Atria Newport Plaza Newport Beach, CA

I visited this community and very impress with what the community has to offer. The bistro have fresh fruits, pastries, coffee machine that serves hot cocoa, cappuccino, latte, coffee, mocha, Etc. They even have pastries 24/7. Residents are welcome to get juices, sodas, sandwiches at the bistro for free. I was greeted by friendly staff and even if I didn’t have an appointment, the Executive Director gave me a tour immediately. She offered for me to stay for lunch and I ordered cheeseburger. It was probably the best burger I ever had in Newport Beach. She introduced me to residents and they were happy and vibrant. They said they went to pier walk early in the morning and it was perfect. I asked about doctor’s appointment and they said that their activities director assist residents with scheduling transportation. I asked about care and I was told that they have 24/7 carestaff. The community is clean, the 1 bedroom is gorgeous. They have memory care but I’m not interested since there is no need. I’m looking for a place for my mother in law and I must say I found the perfect place. The residents are happy, staff are friendly and welcoming, food is good and community is clean. This community is beautiful although the parking is a bit challenging.

My mother has lived at the Plaza for five years. Recently the facility changed management companies and has gone through many changes since the takeover. Many of the long time employees have left and the new company, Atria, is struggling to hire workers. The dining room is getting better service, but it wasn't unusual to wait up to an hour to be served. The facility has a bus to take residents on outings, but currently they have no bus driver. The residents are pretty much restricted to staying at the facility unless they get a driver and bus from another facility, which they do a couple times a week. As Mom put it, "it's pretty much like being in prison". The activities director seems overwhelmed by the new position and often schedules an activity, but ends up just putting out a few games for residents to play on their own. They do have entertainment at least once a week, but were used to more activities and outings. The three times weekly outings to the pier to walk have been cut to two, one of which is on Saturday when the pier area is very busy with bikers and skaters and unsafe for the elderly with walkers. Mom was a regular during the week, but is afraid to go on Saturday. The weekly shopping trips to buy needed essential living supplies has been discontinued. Sometimes a last minute shopping trip is arranged if they have a driver that can take the residents in a car, but unless you are in the right place at the right time, you don't know these trips are taking place. I'm now getting frequent calls to bring toilet paper and toothpaste. For the amount the residents are paying for assisted living services, the service is not being provided. Mom has many friends at the Plaza so doesn't want to move. The thought of moving is overwhelming to her, so she is prepared to make the best of the situation. She noticed there are lots of empty apartments, so it is obvious that people are moving.

Newport Beach Plaza was a bit expensive. It didn’t have a lot of outdoor space; there was a roof garden. It was in a more dense area like it was kind of surrounded by apartments and condo complexes. The rooms were nice, and they did have nice facilities. It was more compartmentalized. There was a separate little library room, and then there was a theater room and a cute café. But it was more separate rooms than a big open plan. It had a nice little courtyard, and the people were very friendly.

My parents have been living in Newport Beach Plaza for a week. There seemed to be enough activities, there's a work-out room for a physical therapist to come in, there's a 12-hour dining which was crucial, and they found a 2-bedroom, 3- bath, which was unusual. They both got what they wanted.