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Palo Alto Commons in Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto Commons is an assisted living and memory care community in Palo Alto, CA.

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Palo Alto Commons in Palo Alto, CA

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  • Interior

    An elegant dining room with beautifully decorated tables and chairs, set in a refined interior.
  • Outdoors

    A sign for Palo Alto Commons with residential buildings in the background.
  • Decor

    An elegantly set dining room with neatly arranged tables and chairs, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere.
  • Living Room

    A bright living room with a window and sliding doors leading to a balcony.
  • Building

    A green exterior building with a hotel entrance and landscaped surroundings.
  • Bedroom

    A cozy bedroom with a neatly made bed, nightstand, and chair by the window.
  • Trees

    A serene apartment complex with a landscaped garden and pathway.
  • Windows

    A spacious lobby seating area with elegant furniture and a glass ceiling that lets in natural light.
  • Landscaping

    A beautifully landscaped garden with vibrant flowers in front of an apartment building.
  • Lighting

    A well-decorated bathroom with a granite countertop, mirror, and stylish decor.
  • Garden

    A sunny courtyard with outdoor seating and lush greenery.
  • Artwork

    A cozy living room featuring a sofa with patterned cushions, a coffee table with decor, and wall art in a bright apartment.
  • Seating Area

    A spacious, modern lobby with large glass windows allowing natural light to brighten the seating area surrounded by indoor plants.
  • Outdoor

    A peaceful garden setting with a gazebo and picnic tables under the shade of tall trees.

4075 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.2 from 67 reviews
5 stars
42
4 stars
12
3 stars
4
2 stars
1
1 stars
8

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2018Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2020

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Palo Alto Commons Costs & Pricing

Palo Alto Commons offers a range of living options at premium prices that reflect the high demand and quality of life associated with the Palo Alto area. Monthly costs for a studio apartment are $6,950, significantly higher than the average in Santa Clara County ($5,155) and across California ($4,145). For those considering semi-private accommodations, Palo Alto Commons charges $7,050 - again surpassing both county ($3,943) and statewide averages ($3,333). The 1-bedroom apartments are priced at $8,500, compared to $5,861 in Santa Clara County and $4,340 statewide. Finally, their 2-bedroom units command a monthly fee of $11,950, well above the county's average of $7,339 and California's average of $5,270. This pricing structure illustrates Palo Alto Commons' commitment to providing exceptional living environments tailored to those who value both location and service excellence.

Floor plansPalo Alto CommonsSanta Clara CountyCalifornia
Studio$6,950$5,155$4,145
Semi-Private$7,050$3,943$3,333
1 Bedroom$8,500$5,861$4,340
2 Bedrooms$11,950$7,339$5,270

Overall Review of Palo Alto Commons

differentiator 7 reviews mention this

Focused memory care support

Residents describe specialized support for memory needs.

Several reviews mention memory care as a clear fit, including early dementia and higher-acuity needs. Families also describe care being adjusted as conditions changed, with attention to emotional support while residents stayed in the community. The community offers memory-care programming and high-acuity care, and residents note structured routines and daily care in the memory care unit.

common 10 reviews mention this

Activities keep days structured

The daily calendar of activities is a common highlight.

Many reviewers say residents stay engaged through scheduled daily activities and regular opportunities to go out, not just passively pass time. Several also describe exercise classes, live performances, and community outings, with families appreciating that the day feels organized. The community offers a broad set of activities, including fitness programs, devotional activities, resident-run options, and day trips.

common 5 reviews mention this

Food and restaurant-style dining

Dining stands out, with restaurant-style service.

Multiple residents and families praise the quality of the meals, describing the food as excellent and the dining experience as a highlight. Reviews also point to how meals are handled for different needs and preferences, including accommodating various dietary requirements. The community offers restaurant-style dining along with meals provided and special dietary options like low/no sodium, diabetic care, and vegetarian dining.

  • An elegantly set dining room with neatly arranged tables and chairs, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere.
  • An elegant dining room with beautifully decorated tables and chairs, set in a refined interior.
common 5 reviews mention this

Renovations and cleanliness matter

Residents describe a clean, recently refreshed environment.

