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AlmaVia of San Rafael
515 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
Featured Review
5
|
May 3, 2023
We brought our mother to Almavia San Rafael in 2019 to be near her children and grandchildren in Marin and to provide the assistance she needed. She enjoyed Almavia’s offerings – daily yoga, arts and crafts activities, poetry sessions, rosary gatherings, and especially mass. My mother had Alzheimer’s and in 2021 her cognitive decline made her unable to navigate life in Almavia. The experienced staff and leadership at Almavia recommended we move her to the memory care side, Bridgehaven. This was a hard truth for my siblings and me to accept. Our mother was alert and aware of what was going on, able to interact with us, and feared being confined to the dementia ward. We were advised that the move would reduce stress and help her to function better. It did! It was a tough transition, but the support and love she felt from the Bridgehaven Care Team made it work. Mom was beautifully dressed every day and her hair was coiffed. Everyone called her by name and knew her well. She participated in games, loved the sing-along sessions, and proudly showed us her artwork. Bridgehaven’s small group setting is inclusive; everyone sits together in a circle in the living area and at meals. The residents know each other, without the pressure of making friends or the risk of being excluded. Mom was proud of her capabilities again and saw herself as a leader, a role that she enjoyed her whole life. My brothers and sisters and I visited daily and always came away with gratitude and admiration for the Bridgehaven Team. They are a well-synchronized and attentive group, answering everyone’s needs and creating a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. They kept me informed of Mom’s care, her needs, and her successes. I will never forget the lavish tea party they threw for the residents. It was over the top, just as our mother would have done it. They kept a careful eye on her health and well-being. Mom had real relationships with the whole staff and appreciated their attention. When you look in on Bridgehaven you may not see the diverse personalities and individual contributions of the residents sitting quietly in their chairs. But the Bridgehaven Team sees it and works tirelessly to give each person attention and respect. They keep them engaged in life. We are so grateful for the care that Almavia provided our mother.
Community Comparison
Currently Viewing
Bedroom Type
one bedroom apartment, two bedroom apartment, studio
Starting Price
$4,995/mo
Care Types
Assisted Living, Memory Care
Bedroom Type
one bedroom apartment, two bedroom apartment, studio
Starting Price
$5,725/mo
Care Types
Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Bedroom Type
two bedroom apartment, studio, one bedroom apartment
Starting Price
$6,295/mo
Care Types
Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care
What you can do with Caring
About AlmaVia of San Rafael in San Rafael, California
A vibrant community surrounded by beautiful wildlife, AlmaVia of San Rafael offers comprehensive assisted living and memory care to Bay Area seniors.
Regular visits from talented musicians and instructors of all kinds provide entertainment and education while our convenient location is close to shopping and medical services.
Senior Living Services
Assisted Living
Our assisted living community is secure and welcoming. The services we offer allow seniors to maintain as much independence as possible while providing assistance with everyday activities. Services can be personalized to each individual’s needs.
Memory Care
We believe in celebrating the dignity and individuality of each of our residents. Our innovative memory care program, based on the I’m Still Here™ philosophy, is designed to enrich the lives of seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s. We strive to engage residents with meaningful activities, while providing 24-hour quality care services.
AlmaVia Amenities
Our restaurant-style dining room is a lively, social space to enjoy delicious, healthy meals while enjoying the view from the third floor.
Walking paths and patio seating allow residents and their visitors to enjoy the lovely grounds. Residents and visitors can also spend time in our cozy living room or participate in activities in the gathering room, while our library offers many multimedia options for residents.
Residents of all faiths are welcome in our chapel, and our full-time Spiritual Care Director provides spiritual care programming and services for all residents, no matter their beliefs.
