I had a great visit with Michael touring the Avila Senior Independent Living Apartments, which is…read morein the heart of San Luis Obispo, CA. Michael was very thorough in showing me the features of the apartment complex, which highlighted many amenities, activities, events, fitness center and so much more for their residents. I met some of the staff and they were very welcoming and friendly. The building outside and inside was very well maintained. I cannot thank Michael enough for his expertise and patience in answering all my questions. Michael is a great asset to the Avila Senior Apartments team. I was very impressed with the entire tour from start to finish. Looks like a terrific place to live.

My 90 year old mom was a resident at Avila Assisted Living (The Manse On Marsh) for about 4 months…read more She a studio apartment to live in. To live at Avila Senior Living in a studio, the base rent was $5000+/month. Once set up, an assessment is done by a point system on the needs of the individual. Monthly care exceeded $7000+ a month. She lost 10 pounds the 1st week she was residing there. Mom had no room to lose weight. Because of her diet consistency Mom had to have her meals in a blended state like a smoothie. Doesn't seem too difficult, right? The would throw everything served blended in a single cup. Yes, a coffee cup. Salad and chicken and rice blended together in a coffee cup. No wonder mom was now under a 100 pound ( at 5'6) We even brought nut butters, and avocados and other high calorie/ fat foods. The chef always said "no problem". Mom has a large Oxygen apparatus to be used as needed. I came to visit, an ambulance and firetrucks were in the driveway, when I arrived for a visit. I went to the dining room to see mom. She was being loaded on a gurney due to low 02 and weakness. I asked If the care providers had assisted hooking her up to her machine. Nope. I asked the nurse and the care providers. Looking at me with dazed looks. I received several "I didn't know she had an 02 machine". Did I say she lived in a studio? The machine took up 1/2 the closet. She was helped getting dressed and undressed twice a day. Chose her clothes from the closet! Ok. Off to the hospital, we go. She is dehydrated and low 02. Assisted living...hmmm. My sis and I were in and out of Avila Supported Living several times a week. Having to sign in and out. Not one care provider, nurse or admin asked about how mom was doing. No communication, at all. 3 weeks in, The Manse, I mean Avila Senior Gardens informs everyone their license is not going to be renewed for assisted living. Not only mom, about 15 residents get notice to vacate. On to new, hopefully better places.

Joel and the rest of his team did a wonderful job of caring for my mother…read more After she fell and could no longer live at home, we were all concerned that she would end up in an institutional environment, idle and miserable. Finding a place like Bob & Corky's was an answer to prayer. All the staff were competent, patient, helpful, and very accommodating about visiting times. Providing round-the-clock care can be an arduous task, but you wouldn't know it when seeing everyone's positive attitude. Joel and company also did a good job of providing activities, walks, and outings, calibrated to each resident's personality and physical abilities. I have a relative who has run several board and care homes, so he knows all the things to look for, both good and bad. He gave Bob & Corky's top marks when he visited. Based on my experience, I would recommend them without reservation.

