Friends House

Pros

• The meeting and tour with Korina at Friends House was informative and helpful, making it highly recommended for prospective residents.
• Friends House offers a park-like setting with beautiful grounds, which residents appreciate.
• Many residents find the staff to be friendly and caring, contributing to a welcoming community atmosphere.
• The cottages at Friends House provide lovely living spaces, each with its own garden for personal gardening.
• The policy of charging for assisted living costs in 15-minute increments offers peace of mind to residents regarding their care needs.
• Residents enjoy the various organized activities and find the community intellectually engaging.
• The skilled nursing portion of Friends House is well-regarded for its quality care and attentive staff.
• Visitors have consistently noted that the food served is good, enhancing the overall living experience at Friends House.

Cons

• The reviewer experienced issues with Friends House retaining their fully refundable deposit, requiring a Better Business Bureau complaint to secure a refund.
• One individual described Friends House as a "very poor facility" that is generally unsafe and noted that the administration was unresponsive.
• A comment was made about the skilled nursing portion of Friends House being "institutional looking," suggesting it lacks warmth or comfort despite providing good care.
• There were concerns regarding plans to potentially close down the skilled nursing part of Friends House in the future, raising uncertainty about continued care availability.
• Although some amenities were appreciated, the dining room was specifically disliked by one reviewer, indicating dissatisfaction with that aspect of the facility.

Review

Friends House, a continuing care retirement community in Santa Rosa, California, has garnered a range of opinions through its residents and their families. This community is notable for being established by the Quakers and offers a variety of living arrangements, including independent living cottages, one-bedroom apartments, and skilled nursing care. Many reviews highlight the warmth and accessibility of the staff as well as the vibrant atmosphere contributed to by both employees and fellow residents.

A recent meeting and tour with Korina at Friends House was praised for being particularly informative. Visitors found great value in the opportunity to explore the facility in person, which allowed them to assess its amenities firsthand. The proximity to walking paths and the availability of shuttle services for medical appointments and travel were highlighted as important features that enhance residents' quality of life. Additionally, many reviewers appreciated Korina’s willingness to address follow-up questions, emphasizing her commitment to providing thorough support.

However, not all experiences have been positive. A concerning incident involved a former visitor who had paid a fully refundable deposit of $1,000 only to have it retained when they decided to move out-of-state two years later. This individual felt compelled to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau before receiving their refund. Such experiences have led some individuals to advise against Covia, the organization managing Friends House, citing unresponsiveness from administration as an issue that potential clients should consider.

On a more personal note, another reviewer recounted their decade-long relationship with Friends House after their aging parents moved there. The family celebrated how warmly their parents were welcomed into the community filled with friendly neighbors and attentive staff. The park-like grounds and lovely cottages contributed significantly to their positive experience. As circumstances changed—particularly following the death of one parent—the family felt overwhelmingly grateful for how dedicated staff members cared for their loved ones throughout various stages of life transitions.

In terms of care quality within skilled nursing facilities at Friends House, mixed reviews emerged. Some noted that while it may appear somewhat institutional in its design, it provides excellent medical attention with compassionate staff who deliver personalized care effectively. Families expressed appreciation for how well-facilitated this aspect of care was despite concerns about its institutional environment.

Dining options stirred different sentiments among visitors; while some described food offerings as generally good alongside other engaging activities such as music and crafts within the community setting, others expressed dissatisfaction regarding specific areas such as dining spaces themselves—noting opportunities for improvement there might be necessary. Residents enjoyed participating in politically active groups or organized events that fostered social engagement among them.

In summation, Reviews on Friends House encapsulate a broad spectrum of experiences tied together by common themes: effective caring staff presence balanced against occasional administration shortcomings; enjoyable living conditions contrasted with specific elements needing refinement; an overall sense of community underscored by varying levels of satisfaction from past interactions related to deposits or refunds provided under certain circumstances reflective of larger organizational policies governing resident agreements at this continuing care retirement facility.

This part of Santa Rosa, California, offers a variety of amenities that cater to seniors looking for convenience and leisure. With several parks nearby such as Rincon Valley Community Park and Howarth Park, residents can enjoy nature walks and outdoor activities. There are also reputable physicians and pharmacies within close proximity, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. In terms of dining options, the area boasts a diverse selection of restaurants ranging from casual cafes like Trail House to upscale establishments like Monti's and Bird & The Bottle. Additionally, there are hospitals such as Sutter Warrack Hospital and St Joseph Health System nearby for any medical needs. Public transportation options like the Santa Rosa Transit Mall make it convenient for seniors to get around the city. Overall, this area provides a desirable mix of amenities for seniors considering senior living in Santa Rosa.

Parks

• Rincon Valley Community Park (0.8 miles)
• Howarth Park (1.4 miles)
• Spring Lake Park (1.7 miles)
• Annadel State Park: Stonehedge Entrance (2.4 miles)
• Old Courthouse Square (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Plastic Surgery Associates (0.9 miles)
• Shin-Calandrella, Susie Dr - Sonoma County Behavioral Health (1.8 miles)
• Seema Rao — Spring Lake Village (1.8 miles)
• Site for Sore Eyes - Montgomery Village (2 miles)
• Healthy Steps Bariatric and Metabolic Center (2.1 miles)
• Berger Stephen S DDS (2.1 miles)
• Avatar Medical Excellent Natrl (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Lucky Supermarket Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Herbal Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.8 miles)
• Creekside Managed Care Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Trail House (1.3 miles)
• Acre Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Cafe Des Croissants (2.4 miles)
• Taylor Lane Organic Coffee (3.3 miles)
• Dierk's Parkside Café (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Aroma Roasters Coffee & Tea (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Flamingo Lazeaway Club (1.7 miles)
• Willi's Wine Bar (2 miles)
• Monti's (2.1 miles)
• Ike's Place (2.6 miles)
• Bird & The Bottle (2.6 miles)
• Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar (2.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Summerfield Convalescent Hospital (1.9 miles)
• MarinHealth ENT, Head & Neck Surgery | A UCSF Health Clinic (2.2 miles)
• Sutter Warrack Hospital (2.2 miles)
• St Joseph Health System (2.5 miles)
• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Roxy Stadium 14 (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Santa Rosa Transit Mall (3.2 miles)
• Santa Rosa - SMART Station (3.6 miles)