To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit:
California Department of Social Services Licensed Facility Search
Services and Amenities of AlmaVia of San Rafael in San Rafael, California
Dining
- Guest Meals
- Communal Dining
Health Services
- Skilled Nursing
- Medication Reminders
Languages
- English spoken
Pets
- Pets
Kitchen Types
- Kitchenette
Fitness & Wellness Programs
- Fitness & wellness facilities/equipment
- Salon Services
Housekeeping & Maintenance
- Housekeeping Services
- Laundry Services
- Linen Services
On-Site Services
- Religious Services
Specialized Staff
- Nurse on Staff (Part time)
Staff Training & Qualifications
- Staff trained in memory care
Games Hobbies & Recreation
- Facilitated Field Trips/Outings
Inside Amenities
- Entertainment Venues
Outside Amenities
- Garden
Transportation & Shopping
- General Transportation Services
Additional Amenity Information
- Licenses: 216801868
- State Licenses: 216801868
Costs for AlmaVia of San Rafael in San Rafael, California
Assisted Living
$4,995
Starting Price
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Reviews of AlmaVia of San Rafael in San Rafael, California
3.9
(15 reviews)
Facility
5.0
Staff
5.0
Food
4.0
Activities
4.5
Value
5.0
Meg McCabe
5
|
May 3, 2023
We brought our mother to Almavia San Rafael in 2019 to be near her children and grandchildren in Marin and to provide the assistance she needed. She enjoyed Almavia’s offerings – daily yoga, arts and crafts activities, poetry sessions, rosary gatherings, and especially mass. My mother had Alzheimer’s and in 2021 her cognitive decline made her unable to navigate life in Almavia. The experienced staff and leadership at Almavia recommended we move her to the memory care side, Bridgehaven. This was a hard truth for my siblings and me to accept. Our mother was alert and aware of what was going on, able to interact with us, and feared being confined to the dementia ward. We were advised that the move would reduce stress and help her to function better. It did! It was a tough transition, but the support and love she felt from the Bridgehaven Care Team made it work. Mom was beautifully dressed every day and her hair was coiffed. Everyone called her by name and knew her well. She participated in games, loved the sing-along sessions, and proudly showed us her artwork. Bridgehaven’s small group setting is inclusive; everyone sits together in a circle in the living area and at meals. The residents know each other, without the pressure of making friends or the risk of being excluded. Mom was proud of her capabilities again and saw herself as a leader, a role that she enjoyed her whole life. My brothers and sisters and I visited daily and always came away with gratitude and admiration for the Bridgehaven Team. They are a well-synchronized and attentive group, answering everyone’s needs and creating a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. They kept me informed of Mom’s care, her needs, and her successes. I will never forget the lavish tea party they threw for the residents. It was over the top, just as our mother would have done it. They kept a careful eye on her health and well-being. Mom had real relationships with the whole staff and appreciated their attention. When you look in on Bridgehaven you may not see the diverse personalities and individual contributions of the residents sitting quietly in their chairs. But the Bridgehaven Team sees it and works tirelessly to give each person attention and respect. They keep them engaged in life. We are so grateful for the care that Almavia provided our mother.
Jeanette
3
|
November 11, 2022
AlmaVia of San Rafael was a larger facility and looked like it had more activities to offer. They had libraries and transportation, but I got the impression from the person who showed me around that they wanted long-term residents. So, it's not a fit for me as we were hopefully having my husband to stay there just for 3-6 months. She also said they only have one-bedrooms and when she showed it to me, it had old carpeting. It was stained and had a gray color in it.
Stephanie
5
|
March 20, 2019
I had a good experience at AlmaVia of San Rafael. The people I spoke to were very helpful. My mom moved two months ago, and it's excellent and fabulous. The atmosphere is very positive and it has a friendly and warm environment. They offer all kinds of memory care activities, and they also can take her to assisted living and she can choose to participate in the assisted living activities, too. She has people checking on her all the time, meals, snacks, and anything she needs. There's a beauty parlor and a doctor on site. It's complete. The food also looks very good.
Provider Response
Karen
5
|
January 2, 2019
AlmaVia of San Rafael was very nice. There were lots of residents about, so it seemed very social. The facilities were very well kept and up-to-date. The residents were very happy. The staff was very competent and nice. The grounds were very well kept, and it's convenient in its proximity to a lot of things. They have the typical activities like movie nights. They have transportation. It was very clean and looked well maintained. There were no stains anywhere.
Daphne N
5
|
December 6, 2017
AlmaVia of San Rafael was a lovely and very cheerful place. The people were very kind and accommodating. The apartment, while compact, was very well appointed. Everything looked perfect and we liked it very much. We saw residents sitting in the lobby reading papers, some were doing puzzles, and they were actively engaged. The staff was excellent.
Provider Response
ozarksun
5
|
May 29, 2017
My parents have now lived here for over a year. My brother and I have been very happy with the services they provide. Yes there is a lot of turnover of staff, but that is the nature of the business, not just Alma Via. Yes, my parents would rather be in their own home, but this is the next best thing. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful That is the most important to me. I know they will be treated with respect and kindness. Of course occasionally some details need to be rechecked as some staff changes, but that is also part of the business. The place has been always clean and maintenance is very prompt to fix any concerns my parents have. The front desk personnel have been helpful and amazingly keep track of the residents. I can call at any time and they know where my parents are.
