Holiday by Atria

Jacquie McCord sent me the names and address of numerous places to consider when looking for a residence for my mother. We drove past several of them, but Valencia Commons was the first place we actually visited. The staff greeted us at the door. Missy started off the visit by talking to my mother, not to me. This scored high points with me!!! She is the one who would be living there, her needs and safety were my primary concern. I would not let her go to a place where they would not even talk to her. Things I was looking for included friendliness of the staff, cleanliness of the facility (including lack of cobwebs and lack of dirt in the corners!), smiles from the residents, and clean smells. All of this was present and very evident when we first walked in. We did look at other residences, but they paled in comparison. Mother had her mind made up early in the search, and she wanted to go to Valencia Commons from the very first. I thought she should see other places, and almost had to force her to look. When we moved her belongings in, and was getting her settled in her apartment, staff kept checking to make sure Mom had what she needed and that we didn't need help from them. Questions were answered, and help was forth-coming in a very timely manner. I had to return to my home in Maine before Mom was completely settled. Leaving her was very hard, but I knew that she was in a safe and caring place. Her phone was not connected before I left, and the office staff was wonderful about passing on the message to Mom that I had arrived home safely. It is their attention to the little details that make this an exceptional place! Many thanks to Missy and Keith, Sonietta, and Elizabeth for all of their help!

I like the place but my mother is just too disabled for there. The people are really nice. She has basically an assisted living group helping her out everyday but she's refusing to leave her room. They've been wonderful, the people there. They've done more than what we're paying them for, let's put it that way. They've gone well above and beyond what I thought they should so they get my highest recommendation.

I really don't think that there's anything that they can improve on given the full host of services they have. Even though it's independent living, they do have a home health care company on site so for example, several weeks ago I stupidly broke my foot-one of the reasons I chose to live here was that it was near my doctor- so I called an ambulance, they took me to the doctor and I got a cast. I rented a wheelchair so now one of the home health aids helps me take a shower. We have a gourmet chef that prepares meals and the meals are portionally appropriate, you can ask for small or regular and the other beautiful thing they do is the biggest meal is at noon and then we have supper which is like a lunch for dinner so you don't go to bed bloated. The food is excellent, the staff is very friendly and the residents are very friendly. Even though I'm probably 20 years younger, the stories they share are so wonderful. We have a lady that celebrated her 100th birthday last month and she still goes to bingo, we play bean bag baseball and she still gets a couple of home runs. Another great thing they do is once you decide you want an apartment and you have a specific request on how the apartment is set up they'll accomodate it. All you have to do is ask for something and if it's within reason they're willing to do it. A light bulb went out and their "maintenence engineer" Graham came in and immedeatly replaced it.

Loved the place

Once or twice I've had to say something about the cleanliness but that was it and they responded immediately. I really, really liked them, they take care of him when I can't be there, we've had several emergencies and they try to call me but if they can't get ahold of me they call 911 and they stay with him until the ambulance comes. He has diabetes and they immediately test his blood sugar to make sure nothing's wrong with that. Hartland does not have the facilities to medically take care of someone so it's private pay and you have someone come in from a home care agency and they're always on staff so they call them so they can come to test his blood sugar. He did go through a transition, which everyone does for the first couple of months, he didn't want to be there but now he likes the people there, he thinks it's a good place, he just thinks they're all old. Relatively speaking he is young, he's 75 so they're using walkers and wheelchairs but he likes it. It was the best price and I liked the staff immediately when I walked in. In fact, I would move in if I could, I don't need the care but I would feel safer and their apartments are huge.

They're exceptional. I give them a 5+ for friendliness! Both my mother and father-in-law are there and they love it. All their friends that come to visit love it to. We haven't had to utilize any of the care services yet. I've been able to take care of everything myself but they meals and housekeeping are great.

These folks were so helpful and accomidating! I was making arrangements for my mother to move from Virginia and they were very helpful and pleasent to deal with. They have you there for a meal and a chance ot meet and speak with residents. I recieved a very complete tour of the facility and the apartments that were available and they answered my questions completely and to my satisfaction. A lovely, well-kept facility, and I did notice that the folks from administration that showed my around (Rick and his wife) addressed each and every resident by name; impressive! Unfortunately, my mother passed away before she could take residence, but they were very kind and helpful when we made this fact known to them. I belive that she would have been very happy and satisfied living there.

Walnut woods is very helpful for the tenants. Meals are nutritious even though my mother never ate vegetables, she is there. The activities are great. I wish my mother did more of them. I believe the value for the dollar is exceptional, especially on a limited income. I would give them a five star rating.

From the beginning we have felt that we were the only family that this property had to deal with . They have been just right in their approach to help us with Mom they provided great information with being intrusive. The families were invited to come as often as they like for free meals during the first month and after that we can join Mom for a very small fee at any meal we want. This is the most elegant place that my mother has ever lived and the family loves seeing here there safe and happy. The meals are outstanding and the activities are non-stop, something for everyone. Mom has a balcony as I think all the apartments do, and that is one of the things that makes her so happy she sits on the balcony any day she can.

We have visited this facility and really liked it. Looks like a place our parents would be comfortable in.

Both my father and I loved this place. Really gave us a a cozy felling. The lay out of the visility I really love. I am going to say this is the place my father wants to live.

They're great, the staff is more than a five if you could rate them like that. My mother is enjoying it, of course it's up to the actual tenant how they particpate in things and all but she's liking it and there are things there that she can do. All these places are priced a little bit high, but we're getting what we're paying for. I'm about two hours away and I haven't been down there about once since we moved her in, but I just think overall the staff's friendly, the meals are great and they're there when she needs them.

Really liked this place, they have a 1st floor studio available for $2858 per month. Nice people, nice place, food seems good. My mom and I are going there Thursday for dinner (5:30).

We very much enjoyed meeting Rob in person after speaking with him several times and viewing all the information he had provided by mail as we had asked. He met us at the front door and immediately made us feel welcome and very comfortable. He asked whether we were interested in studio one or two bedroom and we began the tour of facility. We viewed a one bedroom on third floor we thought would be great and then a 2nd floor studio unit with a walk out balcony area providing a great view of the magnolia trees and raised garden beds that would perfect for Herbert. We then say another studio with a different floorplan, but the balcony one was wonderful. We met Allen also and he was very nice and provided us more info about food, social gatherings, and more.

It's a very fine facility. The person I know there is doing very well.

We love it. Absolutely great price and great value. The food is great. Once my mom wasn't answering her phone and I was super worried about her. I called front desk and they told me she was sitting outside on one of the steps and they went and told her I was trying to reach her which was great. She's taking the bus and going to all the activities. I only have wonderful feedback. My only complaint has nothing to do with redwood itself. I just wish she was closer.

My mother decided to go ahead and take an apartment there. She's moving in on the first. The apartments were a nice size. We definitely like the dining room and the food was good. In particular, my mother really liked the fact that at her meals they offer a smaller plate. That's something we haven't seen before. The people were nice and friendly. They people that stayed there seemed to be happy - we talked to quite a few of them. All that kind of appealed to my mother.

Independent living only. Residents very social. Nice facility with well appointed residences. Walking distance to shopping. Lots of activities available.

Independent living only. Residents very social. Nice facility with well appointed residences. Walking distance to shopping. Lots of activities available.

My mother loves living here! She went from being lonely to enjoying life again. The activities offered she participates in regularly. Myself and other family members join her for lunch and the meals are wonderful.