Pros: Great people. Excellent facility. Surprisingly good food…read more Cons: None The twilight of life is often not an easy time. In late April 2018, my wife and I moved from Silicon Valley which we called home for more than 35 years to Nipomo, about 210 miles to the south. My mother relocated from Pennsylvania to San Jose in February 2015 and took up residence in a nice retirement facility (part of the Brookdale group). When we moved, there was little choice for her but to go with us. The Central Coast of California between San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria is a remarkably happy place. The weather is tough to beat. Vineyards cover many of the hills. The Pacific Ocean is never far away. People seem to be content...whether fellow shoppers in the stores, neighbors or drivers(!). Still, finding the appropriate place for an aging parent is not a simple job. If moving is one of life's toughest jobs for a person in good health and sound mind, it's a treacherous task for a 90 year old with many ailments, both real and imagined. A few minutes after arriving at Merrill Gardens, my wife and I turned to each other and said "this is it". My mother moved there 3 weeks after we settled into our new home. Any transition is hard, especially for an elderly person who established a life in one city and didn't really want to try it again in another. She only lived 5 weeks in Merrill Gardens before succumbing to a variety of medical issues, but the staff and people in that residence made our lives as sweet as possible, both before and after her passing. - Location: Convenient. Merrill Gardens is in the northern part of Santa Maria, about 3 minutes east of Highway 101 off the Donovan Road exit. - Exterior: Very attractive. There are 2 large 3 story buildings...one built in the early 2000s and the other around 2010 (I believe)...plus a circle of cottages to the north and east. Attention has obviously been given to the landscaping which gives the complex a residential appeal. You might say it's the nicest part of the neighborhood. - Interior (of the newer building where my mother lived): Bright and cheerful. The receptionist and concierge are just inside the entrance with a "great room" to the left. It's warm, colorful and cozy. The initial feeling you get is "they take care of things at this place". The dining room remains open from early morning to late evening since Merrill Gardens has a policy of "anytime dining". It's large and airy with tables spaced far enough apart to permit privacy yet allow conversation among friends. The hallways are more spacious and inviting than at similar facilities. There are several rooms for meetings and movies, the largest library I've seen in such places and a very active pool table nearby. - Apartments: Generous. My mother had a one bedroom unit on the 2nd floor with about 600 square feet plus a balcony of 100 square feet. When she arrived, there had only been one occupant since the facility opened. It was cleaned and painted with a bigger kitchen than she had in San Jose...including a large refrigerator, microwave and stove. Maybe not all the amenities of a real home (such as a lack of good storage), but not too shabby either. - Dining: Really good. My mother was a picky eater, but definitely enjoyed her meals at Merrill Gardens. While we were sometimes dragged to dinner in San Jose, we went willingly here. The food was tasty and the servers friendly and patient. - Senior Staff: The best. We can't say enough good things about the Chief Executive, Audie Sherberg and Community Managers Kim Adams and Gary Gross, but I'll try. Kind, accommodating, informative and willing to listen to a family's tales of woe. It was like having friends on the inside. The receptionists were always helpful, especially Barbara during the week. - Caretakers and Other Staff: More of the best. Kind, supportive and patient. They're not the most highly paid, but their jobs are tough. - Other Residents: Very friendly. It's as if the happy atmosphere of the Central Coast extended to the residents. Older age did not deter these people from smiling. - Cost: Reasonable. We paid $3,250/month for the one bedroom apartment which was roughly the same as in San Jose, but for a nicer facility. However, it can get expensive if you need ancillary services, including management of medicines and specialized care. NOTE: The initial "community fee" of $4,000 covers the facility's move-in costs. If your family member leaves within the first 4 months, you'll get a pro-rated amount back. Mr. Sherberg was very helpful in getting us the largest possible refund. - Value: Excellent. The best money spent in quite a while. I hesitated writing this review for a few months after my mother's death because I wanted to make sure the long process ended as well as it began. It did. There are no "ifs, ands or buts" to the 5 stars awarded to Merrill Gardens in Santa Maria.

Beautiful facility, kind and friendly people, and nice staff. Can't ask for more unless a…read moregood-looking young man comes with the deal.

We moved my mom into The Oaks in March 2025. They advertise that they have Memory care. Whenever my…read moredad visited he saw nothing of the sort. They have no medical staff at all. They kick my mom out 2 days shy of a month. Three weeks after being kicked out she passed away. My dad and I blame this institution for the rapid decline of my mom. This is one place you need to stay away from.

We have recently moved our mother into the Oaks in Nipomo which is a beautiful facility and they…read moreseemed to meet every requirement that we needed for my mother. The staff is incredible friendly, welcoming and always have a smile on their face and willing to go above and beyond what is expected. They have care and compassion. The facility is gorgeous, clean and inviting and the people that live there are incredibly sweet, helpful and friendly. If you are looking for a wonderful facility for you parents than this is a fantastic option!

My wife and I spent months and countless hours trying to resolve our concerns privately before…read morewriting this review. Unfortunately, after repeated requests for documentation and a meaningful resolution, we feel prospective families deserve to know about our experience. We are both Successor Co-Trustees for a twice widowed friend of nearly 30 years who was a resident at The Oaks at Paso Robles for just over a year. During that time the California Department of Social Services substantiated two of our complaints involving their care. One citation involved the facility charging for services that were not being provided over an extended period of months and another involved a medication error in which a medication technician mistakenly administered another resident's OxyContin to our dear friend. Both findings are documented and substantiated in the California Department of Social Services public licensing records here, Citation #29-AS-202260407133349: https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/transparencyapi/api/FacilityReports?facNum=405850480&inx=27 After he was transferred to another assisted living facility, the admitting staff and ombudsman documented that he arrived with an active infestation of lice and other insects requiring immediate treatment and multiple treatments after that were humiliating yet necessary. That was devastating for us to witness. Following his transfer, The Oaks at Paso Robles acknowledged that it had not consistently provided the agreed level of care for several months and proposed a partial refund. However, despite multiple written requests for an itemized explanation supporting its refund calculations, these were only partially provided and not detailed enough to justify their partial refund. We were left unable to determine how care fees were calculated or which services the facility believed had or had not been provided. As of the date of this review, the California Department of Social Services public licensing record reflects seven Type A citations and twelve Type B citations for this facility. https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefacilitysearch/FacDetail/405850480 Under California's enforcement system, Type A citations are issued when a violation presents an imminent danger to residents or has caused substantial probability of death or serious physical harm. Type B citations are issued for violations that have a direct or immediate relationship to the health, safety, or security of residents but are not classified as Type A. We encourage every family considering The Oaks at Paso Robles to review the state's public licensing records directly before making a decision. We recognize that many caregivers work hard under difficult circumstances, and every family's experience may be different. However, based on our family's documented experience, we cannot recommend The Oaks at Paso Robles or their other communities without first carefully reviewing their state licensing history, asking detailed questions about staffing and care documentation, and understanding exactly what services are included in monthly care fees. The California Department of Social Services public licensing records for assisted living facilities in general can be reviewed here: https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefacilitysearch/

