Brookdale San Ramon
Anonymous
"Friendly Staff!"
The staff is super helpful and nice.
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Anonymous
"Budget-friendly, clean facility with friendly staff but lacks communication."
The place is cheaper than others and worth the money. It's clean and the staff is nice. But it seems like there's been some changes in staff or not enough of them since my family member moved in. I wish they would communicate more about updates through email, not just through paper newsletters.
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Anonymous
"Heart-wrenching experience at understaffed Assisted Living Home."
This place is the worst! I wish I could give it zero stars. Our family had the worst time here. It's a disgrace that this place is even open! I can't believe A Place For Mom recommended it— they should stop recommending it completely. I'm heartbroken that my sweet mom had to live here. The thing that upsets me is how understaffed they are! One time, I got there at 8:30 in the morning and there were only three cars in the parking lot. Those people were setting up breakfast in the dining area. We asked so many times to get my mom to her meals but they never did. I stepped into her room and was grossed out by the piles of old food and garbage. They throw her food in styrofoam containers and then they're out the door. This is just one part of the problem. I bet they're breaking the law by not having enough staff.
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Anonymous
"Mixed Experience at Brookdale Assisted Living"
We would definitely choose Brookdale again if needed. The rooms could have been vacuumed more often, especially for residents needing diaper changes. The common areas were very clean. The staff were always friendly and happy. Given Dad's condition non-communicative and bedridden for just 31 days the family feels they did a great job. However, the meals were too bland, and often skipped if Dad was asleep and couldn't make it to the dining hall. We didn't get to try the activities. Brookdale is reasonably priced for the area.
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Martha
"Caring Community with Lots of Fun Activities"
I would tell others this is a nice and caring community with professional staff. The staff are involved with the residents and think about their needs. They are careful in the way they talk to the residents too. They have helped with medication and bathing for my loved one. There are lots of activities like bingo, puzzles, entertainment, movies, cognitive classes, field trips, celebrations, and more for the residents to choose from. The food is wonderful and they have good staff in the kitchen.
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C F
"Excellent Care and Engaging Activities"
The staff who take care of us are amazing. They are really caring and patient. The person who plans the activities is great and has so much energy. She makes sure we all join in the activities and have fun.
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Anonymous
"Exorbitant Monthly Rates for Studio at Assisted Living Facility"
This place costs way too much. They were asking $8,000 a month just for a studio!
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Anonymous
"Appeared Well-Kept"
This place seemed well-maintained when I visited. The person who showed us around was nice. It's bigger than what we wanted.
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The daughter of a 90 year old
"Brookdale San Ramon: Nice Apartments, Poor Service"
My Mom had to move into Brookdale San Ramon, and ever since then, it's just been one problem after another. Employees just unlock her door and walk in before my Mom even gets the chance to answer. They even have the audacity to enter her apartment when she's not even there! The food is always cold, tasteless, or not what she ordered. We constantly run into issues about what exactly falls under the umbrella of my Mom's monthly rent and services. They tell us one thing and do another, which really upsets my Mom. They are forever cancelling activities. On poker nights, they won't let my Mom join because they say it's "full". And then there are serious mistakes on her monthly rent statement! When it comes to cleaning, the service does a half-hearted job. My Mom, who is almost 90, ends up cleaning most of her own apartment! But I do have to admit, they take excellent care of my Mom medically. They are always on top of her health issues. Her apartment is really charming and just the right size for her. A place like Brookdale is where my Mom needs to be, but I seriously question whether Brookdale San Ramon is the right fit for her. The building and her apartment are fantastic, but when it comes to activities, food, and follow-ups, Brookdale San Ramon falls way short of our expectations.
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Anonymous
"Renovation hides poor conditions and management"
My mom's been living at this place for more than four years. It started off as Merrill Gardens then was bought by Emeritus, and that's when things went downhill. Now, it's Brookdale San Ramon. It's a corporation enough said. The management's lacking, the caregivers are great but exhausted and underpaid, the food's not good, and the vibe's boring and void of life. Don't let the recent remodel fool you. It's meant to look appealing and high-class, but once you go past the flashy exterior, you'd see the reality. Old slider doors, screen doors that can't lock, grungy carpets, and rooms that haven't seen an upgrade in years. At over $4000 a month on average, the residents and their families are not getting a bargain.
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Anonymous
"Friendly staff, nice place, but location issue"
My tour of Brookdale San Ramon was great. The place was nice, and the staff was super friendly. The tour guide answered all my questions. The only reason I didn't choose this community was because of its location.
