Hallmark Bakersfield

Pros

• The staff at Hallmark are friendly, accommodating, and take good care of the residents.
• The med. staff is great - friendly and caring, making medication management hassle-free.
• The activities offered at Hallmark are diverse and engaging, providing entertainment throughout the day.
• Residents can enjoy outings to Walmart and restaurants organized by Hallmark.
• The food at Hallmark is excellent, with special meals provided on holidays.
• The facility's size is an advantage as it reduces the chance of residents getting lost and ensures a more personalized experience.
• There is a beauty salon on the premises for residents' hair and nail care needs.
• The outdoor patio provides a fenced-in space for residents to relax and enjoy fresh air.
• Each resident has a private mailbox for their convenience.
• Despite the increase in cost over time, overall satisfaction with Hallmark remains high among residents and their families.

Cons

• Occasionally, the staff need to be reminded to do minor cleaning in the resident's room.
• There have been rare instances where clothing seems to get mixed up during laundry.
• The maintenance man is not as competent in all areas as desired.
• The cost of the facility has increased over time and may be considered high for some families.

Review

Hallmark, a senior living facility in Bakersfield, has been providing exceptional care for individuals with mid-stage dementia for over a year. The staff members have consistently displayed friendliness and accommodation towards both the residents and their families. The rooms are all uniform in size, offering a spacious studio layout with single occupancy (except for married couples). They come equipped with private bathrooms featuring safety features, ample closet and storage space (though not as large as typical residences), as well as a small kitchen area complete with a sink, medium-sized refrigerator, and cupboards. However, there is no stove or oven for obvious safety reasons.

While minor cleaning oversights occasionally occur in the residents' rooms, they are infrequent and can be easily rectified by reminding the staff. To avoid any mix-ups when doing laundry, it is recommended to label clothing items with the room number using a laundry marker. The maintenance staff is generally competent but may not excel in every aspect of their responsibilities. Nonetheless, the security measures at Hallmark are considered adequate.

The medical staff has been highly praised by families for their outstanding care and friendly demeanor. Refill prescriptions are managed efficiently by Hallmark's staff without requiring family members to pick them up personally. Additionally, the front desk staff and other employees have received positive feedback for their friendliness and overall dedication to ensuring residents' well-being. It is evident that the staff takes great care of all individuals residing at Hallmark – an essential factor given their vulnerability due to dementia.

The assisted living facility offers diverse activities throughout the day from morning until just after dinner. These activities include bingo, arts and crafts sessions, movie screenings, various games, as well as music-related events. Church services are held regularly for both Catholic and generic Protestant denominations. In addition to these on-site offerings, Hallmark arranges for entertainment brought in from outside several times per week. Residents also get opportunities for occasional outings to Walmart and local restaurants. For those desiring beauty services, a salon on the premises caters to both hair and nail care needs. Furthermore, residents can enjoy fresh air and relaxation on the outdoor patio, which is securely fenced in.

The quality of food at Hallmark has been consistently praised by families who have shared meals with their loved ones at the facility. Guest meals are reasonably priced at $5 per person. Special meals and activities are provided on holidays, ensuring that residents feel a sense of festivity alongside their family members.

One unique aspect that sets Hallmark apart from other senior living facilities in Bakersfield is its manageable size. With only two stories connected by an elevator, there is less chance for residents to become disoriented or lose their way to their rooms. However, even if this were to occur, the staff is readily available to assist them. Each resident also receives a private mailbox for personal correspondence.

While Hallmark was recommended as one of the most affordable options in Bakersfield by a placement agency when initially considering it for their loved one with dementia, one reviewer mentioned that the cost increased after a few months due to a change in care level. Although this adjustment brought the monthly cost up to around $4000, which may be considered high for some families, they have been managing financially thus far.

In conclusion, Hallmark senior living facility in Bakersfield comes highly recommended based on positive experiences shared by multiple individuals and their families. The accommodating staff provides exceptional care and service to residents with mid-stage dementia. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped while maintaining safety features appropriate for individuals with dementia. The medical staff's professionalism and compassion have been commended, as well as the overall friendliness of all employees encountered at Hallmark. The diverse range of activities offered throughout the day keeps residents engaged and entertained, while access to outings and an on-site salon further enhances their quality of life. Families have also appreciated the delectable food and reasonable guest meal prices. With its manageable size, Hallmark ensures that residents feel safe and secure in their environment. While there may be slight fluctuations in cost depending on care levels, families have found Hallmark to be a worthwhile investment in their loved one's well-being.

This part of Bakersfield, California, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With a variety of restaurants within close proximity, including Maui Pho, Tacos El Toro, and O Ramen, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are several physicians' offices and healthcare facilities nearby, such as Stanton Optical and South Bakersfield Community Health Center. For transportation needs, the GET Bus Southwest Transit Depot is easily accessible. The neighborhood also features a number of entertainment options like Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza with IMAX and picturesque parks like Beale Park and Jastro Park for leisurely outings. Overall, this area provides a comfortable living environment with essential services readily available for older adults seeking a vibrant community to call home.

Restaurants

• Maui Pho (0.2 miles)
• Tacos El Toro (0.6 miles)
• O Ramen (0.7 miles)
• Jack In The Box (1 miles)
• Carl's Jr. (1.1 miles)
• Mossman Southwest (1.2 miles)
• KFC (1.3 miles)

Physicians

• Stanton Optical (0.3 miles)
• Ma Soler, MD (0.6 miles)
• South Bakersfield Community Health Center (0.6 miles)
• G.B. Ha'Eri, MD (1.2 miles)
• Biomat Plasma Center (1.4 miles)
• Pacific Pulmonary Services (1.5 miles)
• Valley Medical Group (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Ming & H Drugs (1.5 miles)
• Coughy Shop Collective (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Hina's Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Wise Buys Drugs (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• GET Bus Southwest Transit Depot (0.5 miles)
• BNSF Railway Co. (2.7 miles)

Theaters

• Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza with IMAX (0.7 miles)
• Maya Bakersfield 16 (3 miles)
• Regal Edwards Bakersfield (3.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• New Life Center (1.5 miles)
• Laurelglen Bible Church (1.6 miles)
• St Philip The Apostle (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Good Samaritan Southwest Hospital (1.5 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Beale Park (2.2 miles)
• Jastro Park (2.7 miles)