Vista del Monte

Reviewer#ET1101

We toured Vista del Monte Retirement Community. I'm impressed. The people were friendly. They were out walking and doing activities. They had multiple classes available for the residents. They had a huge center lawn area with walking paths and benches. All the units were assisted living ready so that if you went from independent to assisted, you didn't have to move. So that was very nice. They had a two-bedroom and two-bath unit. You've got a selection of paint colors, flooring, and window treatments you could choose from. The same kinds of cleaning in terms of staff, having people come in and clean every two weeks, take care of the linens, those types of things. We were walking around right at the beginning of lunchtime when we were there and people were outside eating on the big courtyard terrace, people were inside the dining room. The food that we saw looked good. They have it just down for a meal at another time so we could try the food.

Reviewer RC#0911d

Vista del Monte was a very nice place. It's just that it's so expensive that it's unreachable. They offer different tiers of care. They offer memory care as well as assisted living, and also independent living, so you can move from one to the next. Mom would have been in the independent living quarters, and the quarters were nice. They each have a balcony, so she could step outside of her room and have coffee outside on her patio. They have an indoor pool that's nicely heated, lovely grounds, and a garden. I was impressed that the person who guided me around knew the names of all the residents that we passed. That tells me that she's invested in the community, and that was quite nice. They were all very friendly and that the workers there cared about the residents. It seemed like a nice community. If we can afford it, that's where I would place my parents. They have several different restaurants that anyone can go to. So, if you're in independent living, you could go into the assisted living cafeteria or vice versa. They always have changing menus, and if you didn't want to sit inside at the cafeteria, you could get a lunch packed for out on the grounds and eat at a picnic table outside. So I thought that was really nice, too. They have lots of activities. They have a calendar up where they have movie nights or music nights or this and that. They have lots of things for the residents.

Emily

I have moved into Vista del Monte. It has been a good place. Everybody's very helpful and very pleasant. They have all kinds of different rooms. I have a 2-bedroom apartment; they also offer 1-bedroom and studios. Because of COVID, there are not that many activities yet; a few things, but not much. We have three meals a day. There's an indoor swimming pool, indoor therapy pool. There's a library, they do exercises, chair exercises, balance classes, and classes in the water. It's a good place to live, I'm still getting used to it. With big gatherings, except for some outdoor gatherings, we have to wear a face mask. The food is excellent.

Polly Frost

My mom and stepdad began living in Fernbrook, the assisted living section of Vista del Monte in 2020 right before the lockdown. My stepdad had had a stroke in August 2019 so he needed extra care, and my mom was incredibly sharp in her mid-nineties, but had mobility issues. Their private one-bedroom apartment had lovely views of the mountains and trees. My mom decorated it with her own paintings and their Southwestern art collection and it quickly became home for them. Even though my husband and I lived only fifteen minutes away we were not allowed by the CA governor to see them in person. I don't think I have to tell anyone with elderly parents in assisted living during the lockdown how difficult a time this was. Yet the staff and kitchen kept everything friendly and cheery. My mom and stepdad did not feel the isolation during that time so many elderly people did. There's a wonderful sense of community at VDM. After my stepdad passed away my mom had regular visits from a spiritual counselor which helped her enormously. I knew the clinic had excellent nurses and they always answered my calls when I inquired about my mom and called me if she was having any problems. My mom passed away in July 2021 the way she told me she wanted to - in her beloved apartment among her cherished photos and art. Fortunately my husband and I were able to be with her every day in the last months. It's a beautiful and beautifully run community - clean, spacious, airy with gardens to visit. My one quibble was that the food became less good during the last months of my mom's life. I hope they get a terrific chef again.

Lane Coursen

I stayed at Vista Del Monte for a week with a relative who needed round the clock care while he waited for his room to be ready at their 'memory care' facility (which includes round-the-clock supervision and care.) These are the observations I made in that time :  The staff is doing an excellent job caring for their residents and treats each person as a unique and valued individual. Every staff member we encountered knew my great uncle's name and greeted him warmly.  The kitchen staff were fantastic and accommodating. Any time we had unique requests for condiments or extras (any time of day) they were always happy to oblige. There were two ladies in particular that remembered my name (even though I am a guest and not a resident) and made a point to address me by it, which I thought was very professional and kind. I believe their names were Jennifer and Melissa. On the occasions when we went to dine in the outdoor dining pavilion the wait staff was on par to any high end restaurant in town. I would know as this is what I did for a living for many years. I was shocked...especially considering they don't accept tips anyway...they were just that good because they cared. William stood out as being especially accommodating when our 'reservation' got messed up (my fault) one day.  All of the medical staff who came to the room to give medications or do wellness checks were professional and kind. One woman (Juline) was particularly warm and cheerful. Everytime she left my uncle commented on how much he enjoyed her visits.  The 'resident services' staff were always going above and beyond with any request I brought to them. One lady in particular (Angie I believe) stands out. When I needed to do laundry for my great-uncle, but it was after hours so their little shop was closed she went to her car and got her OWN laundry detergent that she happened to have with her and gave it to me to use!  I could go on and I'm sure there are many staff that deserve specific mention that I've forgotten to include (I should have been keeping notes all week) but in general the entire staff was amazing and I don't have one single less than stellar incident to report. 

Susan KR

My mother in law has just moved into Vista del Monte. She was warmly welcomed, received excellent food, and had special assistance from maintenance staff. It has been a wonderful beginning.