My mother lived at Lakeside Park for over a year, and I just want people to be informed that the experience was painful--I do not recommend this business. While the care staff was mostly kind, the food decent, and the common areas clean and homey, the administration was cold, unresponsive, and disorganized from start to finish. You can expect rent and care fees to increase by 40% in 6 months. They seem to have no capacity for digital communication and were slow to respond--except when raising prices. I was even mistakenly given another resident's financial and personal information, brushed off as a "mix-up." by the staff Due to their negligence, my mother's move-in date was delayed and I was told that she was "not allowed in the building" a day before. At one point, while I was out of town, she fell and broke her ankle in three places. I was initially told she only had a UTI that needed hospital treatment, it was only later that I found out about the badly broken ankle. Later, she developed pressure sores due to a lack of proper wheelchair cushioning. The day she entered hospice, they informed me same day that her care fees would now be at the maximum rate-- yet meaningful communication on other issues was nonexistent. Even after her passing, the reimbursement process dragged on for six weeks, with no response after multiple follow-ups. A heartbreaking and ironically uncaring experience from start to finish. Would never recommend Lakeside Park to anyone. read more

Last week I was invited to play music in the courtyard of a beautiful buiding with a flowery open courtyard thas I enjoyed playing violin at. It was a perfect setting for the classical music and their clients enjoyed the calm peacefulness of the performance. Their clients were well taken care of. read more

Lakeside Park by Watermark - Retirement Homes Near Me - Oakland, California

beautiful senior living space nestled in the heart of Lake Merrit! Specializing in Memory Care, they are sensitive to the security and activities for your loved ones who are forgetful. Thank you, Michael, for your hospitality! Ya'll are doing a great job. read more

so apparently people can fall at this place and they dont get them checked out nor do they tell the family. Senior fell weeks ago to only find out recently has broken leg and lakeside didnt inform us when he fell or catch this. Whats the point of paying $8K if people can fall regularly at lakeside even break bones and lakeside didnt even inform family when fell or get care for senior who fell They were suppose to be safe at lakeside not break bones or taking patient to bathroom and not washing their hands that patient literally has shit on their hands after staff take them to bathroom. or others sitting there picking at their skin till bleed cause no one is paying attention. they are memory care trained but definitely not physical disabilities trained. Patients deserve better for $8k/month. seems no one is actually medically trained to properly handle physical disabilities. If a patient falls you call 911 because you dont know if they broke something. concussion, brain bleed whatever.....so care facility should be making sure they arent injured or get injured. You wouldnt leave a 5 year old alone in a room with doors closed yet this is exactly what this place allows despite someone who is prone to falling regularly. I mean someone can easily fall hit their head and bleed in brain and die in minutes. Also they were taking patient to bathroom to sit down and all you heard was this loud noise like someone dropping dead weight onto the toilet. I dont think they are trained like nurses are to deal with dead weight 100% safely. It takes so much strength and proper tools like hoyer lift which i dont think lakeside even owns, which jeopardizes patient safety physically. I feel so bad for the staff and patients. its also includes staff safety to have proper tools to lift dead wait rather then two women it is how people get dropped or not properly lifted etc. read more

I would not recommend Lakeside Park if your loved one has any agression issues unless you could afford to hire a concierge doctor continually to help deal with those issues (which is about extra 2-3000/mo).Here's the problem with Lakeside that I saw in 2021-2022: They did not have a fax in the drug room on SEVERAL occasions which resulted in a 2 day delay in getting doctors orders for serious drug changes after hospitalization!! No standard for care of agitated or agressive patient. Serious drug safety concerns-gave someone else's drug to my spouse -unacceptable At one time, 3 caregivers pinned my spouse down when he had no clothes on and it was not appropriate or necessary. Asked me to authorize even more sedating drugs for spouse when they had not changed their approach for incontinence care or gave adequate training to caregivers Hi turnover of caregivers who are not adequately trained and MOST caregivers there do NOT speak much english- which is very bad for a dementia person to not be spoken to introduce their care actions. In a 1 mo period, 15-16 different caregivers gave inadequate incontinence care for 1 dementia patient.They refused to take adequate notes on his behavior or let me see notes on his drugs or behavior when it was important to chart behavior with drug changes that doctor ordered for behavior. No permananet caregiver/supervisor or nurse whose SOLE job was to train, supervise, and schedule caregivers. MEd techs have double duty jobs as both caregivers AND giving out drugs-this results in lack of focus on administering drugs correctly and hence giving wrong drug to wrong patient! No I do not recommend this place at all unless the person does not need much care at all and just needs to be watched and given food. (I have one friend whose husband stays there and that is all he needs right now.) read more

