Sunrise of Danville Executive

Pros

• The Sunrise community is warm, quiet, and feels like home.
• The building is clean and well maintained, and the staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming.
• The caregivers are incredibly caring, loving, and attentive.
• The medication staff is wonderful and extremely knowledgeable.
• The billing administrator is friendly and cheerful and resolves billing questions quickly.
• The Executive Director is up to date with community happenings and friendly.
• The environment is amazing with a dedicated team and a warm facility.
• The grounds are nice, activities abound, and residents enjoy the meals.
• The front desk staff are prompt and effective at addressing questions and problems.
• Morgan Rodriguez's energy, creativity, and genuine care make a difference in residents' daily lives.
• The tiered levels of services allow customization and pay-for-what-you-use.
• Sunrise Danville creates a safe, valued, and family-like environment under Abbie Apolinario's leadership.

Cons

• The administration was difficult to communicate with after a leadership shift, leaving the family frustrated with slow follow-up.
• Following the leadership change, communication was poor and the family felt they had to constantly reach out for updates.
• The sales representative provided incorrect information about long-term care reimbursement, resulting in unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
• The family faced financial strain because of misinformation, needing to sell their parents' house to afford Sunrise.
• They ultimately relied on hospice for coordination and compassionate advice rather than Sunrise, indicating gaps in ongoing support.

Review

Sunrise Assisted Living & Memory Care and Sunrise of Danville Assisted Living emerge in these accounts as warm, home-like communities where residents and their families consistently describe a culture of genuine care, thoughtful programming, and dependable staff. Across the many voices in these reflections, the common thread is a deep appreciation for a setting that feels less like a facility and more like a welcoming home, where activity, safety, and personal attention come together to support both residents and their loved ones.

From the moment of touring, several reviewers highlighted how thoroughly staff members engage with questions and needs. Taira, a sales professional, is singled out for her meticulous approach - answering every question with professionalism and attentiveness. The overall atmosphere is described as quiet, peaceful, and conducive to everyday life, with a broad slate of activities and clubs that run under one roof. This combination of a calm environment and robust social, creative, and wellness offerings creates a sense of vitality without sacrificing the comfort of a home setting.

Families repeatedly note the high standard of maintenance and cleanliness, along with a staff culture that feels welcoming and supportive. Sunrise of Danville, in particular, is praised for its clean, well-kept facilities and the way the team makes residents feel cared for and at ease. The atmosphere is described as safe and joyful, where the care team's consistency and kindness shine through in daily interactions. The front-line caregivers, nurses, and other professionals are repeatedly described as responsive, compassionate, and capable, with several testimonies pointing to the care team's knack for balancing independence with necessary assistance.

A standout element in many reviews is the Activities Director, Morgan Rodriguez. Her energy, creativity, and genuine care significantly elevate daily life for residents. Reviewers emphasize that Morgan's leadership helps keep residents engaged through group activities, special events, and personalized attention. Her presence is characterized as a bright, hopeful force within Sunrise Danville, illustrating how one dedicated staff member can enrich the daily experience and contribute to a sense of community and belonging.

Families who have had loved ones at Sunrise of Danville for extended periods speak to a consistent, heartfelt level of care. Positive remarks about management, caregivers, and the medication staff are balanced by praise for the transparency and warmth of communication. The Executive Director and senior leadership - specifically Abbie Apolinario, the Senior General Manager - are acknowledged for staying up to date with happenings and for fostering an environment where residents feel valued and respected. Ann Malicdem, described as an excellent business manager, earns particular recognition for handling insurance and financial matters with patience and clarity. The care team, including Abby, Ann, Martha, Lucia, and a host of compassionate caregivers, is consistently depicted as attentive, friendly, and dedicated to each resident's well-being.

For many families, the daily experience is what matters most. Reviewers describe nutritious, thoughtfully prepared meals and a wide range of activities designed to keep residents socially connected and physically engaged. The facility's environment is repeatedly praised as spotless and well-maintained, creating a sense of safety and comfort that families rely on. The sense that staff go above and beyond is echoed in stories of caregivers who anticipate needs, coordinate transportation, and manage the details with kindness and professionalism. The transportation team, including drivers like Brian, is celebrated for reliability and for coordinating multiple rides smoothly, which is especially meaningful for residents with frequent medical appointments.