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Anonymous
"Brookdale: Higher Costs, Lesser Services, and Low Morale"
My mom was a resident there when it was Merrill Gardens, then Emeritus, and now Brookdale. With each change of ownership, the facility has seen a slash in services, quality, and the number of staff. There are barely enough caregivers, putting residents' safety at risk. The food quality dropped and long waiting times to be served have become normal due to the lack of staff. Other essential services like cleaning and transportation have also decreased. All the while, the rents for residences and personal service charges are on the rise. The management is under clear stress to save money. And don't get tricked by the recent renovations, they don't change the fact that at Brookdale-San Ramon, you pay more for less. The mood is quite gloomy among both residents and employees.
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Anonymous
"A Welcoming Independent Community!"
During our tour, Brookdale San Ramon impressed us with its cleanliness and friendly staff. However, we learned that it caters more to independent living and doesn't accept residents with mild cognitive impairment. The apartment we saw was quite nice.
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Anonymous
"Impressive Teamwork at Assisted Living Facility"
The staff takes great care of my mom. The caregivers and medical aides are wonderful. I wish the seniors would follow doctors' advice to stay hydrated and move, but that's beyond the facility's control. Despite some turnover, the teamwork is impressive. Families appreciate it.
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Anonymous
"Excellent, experienced staff make Brookdale San Ramon stand out"
The support staff at Brookdale San Ramon is much better than many other places. They've been around for a while, and they're very skilled and professional. From my experience with different places, the staff here is among the best.
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Anonymous
"Amazing Father's Day Meal!"
The Father’s Day meal was amazing!!! The food was delicious, and everyone had a fantastic time. It made the day very special for all the dads!
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Anonymous
"Good food and independence."
My father enjoys the patio attached to his room. The food is good, and he likes the freedom to eat and sit where he wants. Everything is very good, and we want to thank A Place for Mom for the referral.
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Family Member
"Declining food quality became a major issue"
My family member stayed at this place for some time. It was alright, but near the end, the food became really bad. In the end, my family member required more care than they could offer. However, the food became a really big problem.
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Anonymous
"Small, caring facility with lots of activities and personal attention"
I had some trouble getting my mom settled in here. I think her first night was a couple of nights ago. We haven't been here long, but they've been really encouraging with her. I can’t rate the value yet. Everyone has been great. The staff seems very friendly, warm, and understanding. We checked out six places in the area, and this one was the best. We like that there are only a few patients. It feels more like home rather than a big apartment or nursing home. They answered all our questions well. The person in charge is very kind and seems to be a good manager who keeps an eye on everything. There are many activities available, but my mom hasn’t had a chance to join in yet. The staff introduced themselves and invited her to try different activities. When they mentioned shopping and casinos, she was excited. They really keep people busy and offer many different activities. They also ask what people want to do.
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Anonymous
"Bright, welcoming facility with friendly residents and caring staff"
The inside of the facility is lovely, with bright colors and lots of natural light. The people living there are friendly, and many have been residents for five years or more. The staff doesn’t change often and is always kind and caring. They really help new residents feel welcome and adjust to their new home.
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Anonymous
"Unprepared Staff and Lack of Activities at Assisted Living Facility"
The workers seemed unready, keeping us waiting. We originally planned our visit at noon thinking we could try the canteen food, but no one offered anything. The facility looked very attractive and well-kept. However, there wasn't much outdoor space or many activities. I did admire the meal services. There was no talk of any alliances with outside organizations. Perhaps a weekday visit would have been a better choice.
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Happy Daughter
"My Mom Is Thriving and Loving Her New Home"
We pay a bit more, but it's worth it for my mom since it's a smaller place. They offer three sizes of one-bedroom apartments, and she has the medium one. The care has been excellent. When she first arrived, she needed a lot of help, but now she’s more independent thanks to their support. She enjoys bingo, watercolor classes, and exercise classes, so she’s hardly ever in her apartment. I’m really pleased with the facility. My mom was on the waiting list and had some falling problems, but they took her into a studio unit and helped her get healthy. She loves the food, saying it’s like being on a cruise ship. Everyone is very friendly. It’s been a wonderful experience, and my mom is thriving.
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Customer
"Lovely Place, Short Drive"
Great spot! It's only a half-hour drive from home. The rooms are nice, and there are plenty of activities and dining options. My only concern is that it might be too big for Mom to navigate. But I believe there are available rooms.
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Customer
"Pretty Great Place But Offers Limited Space and Choices"
Checked out this place. It's pretty good, but the balconies and rooms are really tiny - there's not a lot of choices for how you want to live.
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Customer
"Impressive Dining and Pet-Friendly, But Pricey"
Really nice place! The dining menu was super impressive. It's a bit far from everything, though—you'll need to drive to get anywhere. Plus, they allow small pets, which is great. The cost is a tad high, but still less than Heritage.
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Customer
"Merrill Gardens in Fremont: A Mixed Experience"
I really liked Merrill Gardens in Fremont. My only issue was that it felt like an apartment. I didn't like the fact that it has a stove. A couple of years ago, Merrill Gardens would have been my top choice.
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