In May of 2023 I left a 5 star review for The Oaks. Our experience since that time has been very…read moredifficult and we chose to move our loved one in October 2025 because of lack of care for her increasing needs; as well as maintenance issues in her room that went unnoticed had we not brought them to staff's/management's attention repeatedly. If your loved one is able to live independently this would be a good place. For a senior who needs assistance, I would not recommend. Though there are some lovely staff, the turnover is very high, and very hard to get to know who is caring for your loved one.

June, 2023, I placed my 82 year old wife at the Villa Alamar Memory Care & would highly recommend…read morethis facility as the administration & caregivers have shown exemplary care & concern for her, monitoring daily activities to keep her clean, dressed, entertained & nourished. Unfortunately after over 10 years dealing with Alzheimer's, she passed on July 5, 2026.

My wife has been in memory care at VA for five years. Very caring and competent staff. Absolutely…read morethe best option for anyone with a loved one unfortunate enough to suffer from dementia. The owners, who are local, also really care!

I have resided at Creston for three years. I am happy here. I have made many friends, and lost a…read morefew along the way. They offer many activities for their residents. On the other hand, reading a good book and enjoying a favorite beverage are other relaxing choices.The surrounding grounds are a pleasure to walk. Here, you can do as much or as little as you wish. We have lovely courtyard, where willing residents enjoy contributing time and talents in planters they have "adopted". Of course, I would rather be home-- but realistically, I realized it was time to get more help and stop my loved ones from their concerns about me. All and all, the life here is a great choice. Nanci Smith, a happy camper at Creston Village.

I would not recommend this memory care unit for anyone! We placed our mom there with the…read moreunderstanding that they would have a staff ratio of 2 to 14 residents. This was not true... One person was on duty in memory care and when they needed assistance they would call someone over from Assisted Living. Our Mom was left in bed until 10:30 am with no breakfast when we came on a Sunday for a visit. On another occasion she sitting in a diaper soiled with excrement until we them for her to be changed. I wonder how long they would have continued to let her sit in that state had we not come by to visit. We spoke with administration and they were useless, claiming to be fully staffed. It was an absolute nightmare for our family. It took 33 days living at Creston Village Memory Care for my Mom to end up in the hospital with dehydration. Part of having memory issues was that she needed to be reminded to drink and have water available. This was not the case! I would give it less than one star if I had the option.

My father was there for 8 months with end stage Parkinson's, before passing. Personal items,…read moreincluding marked clothing, would regularly disappear. A lot of the staff are less than friendly, and a bit impatient with him, even thpugh he was quiet and calm, compaired to many of the other residents. Food quality was horrible, as family would come eat with him. A lot was inedible. Uneaten food, including fruit, would be heated again in microwave, or pureed in a blender to a mush, even though he had a good appetite and was self-feeding. Complaints met with rudeness or indifference. Considering how expensive they are, we expected better. Building and rooms were beautiful. Activities guy was very good with residents, and tried to get everyone involved in activities. My mother said she rather end it, then be put there. Awful place.

The residents at Oak Cottage are cared for with respect, dignity, a dedicated work ethic with deep…read morecompassion. The facility is clean, and comfortable. The activity director is totally involved and dedicated in making each day exciting, stimulating, enjoyable and fun for the residents. He decorates for each holiday with color, appropriate props, some moveable parts, both the interior and exterior. The food is delicious, with an appealing and appetizing presentation. I feel blessed to have my husband so well cared for and kept watched over by professional kind care takers. Linda Muzinich12/7/24

I highly recommend Elder Placement Professionals. The team there did a great job listening to our…read moreneeds, compiling information and options for us to choose from. I met up with Nicole who toured some of the facilities with me. We were able to find a great place for mother in law, and my mom. It can be overwhelming to know where to start. I didn't know where to even start looking, how to know what facilities had what amenities. This company saved me hours and hours of research and knew which places would be options for us immediately. There was never any pressure to do anything, and I didn't pay a dime for any of it.

I have had a wonderful experience with Elder Placement Professionals (SLO and Santa Maria area)…read more Both Nicole and Ina have been exceptional in helping to find a truly wonderful, safe, sound, clean Assisted Living Residence (RCFE) for my 91 year-old mother who fell and also has some moderate memory issues and needs 24-hour care. They were consistently on top of providing the best available facilities to view for my mom and her particular needs. They assisted every step of the way and made the process of selecting the best home for my mother a smooth and great transition. I highly recommend Elder Placement Professionals and am very happy with their expertise and great service! My mother is in a lovely and safe home with great caregivers! Thank you, Nicole, and Ina! Regards, Mary (in Orange County)