The staff at Lakeside were so helpful in visiting our hospice patient. The Medtech provided medical update and relevant information about the patient's care. They were all so friendly! read more

Lakeside Park is a great community! As a healthcare professional, I have been working with them for about 6 years. The staff has always been friendly and helpful to myself and all of our staff visiting. It's evident that the staff care about their residents and families. I would highly recommend Lakeside Park! read more

The building and grounds are clean, well taken care of. The inside is also very tidy and clean. It's refreshing to know that this memory care still brings life to those living here. read more

My siblings and I are very happy that our mom lives at Lakeside Park. She's been there for about six months and the love, care and stimulation she receives has helped her quality of life, and we feel a lot better knowing she is in a safe environment. We love seeing the staff engage with the residents as they are very warm and attentive. We were concerned that she would miss gardening in her backyard, but she is very happy to spend time in the lovely garden at Lakeside. With Lake Merritt only a half-block away, it is easy to take daily walks and enjoy a little bird watching. The common areas, including the dining room, feel like home -- not institutional. Our mom has settled in comfortably and now considers Lakeside her home. read more

My husband has been living at Lakeside Park Memory Care for almost 2 years, and I can't imagine a better place for him. The staff is attentive and caring, he's treated like family. There are many activities, and residents are encouraged to participate in whatever way they can. Family is encouraged to drop by any time. I especially like the seated volleyball played with a big balloon, flower arranging sessions, and scheduled weekly entertainment (dancing encouraged!). Family events are a highlight, holiday meals, seasonal gatherings, and fun family days (amazing luau last summer) give families a fun time to share with their loved one. The facility is thoughtfully planned out with a central gathering area surrounded by mini "neighborhoods", each With a smaller more intimate seating area for the residents in that neighborhood. There is also a lovely small garden area with benches and seating areas. Lake Merritt is just steps away, a lovely place to take a walk. If you are considering memory care, I encourage you to visit Lakeside Park. You won't be disappointed, and I doubt you''ll find a better place in the area. read more

A very unique community for people living with dementia. Designed to be homey and accommodating. Residents have a lot of freedom in their day to day activities. Staff and friendly and kind. read more

I was evaluating senior facilities for my Mom until mid March 2020. Lakeside Park came highly recommended and I had great conversations with Anne Sanabria, as well as the activities director (sorry I cannot recall her name-maybe Marsha?). Just before we were going to tour Lakeside, Coronavirus shut everything down. I was not able to get my Mom placed before the shelter in place mandate so she is still receving care at home. I am writing this review because Anne Sanabria has been very helpful checking in on me and my family situation several times even though we are not residents. She gave me a long list of in home care givers should we 'run out' of options. My Mom is not a resident at Lakeside, but the care offered and personal connection is very evident! I hope we are able to visit in a few months when we get thru this. Thanks Anne! read more

They just renovated and it looks great. The staff is extremely warm and friendly. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who needs memory support or has a loved one suffering from dementia read more

Julie Peterson is often yelling at staff in front of residents. It's inappropriate and unacceptable, especially in a memory care, where she is often agitating the residents. Staff works their hardest, but after seeing how the executive director misunderstands and berated staff, it makes me question the safety of my loved one. It's clear she makes staff uncomfortable and unfortunate considering the loving care they provide my loved one read more

Until last week, my partner Maureen lived at Lakeside Park. I only moved her into a board and care home for financial reasons. Three years ago, I was at wit's end trying to care for Maureen and keep her safe as her dementia ravaged her brain, causing her to wander and utterly disrupting her personality. I engaged CareQuest to assist me in finding a place that could handle her very challenging behaviors and chose Lakeside after touring the facility with the outstanding marketing director Anne Sanabria. The transition was rocky, to say the least, for all involved. But the superb caregivers, activity coordinators, and everyone at Lakeside worked tirelessly to get Maureen to a place where she was comfortable, safe and as engaged as she wanted to be. Our German Shepherd became a much-welcomed visitor on the second floor. I will say that the past year has been difficult for family members as the parent company, Watermark, struggled to install a new management team and institute more sustainable procedures. Sadly for Lakeside, they found the person with the right fit, Dawn Navin, just as the Covid pandemic forced the facility into lockdown. I am so grateful that their initiative and innovative response made it so no virus outbreak ever hit the facility. I was very sad to leave all of the staff and residents I've gotten to know so well over the years, and many said how sad they were to see both Maureen and me go. Because Lakeside once offered a social worker intern-led support group that continued meeting via Zoom since the beginning of the pandemic's sweep through the Bay Area, I am still and will continue to be connected to the truly wonderful family members who've been essential to my wellbeing as we navigate the difficulty of watching our loved ones slip away from us. read more

