Fred Lind is part of TRANSFORMING AGE - that name truly says it all…read more I'm an eldercare professional who visits senior communities every single day. I've also been a Seattleite for 30 years, and value an elder community's sense of connectedness to their neighborhood. On my personal time, I took my husband to Fred Lind's amazing Art Walk where we saw neighbors and local artists engaging with elder residents. My husband said, "I could totally see our parents living here." Peaceful, tree-lined streets, lovely facility plus fantastic food and activities! That's what you see. Then there's "what they do," how the community is run. As a Certified Business Coach I "get" what a high-functioning and dynamic team looks like - - every visit I observe Fred Lind's leadership team excited to be at work and dedicated to excellence in care. Dave Foltz and Katherine Post, I feel luckly to collaborate with you. Amy Bliss and Angelica Rios, your relentless focus on ensuring the residents have healthy, engaged minds and bodies is wonderful. Thanks to all the Fred Lind team for what you do.

My mother lived at Fred Lind Manor for about a year. The staff was always friendly, caring and…read moreaccommodating. Though health issues prevented my mother from participating in many activities, she enjoyed those she did attend, particularly corn-hole and nightly movies in a very comfortable theater. She also took advantage of a well-stocked library. All in all, it was a good fit for her.

In my last review I groused a bit about the food quality. The food quality has improved markedly…read moresince my last review. While I miss the luxurious buffet, a lingering result of COVID-19 protocols, the prepare to order delivered to table and available for pickup is back up to excellent quality. Put Mirabella on your list of retirement care communities to check out!

My husband and I have lived in a Mirabella apartment since July 2019…read more (I just happened on a negative review that shocked me. ) I initiated a search 5 years ago after falling down stairs twice in our wonderful Ballard house. the transition was fairly easy, much to my surprise. We had an easy move-in and live very comfortably here. There are staff dedicated to moves. The move-in fee was big, but we sold our house, so not a problem. If you move or pass away, a large % of the fee is refunded. We get the equivalent of a big meal a day per person (or 2 small ones) included in our monthly fee, as well as fairly thorough housekeeping every 2 weeks. I don't own a vacumn. They gave us new carpet and I chose to have wood floors for part. On move in, you choose things like wall paint colors, etc. The dining rooms include a casual one where you can pick up meals or choose baked goods etc. I love the staff here. I hire someone to help me above and beyond, but could comfortably manage without if needed. I love to be surrounded by books and have built- in shelves. Maybe you will be lucky and move into a place like mine where the previous occupant did so. We have an electric fireplace. You can move in your furniture at your own expense or find helpful relatives. Parking is an extra fee, tiny if you compare it to city charges. We have a big swimming pool, a smaller warjacuzzi and hot tub, a " Restore "  of items donated or left behind, where I like to shop. It was created by and staffed with wonderful resident volunteers. Lots of programs of all kinds, classes like a writing class I'm fond of. Many other services help, like packages delivered to your apt door. During Covid, they delivered our food. I think you get a certain number of such deliveries a year/ free. They are NOT paying me for this review.

Great community, staff is friendly and available. All of the staff are helpful with providing a…read morereal community where people are friendly including staff.

I have lived at "the plaza on 5th" (as I call it) for two years and find it to be a terrific place…read more the food is quite good, and available 7 am to 7pm, the management is excellent (Michelle, Brian, Joe, David), and every staff person I've interacted with knows my name and greets me warmly. I'd like to name here each of the superb staff that have made my stay such a treat: concierges Lisa and Denise, wait staff Juno, Michael, Jeanette, Joven, Thyra, Mubalum, and Asher, housekeepers Maritza and Asha, caretaking staff Inna, Aline, Irene, and Cece, and Phil the driver and sometimes excellent singer/guitar player.

