It's such a hard decision knowing when is the right time to move into an assisted care facility but…read moretalking with Karen made things seem so much less daunting. The space was beautiful and felt more like a boutique hotel than your "A" typical assisted care facility. She gave me a lot of great information, they are at the top of my list but ultimately it's our loved ones decision.

Just received my THIRD large check from the third class action lawsuit against Aegis and how it…read moremistreats is residents -all pre COVID. Dad passed (thankfully) way before COVID - I can only imagine the lawsuits continue (and were worse during COVID.) Stay away from this company.

Location! Location! Location! This is a very well-cared-for facility with very kind staff in an…read moreidyllic location next to Greenlake and coffee shops, the PCC, and restaurants. I give the staff five stars. The downsides are kind of the same downsides you would find at other facilities. They all have a dark side. One of my parents died where Hearthstone collapsed assisted living, nursing, and memory care all into one floor. . . .so please note that all the reviews here about the skilled nursing and the health center are not relevant anymore. Those days are gone. I'm not sure they should even be able to claim they're still a CCRC. I'm sure it's a systemic problem that all senior homes have now, but we paid a lot of money for not great care when we started to need it. Also tested the emergency call buzzer pendant thing when my parent wet themselves and it didn't work. In the moment, I didn't have it in me to ask for help, so I changed them myself. In retrospect, I wish I had called hospice earlier to care for my parent b/c the hospice people gave better care. As mentioned above, the staff are all lovely people, and it is also true that there are several individuals working in underpaid care positions who might not actually want to be, or who aren't actually cut out for doing this work, but they just don't have other options -- also a systemic problem. Finally, this facility recently started a point system for the food and since then, my widowed parent was not getting enough to eat which is absurd for the amount of money they charge. They have since changed facilities and are eating better. So again, this is a great place if you can stay in independent living and you don't eat very much lol. . . . Otherwise, beware.

If you or a family member are in need long term living or extended rehab care... this is the type…read moreof place you hope you find. Brightly lit, nicely furnished, across the street from Greenlake, decent food, and really friendly staff that seem like they actually want to be at their job .... I wouldn't go as far as to say you feel like you're at a spa or hotel but it's nice for what it is. A real treat compared to the sights and smells of other 'nursing homes'.

We recently had an opportunity to spend a week in a guest apartment at Ida Culver, Ravenna. I was…read moreimpressed by the welcoming atmosphere. A sign with our names greeted us in the lobby, a staffperson helped us unload and wheel our belongings up to the unit. The requested microwave was brought promptly. The staff made an effort to listen to our needs and sought our feedback on the visit. Great views and tasty food. Well worth looking into, especially as the entire building will be transformed with a major rebuild.

We moved my mother from a senior living apartment building that changed from senior to traditional,…read moreall ages. It's very difficult to make a change when one is in their 80s, but the staff and residents at Ida Culver Ravenna went above and beyond. Everything is five star in our book. At Ida Culver you will be surprised to find a warm, welcoming place behind the serious facade on NE 65th. The majority of the facility is older with big picture windows facing either a meditation garden or a beautiful, large sunny garden. This won't fill your needs if you're looking for brand new, McMansion type living. But if you are looking for wonderful spaces, bright and cheerful views, top notch staff with absolutely great communication, you have found the right place for your loved one(s). Soon after our Mom moved into Ida Culver, her health started to decline. The staff of Ida Culver was right on top of it, communicating to us what we didn't always see on our regular visits. Not only was the staff great, the other residents looked after Mom, and communicated to the staff when there was a problem. They were with us in dealing with hospitalization, were with us in dealing with the hospital regarding her care, and were with us for the short term of skilled nursing in order to gain strength. Our Mom will be transitioning to full assisted living, and the nursing staff has been wonderful concerning planning, communicating, and meeting with us. Bravo Ida Culver. It's wonderful to find a place that truly cares about their residents and 100% advocates for the best care possible. They have made this difficult journey that much easier.

