Golden Rest Home

Pros

• The owners, Dennis and Lhea, are wonderful to work with and extremely responsive.
• Golden Home has consistent staff who make residents feel safe and comfortable.
• Birthdays and holiday celebrations are frequent.
• Lhea provides excellent support for virtual medical appointments.
• The all-male environment has been great for the uncle.
• Weekly walks with a staff member on the nearby walking path/park promote activity and safety.
• Golden Home is highly recommended by the reviewer.

Review

Golden Home has been a steady and reassuring presence in my uncle's life since he moved in April 2021. From day one, the people running the place have shown themselves to be genuinely caring and attentive, with a level of responsiveness that has made navigating his care much less stressful for our family. The owners, Dennis and Lhea, stand out for their willingness to listen, to adapt, and to act quickly when anything comes up, which has created a sense of trust and reliability that we value deeply.

A standout feature of Golden Home is the consistency of the caregiving staff. There is a dependable team that gets to know my uncle - how he feels on a given day, what he needs to feel safe, and how best to support him in staying comfortable and engaged. This steadiness matters a great deal, especially for someone like him who relies on familiar faces and a calm, predictable routine. The daily interactions with the same caregivers have a tangible impact on his sense of security and his overall well-being.

The atmosphere at Golden Home is clearly geared toward celebrating life and fostering connection. Birthdays and holiday celebrations are frequent, and these moments of joy are planned with thoughtfulness and care. It's meaningful to see how the community comes together to make these occasions special, providing opportunities for social interaction and warmth that brighten daily life for the residents. The sense of a supportive, cheerful environment makes a real difference in how comfortable my uncle feels day to day.

An important part of the care arrangement is the practical support around health needs. Lhea, in particular, has been a great bridge to medical care, offering strong assistance for virtual appointments when they're needed. This kind of operational help is invaluable, especially for a family navigating healthcare requirements from a distance. Having someone who can coordinate, organize, and participate in virtual visits helps ensure that my uncle's medical needs are addressed promptly and efficiently, giving us peace of mind.

My uncle is 79 and still fully ambulatory, but he does require frequent reassurance due to his dementia. In his case, the environment and the caregiving approach at Golden Home seem well-suited to his needs. The staff's reassuring presence, coupled with a steady routine and clear communication, appears to help reduce anxiety and keep him feeling safe. The emphasis on creating a calm, reassuring atmosphere is an essential aspect of the care model that benefits him personally.

An additional positive aspect is the all-male setting, which has proved to be a comfortable and appropriate fit for my uncle. This aspect of Golden Home contributes to a sense of camaraderie and ease that can be especially meaningful for someone who benefits from a straightforward, familiar social dynamic. It's reassuring to see him settled into an environment where he can interact comfortably with peers and staff who share similar daily rhythms and expectations.

There is also a regular physical activity element that we appreciate. At least once a week, my uncle and another resident go for walks with a staff member along the walking path and park that's next door. This routine not only supports physical health but also offers meaningful social engagement and opportunities to spend time outdoors in a safe, structured way. The presence of a staff member during these walks adds an extra layer of safety and companionship that my uncle values.

Overall, the experience at Golden Home has been exceptionally positive, and I genuinely can't recommend it highly enough. The combination of responsive ownership, consistent and caring staff, engaging social life, practical health support, a dementia-friendly atmosphere, and an uplifting all-male community creates a welcoming, secure, and supportive home for my uncle. It's clear that the team there is dedicated to making every resident's days meaningful and comfortable, and that commitment shows in every facet of the care provided.

This part of Berkeley, California offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. The neighborhood boasts several parks such as Presentation Mini Park and Live Oak Park, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are numerous dining options nearby, including Homemade Cafe and Saul's Restaurant and Deli, offering delicious meals in a casual setting. Medical facilities like Sutter Urgent Care and Berkeley Pediatrics are easily accessible for healthcare needs. Public transportation options such as the MacArthur BART Station and various pharmacies like Walgreens provide added convenience for seniors living in the area. Furthermore, cultural attractions like theaters such as AMC Bay Street 16 are within close proximity for entertainment purposes. Overall, this part of Berkeley presents a vibrant and well-rounded community suitable for senior living.

Parks

• Presentation Mini Park (0.2 miles)
• Grove Park (0.7 miles)
• Cedar Rose Park (1 miles)
• Willard Park (1.1 miles)
• Live Oak Park (1.3 miles)
• Berkeley Rose Garden (1.6 miles)
• Indian Rock Park (1.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Homemade Cafe (0.3 miles)
• Mezzo (1 miles)
• Saul's Restaurant and Deli (1.1 miles)
• The Habit Burger Grill (1.7 miles)
• Bakesale Betty (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Fat Apple's Restaurant & Bakery (2.8 miles)

Physicians

• Sutter Urgent Care: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (0.4 miles)
• Berkeley Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Kiwi Pediatrics Medical Group (1.6 miles)
• Sutter East Bay Medical Center (2.6 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Mosswood Building (3.1 miles)
• One Medical (3.7 miles)
• Urology: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (5.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CBCB GFTCRD (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Farmacy Berkeley (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)

Cafes

• Caffe Strada (1.2 miles)
• Highwire Coffee Roasters (2 miles)
• Hal's Office (2 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (2.7 miles)
• Cafe N!ne (4.2 miles)
• Bicycle Coffee (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Transportation

• Emeryville Amtrak (1.9 miles)
• MacArthur BART Station (2.6 miles)
• El Cerrito Plaza BART Station (2.8 miles)
• West Oakland BART Station (4.3 miles)
• Lake Merritt BART Station (4.7 miles)
• 20/21 Bus Stop (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Street 16 (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (3 miles)
• Kaiser OB-GYN (3.1 miles)
• Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center: Summit Camps (3.2 miles)
• Highland Hospital (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (3.6 miles)
• Bridge Ministry (6.5 miles)