Lakeside Park by Watermark - Giving comfort to a Lakeside Park resident. - Retirement Homes Near Me - Oakland, California

Our mother lived in three different facilities for the elderly, Of the three places, Lakeside Memory Care was by far the best. The people at Lakeside are capable, attentive and caring. They provide a safe and beautiful environment for elders who have serious memory issues, with good food and many excellent entertainment activities. It was hugely reassuring and comforting to us, that we were always confident that our mother was safe at Lakeside, and that there were people looking after her who cared about her and had her best interests at heart. Her primary caregiver there wept with us when our mom passed away last week. The facility is not perfect. At times we had issues. But we always found that Lakeside was more than willing to meet with us, discuss our issues, and implement changes to accommodate our concerns. We are grateful for their help, and happily recommend them to anyone in need of memory care. read more

This is an updated endorsement on an old review. I am adding to an previously published review because this place is a gem simply because of the staff of dedicated people. Let's face it, it times when your loved one's are in their twilight years, their ability to care for themselves if diminishing and you cannot be with them 24/7 you need people with integrity and good will who you feel you can trust. I went through a tough period with my father as a conservator of his physical state, I needed help. This is where my story begins. My dad resided here for six or so years. In 2010, I had to make a critical decision to authorize having his leg amputated. I was overwhelmed and just devastated. Four weeks, my dad was a patient in the hospital and became very depressed refusing to eat. Following his surgery, the surgeons and therapist in the hospital had written him off. The inpatient social worker and case manager urged that I immediately have him placed in a full care nursing facility because they believed that he would not be a candidate for a prosthesis or therapy and did not believe he would recover from the surgery. When I told Executive Director at AgeSong Lakeside Park, she began to advocate on Cliff's behalf as did Linda and Janice and everyone. During his hospital stay, interns from AgeSong went to visit him. Just like a family member, my dad became very happy because his eyes would light up at the sight of the interns and the E.D. This was a good sign for him. By the following week, Cliff returned home to AgeSong! His beautiful eyes lit up upon entering the foyer and he smiled to see the familiar kind and loving faces that joyously welcomed him back home. I was so happy and pleased to know that my dad resided in a caring a loving place. AgeSong at Lakeside Park has the most wonderful and genuine and attentive staff. Not only do they care about the residents, they care about the families too. They are the only family that my dad and I have in the Bay Area and we are so thankful to everyone at AgeSong Lakeside. Everything is first-class from food preparations, hygenic and personal care to advocacy. The staff is wonderful and we love them. They are the best! UPDATE: In February 2013, my dad Cliff passed away. It was difficult for me because essentially, I was all he to be present for him. Lakeside Park was once again there for us particularly in the last two months. Death of a love one is difficult when you know it is the last days. So many staff persons, supervisors, directors and caregivers we just sweet and wonderful. Some of them were Ann S, Marsha P., Cheryl M., Linda P., Joseph, Morissa (sang beautifully at my dad's memorial), Elma, Simret, Mary Lou, Nila, Maria, and so many others whose name I did not mention and some who are no longer there. I trust that with staffing turn over and changes for reasons unknown, I hope today that Lakeside continues to hold high standards and that employees are happy and treated fairly and well. A happy staff provides happy and healthy services. All the best. read more

I've since had a chance to take a more in-depth look at Lakeside since the AgeSong transition. Apparently the facility was previously run by AgeSong, but they only had a 10% share, which they still hold! I've also found that most of the staff has remained the same, and they seem happy working here. For my full review of this place, which remains valid for the new Lakeside Park, either google for "Agesong Lakeside", or look for it in my review history. You'll find that my full review is two pages long. However, the short version is that we are incredibly happy that my grandmother is in such good hands. The residents have a very active schedule which includes singing, yoga, crafts, bus trips, and things like pie baking competitions (my grandma just won one!). I genuinely believe that we could not have found a better place than Lakeside for my grandmother, and we feel confident in recommending it to others. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you've read my full review and still have questions. read more