Several reviews describe the community as clean and welcoming, and they specifically mention renovations improving common areas and the look of the building. A few also describe well-maintained spaces in the memory care unit and a comfortable day-to-day environment. At the same time, at least one review notes construction-related disruptions like noise and dust.

caveat 3 reviews mention this

High pricing comes up repeatedly

Cost is a recurring concern for families.

Some reviews call out the community’s high charges and describe pricing as expensive. One reviewer also says service issues happened while the price continued to rise, which adds to the concern. Pricing varies by unit type, with most options priced above county and state benchmarks, and one category slightly below county on the listed range.

caveat 3 reviews mention this

Operational hiccups affect comfort

A few residents report troubling operational problems.

While many reviews are positive, several negative reviews describe management and staffing problems, including being short-staffed or delays in basic requests. Others mention maintenance and hygiene concerns, such as construction disruption, broken elevator downtime, and reports of pests. There are also complaints about visitor logistics, including limited space to sit and parking challenges.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Housing

  • 250 resident community capacity 250 resident community capacity
  • 1-bedroom apartments 1-bedroom apartments
  • 2-bedroom apartments 2-bedroom apartments
  • Studio apartments Studio apartments

Types of Care

  • Assisted Living Assisted Living
  • Independent Living Independent Living
  • Memory Care Memory Care

Pets

  • Cats allowed Cats allowed

Amenities

  • Activities off-site Activities off-site
  • Activities on-site Activities on-site
  • Air-conditioning Air-conditioning
  • Beautician on-site Beautician on-site
  • Beauty salon Beauty salon
  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Computer center Computer center
  • Devotional services off-site Devotional services off-site
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Fitness room Fitness room
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Gaming room Gaming room
  • Garden Garden
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Indoor common areas Indoor common areas
  • Kitchenette Kitchenette
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor common areas Outdoor common areas
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Private bathrooms Private bathrooms
  • Restaurant-style dining Restaurant-style dining
  • Small library Small library
  • Swimming pool / hot tub Swimming pool / hot tub
  • Telephone Telephone
  • Wellness center Wellness center
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

  • San Jose International (11 miles away) San Jose International (11 miles away)
  • San Francisco International (20 miles away) San Francisco International (20 miles away)
  • Metropolitan Oakland International (22 miles away) Metropolitan Oakland International (22 miles away)
  • Community operated transportation Community operated transportation
  • Transportation arrangement Transportation arrangement
  • Transportation arrangement (non-medical) Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
  • Transportation to doctors appointments Transportation to doctors appointments

Care Services

  • 12-16 hour nursing 12-16 hour nursing
  • 24-hour call system 24-hour call system
  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Diabetic care Diabetic care
  • High acuity care High acuity care
  • Incontinence care Incontinence care
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Mental wellness program Mental wellness program
  • Mild cognitive impairment Mild cognitive impairment
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions
  • Specialized memory care programming Specialized memory care programming

Dining

  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Low / no sodium Low / no sodium
  • Meals provided Meals provided
  • No Sugar No Sugar
  • Restaurant style dining Restaurant style dining
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions
  • Vegetarian Vegetarian

Activities

  • Art classes Art classes
  • Brain fitness Brain fitness
  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Concierge services Concierge services
  • Cooking classes Cooking classes
  • Day trips and outings Day trips and outings
  • Devotional activities offsite Devotional activities offsite
  • Educational speakers / life long learning Educational speakers / life long learning
  • Fitness programs Fitness programs
  • Happy hour Happy hour
  • Live dance or theater performances Live dance or theater performances
  • Live musical performances Live musical performances
  • Planned day trips Planned day trips
  • Resident-run activities Resident-run activities
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities
  • Stretching classes Stretching classes
  • Water aerobics Water aerobics
  • Yoga / chair yoga Yoga / chair yoga

