Chateau I & II

The facility is very attractive, offering an aesthetic element missing from most nursing homes. My grandmother, who was almost 90 at the time she was there, loved the place. The staff is warm and friendly, offering assistance to both the family as well as my grandmother. Grandma would only say good things about the place when she came over to visit on holidays. She really enjoyed the fact that this facility allowed for pets, specifically cats. Compared to the last facility she was at, this one was more like a hotel. Grandma had more independence as to when she could eat and what activities she had to be involved with. She really enjoyed the large fireplace in the main lobby for sitting and reading. She even said it was her "home away from home." I know, near the end, she made many new friends with both the staff and the clients. I am thankful she spent her last few years at such a warm place.

Chateau II, which provides assisted living, is a little bit hidden—you must drive a bit up the roadway to find it. There is a beautiful grove of redwood trees outside. It is smaller and more intimate than many similar facilities, so less overwhelming for people who are used to living in smaller places.

Attention has been paid to making the whole facility safe and very accessible, with ample parking and easy door access for residents and visitors.

The décor in this pet-friendly facility is upscale and elegant, with art on the wall and fish tanks. A nice sitting room inside, where residents and visitors can gather, feels very intimate and private. There is an outside patio that residents use for socializing in the fresh air.

The rooms are not huge, but adequate for an armchair and bed; most also have a mini-kitchen and private bathroom.

The food is good and healthy California cuisine, with several choices provided and meals cooked to order on request. There is also a café that serves outside meal times.

The activities are great. There is an inhouse activity director who brings in internal and external people that address a number of different interests. Most resident really seem to enjoy the elegant weekly Happy Hours offered.

Amenities include housekeeping, laundry, and a van for taking residents to appointments. There is also a hair stylist and masseuse on the premises.

Every detail of the place seems perfect—and well thought out. For example, in the memory care unit there is an extensive collection of tactile mementos such as tools or clothing from past time periods meant to stimulate residents’ memories. Often, when visiting in the common rooms I hear residents recounting their memories with staff members who take the time and effort to stimulate a conversation.

In fact, the staff is excellent—from reception through marketing through the nursing caregivers. They want everyone to be satisfied and are very quick to answer questions. They are also quick to follow protocol on logging entry and exit information for visitors, which is a good safety and good source of information about residents who live there. The caregivers are trained to do all but palliative and hospice care. There is an LVN on staff for diabetes care. And it’s most impressive that they constantly update their services and training rather than remaining static.

Short term respite stays are available starting at $130 a day, and a huge benefit for many residents is they are able to stay if their care needs change.

If assisted living is needed in a hurry, management promises something rare: a six-hour turnaround time from inquiry to move-in. Cost for the smallest alcove apartments range from $2,895 to $3,495 to one-bedrooms at $3,195 to $3. A money-back guarantee is offered for those who wish to leave after a 70-day trial period.

The reviewer, Lisa Geron, has been a professional social worker for 8 years and has also worked in a variety of positions including care management and palliative care for several years.

THIS REVIEW PERTAINS TO CHATEAU I ONLY: Chateau I offers independent living run by Carlton Senior Living, a family-owned business that operates a number of facilities in northern California; family members are still involved in the operation.

The staff members are extremely professional. One of them, Phil Altman, is an operational manager who spends an amazing amount of time and attention with anyone who comes in the door. As a whole, management seems to be very involved with residents, but also cares about the greater community.

From the outside this facility almost looks like a hotel, with a driveway in a semi-circle in front, allowing cars to pull up in front so that walking distance is minimal for those with mobility limitations.

Those who walk in the door of the facility always get greeted warmly by someone there who gives a good and positive view of the place. The reception area near the door is always appointed with beautiful flowers. And the common areas are not carpeted, providing an easy walking surface.

There are also benches outside each door where residents can sit and socialize. You will often see clusters of people there—and they’re articulate and friendly and seem engaged. They are also groups of residents gathered in the sitting rooms and common areas; they generally seem to be social and comfortable.

There is a range of services offered—from assisted living through memory care, which is in a locked wing with special activities suitable for residents’ acuities.

A robust activity program is led by an independent activity director, including a Happy Hour on Fridays complete with alcoholic beverages, which encourages residents to remain as independent as possible.

Staff members pride themselves on being very positive and resident-centered—and they deliver on that, obviously putting thought into making it a vibrant place. They also seem to genuinely care about the health issues that the residents may be experiencing—for example, holding a Diabetes Fair that provides information and training for residents and their families.

The food is of very good quality—California and comfort food cuisine, with an array of choices every day. Residents are also accommodated if they have preferences, with food made to order if requested.

Cost for the smallest alcove apartments range from $2,895 to $3,495 to one-bedrooms at $3,195 to $3,495. A money-back guarantee is offered for those who wish to leave after a 70-day trial period.

The facility also operates an excellent website, which is clear and easy to use and includes lots of good information, including prices.

The reviewer, Lisa Geron, has been a professional social worker for 8 years and has also worked in a variety of positions including care management and palliative care for several years.