Like another reviewer, American Orchards was not the first facility we experienced. My grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease around his 93rd birthday. It was a difficult decision to place him in a memory care facility as he had been self-sufficient nearly his entire life. He had been living alone since the death of my grandma in 2003 and while he had family visits weekly for groceries, doctor appointments and companionship, he was proud to remain otherwise independent into his 90s. So when he started displaying the first signs of dementia our family debated whether it would do more harm than good to take all of that away from him. It is extremely difficult to make decisions like this for a loved one and we were thrilled to find a place that promised he could retain that independence while also getting quality care. That place was unfortunately not American Orchards and we quickly realized that the "care" he was getting was anything but quality. The food was awful, the emergency pull cords in the rooms did not work, and clothes would get mixed up during laundry days. We once came to visit and was shocked to see another resident wearing my grandpa's polo shirt. In addition, the emergency pull cords in the rooms did not work and you would be lucky to find any caretakers anywhere after 6PM. They also did not clean the rooms, offer any memory activities (despite their advertising) or bathe anyone who refused. These people have dementia! You can't just ask if they want to bathe, you have to bathe them! His health quickly declined in the 9 months he was there and was placed on hospice care. American Orchards was being built at this time and we could not wait for construction to complete so we could tour the facility. We could not bear to watch my grandpa die in the place he was at. So, once the Orchards opened, we got the tour. This place is unlike any other. While the other place had stairs and sprawling hallways, making it difficult for the residents to navigate, the Orchards is all on one floor with a very simple floor plan. Everything is designed with dementia care in mind. There are no carpet/non-carpet transitions for residents to trip on, there is a 24-hour on site nurse, and you can always find a caregiver even in the middle of the night. Because we live so close, we were able to take unannounced trips at various times of day, and they were exemplary every time. The food is prepared by a chef daily from fresh ingredients, not the pre-made slop at the other place. There are actual activities to keep the residents' minds sharp. They bathe the residents weekly and change their clothes daily. They keep laundry separate and the walls in each room are painted in bright colors with large windows for natural light to flow in. While the other facility felt like a cave, Orchards is bright and warm. The other facility smelled of urine, whereas Orchards is clean and inviting. Within weeks of my grandpa's arrival, his health bounced back and he was taken off of hospice care. His caretakers took the time to get to know him- they would relay stories he would tell them, which they could not have gotten without developing a connection with him. They knew the music he liked to listen to and the television programs he liked to watch. When my grandpa got ornery at the other facility, they moved him up to the third floor which could only be accessed through a special elevator with a security code. When my grandpa got ornery at American Orchards, they would smile and laugh. They said it was a sign that my grandpa's personality hasn't been damaged by the disease, and they welcomed it! They made my grandpa feel like family. Yes it is pricey, and the rent is not all inclusive. And to be honest, there were minor miscommunications between the Palliative care staff and the Orchard's staff, but they would be resolved quickly and none ever put my grandpa's health at risk. He fell more times at the other facility in 9 months than he did in 2 years at the Orchards. We discovered rashes and blisters on my grandpa's legs at the other facility which went untreated until we got hospice involved. The Orchards were forthcoming and informed us of a rash he developed in their care which was quickly tended to by the nursing staff. When my grandpa went back on hospice care at the end of his life, the hospice caregiver told us how lucky he was to be at American Orchards as opposed to some of the other facilities that they visit. When he passed away, the caregivers and office staff cried. Our family is convinced that American Orchards extended my grandpa's life by 2 years. This place was a godsend and is worth every penny. We highly recommend it for your loved one. read more

American Orchards is a wonderful assisted-living home. My mother was a resident for almost 3.5 years, and she enjoyed the interactions with the staff each one of those days. I know that it is a difficult decision to transition from independent living to needing the help of others. Spouses may feel helpless while children may feel guilt. There may have even been conversations when the aging parent asked family members to promise to never put him/her in a home. I want to tell you about the reality of life at American Orchards. Primarily, I love what American Orchards did for my parents socially because it expanded their worlds exponentially. While some of the residents interacted with one another through Bingo, field trips, or educational classes, my mom was bedridden and had to stay in her room. My dad sat by my mon's side every day, all day, so their true friendships were built with the Orchards' staff. The nurses and caregivers shared their lives with my parents, and my parents shared with them. Most of the staff even knew family members' names and gave us a friendly greeting when we visited. My parents embraced the diversity of the staff and learned so much about the power of human connection across race, religion, gender, and age. Honestly, my parents "matured" because of their exposure to so many people who sacrificed their time to build trusting relationships instead of robotically going in and out of the room. My parents were not just taken care of; they were sincerely loved. I was also extremely grateful for the medical care my mother received as a resident. There was a registered nurse in the building 24-hours a day. What a relief. Before my mom moved into Orchards, we had a difficult time figuring out what to do in various health situations. "Should we go to the emergency room? Should we wait a couple of days to see if it goes away? Are we overreacting to this new symptom?" We no longer needed to guess or take chances. At Orchards, when I left my mom's room, I 100% knew that she would be looked after. I didn't have any more sleepless nights because of worry. I also loved that a general practitioner came to her private room! No longer did we have to load her up in the wheelchair to drive her to a zillion doctor appointments. In addition, if a nurse saw something of concern, then the nurse would immediately contact the doctor who could order prescriptions immediately - if the situation allowed. When my mom needed an x-ray or to have blood drawn, they again went to her private room. Even when my mom's body was too tired and was shutting down, the staff reacted perfectly. Given that death is mandatory, American Orchards could not have handled it any better because my mom was loved and cared for every minute. American Orchards can be seen as an adventure. Being in an assisted-living home is what the resident and the family members make it. The Orchards provides opportunities for growth, even in the later stages of life, if one chooses to embrace it. read more