My mom lived at Lakeside Park for about 9 months. Most of the caregivers really seemed to care about her, but my overall experience was that I had to pester people continuously for her to get the care that she needed. The communication within LSP and between LSP and me broke down very frequently. Promises that they would help her do as much as she could because she had to "use it or lose it" turned into "she quickly lost it all". Assurances that they would tell me when there were health changes turned into not hearing about weight loss that was visibly obvious after a week between visits. Agreements that she should get out of bed every day turned into some caregivers thinking that she wasn't allowed out of bed. And so on. They might do better with residents who don't need as high a level of care, but I would check back carefully to make sure that they're doing what they've promised before you trust what you're told. It's exhausting to continuously be the squeaky wheel, but sometimes you just have to. read more

I had the best of intentions to post an "Exit Review" of our experiences with Lakeside Park after my Mother-in-Laws passing this past January. My opinions expressed in my earlier posts (which are still up on the Yelp site) remain unchanged. The staff at Lakeside is top notch. In the 3 1/2 years my Mother-in-Law resided there the key management personnel were all in place and most always immediately available and responsive to answer our concerns. The caregivers were attentive and the med techs on top of everything. There is no question that my M-in-L posed a challenge to all there. She was not at times an easy person to deal with. My hat is off to everyone at Lakeside who met that challenge. All of the residents there are cognitively impaired to varying degrees requiring different and personalized levels of care. Without question it is likely more difficult for the family members dealing with the reality of watching their loved ones declining into the depths of Alzheimer's /Dementia. There is wonderful support at Lakeside not only for the residents, but all those who need it. My M-in-L's condition, both mentally and physically, was going rapidly downhill in the latter part of 2016. She had a very good day on her birthday in December with family and great-daughters entertaining her. Lots of smiles! The following week it was determined by her physician that it was time for hospice to step in. The Lakeside staff was so supportive through that difficult time. The hospice nurses worked seamlessly with everyone at Lakeside assuring that her last days were as comfortable as possible. Several weeks later she passed away at age 99. As we were vacating her room many of the care staff stopped by to offer their condolences and "hugs". It was very heart warming to hear all of the nice things they had to say. Lakeside Park is a special place! read more

For this nearly 10 year journey, the past five, were made much easier by Lakeside Park. It has taken me just under two months to pen this emotional review so richly deserved by the entire staff at Lakeside Park Memory Care Center. A little over 5 years ago my family and I made the painful decision that my mom was not safe to live alone without 24 hour supervision due to Vascular Dementia. Leading up to this we had tried and exhausted all manner of care options including our own homes. Each time we realized that despite her then gracious social appearance to the world, she could not keep herself safe and cared for for any length of time alone. My senior care specialist Janet Ruehle took me to more than 10 memory care facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. When we finally sat down with Ann Sanabria at LSP, I knew IN MY GUT this was the place. The facility is clean and does not look institutional at all. It is designed to look like a home with comfortably furnished living rooms in each neighborhood of 4 resident rooms. I knew my mom needed to not feel institutionalized and this was key. I told Ann that my mom was very stubborn and a proven force to be reckoned with during previous ER stays, but she assured me that Mom was nothing out of the ordinary for memory care patients, and that Lakeside staff was highly trained and gentle. And she was right. My mom moved in and adjusted within a month. I visited weekly and found her rested, fed, squeaky clean and immaculately dressed every time. The lovely psych interns, caregivers, and activities staff kept her busy with crafts, Sunday outings, music, movies, high tea and many other activities. I will never forget arriving to find her on the Lakeside mini-bus just before an outing departure sitting next to her beautiful new friend. I asked her if she wanted to get off and go to lunch with me, and she turned me down flat. She had a window seat and blanket and had no intention of getting off that van for me. This made my heart swell. The Lakeside staff and all the caregivers who looked after my mom over the years, clearly loved her for her feistiness and colorful personality. (This was a relief to me since I had initially worried it would get her in trouble.) This facility is also unique because they are the ONLY place in the bay area with a team of psych interns who work full time with the residents, helping them adjust and providing emotional support and friendship as they endure their memory decline. My mom deeply loved and adored her caregivers, psych interns, and staff at Lakeside, as did all of my family. When she passed, we all agreed, Lakeside staff had forever become part of our family. They were there for my mom and for all of us from beginning through the peaceful end. I am filled with love and gratitude for them all and for this beautiful place. I would not hesitate to recommend Lakeside to anyone looking for a pleasant and beautiful place for a loved one in need of a safe memory care facility. read more