I'm very concerned about their treatment of customers and patients. My sister was banned as a…read morepatient, my employee was banned as a visitor. A freind was continually not allowed to discuss care with the manager. I had an unpleasant experience while checking in my mother, they did not want me in the waiting room. So I placed my mother in a different place at less than 1/3 the cost with superior care. I simply don't understand anything about their operation. Now, possibly the people associated with me are trouble, right? But none of us are banned anywhere else! Literally people outside the doors of the place whisper to me, don't bring your mother here!

I notice that some of the caregivers lacked a sense of urgency, as if the patients (guest) were…read morecattle. Also, once, I'd received a phone call from a loved one staying there, who was having a difficult time working her iPhone. I could not get the staff to help. I literally had to leave work to see if my loved one was OK. There seemed to be little team work between the masked lady at the desk and the nurse's station on the 2nd floor.

Our adventure with University House Wallingford began in 2009, when my mother sold her house across…read morethe country and moved to Seattle to be close to family. We selected University House for a number of reasons, and while it wasn't perfect (what retirement community really is?), it was the best option for her. My mother certainly enjoyed most of her experiences there and met some incredibly interesting and accomplished individuals. She enjoyed the proximity to downtown Wallingford and, on the whole, enjoyed the food and staff. However, be aware of one very important concern. University House is managed by ERA Living, and this is probably the weakest point from the perspective of coming away from her time living there with a good feeling. Be aware that when a retirement community tells you that they can handle assisted living, it is by no means a guarantee that when the time comes to move to assisted living they will allow your elderly parent(s) to stay. That was the case with us, as my mother was essentially evicted from her apartment after a period of being ill for a number of months. Though there are residents of University House with debilitating conditions such as ALS who require constant care, it is the predictability of the care needed that will drive University House's decision regarding whether they will allow a resident to stay. So, if somebody's health is essentially up and down and unpredictable, they feel as though they can't handle that. If somebody, such as in the ALS scenario, has a predictable downward trajectory, they are OK with that. So, we were told to find her somewhere else to live. We did so and were very happy with the second housing situation, where she remained for the remainder of her life. But, there was one final surprise from University House. We were told near the end of the month that she could no longer live there, so we rushed to find the new housing alternative, and we had her out before the end of the month. But, University House has a 10 day notification of vacancy policy (it may have been a different amount, but my recollection is 10 days. . . nonetheless, the forthcoming point is still valid). Even though were were out of the apartment before the end of the month, they still opted to charge us for the now-vacant apartment for about five days afterwards. No attempt at good faith was shown on this issue, which really was heartbreaking for my mother. It wasn't the money. It was the loss of trust in an organization that she'd thought had the best interest of the residents at heart. So, yes, ERA Living is a for-profit company. They're allowed to make a buck (or a million). But, they really need to rethink the manner in which their policies come off in practice.

If you're considering a retirement home for your aged parent, you could do far worse. Having had a…read morerelative in both Ballard Landmark and U. House, each has their own charms to recommend. Ballard Landmark skews a little younger and buzzier and has the advantage of the animated Ballard Ave. But U. House is far and away more intellectually stimulating and cultural, with a heavy emphasis on musical offerings. The grounds are lovely and elegant, and the food, while not My ideal, is selected with care. The staff rotates, of course, but are generally well intentioned. Neither facility is recommended for heavy duty assisted living, so if serious infirmity is on the horizon, best to find somewhere with continuing care priorities.

I worked providing music therapy to memory care patients at Emerald City Senior Living--or one of…read morethe previous owners--for almost ten years. I was very conscientious at my job there: I was always on time and provided a substitute if I was unable to be there. I conducted a music class that was stimulating and friendly and enjoyed by residents and often their family members and even staff. I got along well with staff members and gave books as presents to one or two of them. I did not raise my rates, which were lower than I charge other assisted living centers, over the many years of my employment. Despite the high quality and integrity of my work, I was not paid for 3 months at the beginning of this year. After making many efforts to contact management at Emerald City Senior Living in various ways, I was forced to file an Inquiry into the Seattle Labor Standards Department. This resulted in my receiving my back pay, still with no acknowledgement or apology from management. Soon after in May 2024, I was terminated, or, simply not called to work again at Emerald City Senior Living. This happened with the same passive aggressive manner from the Senior Living Center which I experienced when I tried to collect my back wages. The conduct of management at Emerald City Senior Living is completely unethical.