The first place my Mother was placed was a private home. It turned out not to be as advertised in the tour, grossly understaffed for my Moms needs. Luckily for me, a beautiful new place just opened. It was American Orchards. My Mother has been in memory care there for almost 5 years now. She's 93. What a gift this place has been for my Mom. No longer am I the exhausted care giver but her Daughter that now enthusiastically visits her for lunch daily. And she seems content knowing that she is well cared for without putting that physical responsibility on my shoulders. The wonderful staff are welcoming and make me feel like we are all working together for the benefit of my Mom. It feels like family. It is evident that they truly care about their Residents. And I love going there. My Mom is embraced by all of the staff from Activities people who insure she is included, Kitchen staff who know her preferences and prepare alternate meals for her on fish day, to the housekeeper who knows each resident and is willing to help locate a missing item, and knows exactly who that sweater belongs to. Of course the Nurses and Caregivers are the heartbeat of the operation, keeping Residents we'll cared for. I love their daily briefings on what's going on with my Mother today. Speaking of the Caregivers, our Executive Director has made it a priority to staff with all CNAs. I sleep at night knowing that caregivers are checking on her while she sleeps and that there there is a nurse there 24 hours a day. That's big. Most places don't hire 24/7 nurses.. Another plus is that American Orchards can assist in coordinating other services that come to you instead of having to take your loved one out to the doctor, dentist, podiatrist, blood draws, flu shots, etc. It's so much easier on my Mom (and me). Lastly, and importantly, our Executive Director makes it a priority to be available to family members. read more

Don't plan on getting any calls returned by any of the staff if you call to check on a loved one there. Staff is over the top phony and ridiculously friendly to family members to try to cover up their cut throat and two faced schemes and the facility itself has a strict policy about cover ups and lies to the family when any issue arrives about the care. Way overpriced for what you get and they also expect family to pay for the nursing staffs personal protection supplies such as gloves, which by law the facility is to supply those to their own staff. Management sends out annual letters to patient family members telling them they need to donate in gift cards and cash to the Christmas Bonus fund in order for the facility to keep good employees and to give those employees an incentive to stay there and yet they have a huge turnover of their employees. Only reason for the 1 star review is due to the facility being a newer place. Many of their own management and employees leave the majority of 5 star reviews on yelp, google etc so never believe the 5 star reviews about this facility. ALSO, PAY REAL CLOSE ATTENTION TO HOW QUICKLY A 5 STAR REVIEW WILL BE POSTED AFTER MY HONEST REVIEW. OWNERS AND STAFF WILL POST FAST IN ORDER TO RAISE THEIR RATINGS UP. MUCH TRICKERY GOING ON WITH THIS FACILITY! read more

Lets start with the facility as that is the easy part to talk about as its has to be one of the nicest places around. New and modern yet feels like home and not a facility. Its all single level with wide open halls and tons of natural light. Its truly a beautiful place for your loved ones. When it comes to the staff it's hard to put into words the type of care that Orchards provides. It's much more than people doing their job and more about a group of people that truly care. My grandmother was a feisty old bird and on first arrival was a lot to handle for anyone. The Orchards staff stepped in and gave her the care and attention she needed and it quickly became a place of comfort for her. The staff was great in every way, especially as things began to turn in my grandmothers final days. The staff stayed late, came in on days off just to be there. It was not hard to see how much they cared. I could never express my gratitude enough and how they helped my father who was just devastated during the process they help him hold strong. If you are looking for a care facility this is the one you should choose. read more

