EDMONDSON LIVING CENTER

Pros

• Hearts and Minds is incredibly helpful and kind to patients and caregivers.
• The staff are very kind and caring.
• The center is a great place with friendly, attentive, and nurturing staff.
• The organization is exceptionally compassionate toward seniors, and visitors feel happier after visits.
• The staff provide professional care and offer extra supports like seminars and support groups.
• The center treats residents with respect and keeps a safe, clean environment.
• The adult day center is highly regarded and provides essential support for families.
• The Alzheimer's Activity Center offers a loving staff, engaging activities, and a safe, nurturing environment.
• Families express gratitude for the care and the positive impact on their loved ones.

Cons

• After about three years at the Alzheimer's center, the reviewer notes their mother was picked up in a wheelchair due to redness and later bruising on the buttocks and legs, implying negligence by the center.
• The reviewer states they should have sued for negligence but did not because they trusted the staff.
• In hindsight, the reviewer feels they trusted the facility too much.

Review

Across the many voices sharing experiences of Hearts and Minds and its Alzheimer's Activity Center, a consistently warm and hopeful picture emerges. Review after review highlights a place that is not only attentive to the cognitive and physical needs of memory-impaired loved ones but also deeply supportive of the families who care for them. Families describe a program that tracks progress and keeps caregivers in the loop with regular emails listing activities and periodic reviews. In one memorable aside, a caregiver quips, "I never worry when my husband is at H&M," signaling the peace of mind that comes from staff who seem genuinely present and reliable.

The thread that runs through most accounts is kindness. The staff is described as "soo kind," and many reviewers emphasize how authentic their care feels. Some reviewers even note personal connections to the staff, suggesting that the team's warmth is more than professional courtesy - it's a genuine human bond. One person mentions having taught there and liking the experience, a small testament to the center's culture of engagement and respect for expertise. The impression you gather from these comments is of a place where staff members are not just performing tasks but building relationships with both patients and their families.

Caregivers repeatedly report tangible benefits for their loved ones. Several mom-focused stories describe afternoons and days that become more meaningful: "My mom loves it there! The staff is so nice. Her mind is so much better. She has her own life again! She exercises, sings and plays games. She has made friends. I am so grateful we found them." Another testimonial speaks of a father who loves being there and whose initial apprehension gave way to comfort with the staff's approach. The overarching theme is that the center helps patients stay socially engaged and mentally stimulated, while giving caregivers a practical, comforting routine and a reliable schedule for their loved ones.

An especially rich part of the experience is the program's intergenerational, community-building environment. In one detailed review, a family member celebrates an "incredible place" where an 82-year-old father is welcomed daily by a staff described as loving. The center is even integrated with a local daycare, with the day-to-day life at the center featuring activities that bring generations together. The description emphasizes participation in activities such as dominoes, lawn bowling, and word searches, and it notes the staff by name - Maria, Grace, Brandon, Tammy - who ensure a "terrific, safe and nurturing environment." The reviewer is explicit in thanking the entire team for creating a space that is not only safe but also joyful and socially enriching for their father.

Alongside the glowing praise, the collection does not shy away from serious concerns. One reviewer recounts a troubling experience that spans several years: the center was a good fit for their mother for about three years, until they had to pick her up in a wheelchair due to redness and later bruising on the back of her buttocks and legs. The reviewer reflects candidly on the possibility of legal action, acknowledging that trust can be betrayed and that accountability matters. This is a reminder that even well-regarded facilities must continuously monitor safety and respond promptly to any signs of risk.

From there, the thread circles back to core values - treating residents with respect, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and delivering care that honors both independence and dignity. A brief line, "Treat with respect. Safe clean," seems to distill the baseline expectations that families hold when choosing an elder-care facility and echoes the broader sentiment that safety and respect are non-negotiable pillars of good care. The strength of the positive stories is enduring, but the cautionary note sits alongside them as an important counterbalance that reminds readers to stay vigilant and engaged.

The most detailed and moving testimony comes from Denise O'Brien, who describes the center as an "incredible place with a loving staff that daily welcomes my 82-year-old father." She explains how the day's rhythm - partly called "The Club" - creates a safe and nurturing environment where her father can dress up, attend activities, and mingle with both peers and visiting children from the nearby day care center. Her gratitude is palpable as she names staff members who care for not only the residents but the family's shared sense of peace. The Intergenerational dynamic is framed as a powerful feature, turning a day program into a place where dignity, joy, and connection flourish.

In the midst of this chorus of praise, a few stray comments appear that drift away from the core focus on care. One message veers into a broader lament about online privacy and data tracking, a reminder that online conversations about care exist within a wider landscape of digital life. Another line, punctuated by humor and a bit of chaos, touches on a separate rant about tracking software and data selling. While these digressions are part of the fuller tapestry of comments, the dominant melody remains clear: Hearts and Minds and the Alzheimer's Activity Center are widely valued for their warmth, professionalism, and the meaningful difference they make in the daily lives of people living with memory issues and the families who support them.

This part of SAN JOSE, California, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple physicians' offices, hospitals, and pharmacies within close proximity, seniors can easily access healthcare services. The area also provides several parks for leisurely strolls and outdoor activities, as well as restaurants that offer a diverse range of dining options. Additionally, there are cafes for socializing and theaters for entertainment. For those who rely on public transportation, there are nearby transit stations and the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is easily accessible. Overall, this part of San Jose offers convenience and a vibrant community for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years.

Physicians

• Santa Clara Valley Speciality Center (0.4 miles)
• South Bay Allergy and Asthma Group (0.5 miles)
• Ear Associates & Rehabilitation Services (0.9 miles)
• Obstetrix Medical Group (1.2 miles)
• Shen Medicine Pediatrics and Associates (1.2 miles)
• Allergy & Asthma Associates Of Northen California (2.1 miles)
• Comprehensive Pain Management Center (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Valley Health Center Bascom (0.4 miles)
• O'Connor Hospital (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Frank M Santana Park (0.6 miles)
• San Jose Municipal Rose Garden (1.6 miles)
• Central Park (3 miles)
• Maywood Park (3.1 miles)
• Reed Street Dog Park (3.4 miles)
• AT Dog Park (3.4 miles)
• Houge Park (3.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Meso Modern Mediterranean (0.8 miles)
• Fogo De Chao (1 miles)
• Yard House (1 miles)
• King's Fish House (1 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (1.1 miles)
• Shake Shack (1.1 miles)
• Din Tai Fung (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)

Theaters

• Pruneyard Cinemas (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Philz Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Coffee & Water Lab (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Nirvana Soul (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Calvary United Methodist Church (2 miles)

Transportation

• San Jose Diridon Station (2.3 miles)
• Santa Clara Caltrain Station (2.9 miles)
• Santa Clara Transit Center (2.9 miles)
• Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) (4 miles)
• The Club at SJC (4 miles)
• Terminal A (4.1 miles)
• Apple Park Transit Center (4.1 miles)