My mother lived at The Empress Memory Care from September 2023 until her passing in May 2024…read more Within the first two weeks, her jewelry began disappearing, including a ruby ring she had worn daily for over ten years and never removed. Management offered no help or accountability, even suggesting she might have misplaced or traded items, which was not true. Over the next several months, more of her belongings went missing. 2 coats, sweaters and inexpensive earrings. During a later meeting with other residents' families, one man shared that his wife was terrified because staff were going through her things while she slept. This confirmed our fears. We paid roughly $20,000 to get her in this facility. We hoped it would be safe, compassionate care, but instead endured a deeply traumatic experience. I would never recommend this facility to anyone seeking trustworthy memory care for their loved one.

Empress Senior Living is a beautiful, boutique-style community in Laurelhurst that feels more like…read morean upscale hotel than a traditional senior living community--while still being very reasonably priced. The location is outstanding, with a Metropolitan Market across the street and some of Seattle's best parks and walking trails nearby. The food is excellent as well--especially the breakfast burritos. The staff is consistently friendly and welcoming, and there is always something engaging happening for residents. I've been especially impressed with the Health and Wellness Director, Heather. She has a strong pulse on the building and a deep understanding of each resident's individual needs. I've seen firsthand the care and intention Heather and her team put into ensuring that care is personalized, thoughtful, and well-coordinated. She does an exceptional job guiding her care team and working closely with outside partners to make sure residents who need specialized support receive it. Just as importantly, she communicates clearly and compassionately with families. Empress is a special community, and it truly shows in the quality of care and attention given every day.

It's a great place to live. Many staff have been here for decades and are super helpful and…read morefriendly. Service has improved greatly since Tranforming Age became a partner. Happy Hour Fridays is always fun. Activities Director is super nice. 97 percent of your neighbors are very sweet.

norse home is a perfect place for those with no family and limited options ..but if you have…read moreanother option ....RUN. much of the staff is nice but the management is ineffectual and self serving. im in assisted living due to a debilitating stroke and in addition to having no knowledge or experience with my type of disability they dont seem to care. they have call buttons, and its included in the bill, but often they dont respond to them....when i complain they suggest i call on the phone.my disability makes that difficult....but thats their reponse....services for assisted living are minimal..sometimes depending on who your aide is and what they are willing or have time to do. some of them have tempers and WILL put their hands on you while no one has hurt me it is demeaning and a rotten power play to use on a disabled person. the food is terrible (overcooked cafeteria food) the dining/kitchen staff is not very experienced but VERY nice and works hard to please.

I stayed in Sagebrook Senior Living in Ballard for two weeks this summer. It was a respite stay so…read moremy wife could go to Kansas to visit her mom. The stay was more than I expected. Residents were wonderful. Introduced themselves to me and asked to sit with them at meals. The medical staff was excellent. I have Multiple Sclerosis and need special care. My wife is a nurse and we had looked at other places but she was not comfortable with leaving me at them. After meeting with the Brookside medical director she said this was the place. All during my stay everyone was making me feel at home. Would recommend Brookside to anyone looking for a place for a parent or themselves.

From the owner: Sagebrook Senior Living at Ballard is an independent living and assisted living senior community in…read moreSeattle, WA. Located in the vibrant Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, our residents enjoy all the luxuries of bigger city living while being in a smaller area with a smaller neighborhood feel. Residents and their families enjoy our prime location near Bergen Place and Mavin's Garden Park . At Sagebrook Senior Living at Ballard, we celebrate every day of retirement. Our dedicated staff believes that every resident has a story worth hearing and it is their stories that makes our community special. We work together to make retirement nothing less than the grand adventure it was meant to be.