Elderly Manor Affliation Inc

Pros

• Enchanted Garden is truly a home away from home.
• The caregivers are always so cheerful and accommodating and "right there" for your every need.
• This is truly an amazing residence for your loved one and an ideal location in a western San Mateo residential neighborhood.
• Families gather here during activities and parties to enjoy time together.
• During the seasons, residents gather around the TV to cheer for their favorite team.
• Exercising in their chairs, playing bingo, enjoying visitors, planned outings, parties, are all part of daily life.
• Enchanted Garden is a wonderful home where respect, love and care are top priorities.
• Naturally, it is clean and well maintained, but it is the attentive care that has been so refreshing to find.
• The food is beautifully prepared and does not suffer from the shortcomings of having been prepared for 100 people.
• The staff seems to genuinely enjoy making special occasions for residents.
• The magic is how the staff lovingly honors, quietly guides, and serves residents.

Cons

• Corporate facilities have appeal, but when it comes down to managing or handling acute situations, they often come up short.
• Their turnover can be very high.
• The staffing may be inadequate at night.
• Policies that encourage independence can mask staff apathy, or in some cases, be life threatening.

Review

Enchanted Garden feels like a home away from home from the moment you step through the door. The caregivers consistently come across as cheerful and accommodating, always appearing "right there" for every need. Nestled in a western San Mateo residential neighborhood, the residence has an ideal, tranquil ambiance that makes it easy to picture a loved one thriving there. When the nice weather arrives, a wrap-around deck opens up a sense of outdoor living with a garden, chirping birds, and a fountain, all contributing to a quiet atmosphere that invites residents to linger and enjoy the moment. It's a place where families naturally gather during activities and parties, and where residents themselves often relocate their focus to a TV during sports seasons to cheer on their favorite teams.

Daily life at Enchanted Garden is a tapestry of purposeful, engaging routines. Residents exercise in their chairs, participate in bingo, welcome visitors, and look forward to planned outings and parties. These elements form a consistent rhythm that keeps everyone connected and engaged, while the surrounding environment remains calm and respectful. The emphasis on respect, love, and care as top priorities weaves through every interaction, underscoring a culture that values dignity and genuine attention for each resident.

Over the course of a decade spent exploring numerous senior communities, respite care options, assisted living arrangements, and in-home care, this residence stands out as the best encountered. It is not only clean and well maintained but also exceptional in the attentiveness of its care. The food stands out as beautifully prepared, with no sense of mass-production fatigue; the aroma upon entering is simply that of good cooking. The staff seem to take joy in creating special occasions for residents, turning ordinary days into moments worth savoring and remembering.

There is a frank, nuanced contrast drawn with corporate facilities. While corporate settings can have certain appeals, they often struggle with managing acute situations, sometimes reflecting high turnover and night staffing challenges. Policies intended to promote independence can, in some cases, mask apathy or create real risks. In contrast, Enchanted Garden's team appears to coordinate seamlessly with doctors, pharmacists, visiting nurses, and physical therapists. Time and again, the staff are described as being "on the ball," a reassuring attribute that makes a tangible difference when complicated health needs arise and require coordinated care.

Personal experiences here carry a clear sense of relief and gratitude. After navigating multiple situations with both parents, the writer notes a rare sense of relief in knowing EG's staff can handle complex care with confidence. Visitors often hear questions about how such a great place was found, and the answer is shared with a sense of fortune: this is a community where families feel fortunate to have discovered a home for their loved ones. The mother's phrase - "They treat me like royalty here" - presents a succinct snapshot of the experience, while the broader sentiment describes a magic in the way staff lovingly honors, quietly guides, and serves residents. It feels less like a standard "board and care" arrangement and more like a warm, respectful, and genuinely supportive home.

In the end, Enchanted Garden is portrayed as a wonderful home where care is more than a duty; it is a heartfelt commitment. The combination of a serene physical setting, consistent, compassionate caregiving, well-planned social and recreational activities, and a clear dedication to coordinating medical needs creates a holistic atmosphere that resonates deeply with families. The overall impression is one of gratitude and confidence - an assurance that a loved one will be treated with dignity, celebrated in daily life, and supported by a team that feels like an extension of the family.

Located in San Mateo, California, this neighborhood offers convenient access to a variety of amenities essential for senior living. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS nearby, residents can easily access their medications and healthcare needs. Additionally, there are reputable physicians like the California Skin Institute and Bundy Opticians in close proximity for medical care. For leisure activities, there are several parks including Washington Park and Coyote Point County Park where seniors can enjoy nature and stay active. In terms of dining options, restaurants like New England Lobster Market & Eatery and Lark Creek Grill provide delicious meals within a short distance. Transportation is also readily available with the Millbrae Caltrain Station and Hillsdale Station nearby for easy travel. Overall, this part of San Mateo offers a well-rounded community with essential services for seniors looking to settle down in a convenient location.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• California Skin Institute (0.7 miles)
• Bundy Opticians (1 miles)
• Urology: San Carlos Center: Palo Alto Medical Foundation (5.9 miles)
• Redwood City Women's Health Center (8 miles)
• California Skin Institute (8.1 miles)
• Kaiser RWC Birch Building (8.6 miles)
• Coastside Clinic (9 miles)

Parks

• Washington Park (0.7 miles)
• Central Park (1.2 miles)
• Coyote Point County Park (1.5 miles)
• Laurelwood Park (3.4 miles)
• Leo J Ryan Memorial Park (3.9 miles)
• Marlin Park (5.8 miles)
• Highlands Park (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Mills-Peninsula Radiology (0.9 miles)
• Mills-Peninsula Health Services (2.7 miles)
• San Mateo Medical Center (3.6 miles)
• A & C Convalescent Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Sequoia Hospital (7.9 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center (8.5 miles)

Restaurants

• New England Lobster Market & Eatery (2.8 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.8 miles)
• Lark Creek Grill (3.9 miles)
• Yankee Pier (4.1 miles)
• Mustards (4.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• Cinepolis San Mateo (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Millbrae Caltrain Station (3.2 miles)
• Hillsdale Station (3.3 miles)
• Boarding Area C (3.8 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (3.8 miles)
• Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (3.8 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint (3.8 miles)
• Boarding Area D (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• San Francisco Giants Clubhouse (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (8.5 miles)
• Philz Coffee (8.5 miles)
• Coffeebar (8.6 miles)