My Best Friend has been residing here for over a year. From the day Ann welcomed her until today when I visited Her, this has made me feel it is a wonderful place for Sharon. When she has had anxiety problems they knew what to do and helped her get comfortable. Other medical issues were immediately handled. When Sharon was in the hospital they sent flowers and cards. They treat her like a family member. I could go into detail about the activities and care she receives, but believe me, she is getting the best care anyone could ask for a love one. Thank you all at LP. read more

My mother has been living here for 5 1/2 months. I moved her from an assisted living residence in the East Coast. I am pleased to report that this home is a place where you, as the primary caregiver, can get peace of mind. And, your family member will be safe, secure, and stimulated. The staff is incredible! My mom has lived in independent living and assisted living over the past 7 years, prior to coming here. Having had first-hand experience with staffs at other facilities, I have to say that this staff from top to bottom is dedicated, kind, receptive, and extremely mindful of the residence. I have never seen anyone become irritated, impatient, or angry. Instead, they are patient, kind, and attentive. Their overall care provides for you, the primary caretaker, peace of mind. There is no price you can put on that. If there is a medical question or situation, you are in the loop. They know how to move residents to the ER, if need be. The transition is smooth. There are many activities during the day. I would prefer a few more "challenging" activities for my mom who is still pretty sharp at 96. However, they do meet the group needs really well. The atmosphere is friendly, caring, and kind. After a visit, I always feel that my mom is well taken care of. Should there be a problem, I am notified quickly. I have never been to such a place where there is such a sense of care and kindness at a place where everyone has dementia. I am really pleased to recommend Lakeside Park. It is a win/win for everyone involved. read more

Approximately one year ago, I moved my mother from a Southern California assisted living facility. She has moderate dementia and after evaluating 2-3 facilities with specialized memory care, I selected Lakeside Park. Lakeside Park has provided excellent care of my mother. It is not an easy task to look after a family member with cognitive impairment, much a group of several individuals. My mother's condition not only stabilized, but I feel her cognition had slightly improved. All of the staff members, including the front desk receptionists, housekeeping personnel, caregivers and management, were genuinely concerned with the welfare of the residents and responsive to my concerns. I visited my mother frequently during the week and on weekends, and not once did any of the caregivers (known as "care partners") demonstrate frustration, impatience or anger with any of the residents. Lakeside offered a good variety of activities for residents, as well as excellent lectures and support for family members. The chef is outstanding and prepared excellent tasting and nutritious meals. Lakeside Park has contracted with an excellent and dedicated physician who provides medical consultation for the facility. However, there is a lack of onsite licensed nursing care which may impact on administration of certain medications and I would recommend family members discuss their specific situation with Lakeside Park. After much consideration and some sadness, I decided to relocate my mother to another facility in closer proximity to my home to live out her remaining years. I hope that the new facility will be as good as Lakeside Park and will miss the people there. read more

Lakeside Park and its staff are second to none for dementia care. I had the privilege and pleasure of assisting a client for the last 8 years of her life as a resident at Lakeside Park and couldn't be more pleased. The staff are stable, concerned, considerate and very caring. My client was cantankerous and beloved by the staff who embraced her unique personality and she loved them in her special way. Lines of communication are open and doors are open for problem-solving and team solutions. Even when hiccups occur, great care is taken to resolve to a satisfactory conclusion. The management team cares about their residents and I was even fortunate to have additional assistance as my clients' move out was different than the norm and TJ and the team stepped up to make it happen smoothly and without a hitch. Anne is a bright shining star and Mila and her med techs keep everything humming along. I can't say enough about the care staff - Glenda in particular - who was grace under pressure and unflappable always! Great organization and well run. Thanks Cheryl for upholding such a terrific building. Definitely able to recommend to anyone in need. My 5 star choice. read more