My mother was recently at Aegis for a month on a respite stay. This was her first experience with…read moreassisted living, and I cannot express how impressed I am with the staff at Aegis. The first point of contact was Joan in Marketing; she was and remains compassionate, honest and has provided many resources for me and my family. She knew from day one that we would not be able to afford permanent residence, and she has assisted with everything from referrals to an elder law firm to placement agencies, as well as providing support and encouragement. My mom's stay at Aegis ended after Thanksgiving, and Joan has still been in contact with me to follow up on my mom's care. The staff: I really doubt there's a better staff anywhere. From the team at the concierge desk (Isumi, Bob, Paul, Ailie), to dining (Sarah, Jenn, Linda,...) to the wonderful care team (Democracy!! Tierra, Monique, Sharon, Kristen, Spencer, Anna, Cole, Alex,.... the list is endless!) and the life enrichment team (Susan! Vince!) and the security team, who I saw daily at 6 am. My mom was in such good hands, and it was plain to see that everyone was truly compassionate, that this was not just a job, but they really care and are compensated well for their hard work. The building is gorgeous, but this is mainly for the families to enjoy. The residents of course love being in such a beautiful home with all these amazing features (the theater! the belfry!), but what really counts is the care. After touring several other assisted living facilities, it was quite plain to see the difference. The Aegis staff truly cares. Yes, they're running a business, but they do not have itchy fingers and dollar signs in their eyes when meeting with you to discuss potential care costs, unlike several other well known assisted living facilities that I won't name. The cost is unfortunate as this really is unattainable for most, but I would strongly recommend this facility to anyone looking for the best place for a family member needing care.

It's a nice facility, but care is substandard. They create a care plan which is designed to charge…read morefor the services needed by the resident, but no accountability for delivering those services. My mother never consistently got the care we were promised (e.g., got one shower per month vs. 3 per week in the plan, almost never wearing her compression socks vs. paying to have these on each day). As well, as someone with dementia, she mostly sat alone in her room. During the sales process we were told how skilled the staff were engaging with dementia residents. We didn't see that after moving in, so would complain, we'd see temporary improvement, but always short lived. Staff turnover is high. There were many really great people that provided good care, but were quickly gone. Ultimately we moved her to an adult family home which was light years better and a fraction of the cost.

My Mom was diagnosed with mild vascular dementia several years ago. For years she was able to live…read morecompletely independently, but with time, her disease progressed to the point where we decided that she would do better in a supportive community. But where to move her? The choices seemed overwhelming. Over the years I've had experiences with a wide range of retirement communities, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, etc. involving family and friends, so I'd seen both the best and others I wouldn't wish on anyone.  This experience was really helpful, because when Mom could no longer live on her own, I already had an idea about what I wanted for her. We ultimately selected IDA CULVER HOUSE BROADVIEW for its reputation, range of services, location, gorgeous campus, and most importantly, its memory care unit. We couldn't be happier. Here's why I chose them. First, I spoke to a lot of professionals in the field, friends, and colleagues when the (somewhat frantic) search began and was surprised how many had parents or knew friends' parents who lived at ICHB and they all raved about it. That was a great first sign. Second, it's locally owned and operated and is not part of a national franchise, so it feels less corporate and more home-y than other facilities with a wonderful focus on the residents. At the same time, it's an expansive 8-acre campus with a range of living options and is beautifully manicured with gorgeous trees, flowers, paths, both indoor and outdoor seating areas, a beautiful second floor library with big picture windows, and a dining room with beautiful views of the water and mountains. Third, high staff turnover in this business is pretty common. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn how many staff members have been with ICHB for 10 or 20 years or longer. It's a testament to how the company treats its staff. Personally, it's important that the folks who are looking after my Mom like what they do, care about the residents, and that the relationships she builds will be lasting. This is especially important for those with memory problems. I've spent quite a bit of time interacting with staff over the past five or six months and continue to be impressed by how caring, helpful, and personally invested they all are. Fourth, ICHB is a great choice if you have a parent who wants to find a place to retire and age in place. Three options are available: 100% independent living in studios, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments; independent living with assisted living services added as needs increase; and memory care. The last thing I wanted for my Mom was to move her into a place only to have to move her elsewhere for memory care when the time came; I wanted more certainty and stability for her. ICHB was a great fit for this reason. When my Mom first moved in, she had a gorgeous, brightly lit studio apartment with a view of Puget Sound and the Olympics with trees right outside her window. Everything was new and clean. It was amazing! There were lots of planned activities, classes, social events, and options for staying busy, making friends, and pursuing hobbies (I receive regular courtesy emails with lists of planned and upcoming offerings). Given her needs at the time, we arranged for her to have assisted living services to provide her the extra help she needed. When her dementia progressed, the Nurse Director helped us transition her into ICHB's memory care unit, called the Terrace. The staff in the Terrace is experienced with Alzheimer's and dementia and know how to provide specialized support to the residents. Her days are filled with activities and she seems happier than ever. I recognize this has been a really long review (hopefully it won't be a tl;dr kind of thing) but I wanted to share this in the event it might be helpful to others who are where I was when our journey began. The thing that has made the most difference to me is the peace of mind I now have knowing that Mom is being well taken care of, is happy, and that if either she or I ever need anything, the staff at ICHB is there for us.