Nearby Places of Interest

This section of Palo Alto, California, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several pharmacies in close proximity, accessing necessary medications and healthcare supplies is easy. The nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while the local theaters offer entertainment options for seniors wanting to enjoy a movie. Additionally, the cafes in the area provide social spaces for meeting friends or enjoying a leisurely coffee. There are also various physicians' offices and hospitals nearby, ensuring access to quality medical care. For transportation needs, the Caltrain stations in Mountain View and Sunnyvale provide easy access to regional destinations. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment that caters to the needs and interests of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Pharmacies

  • Walgreens (0.3 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
  • Walgreens (1.3 miles)
  • Walgreens (2.3 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Parks

  • Mitchell Park (0.8 miles)
  • Shoreline Park & Lake (2.4 miles)
  • Stevenson Park (2.5 miles)
  • Baylands Nature Preserve (3.1 miles)
  • Evandale Park (3.6 miles)
  • Grant Park (5.8 miles)
  • Seven Seas Park (6.2 miles)

Theaters

  • ShowPlace ICON at San Antonio Centre (1.2 miles)
  • AMC DINE-IN Sunnyvale 12 & IMAX (6 miles)

Cafes

  • Boba Bliss (1.2 miles)
  • Verve Coffee Roasters (2.8 miles)
  • HanaHaus (2.9 miles)
  • Blue Bottle Coffee (2.9 miles)
  • Café Venetia (2.9 miles)
  • Starbucks (5.5 miles)
  • Sunright Tea Studio (7.2 miles)

Physicians

  • Bay IVF Center (1.8 miles)
  • Encina Building, Palo Alto Medical Foundation (2.5 miles)
  • Anesthesiology: Palo Alto Center: Palo Alto Medical Foundation (2.6 miles)
  • Stanford Otolaryngology (3.1 miles)
  • Melchor Pavilion (4 miles)
  • Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, Alex Dimitriu, MD (4.2 miles)
  • Menlo Medical Clinic in Menlo Park - 1300 Crane (4.2 miles)

Restaurants

  • McDonald's (1.8 miles)
  • In-N-Out Burger (1.8 miles)
  • McDonald's (2.3 miles)
  • Wildseed (2.4 miles)
  • Telefèric Barcelona (2.4 miles)
  • Gott's Roadside (2.4 miles)
  • State Of Mind Pub (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

  • Hoover Pavilion (2.9 miles)
  • Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (3 miles)
  • Stanford Health Care (3 miles)
  • Stanford Hospital (3.1 miles)
  • Reproductive Medicine Associates of Northern California | RMANORCAL (3.1 miles)
  • VA Medical Center-Menlo Park (4 miles)
  • El Camino Hospital (4.1 miles)

Transportation

  • Mountain View Caltrain Station (3.1 miles)
  • U-Haul Moving & Storage (3.7 miles)
  • Sunnyvale Caltrain Station (5.8 miles)
  • Redwood City Caltrain Station (7.6 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Resources

  • dementia paranoiaDementia, Paranoia, and Caregiver Guidance: Understanding the Connection

    Dementia encompasses progressive neurological disorders that impair cognitive functions and can lead to paranoia due to cognitive decline and emotional changes. The article discusses the triggers of paranoia in dementia, caregiver strategies for managing it, and the importance of distinguishing between dementia-related paranoia and other psychiatric conditions.

  • memory care activitiesEngaging Memory Care Activities That Enhance Quality of Life

    Memory care activities are essential for improving the quality of life of seniors with cognitive impairments, as they stimulate cognitive function, promote well-being, and encourage social interaction through tailored strategies. These activities combine structured exercises with spontaneous tasks, sensory engagement, physical workouts, creative pursuits, and intergenerational interactions to enhance emotional connection and a sense of purpose.

  • when to move from assisted living to memory careWhen to Transition from Assisted Living to Memory Care: Key Indicators, Steps, and Finding the Right Community

    Transitioning from assisted living to memory care is driven by an individual's cognitive decline and specific needs, requiring careful evaluation of indicators like increased confusion and wandering. The process involves consulting medical professionals, researching suitable communities, considering financial and legal aspects, and ensuring effective communication for personalized care plans.

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