Fountianview At Gonda Westside

Pros

• One reviewer notes that residents receive first-class care and attention.
• The grounds are described as beautiful, the food as good, and everything as spotless.
• The executive director and team are consistently praised for finding dedicated, caring staff.
• The nursing, maintenance, and administrative teams are described as top notch in their dedication to keeping residents safe and engaged.
• Specific staff members - Steven, Jackie, Emily, Jared, Ilham, Diana, and Donte - are thanked and described as the best.
• A resident mentions purchasing a unit and looking forward to moving in.

Cons

• The reviews claim elder abuse is occurring, including leaving an elderly resident in an unwashed jacket for weeks and theft of clothes.
• A male staff member allegedly changed the resident, which upset her, and a staff member told her to "shut up."
• Laundry care is described as poor: clothes were not washed properly and shrunk.
• Dining services are very poor: staff are rude, mishandling orders, and residents feel afraid to ask for what they want.
• The administration is seen as ineffective or uncaring, with problems described as constant and staff perceived as incompetent, inexperienced, and abusive.
• Communication barriers and language difficulties are said to create a hostile environment for residents.
• The facility is criticized for prioritizing appearances over resident care and described as an absentee landlord.
• There is claimed discrimination against residents who use scooters for mobility.

Review

New renters should be aware that the facility is currently in the process of being sold to SRG Senior Living, a for-profit company, with the sale expected to close in under 90 days. Amidst that transition, residents and their families are sharing a wide range of experiences that paint a highly mixed picture of daily life, care quality, and administrative responsiveness. The reviews reveal a facility that can be warm and well-run in some moments, while at other times leaving families worried about safety, dignity, and value for money.

A recurrent thread is serious concern about basic care and personal dignity. Several reviewers describe instances they interpret as elder neglect or abuse, including unwashed clothing, clothing being stolen, and distress over being changed by a man in the presence of other residents. One reviewer even recounts a resident being told to "shut up" during a moment of upset, highlighting perceived verbal mistreatment. Clothes that were not washed properly reportedly shrank, and families describe a sense that personal belongings were not protected or treated with respect. These stories contribute to a broader impression that some staff interactions can be emotionally upsetting for residents and their loved ones, creating an environment where residents feel humiliated or ignored when they voice concerns.

Dining and day-to-day services also draw strong reactions. Several accounts describe poor service in the dining area, with residents not receiving what they believe they ordered and staff who appear rude or dismissive. The atmosphere is described as hostile at times, with residents fearing to ask for basic needs like hot water or assistance. Language barriers and communication gaps are cited by some families as a contributing factor, making it harder for residents - many of whom are older or have limited English proficiency - to advocate for themselves. Taken together, these dining and front-desk experiences contribute to a perception that the environment is not consistently supportive of residents' comfort and satisfaction.

Caseloads and leadership are another area of visible contention. Some reviewers fault the head administrator for lacking authority, portraying a sense of absentee landlordism that allows routine problems to persist. In contrast, other reviewers praise specific leaders and staff, especially in the memory care unit, where they report exceptionally positive interactions. A number of residents and family members single out the Executive Director and a named group of care staff for their dedication, patience, and responsiveness, crediting them with keeping residents safe, engaged, and connected to doctors and family members. The contrast between these views underscores a facility where outcomes seem highly variable depending on whom you interact with and which unit you're in.

Mobility, access, and transportation concerns further complicate the picture. One major criticism is the facility's handling of mobility-disability accommodations. Reviewers report discrimination against residents who use scooters as a medical necessity, indicating uneven experiences with accessibility and inclusion. Parking and visitor access are also mentioned as problematic, with limited space at the main entrance pushing visitors to park on adjacent streets. While some reviewers speak positively about the appearance, grounds, and overall cleanliness, others flag practical gaps in services and infrastructure that can undermine the sense of a polished senior-living environment.

Other reviews acknowledge positive experiences amid the concerns. Commentators describe the property as beautiful, with well-kept grounds and a dining program that can be very good when functioning smoothly. Several reviewers emphasize the importance of dedicated, caring staff who go above and beyond, noting instances where residents' requests were accommodated - such as small gestures like placing grapes in a resident's mini-fridge, coordinating Zoom calls, or assisting with doctors' appointments. In these voices, the facility is portrayed as capable of delivering first-rate care and engagement when leadership, staff morale, and communication align well.

There is also a practical critique tied to the facility's for-profit ownership and recent sale. Some reviewers question the value proposition for the price, arguing that the premium charged by Fountainview at Gonda Westside does not always translate into the level of service and convenience promised. Complaints range from transportation and salon staffing gaps to operational frictions like slow valet service and doors that lack automatic opening - features that matter for residents with mobility challenges. The sense conveyed is that while the property has aspirational amenities, the day-to-day execution and consistency of service can fall short of expectations, particularly for those weighing long-term financial commitments.

In sum, the current landscape at the property is a study in contrasts. The facility has vivid testimonials of warmth, professionalism, and attentive care from some staff and leaders, especially in memory care programs, coupled with urgent, sometimes harrowing reports of neglect, miscommunication, and inadequate responsiveness from other corners of the operation. The impending sale to SRG Senior Living adds an additional layer of uncertainty for prospective renters and families who are weighing whether the care environment will align with their expectations and financial commitments. For anyone considering moving a loved one into this community, the reviews suggest a careful, on-site evaluation: observe dining and care interactions, meet key staff, review how the facility handles transfers and requests, and assess access and transportation options. Only through direct, current exposure to the on-the-ground operations can a prospective resident or family gauge whether the promised level of care and respect will be realized in practice.

This part of Playa Vista, California offers a convenient and vibrant community for senior living. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as CVS and Rite Aid, access to healthcare is easily accessible. The area also boasts a variety of parks like Bluff Creek Fields Dog Park and Burton Chace Park for outdoor leisure activities. There are also plenty of restaurants ranging from fast food options like Chick-Fil-A and McDonald's to more upscale choices like Superba Food + Bread. In terms of transportation, there are options such as UBER rideshare staging lot and car rental services within a few miles. Places of worship like King Fahad Mosque provide spiritual support, while cafes such as Go Get Em Tiger and Starbucks offer social gathering spots. Hospitals like Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center and Santa Monica - UCLA Medical Center & Orthopaedic Hospital are within a short driving distance, ensuring access to medical facilities if needed.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)

Parks

• Bluff Creek Fields Dog Park (0.3 miles)
• Burton Chace Park (1.9 miles)
• Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area (2.5 miles)
• Penmar Recreation Center (3.1 miles)
• South Beach Park (4.1 miles)
• Ocean View Park (4.3 miles)
• Santa Monica State Beach (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.9 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.1 miles)
• Randy's Donuts (2.7 miles)
• Superba Food + Bread (2.8 miles)
• Carl's Jr. (3 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark 18 and XD (1.2 miles)

Physicians

• Kaiser Permanente Culver Marina Medical Offices (1.4 miles)

Transportation

• UBER Rideshare Staging Lot (2.2 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (2.3 miles)
• Terminal 2 (2.4 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (2.4 miles)
• Southwest Airlines (2.4 miles)
• Terminal 1 (2.4 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• King Fahad Mosque (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Go Get Em Tiger (3 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (3.2 miles)
• Great White (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Gjusta (3.7 miles)
• The Rose Cafe & Market (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center (4.6 miles)
• Santa Monica - UCLA Medical Center & Orthopaedic Hospital (5.3 miles)