Our family has two members currently residing at Ida Culver House. One is totally independent and…read morethe other requires more support. Both are pretty happy with the environment. They both state that they really enjoy the meals and the dining facilities, also the opportunities to socialize with others in a variety of dining options. I am unable to address the costs with any accuracy so I will say I only understand that fees are 'hefty'. But that includes all expenses. The family members support each them with frequent visits and supplement anything they need. At times, the staff is not 100% on the ball and require that we keep check on doctor's orders. It is important to do this since health issues are involved.  There are a variety of activities offered and many residents take advantage of the offerings and state that the choices are outstanding. These activities offer so much, friendships, socialization, enjoyment and much more. The programs are high quality and open to all. So far, the individual apartments are pretty basic. The windows are large and open onto lovely landscaping. Moving in required that each family member had to leave much behind and only bring in a few treasured items to fit into the small apartments. For our family members it is important that we 'supplement' their lives with our support. We do so with love and affection.

My wife and I moved into Merrill Gardens at the University in Seattle around the first of November…read moreof 2019. We've gotten to know several people within that period of time, along with the wait staff and other food personnel. The wait staff are always very friendly, cooperative, and accommodating with their food service. To me, it's almost unbelievable. I don't know why but it seems like the food quality has improved immensely over, say, the past couple of months. We always order the soup at lunch because the soup is always very tasty. Recently we had salmon. It was cooked (not over-cooked) to the correct temp and tasted fantastically. I only wish I had ordered another piece! In closi the meals here aren't five-star restaurant quality but we didn't expect that when we moved to this location.

My parents moved into Merrill Gardens at University Village when it became apparent my mom could…read moreno longer navigate the stairs in their 2 story home much less cook and clean. MG proved to be a wonderful place for them to live. They enjoyed the friendships they made with the fellow residents, the multitude of activities and events organized by Mindy, the simplicity of having their meals prepared and their apartment cleaned, the kindness of the employees including everyone from the administration to the front desk to the kitchen staff and especially the excellent care provided by the caregivers. Their compassion and professionalism was exceptional. My siblings and I are deeply grateful. Thank you!

