Five Star Care Home II in San Mateo, CA

Pros

• They are grateful for Evelina and her unbelievably caring staff who cared for their mother for almost five years.
• The staff provided expert care and treated their mother with dignity.
• Evelina consistently ensured there were three home-cooked meals a day and plenty of snacks, including the patients’ favorite foods.
• There was no turnover at 5 Star Care Home over nearly five years, a contrast to the previous facility.
• The caregivers grieved for their mother after she passed away, showing genuine care.
• An opening at one of the 5 Star Care Homes would be a highly positive choice for a loved one.

Cons

• The prior large facility had excessive staff turnover that overwhelmed the family.
• The mom frequently ended up in the ER almost every month due to dehydration at the prior facility.

Review

Five Star Care Home II in San Mateo is best suited for families seeking an intimate, dementia-centered living arrangement where caregivers know residents personally and care is delivered with dignity. The model leans into a small-house atmosphere with predictable routines and continuous, low-turnover staffing, so loved ones with Alzheimer’s or related cognitive decline receive consistent attention and affectionate care. For families prioritizing warmth, personal connection, and a home-style setting over institutional formality, this community offers a decisive fit. The Redwood Shores location exemplifies how long-tenured caregivers can forge trust, enabling families to feel secure as the disease progresses.

Those needing robust medical oversight, extensive rehabilitation, or broad on-site programming should consider alternatives. This is not a campus with hospital-style resources; care largely happens through close-knit staff rather than on-site specialists. Availability also matters: with two small homes owned by Evelina, openings can be infrequent and must be secured promptly. This makes Five Star Care Home II a strong choice for families who can act quickly and want a warm, home-like setting, but less suitable for those requiring rapid access to skilled nursing or high-intensity medical support.

Pros are built around remarkable caregiver stability and genuine compassion. The cited caregiver team remained with the same residents for nearly five years, a stark contrast to the turnover that drives care concerns elsewhere. That stability translates into dependable hydration, nutrition, and daily routines, with staff learning each resident’s preferences, including favorite foods, and adjusting to evolving needs. Meals are three home-cooked daily, plus snacks, and the kitchen becomes an ongoing expression of care rather than a routine task. The emotional investment, staff grieving with the family when a resident dies, signals a level of dedication that should reassure anyone worried about abandonment or neglect.

On the downside, this intimate scale may limit medical infrastructure and rapid escalation of acute issues. There’s little mention of on-site clinicians, therapy services, or transportation programs typical of larger memory-care campuses. Families must be comfortable with agents coordinating care externally and with a wait for openings if timing is critical. In short, it’s an excellent home-based option for steady, person-centered dementia care, but not a substitute for facilities designed around high-acuity needs or bustling social calendars.

Still, the pros offset the cons in meaningful ways. The consistency of staff reduces hospitalizations and dehydration risk; personalized meals address nutrition and taste preferences that matter in dementia care; and the owner’s hands-on involvement reinforces a culture of accountability. Families gain reassurance from a familiar, trusted team who stay the course through progressive decline. The community’s strength lies not in flashier amenities but in relational stability, honest communication, and the sense that care partners become extended family, which can ease the emotional burden on relatives.

Practical next steps involve visiting both Five Star Care Home II locations, meeting caregivers, and observing interactions with residents. Ask about dementia-specific training, daily schedules, and how medications are managed, as well as how health changes are escalated and documented. Clarify costs, what’s included, and how openings are handled. If the fit feels right, steady staff, individualized meals, and a home atmosphere, this option deserves serious consideration for a loved one whose priority is consistent, compassionate dementia care in a San Mateo setting. For families with flexibility and a desire for a trusted, home-like environment, Five Star Care Home II stands out as a top choice worth pursuing.

This neighborhood in San Mateo, California offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With a range of restaurants including fast food options like McDonald's and Chick-Fil-A to more upscale dining options like Lark Creek Grill, there is something for every taste. The proximity to parks such as Leo J Ryan Memorial Park, Central Park, and Coyote Point County Park provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, the convenience of several pharmacies nearby ensures easy access to medication and healthcare needs. For entertainment, there are theaters like Cinepolis San Mateo and cafes such as Starbucks and Philz Coffee within a short distance. Transportation options include Hillsdale Station and Caltrain stations for easy travel around the area. Access to hospitals like San Mateo Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center ensures quality healthcare facilities are close by. Overall, this part of San Mateo combines convenience with a range of services that would make it an ideal choice for senior living.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (3.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.9 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (5.2 miles)
• New England Lobster Market & Eatery (6.9 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (7.2 miles)
• Lark Creek Grill (7.7 miles)

Parks

• Leo J Ryan Memorial Park (0.7 miles)
• Marlin Park (2.3 miles)
• Central Park (3.4 miles)
• Coyote Point County Park (4.1 miles)
• Laurelwood Park (4.4 miles)
• Burton Park (4.5 miles)
• Washington Park (4.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Philz Coffee (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Coffeebar (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• San Francisco Giants Clubhouse (8.2 miles)
• Café Venetia (9.6 miles)

Transportation

• Hillsdale Station (2.7 miles)
• San Carlos Airport (SQL) (3.3 miles)
• San Carlos Airport Control Tower (3.6 miles)
• Redwood City Caltrain Station (5.5 miles)
• Millbrae Caltrain Station (7.5 miles)
• Boarding Area C (7.7 miles)
• Boarding Area D (7.7 miles)

Theaters

• Cinepolis San Mateo (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• San Mateo Medical Center (3 miles)
• Mills-Peninsula Radiology (3.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center (5.4 miles)
• Sequoia Hospital (5.7 miles)
• Mills-Peninsula Health Services (7.1 miles)
• A & C Convalescent Hospital (7.9 miles)
• VA Medical Center-Menlo Park (8.6 miles)

Physicians

• Urology: San Carlos Center: Palo Alto Medical Foundation (3.3 miles)
• Bundy Opticians (3.6 miles)
• California Skin Institute (3.8 miles)
• California Skin Institute (5.3 miles)
• Kaiser RWC Birch Building (5.5 miles)
• Redwood City Women's Health Center (5.8 miles)
• CCRM Fertility of San Francisco (7 miles)