I am not a client or family member of a client, but I wanted to simply review the excellent service I received by calling Lakeside Park to find out about their availability. Ann called me back and spoke to me at length about what I was looking for. Even though they don't currently have a room available, she answered questions I had about hospice care and gave me recommendations for in-home caregiver services as well. It was clear that she just wanted to help--she wasn't looking at this like a sales call. It felt really great to talk to her and get her feedback. If Ann is indicative of the type of caring attitude at Lakeside I can see why the place gets such great reviews. read more

My mother has been residing at Lakeside Park for a year for dementia care. She just passed away and I felt it was important to write this review. Lakeside Park is an outstanding facility for those who need memory care. They have a long-standing program, a great facility and care-takers who stay there because they love the jobs and truly care about the residents. I can't say enough about how much I value, and respect the care my mother received at Lakeside Park. Everyone did their job professionally and truly cared for my mother. This included the receptionist, the maintenance person, the person who did the laundry, the executive director, marketing, care takers, med techs, cooks. They really love their jobs and love the residents. The price is reasonable, the facility if well set up into communities where residents can bond with their group. The even have high tea on Sundays at the end of the month served by high school volunteers, a great entertainment program and interns who directly interacted with me to find the best way to provide care and interesting activities for my mother to do (who was essentially blind and deaf). I hopes this relays to all of you what a great facility is. I can't recommend it enough. read more

I am finally writing a (long over due )review of this exceptional facility. My mother has recently passed away after a long stay at Lakeside. I cannot more strongly recommend this facility. To begin,a review would be incomplete without mentioning the kindness and concern of the management team. I have rarely, if ever ,met such wonderful people. They will treat your family member with respect and dignity. Additionally, they have a special ability to hire caregivers,as well as all staff, who are genuinely dedicated to their work. From kitchen staff ,to maintenance workers,to front desk ,you will never find a more caring and helpful crew. I have witnessed maintenance stall on numerous occasions stoping to chat with or , even dance with residents. The vast majority of care takers are loving, caring and take fabulous care of the residents. Dementia is a horrible disease, causing changes in behavior that are often devastating to residents and their families. All staff here understand this disease and work so hard to make it as positive as possible. Another brilliant aspect of Lakeside is the group of interns that work here while getting their hours leading up to MSW degrees. They might lead an art project, sing with residents, or just spend time one on one. This group also leads a support group for family members. In addition, residents will enjoy outings, live music and lots of joyful experiences. I don't know how I can explain what a beautiful experience it was having my mom at lakeside for 5 years. While my mom is gone, I will continue to maintain relationships with so many. Bottom line: if you have a loved one with the special needs dementia requires ,then run don't walk to Lakeside. You will never regret it read more

We toured with Anne and she was caring and compassionate. We met Cheryl (sp?) and she was also very nice. All of the staff we encountered seemed to care about what they are doing. We will definitely be considering Lakeside Park in the next year or two. read more

My father was experiencing dementia and had been at our local hospital. We needed to find a place that would accommodate all his needs and where we felt comfortable as well. We met with the staff at Lakeside Park and it was immediately evident that they were caring, professional and experienced at assisting with these types of patients. They welcomed us in with open arms and were excellent at communicating his progress and how they were assisting. They take lots of care to provide safety for all their residents. I was very impressed that they would stop and talk with each resident many times throughout the day. They have lots of daily activities and the decor and furnishings are top notch. Very home like with a warm pleasant ambiance at all times. The staff of helpers are very caring, kind and compassionate with each of the residents and the visiting families. They also have a very nice garden area outside that is always open. The staff will work with you professionally and they are more than accommodating to patient needs. Cheryl, Ann and Linda are clearly some of the best people you could ever want caring for your family. Highly recommended! read more

Dementia is a horrible disease and situations can change in an instant and to say Lakeside Park went out of their way to help my mother QUICKLY is an understatement. On 12/12/13 I was referred to Lakeside Park by another facility because of the urgency for extra help for mom. Within 12 hours of a phone call to Anne Sanabria, Community Relations Director at Lakeside Park, she had visited my mother along with Cheryl Martin, Executive Director, and Linda Perez, Operations Specialists. We met the same day and they knew my mother needed much more help and support so they took her in the very next day. Plans were immediately put in place for mom with the confidence that they could help and make a difference. I have great appreciation to Lakeside Park for giving me truth with compassion even when it is just for the call checking on mom's day. I have great hope that the future for my mom will be brighter with Lakeside Park. read more

The compassionate people at Lakeside Park have found ways to care for my mother that I would never have thought of. She was in an institutional skilled nursing facility before; now it's like home -- in fact, much better than home! read more