My mom has been a resident at Vineyard Park Queen Anne (formerly Queen Anne Manor) for three and a…read morehalf years. She lives on one of the two memory care floors, and we have been very happy with the care she receives. Mom's apartment is cozy and bright, with tall ceilings, a ceiling fan, a large window, and her own bathroom. The communal space is flooded with natural light and includes a TV room, dining room, and a darling rooftop patio filled with flowers during the spring and summer months. There's even a piano tucked into the corner, and I've been lucky enough to witness residents sit down and play! We experienced a change in ownership last year, which resulted in quite a bit of management and staff turnover. It was a challenging time for everyone, but one thing that remained consistent was the focus on caring for and supporting my mom and the other residents. The current team is, hands down, the best we've experienced. An enormous thank you to all of them. There is a level of "independence" in the memory care program here that may or may not work for your loved one. It's a large community, and even within the smaller memory care sections, the staff-to-resident ratio is on the lower side. For our family, though, this works well. Mom is mobile and constantly on the move, and having the freedom to explore without being overly coddled suits her personality. The staff also take a gentle approach to caregiving. If a resident refuses care, they're good about giving them some space and trying again later. I've found this helps prevent agitation, and the residents generally seem happy and comfortable in the shared spaces. Memory care residents have daily activities with the activities coordinators and are often invited to the assisted living side for larger, community-wide activities. Extra staff are on hand for these events, and residents can return to their own space whenever they're ready, which is especially helpful for those who can become easily overwhelmed. They also put on an extra-special Thanksgiving celebration every year! We are so thankful for the level of care Mom receives, the friendly and inviting staff, and the beautiful historic building she gets to call home. And bonus points for the neighborhood! Finding long-term care for a loved one is an incredibly emotional and overwhelming process. My advice: explore your options, ask lots of questions, but also take a moment to observe how the staff interact with each other and whether the residents seem happy and comfortable. You'll know when you find the right place--and we sure did at Vineyard Park Queen Anne.

My parents have resided at Vineyard Park for about 7 years now and we have had an excellent…read moreexperience. Mom has her own apartment in the independent living section and my dad stayed in the locked memory care unit. Throughout the years, we have appreciated attentive care and good communication with staff for both parents. There have been multiple times where medical emergencies have come up requiring transfer to the hospital for higher level care, and every time the staff responded beautifully to get them the care they need and contacted us immediately to let us know what was going on. I am able to connect with director of the nursing services and even the executive director whenever I have questions or concerns, and we are always able to work collaboratively to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to the situation. The staff is sensitive to maintaining residents' dignity and autonomy wherever possible, however they also have firm boundaries in place when safety issues arise and require adjustment of the approach to things like medication management, mobility/ambulation, or maintenance of personal spaces.

We moved my mother from a senior living apartment building that changed from senior to traditional,…read moreall ages. It's very difficult to make a change when one is in their 80s, but the staff and residents at Ida Culver Ravenna went above and beyond. Everything is five star in our book. At Ida Culver you will be surprised to find a warm, welcoming place behind the serious facade on NE 65th. The majority of the facility is older with big picture windows facing either a meditation garden or a beautiful, large sunny garden. This won't fill your needs if you're looking for brand new, McMansion type living. But if you are looking for wonderful spaces, bright and cheerful views, top notch staff with absolutely great communication, you have found the right place for your loved one(s). Soon after our Mom moved into Ida Culver, her health started to decline. The staff of Ida Culver was right on top of it, communicating to us what we didn't always see on our regular visits. Not only was the staff great, the other residents looked after Mom, and communicated to the staff when there was a problem. They were with us in dealing with hospitalization, were with us in dealing with the hospital regarding her care, and were with us for the short term of skilled nursing in order to gain strength. Our Mom will be transitioning to full assisted living, and the nursing staff has been wonderful concerning planning, communicating, and meeting with us. Bravo Ida Culver. It's wonderful to find a place that truly cares about their residents and 100% advocates for the best care possible. They have made this difficult journey that much easier.

We recently had an opportunity to spend a week in a guest apartment at Ida Culver, Ravenna. I was…read moreimpressed by the welcoming atmosphere. A sign with our names greeted us in the lobby, a staffperson helped us unload and wheel our belongings up to the unit. The requested microwave was brought promptly. The staff made an effort to listen to our needs and sought our feedback on the visit. Great views and tasty food. Well worth looking into, especially as the entire building will be transformed with a major rebuild.