreciate her! Thank you Leslie Joann

We moved my mother into this facility about two months ago and she is thriving. She's fairly…read moreindependent so wasn't sure she wanted to move to such a facility, but we got a good vibe during our tour, thanks primarily to Lisa Koenig, Marketing Director. Lisa was well-informed, organized, extremely helpful, and full of joy! She ensured we saw a range of apartments and did an excellent job telling us about life at Oakmont. What I love about Oakmont is that my mom has eyes on her now, so I worry less about her day-to-day health and well-being (moving, eating, being safe) than I did when she lived at her previous apartment. She's made some friends already, attends mass, and is getting her hair done weekly. Thanks, Lisa, for making Oakmont so appealing! And to the rest of the staff there - all of them! - for being so warm and caring!

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.