Julia's Manor-Board & Care

Pros

• The staff are friendly, attentive, and consistently present.
• The facility is clean, newer, and welcoming.
• Residents are engaged in activities, crafts, and outings.
• There is a vibrant social environment with a Bistro, theater, and gardens.
• Families receive daily activity updates by email.
• Directors and management are accessible and proactive.
• The medical team is responsive to residents' needs.
• Residents and families report positive experiences and improved well-being.
• Front desk staff are lovely and helpful.
• Care is described as safe, compassionate, and attentive.
• The community is regarded as one of the best and highly recommended.
• Staff go above and beyond to help residents feel at home during transitions.

Cons

• The facility is described as a facade that hides troubling practices.
• There were multiple medication errors, including attempts to administer an anti-psychotic (Seroquel) to the mother.
• A staff member (Veronica) behaved inappropriately toward the elderly resident.
• Management allegedly lied to the resident about Veronica's schedule, and the incident led to police involvement.
• The staff and administration are described as childish, disorganized, and horrible at handling emergencies, with retaliation occurring.
• It is suggested that anti-psychotic medications might be used to suppress residents from reporting problems.
• Annual fees were raised four months after move-in.

Review

Felicita Vida appears in these accounts as a place of striking contrasts. For some families, it is described as a bright, modern memory-care environment with welcoming staff, engaging activities, and a sense of community that makes residents feel at home. The setting is often painted as clean, neatly kept, and thoughtfully designed: a newer facility with a bustling calendar, a Bistro that feels like a private coffeehouse, a movie theater, a fire pit, gardens, and spaces where residents can gather for happy hour or casual visits. In these voices, the atmosphere is warm, the furniture and d?cor are pleasing, and the daily routine - arts and crafts, outings, and scheduled programs - helps residents stay connected and engaged.

Yet several other voices tell a far more troubling story. One reviewer recounts a harrowing sequence that began in the first week of placement: repeated medication errors, and at least one attempt to administer an anti-psychotic without clear justification. The individual describes a specific incident involving a med tech named Veronica who allegedly acted inappropriately with an elderly resident, followed by an attempt by the new director, Alicia, and a corporate supervisor, Adrianna, to dismiss or downplay the report. The account goes on to describe what the family perceived as manipulation - being told Veronica wasn't working on the day in question - and mentions police involvement and mandated reporting by a state ombudsman. The reviewer characterizes the staff as childish and disorganized in emergencies and characterizes the overall response as retaliatory when concerns are raised. It is a stark counterpoint to the facility's otherwise serene presentation, framed by a warning to would-be clients: "don't waste your money here" if your loved one could be subject to similar treatment.

There are also stories that oscillate between concern and praise, illustrating the complexity of caregiving in such settings. Another reviewer, perhaps a long-time family member, emphasizes the daily vitality of the community: residents singing to Frank Sinatra, a chorus of staff around the tables, hands-on care, and a living environment that feels active and alive. This account highlights concrete positives - multiple staff members in sight during visits, residents painting, ongoing trivia, and a sense that life continues with purpose and joy. The description conjures a place where residents are not merely cared for but connected to meaningful moments and social interaction, something that family members repeatedly value in memory-care settings.

There are also comparative judgments that color the picture. One reviewer contrasts Felicita Vida with a different facility in Poway, implying that Felicita Vida offers more attentive care and less of the chasing-down-aids experience that the Poway location represented for them. The sense of "huge difference" suggests that, for some families, Felicita Vida succeeds in creating a more responsive, engaged care environment than other options they have experienced. Another voice stresses the cleanliness and the "newish" feel of the facility, reinforcing the impression that modern design and upkeep contribute to a sense of safety and comfort.

Financial realities factor into the overall impression as well. A reviewer notes that annual escalations can be steep, with fees increasing a few months after move-in, and mentions the need to press for basic assurances like carpet cleanliness. These comments remind readers that even when the care and environment feel compelling, the economics of memory care - often with annual increases and ancillary costs - can influence the decision-making process and the long-term experience for families.

Several reviews foreground the human touch of the staff and management. There are testimonials praising the front desk team as "lovely," and others highlighting the involvement of leadership in addressing problems. A specific note of appreciation is given to Dr. Stan, described as someone who takes time to explain plans, collaborate on care strategies, and extend his guidance beyond routine duties. In some posts, the new director, Patricia, is credited with going beyond the call of duty to rectify a difficult situation, illustrating that changes in leadership can translate into tangible improvements for residents and families. The sense that management is accessible, responsive, and invested in residents' well-being recurs across multiple comments.

A recurring thread in these accounts is the tension between a welcoming, activity-rich environment and serious concerns about how things are run behind the scenes. Some reviewers celebrate the facility's ability to keep residents active, cared for, and socially engaged, with regular updates about daily participation and a calendar of events that feels inclusive. Others raise alarms about medication practices, professional boundaries, staff orientation, and the handling of emergencies. Taken together, they paint a portrait of a place that can feel like two different experiences depending on who you talk to, when you visit, and which staff members are on shift.

Ultimately, Felicita Vida emerges as a place of undeniable appeal and undeniable caution. For many families, it offers a bright, well-kept environment with engaging activities, regular communication, and a community of peers that can provide meaningful daily life for loved ones. For others, it raises serious questions about safety, oversight, and transparency, especially when residents rely on consistent, compassionate caregiving and on staff who respond promptly to concerns. The stories suggest that prospective residents and their loved ones should visit with eyes wide open: assess not only the aesthetic and program calendar but also the processes for reporting concerns, the responsiveness of leadership, and the facility's track record in handling emergencies and medication administration. In the end, the place that Felicita Vida represents to each reviewer is a mosaic - an inviting home for some, a cautionary tale for others - with leadership, staff, and families all playing crucial roles in shaping the lived reality inside.

This section of Escondido, California offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several parks nearby, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely strolls in the beautiful surroundings. The proximity to pharmacies, physicians, and hospitals ensures easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are multiple dining options including cafes and restaurants offering a range of cuisines. For entertainment, there is a theater within reach for movies and cultural experiences. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded community with essential facilities in close proximity, making it a favorable location for senior living.

Parks

• Kit Carson Park (0.5 miles)
• Rancho Bernardo Community Park (2.9 miles)
• Liberty Park (4.7 miles)
• Pioneer Park (5.1 miles)
• Lucido Park (5.8 miles)
• Woodland Park (6.2 miles)
• 4S Ranch Sports Park (6.7 miles)

Transportation

• MTS Del Lago Station (1.2 miles)
• Sabre Springs Parkway Transit Center (8.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Orfila Vineyards (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Plan 9 Alehouse (2.9 miles)
• Burger Bench (2.9 miles)
• Filippi's Pizza Grotto Escondido (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)

Physicians

• Allergy & Asthma Med Group (1.4 miles)
• Sarina Adhikary Sharma, MD (2.8 miles)
• Graybill Medical Group - Escondido Grand Office (2.9 miles)
• Richard M. Foxx, MD (3 miles)
• Dr Schiffmans (3 miles)
• Brano Cizmar, MD (3 miles)
• Paul W Hinshaw DO (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Vons Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Okavango Outpost (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Mostra Coffee 4S (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (7 miles)
• Angelika Film Center & Cafe - Carmel Mountain (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Palomar Medical Center Escondido (4.5 miles)
• Premiere Surgery Center (5 miles)
• Pomerado Hospital (6.1 miles)
• Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mission Hills Church (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Edwards San Marcos (8.6 miles)