Emerald Gardens

Located twenty minutes south of downtown Sacramento Emerald Gardens is a Skilled Nursing Care Home. To find Emerald Gardens, simply travel south on I-5 from Sacramento, take Florin Rd. East and turn left to 24th Street. The trees and flower beds are attractive. Inside the building, it could be brighter, more cheerful, and less institutional. Some inner area like dining rooms and activity areas are attractive. Resident rooms are adequate but too small for any feeling of privacy unless you reside alone. For years I have come there to visit and sing with their residents. The vast majority of residents have dementia or Alzheimer’s dementia. This is a Rehab. Facility first.They take great pride, and have good success returning their rehab. referrals home. Yet the highest percentage of residents require 24 hour, hands-on supervised care. Your first impression relates to cleanliness. No matter how hard staff tries, unpleasant odors permeate the air. Unfortunately, they have never historically, in 15 years, got this issue under control. The care givers are hard working and earthy, working as quickly as they can. You get the impression that the care needs exceed the staffing available to care for those needs. They show their concern often for their clients, and a good relationship exists between them. Yet the first impression is the detection of unsavory odors. All styles of dietary needs are met, yet the food I’ve eaten is relatively bland, and unappetizing. Residents asked will say the food is alright but sometimes served cold. The dining areas are attractive, and the dietary staff nice. Many of the more coherent residents seem frustrated as they have a hard time communicating with their staff whose English is shaky. The activity program is average. It doesn’t appear to be individualized enough. Often you see higher functioning residents in programs with lower functioning residents. It could be that happened on the day I was there. They make an effort to have frequent outside entertainment; as well providing spiritual programs. A social services staff person helps with resident needs, and family support. Administrative staff is a veteran, responsive, and friendly group. Because it appears that things overall appear more reactive than proactive, on a scale of 1 to 5, five being the best, I give Emerald Gardens a 3.