The Carlisle Sunrise Senior Living

The Carlisle is an extremely upscale condominium for seniors and is great for elders who still want all the fabulous amenities. It is located in Lower Pac Heights in a quiet, but convenient location. At Post and Gough, it is just a few blocks away from Japantown, Fillmore St, Polk St, Whole Foods, and Safeway.

I visited this facility

The Carlisle is a continuing care retirement community -- actually a condominium tower -- centrally located on Post Street, on Cathedral Hill. I've had clients there over the years, though none at the moment.

It's one of the newer CCRCs: very beautiful, with apartments ranging from large studios to large suites--all very nicely laid out and appointed.

The staff, from what I've both seen and heard, is very good and attentive. But there has been a lot of turnover with both the direct care staff and the nursing staff, so that's a bit of a red flag.

The Carlisle also has a 5-star chef, and the food is excellent. There's lots of variety, and the food is nutritious.

There's also a full complement of activities. They're nice and varied, and there's very good participation on the part of the residents.

One other caution: When it fist opened in the 90s, The Carlisle had a contract with St. Mary's to handle skilled nursing. Now skilled nursing is more nebulous; it's not clear how they're caring for someone who's more medically frail. If I were considering it now, I'd check out the transition to skilled nursing very carefully.