AlmaVia of San Rafael

Evelyn Howard

My mother was at Alma Via of San Rafael from Summer 2011 to Summer 2016. Initially, I gave Alma Via a 5 star, glowing review. Unfortunately, I removed my high rating of this facility in 2016 due to the many changes over the years in management and high turnover of staff. My mother was happy at Alma Via, however, as one Executive Director after another left, our family had to become more directly involved with my mother's care, including double checking and correcting charges on monthly invoices. Near the end of her life, my mother was on Hospice. My mother was very difficult because she had Dementia and PTSD. To this day, some of the staff still speak negatively about her, given she's gone. In the last year, especially, there was a general feeling of hostility, which wasn't evident in former years. There are some wonderful people working at Alma Via,, especially Jean at the front desk and Brian, manager of maintenance. We were extremely disappointed with the lack of service/care Hampton Medical did not provide when Dr. Fullerton took over. Hopefully, Alma Via will earn back it's 5 star rating, and Hampton Medical will come up to par. It was formerly a wonderful place, however they aren't a 5 star facility at present.

Paul318706

The people that we saw at AlmaVia of San Rafael looked happy. The staff seemed attentive, and it’s a really nice facility. For their activities, it looked like they have a full calendar of activities depending on how much activities a resident want to get involved in. The residents can stay as busy as they wanted to stay. The rooms seemed to be a nice size and nicely appointed. Their dining area is nice too. It’s like going into a restaurant. This would definitely be on top of our list.

IW

We liked AlmaVia of San Rafael and the people there. The rooms seemed nice. I liked the dining area, and the food was fine.

Jess07

Receptionist very rude. All the other staff was very nice. All the times I've came to visit the receptionist was not welcoming, very rude with no acknowledgement, not care of the residents needs when passing. Not everyone may like there job but it doesn't hurt to at least put a smile on your face.

Caring105605050

The staffs at AlmaVia of San Rafael were really nice although they had a high amount of turnover when we went. My parents actually lived there for three weeks. They didn't care for the food, and it was more of a nursing home setting than assisted living. The rooms were smaller. The dining room is comparable to other places, but I don't think the food is quite as good. They went to the casino, they had scenic tours, and they have poker days. So they have quite a few things going on, but they need to live up to what they promise, which they didn't do. They have drivers sick on Sundays for church days, so they didn't have anyone to take the seniors to church. For seniors, that is an important thing. If they are church goers, they want to get there. So they should be prepared for backup if people call in sick, but they weren't. As for security, it seems OK, and we haven't had any issues with it.

Caring3361

Kimberly from AlmaVia did the tour. She is no longer there now, but what I appreciated was the people greeted her with perfection and we were there at the time when meals were being served, and the residents were in the dining room. The whole atmosphere seemed very welcoming and pleasant, and people were talking to each other and seemed to feel very much at home. What I did notice when we were walking along was that there were some paintings on the wall. There were frame paintings on the wall done by the residents and I found that a very dear way to do things. The hallways are spacious and they were demonstrating the artwork of the residents. It was very nicely done.

Caring1534

My mom had a short stay at Alma Via. It was a good facility. It had very good amenities and it had a great staff.

Summer2012

Not what you would expect from an upscale place, I toured the community and yes i fell for the whole nine yards, everyone seemed to be nice but once Mom moved in she felt completely ignored. the staff always spoke spanish and spoke so loudly we could never understand what they were saying to one another. one of the receptionist is so rude she has no patience with residents. when i Complain i feel ignored especially when I try to communicate with the ED nothing ever gets done. what a shame because it is a nice place but the service is not what you pay for. we are currently looking for another place for mom.

Provider Response

mweber

My aunt is currently at Alma Via. It's a nice complex, not too big, not too small. It is located right across the street from a large shopping mall. It kind of worries me about the heavy traffic. But the street light has a walking sign which is good. The landscape and grounds are in almost prefect maintenance. Pretty rose beds blanket the ground around the entrance. And their is nice shrubbery around the border of the entire complex. Inside it is nice and clean. There is a really nice lobby when you first walk in. Big comfy chairs, tables and end tables adorn the room. There is a front desk with a kind and courteous receptionist who was more than willing to help us find my aunt. The cafeteria was really clean and simple. The residents there seemed to be enjoying themselves which was a huge relief for me. Overall is was a really nice place and I feel good about my aunt staying there.