American Orchards is truly one of the finest assisted living communities I have ever encountered. The quality of care provided is exceptional, and the caregivers demonstrate genuine compassion and professionalism in all they do for our loved ones. The facilities are consistently clean, and the entire staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. I must also commend the kitchen and service staff--the food is outstanding, and their courtesy toward both residents and guests is remarkable. There are simply too many positive qualities to list, but I can confidently say that American Orchards has exceeded all my expectations. This place is nothing short of phenomenal. Thank God, and thank you, for everything you do. I am truly grateful to have found American Orchards. Sincerely, Anthony Hoang read more

My Mom has been living at American Orchards for the past four years. I have been extremely pleased with the quality of care she has received the entire time she has been there. Since I visit her frequently, I have spent numerous hours at the facility and have witnessed firsthand the true compassion that the staff has for the residents. The atmosphere is positive and there are wonderful planned activities not only for the residents, but for the family members as well. My Mom also receives exceptional nursing care. The nursing staff is knowledgable, dedicated, and they have a passion for helping others. I am so grateful that my Mom is at the Orchards. If you are looking for assisted care for your loved one, I highly recommend American Orchards. read more

A few weeks back I meet a young lady at the Walmart on Lindsay Rd and Baseline, and she had a name badge on that said American Orchards. We talked in the store and I asked her about American Orchards, and the knowledge that she had about the organization she worked for, and working within the healthcare field with individuals suffering with dementia really impressed me. Her kind face, smile, and how she spoke about her job warmed my heart. If I am ever looking for a place for my parents to live when their health declines and they need a little help, because of Joyce Tate, I will choose American Orchards. Thank you Joyce for being so kind to me and answering all of my questions. read more

Voted Best of Gilbert! love American Orchards! My father moved into memory care 10 months ago. Joyce and her staff really do care about the residents. They have lots of fun activities and delicious food. During the holidays, they have wonderful family meals and celebrations. Also, I feel like I can go to the staff with questions. The other residents are so much fun to be around. They love to play games! I feel like it is one big family. Once a week they take the residents on a field trip. These field trip are especially important to my father. He loves getting out. A big thanks to the activity gals, med techs, aids, housekeeping, chefs, maintenance and the staff. read more

I have worked in long term care facilities for over thirty years. I can, with all honesty, tell you that American Orchards is the best, hands down. The facility itself is beautiful. Then there is the staff. These are the most amazing people that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The residents concerns and well being are always the priority. The executive director has an open door policy and her office is located for easy access for residents and staff. Although I have moved on in my career, American Orchards will always have a huge place in my heart. read more

When it came time to find an assisted living community for my mom, a friend of mine recommended American Orchards. I was very impressed by the staff and their dedication to making it a wonderful experience for families and residents. Comfort and care were the most important things for our family and I was pleased to find out that American Orchards has nurses onsite to oversee my mom's care. These things set this community apart from others and I thank the team there for all they do. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about American Orchards. Since my mother moved into the Memory Care unit, she has truly been thriving. It's clear that she loves the staff--and that they genuinely love her in return. The care and compassion shown by everyone at American Orchards have gone above and beyond our expectations. Our family is forever grateful, and I would wholeheartedly recommend American Orchards to anyone seeking exceptional Memory Care for their loved one. read more

American Orchards is one of the most beautiful senior living communities I've seen. It feels much more like a home setting and the grounds are kept up really nicely. I'd definitely recommend touring if you're exploring living options for a loved one. I'd also recommend meeting with members of the staff so you get a sense of the team that would be caring for your loved one. Everyone I spoke with was so nice and helpful! read more

American Orchards is Dedicated to delivering Uncompromised Care....They use licensed nurses to not only oversee the community but to actually provide care to all of the residents... The all day restaurant style dining and life enrichment is amazing and the feel of the community is a true home feeling. Vote American Orchards Gilberts Best of 17'! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GilbertBest2017 read more

American Orchards has been a God send for my nephew! He is well cared for and LOVES the food! Staff are friendly and attentive. The weekly outings are a great option for all residents. The facility is well maintained and very clean. The administrator is quick to respond to questions or comments. I would highly recommend American Orchards for your loved one. read more

This place is so cute and welcoming. As soon as you enter the door they are there to assist you. Everyone wears a smile on there face and is super kind. The residents are so sweet and it is fun getting to build a relationship with them. Everyone there is wonderful and it is a great place. Lots of love is there! read more

American Orchards is not only a charming building, but it is also an amazing facility with kind, caring, and compassionate staff. They have created a wonderful, family environment. I have referred and will continue to refer friends and family here. Thank you for creating a safe place for our loved ones! read more

We could not have found a better place for my mom! HIGHLY recommend this community! An amazing team of people who treat my mother like a queen! read more