Evelyn Howard
3
|
October 16, 2016
My mother was at Alma Via of San Rafael from Summer 2011 to Summer 2016. Initially, I gave Alma Via a 5 star, glowing review. Unfortunately, I removed my high rating of this facility in 2016 due to the many changes over the years in management and high turnover of staff. My mother was happy at Alma Via, however, as one Executive Director after another left, our family had to become more directly involved with my mother's care, including double checking and correcting charges on monthly invoices. Near the end of her life, my mother was on Hospice. My mother was very difficult because she had Dementia and PTSD. To this day, some of the staff still speak negatively about her, given she's gone. In the last year, especially, there was a general feeling of hostility, which wasn't evident in former years. There are some wonderful people working at Alma Via,, especially Jean at the front desk and Brian, manager of maintenance. We were extremely disappointed with the lack of service/care Hampton Medical did not provide when Dr. Fullerton took over. Hopefully, Alma Via will earn back it's 5 star rating, and Hampton Medical will come up to par. It was formerly a wonderful place, however they aren't a 5 star facility at present.
Paul318706
5
|
September 10, 2016
The people that we saw at AlmaVia of San Rafael looked happy. The staff seemed attentive, and it’s a really nice facility. For their activities, it looked like they have a full calendar of activities depending on how much activities a resident want to get involved in. The residents can stay as busy as they wanted to stay. The rooms seemed to be a nice size and nicely appointed. Their dining area is nice too. It’s like going into a restaurant. This would definitely be on top of our list.
IW
5
|
August 12, 2016
We liked AlmaVia of San Rafael and the people there. The rooms seemed nice. I liked the dining area, and the food was fine.
Jess07
1
|
July 16, 2015
Receptionist very rude. All the other staff was very nice. All the times I've came to visit the receptionist was not welcoming, very rude with no acknowledgement, not care of the residents needs when passing. Not everyone may like there job but it doesn't hurt to at least put a smile on your face.
Caring105605050
3
|
May 30, 2015
The staffs at AlmaVia of San Rafael were really nice although they had a high amount of turnover when we went. My parents actually lived there for three weeks. They didn't care for the food, and it was more of a nursing home setting than assisted living. The rooms were smaller. The dining room is comparable to other places, but I don't think the food is quite as good. They went to the casino, they had scenic tours, and they have poker days. So they have quite a few things going on, but they need to live up to what they promise, which they didn't do. They have drivers sick on Sundays for church days, so they didn't have anyone to take the seniors to church. For seniors, that is an important thing. If they are church goers, they want to get there. So they should be prepared for backup if people call in sick, but they weren't. As for security, it seems OK, and we haven't had any issues with it.
Caring3361
5
|
October 3, 2014
Kimberly from AlmaVia did the tour. She is no longer there now, but what I appreciated was the people greeted her with perfection and we were there at the time when meals were being served, and the residents were in the dining room. The whole atmosphere seemed very welcoming and pleasant, and people were talking to each other and seemed to feel very much at home. What I did notice when we were walking along was that there were some paintings on the wall. There were frame paintings on the wall done by the residents and I found that a very dear way to do things. The hallways are spacious and they were demonstrating the artwork of the residents. It was very nicely done.
Caring1534
4
|
December 31, 2013
My mom had a short stay at Alma Via. It was a good facility. It had very good amenities and it had a great staff.
Summer2012
1
|
June 26, 2012
Not what you would expect from an upscale place, I toured the community and yes i fell for the whole nine yards, everyone seemed to be nice but once Mom moved in she felt completely ignored. the staff always spoke spanish and spoke so loudly we could never understand what they were saying to one another. one of the receptionist is so rude she has no patience with residents. when i Complain i feel ignored especially when I try to communicate with the ED nothing ever gets done. what a shame because it is a nice place but the service is not what you pay for. we are currently looking for another place for mom.
Provider Response
We truly appreciate the reviewer's candid and heartfelt feedback. We do not condone this behavior and we will immediately address the situations outlined with our staff. We are committed to providing the highest level of person-centered care to our residents, without exception, and our staff has received extensive training in how to deliver that experience.
We can also understand the reviewer's frustration with the apparent lack of action taken when these issues were first raised. If the reviewer would feel more comfortable talking with a member of our corporate team, we will gratefully offer the contact information for our Vice-President, Robert Gerds (510.769.2733/rgerds@eldercarealliance.org). We would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to take direct action on these very important issues of care delivery.
mweber
4
|
February 29, 2012
My aunt is currently at Alma Via. It's a nice complex, not too big, not too small. It is located right across the street from a large shopping mall. It kind of worries me about the heavy traffic. But the street light has a walking sign which is good. The landscape and grounds are in almost prefect maintenance. Pretty rose beds blanket the ground around the entrance. And their is nice shrubbery around the border of the entire complex. Inside it is nice and clean. There is a really nice lobby when you first walk in. Big comfy chairs, tables and end tables adorn the room. There is a front desk with a kind and courteous receptionist who was more than willing to help us find my aunt. The cafeteria was really clean and simple. The residents there seemed to be enjoying themselves which was a huge relief for me. Overall is was a really nice place and I feel good about my aunt staying there.
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