This is a beautiful place. That it is aesthetically beautiful is an aside, as I am referring to the staff and energy within the "facility." Facility is the wrong word because it feels like anything but a facility. The greatest assets of this place are the people who work there. Every single one them. A little over three months ago, I frantically searched for a place that could keep my elderly old mother safe. I realized that caring for a memory patient is a job that requires 24 hour vigilance, something I could little afford with my own full time job. On the advice of Janet Reilly, (a senior advocate) I looked at Lakeside Park following four visits to a few other facilities which, while they were nicely run and clean, frankly scared me for their "facility-like" look/feel. My mother, despite her memory issues is very clear on a lot of levels. I knew these other memory care facilities would stir up my mother's long established fear of hospitals and nursing homes. Our family's gut wrenching decision to take her out of her home was made much easier once we saw how beautifully my mother began to adjust within her first few weeks. The building and residences are set up for memory patients and are comfortable and cozy. The floors are divided into neighborhoods, each with their own living room and kitchen: onto which opens five bedroom doors. The rooms are shared or single and there is a very small caregiver to resident ratio. Each neighborhood has one or two caregivers. There is also a common area, with a large living room and full kitchen that connects all the neighborhoods. The furnishings and building are beautifully decorated and could easily be mistaken for an upscale Bed and Breakfast or hotel. (I say this because after three months, my mother is convinced that she now owns an apartment in an upscale hotel!) My mother is a person that in hospitals is what we would call a difficult patient. We worried about how she would adjust and whether or not she would get along with other residents, staff, and caregivers. We worried that she would feel imprisoned and isolated from her life, etc. From the second day on, my mother was bonding with the caregivers who were responsive and kind to her need to adjust to her new surroundings. During the first few nights she was up several times and they would simply give her tea, and snacks when she asked and eventually cajole her back into bed. I delayed visiting her regularly in the first six weeks so that she would not be confused. Instead I visited once every week. It was obvious that after just a week she had made new friends and was fond of the staff. Several times I went to "spy" on her to see how she was adjusting and observe the general mood of the place- unannounced. I was so pleased to see how attentive the caregivers were with her. Every time I saw her there was a caregiver sitting with her, walking with her or giving her tea and snacks in the kitchen. While I have considered writing up a Yelp review for several weeks now, today was the day that inspired me to sit down and write this review. I showed up, as I usually do on a weekend to take her out to coffee or for a walk. When I arrived several residents including my mom were getting ready to leave for a scenic ride to San Francisco on the Lakeside Park bus. The staff alerted me that if I wanted my mother I would have to get her off the bus soon as they were getting ready to leave. She was dressed nicely, hair done and make up on, sitting with her friend with a blanket draped across their laps looking very pleased. I approached my mother and asked her if she wanted to go to lunch. She informed me that she was going to the city (SF)on a drive and asked me if I would like to go. I told her no and asked again if she wanted to get off the bus and go to lunch with me. My mother actually turned me down but promised to "meet me later for lunch," after her trip. She smiled and waved as I got off the bus. I could NEVER have predicted that this could happen after three months of making the agonizing decision to take her out of her home and place her in memory care. Her quality of life is far richer at Lakeside Park than it was in her home in the preceding months as she had begun to go into a steep decline; where she sat alone in front of the TV often forgetting to eat or even go to bed on days where nobody was with her. Choosing Lakeside Park was the right decision and I can't be more grateful for this beautiful place. There are far too many staff members to thank, because the list would include all of them! read more