Yet, even in these overwhelmingly positive narratives, there are notes of honest, constructive feedback that add texture to the picture. Some families recount periods of difficult communication with administration, particularly during a shift in leadership a few months prior. In these accounts, families describe feeling the need to reach out repeatedly for follow-up and updates, and they indicate that hospice coordination sometimes became the primary channel for guidance rather than Sunrise itself. These experiences highlight the ongoing importance of reliable, proactive communication at all levels of the community.

Another important caution shared by families concerns information about long-term care coverage. An instance is described where a sales representative provided incorrect expectations about reimbursement from long-term care insurance, suggesting there would be no out-of-pocket costs, only to later reveal that LTC insurance typically covers only nursing services. This reminder to verify benefits with one's own LTC provider underscores the importance of careful financial planning and transparent conversations about coverage, costs, and what is included in various care tiers.

Within this tapestry of experiences, several practical strengths stand out. The tiered levels of service are highlighted as a valuable feature, enabling families to tailor care to the actual needs of their loved ones and pay only for the services used. The "carepartner" model - where nurses, aides, clinicians, and support staff coordinate as a cohesive team - appears to be a significant contributor to the sense that Sunrise Danville operates with a family-first mentality. Reviewers repeatedly describe a culture of dignity, respect, and warmth that helps residents feel secure and valued as individuals.

Overall, Sunrise Assisted Living & Memory Care and Sunrise of Danville stand out as communities where kindness, competence, and a strong sense of home converge. The staff - from leadership to front desk to transport and caregiving teams - are consistently praised for their welcoming demeanor, patience, and dedication. Morgan's dynamic programming, Ann's reliable business support, Abby's leadership, and the many caregivers who form the daily heartbeat of Sunrise Danville - all contribute to a place many families would confidently consider for their loved ones. While communication gaps and financial miscommunications offer important reminders to prospective families to ask detailed questions and seek clarity, the prevailing impression is one of warmth, respect, and a genuine commitment to helping residents live meaningful, connected lives in a nurturing environment.

This section of Walnut Creek, California offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking to relocate. The area is home to several parks, including the Heather Farm All Abilities Playground and Dog Park, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and socialization. There are also multiple physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals nearby for convenient access to healthcare services. A selection of cafes and restaurants offer dining options, while transportation options like BART stations and U-Haul make travel easy. Additionally, there is a theater for entertainment and a place of worship for spiritual needs. Overall, this part of Walnut Creek provides a well-rounded community with resources that cater to senior living needs.

Parks

• Heather Farm All Abilities Playground (0.1 miles)
• Heather Farm Park (0.2 miles)
• Heather Farm Dog Park (0.5 miles)
• Civic Park (1.4 miles)
• Arbolado Park (2.2 miles)
• Rudgear Park (2.9 miles)
• Livorna Park (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Ford Lloyd C MD (0.6 miles)
• Golden State Dermatology (0.7 miles)
• Michael Y Chang, DO (1 miles)
• Ipm Medical Group (1.1 miles)
• Muir Orthopaedic Specialists - Redwood (1.2 miles)
• Muir Orthopedic Specialists (1.2 miles)
• Derek Jue (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Bondadoso Coffee & Tea Collective Add to Favorites (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Marketplace Cafe (1.7 miles)
• Philz Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen and Coffee Bar (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART Station (1.1 miles)
• Walnut Creek BART Station (1.6 miles)
• U-Haul of Concord (2.9 miles)
• North Concord/Martinez BART Station (6 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (1.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• Wendy's (1.4 miles)
• Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria (1.5 miles)
• True Food Kitchen (1.7 miles)
• Gott’s Roadside (1.8 miles)
• Jack's Restaurant & Bar (2.3 miles)

Theaters

• Century Walnut Creek 14 and XD (1.8 miles)
• Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (2.2 miles)
• Solano Drive In (5.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (1.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Queen of All Saints (4.4 miles)