This is a beautiful retirement home for someone with dementia who does not require a high level of personal care or skilled nursing unless you have a bottomless bank account. Before it became Lakeside Park recently, it was know as Agesong. Lakeside Park is a charming older building near Lake Merritt and across the street from Lakeside Park. Great location. The building has been set up to accommodate persons with dementia with different "neighborhoods" each with their own areas for sitting, dining, and bathing. Staff to patient ratio seems fine with the use of student interns. But like so many retirement homes and assisted living facilities, money is spent on the physical appearance to give a good first impression. Look beyond this, what the marketing or sales person is telling you is usually everything positive about the place and what you want to hear. It has been a few months since I last looked at Lakeside Park and I continue to have a negative impression of the facility because of my experience with the marketing department. My mother is over 100 and was just admitted to the hospital. I didn't know when she would be discharged, but knew I needed to find a place for her. The memory care facility and care home where she previously lived fell short on providing adequate care- dirty clothes, lack of adequate supervision, poor diet, frequent falls, etc. Fast forward, I visited Lakeside Park and was asked to write a huge check for $7,895 to hold the room. I'm being told that this would be fully refundable within 30 days prior to the assessment or after the assessment if my mom was not appropriate for their facility. Anxious to fill the vacancy at Lakeside Park, the sales person rushed out to the hospital 2 days after my mother was admitted to the hospital and did an assessment. Then determined that my mother was appropriate for Lakeside Park. The sales person told me that I needed to get my mom to Lakeside Park as soon as possible; they could do everything for her including home health and rehab., the hospital won't will keep my mom there more than a few days. The sales person kept asking me about my mom's discharged date and urging me to get my mom to Lakeside Park. This all stopped when the sales person found someone else interested in the apt. Then the tone changed to giving me back all my deposit except for the $500. I took 30 days to get most of my deposit back (kept my $500). My mother ended up remaining in the hospital for more than 2 weeks and was discharged to a skilled nursing facility covered by Medicare. If I had kept her at Lakeside Park, I would end up paying rent for the day she moved in plus all the "extra a la carte services" that would end up costing more $ than a skilled nursing facility. Currently, mother continues to need skilled nursing level of care. Caution: Do not let the sales or marketing person pressure you into making hasty decisions. Selecting the appropriate facility takes time. Plan ahead. Many other places don't require such a huge deposit. read more

As the one year anniversary of my mother's move to Lakeside Park approaches, I am thinking about the quality of her care. Reviewers have commented on the exceptional specialized facilities, professional staff, and interns. Although I do understand that Lakeside excels, I am still regularly taken aback by the little acts that I witness. How do you get a loved one, who refuses to move to Lakeside Park, from the car to the new room? The staff has a seemingly endless repertoire of approaches. How do you determine whether meds are working well? The staff captures impressions from all care givers. How do you cope with the transition for the family? The staff offers weekly support groups and even one-on-one sessions for guidance. What do you do if the elder rejects care? ALL the staff, no matter what position they fill at Lakeside Park, are ready to intervene, appease, and compliment the elder. As Boomers age, we can hope and plan for opportunities that approach the comprehensive care Lakeside Park offers to its current residents. read more

My wife recently passed away. She was a resident of Lakeside Park for three years. Her daughters, family members and I would visit her several times a week. We were truly amazed at the care she and all of the residents received. We would sit with her in the living areas and observed how the care givers administered to the individual needs of each of the guests. Carole would wander the floor as if on a mission and they were always mindful of her wanderings taking care to redirect her as needed. Everyone from the janitors, food service personnel, the care givers to the management staff and also including the volunteers who gave of their time and talents always did their best to make the guests feel at home and comfortable. Carole passed away at Lakeside and everyone at Lakeside were especially helpful during this difficult process. Hugs and tears were shared by the staff showing how deeply they felt about Carole...and everyone there for that matter. We could not have been more pleased with Lakeside. It is difficult to leave a loved one in such a place but rest assured that Lakeside met and exceeded our expectations. read more

My mother who recently passed away from Alzheimers lived at Lakeside Park. This is an exceptional facility and organization. The caregivers are respectful and compassionate for not only the residents, but also the family members. They are clearly mission driven and provide a very positive environment, numerous activities--including many outings, and customized menus. I visited my beloved mother on many occasions and the care that I saw being provided to the residents was nothing short of extraordinary. Alzheimers and dementia pose difficult management challenges; however, the skill and level of professionalism that they bring to each resident is inspiring. I would like to thank all the staff for their incredible work. When considering Lakeside Park you will first meet Anne who is also exceptional not only for her knowledge, but also for her candor about the path and journey that you'll take. Anne will point out that there is no such thing as a typical Alzheimer's patient and she is correct. Anne will connect you to rest of the staff and you'll be comforted and supported from day one. Lakeside also has an incredible mentor program that attracts some of the best social workers in the Bay Area. The patience, skill, and knowledge of Mark and Jen was exceptional. As my mother needed more assistance the Lakeside team was able to provide helpful information on hospice and medical care. The end of the journey came too soon when my mother passed, but she was at peace thanks to their great work. Making a decision to move a loved one into a facility is difficult and painful; however, I honestly believe that discovering Lakeside and having my mother live there was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my family. read more