Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility in St. Augustine, FL
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169 M L King Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
The home is spotless and has a pleasant scent, making it feel welcoming. The residents rest comfortably under attentive care. Barbara takes time to discuss the services she provides, showing a genuine passion for caregiving. Barbara's dedication and expertise reflect her 30 years of nursing experience running the business. Families can feel confident entrusting their loved ones to her care. Mrs. Jackson and her nurse staff are described as kind and compassionate. The facility feels like a real home with a warm, homelike atmosphere. The staff provide personal care, socialization, and opportunities for residents to go outside. The place is regarded as a rare gem with standout people who make a lasting positive difference.
They had horrible experiences with two other mainstream facilities before finding Loving Care. They had a very traumatic experience at a larger local Assisted Living/Memory Care Facility. The facility might not look like much from the outside.This community is best suited for families seeking an intimate, home-like setting where seniors receive highly personalized attention from an experienced, on-site professional. Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility is effectively run as a small, caregiver-focused operation, with eight residents or fewer when at full capacity. The owner, Barbara Jackson, is a registered nurse with three decades of experience who brings hands-on expertise and a true caregiving mindset to daily life. For families prioritizing calm, consistent supervision and a warm, residential atmosphere over institutional scale, this setting delivers the kind of reassurance that can be hard to find in larger facilities.
Those who may want to consider alternatives are families facing specific needs that a small home may not fully satisfy. If memory-care specialization, secured dementia programming, or a wide array of formal group activities is a priority, larger memories-care communities or campuses with dedicated units will likely offer more structure. Likewise, if medical complexity requires constant, on-site skilled nursing beyond what a small team can sustain, or if 24/7 physician coverage and broader on-site therapy services are essential, a bigger community may be a better fit. For families seeking extensive amenities and a bustling, resort-like environment, a larger facility may also be more appropriate.
The strongest pros are clear and compelling. The home environment, cleanliness, and a consistently pleasant atmosphere make daily life predictable and comfortable for residents. The 30-year nursing perspective that shapes the operation translates into attentive oversight and a level of professional rigor that is evident in both routine care and interactions with families. The small resident roster fosters deeply personalized care: staff know each resident's routines, preferences, and limitations, and visits feel truly open and flexible. The ability for family members to drop in at almost any time and to encounter familiar faces contributes to a sense of security that is rare in larger settings, and residents are reported to be calm, well cared for, and socially engaged within a manageable social circle.
The main trade-off for this intimate model is scale. A limited number of residents means fewer minds circulating in the daily routine, which can translate into highly individualized attention but may also constrain the breadth of activities and peer engagement available on any given day. The size can also limit staff coverage for complex medical needs or sudden shifts in health status, and some families may prefer a more formal, program-driven schedule or more extensive on-site therapeutic options. Yet the reviews consistently frame these constraints as the price paid for true, hands-on care and a home-like cadence that many families deeply value.
In practice, Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility presents a clear decision path. If the priority is a trusted, nurse-led environment where compassion and continuity trump scale, this community is a standout option. It excels for seniors who thrive in a small, predictable setting, for families who want intimate oversight and ready access to the person directing care, and for residents who benefit from strong social connectivity within a tight-knit group. If, however, a family's needs center on memory-care specialization, extensive on-site rehabilitation services, or a broad range of daily programming anchored by a larger team and more resources, alternatives warrant serious consideration.
Practical next steps: verify the current resident census and typical staff-to-resident ratios, confirm the on-site medical oversight model (is a nurse always present, or on-call only?), and ask for the latest sample weekly activity calendar to gauge how social programming aligns with expectations. Inquire about admissions specifics such as pricing transparency, what respite or short-term stays look like, and the process for escalating medical concerns. Finally, visit with a focus on real-time interactions - note how staff engage with residents, how quickly concerns are addressed, and whether the home environment continues to feel as calm and respectful as indicated by prior experiences. This will reveal whether Buckingham Smith meets the family's essential priorities or if a larger, more structured setting better aligns with long-term care goals.
Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities provide crucial support and care for seniors who may need help with daily tasks such as medication management, bathing, and meal preparation. These communities offer a safe and comfortable environment where seniors can maintain their independence while receiving the assistance they need to thrive in their golden years.
Activities on-siteActivities on-site are important for seniors because they provide opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation, physical activity, and overall well-being. Engaging in activities can help seniors stay active, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of life.
Devotional services off-siteDevotional services off-site are important for seniors as they provide spiritual nourishment, social engagement, and a sense of community outside of the senior living facility. This can enhance overall well-being and help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness often experienced by older adults.
Indoor common areasIndoor common areas are crucial for seniors as they provide a space for socialization, recreation, and community engagement, promoting overall well-being and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Ambulatory care"Ambulatory care services provide essential medical support and treatment to seniors without requiring hospitalization, allowing them to maintain their independence and quality of life while managing chronic conditions or receiving routine medical care."
Diabetic careDiabetic care is crucial for seniors as they are more susceptible to developing diabetes due to aging and other health conditions. Proper management of diabetes can help prevent complications such as heart disease, vision loss, and nerve damage, improving the overall quality of life for seniors in senior living communities.
Meals provided"Meals provided" are crucial for seniors in assisted living communities as it ensures they have access to nutritious, balanced meals without the stress of meal planning and preparation. This can help promote overall health and well-being for seniors who may have limited mobility or cognitive abilities. Activities on-siteActivities on-site are important for seniors because they provide opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation, physical activity, and overall well-being. Engaging in activities can help seniors stay active, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of life. Devotional activities offsiteDevotional activities offsite are important for seniors because they provide social engagement, spiritual growth, and a sense of community outside of their living environment. This can improve overall well-being, mental health, and combat feelings of isolation or loneliness.The Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility is located in the charming city of St. Augustine, FL, and offers a warm and inviting community for seniors seeking assistance with daily activities. Our residents enjoy a range of amenities designed to enhance their comfort and well-being.
For those who seek spiritual nourishment, we provide devotional services off-site, allowing individuals to engage in their preferred religious practices. Our indoor common areas offer a welcoming space for socializing and creating connections with fellow residents.
At Buckingham Smith, we understand the importance of specialized care for those managing diabetes. Therefore, we offer dedicated diabetic care services to ensure our residents' health needs are attended to with expertise and compassion.
We also believe that maintaining an active lifestyle is vital for our residents' overall well-being. To cater to this need, we organize devotional activities offsite on a regular basis. These activities not only engage our residents but also enable them to connect with their faith in a meaningful way.
Convenience is key at Buckingham Smith. With six cafes, parks, pharmacies, and restaurants nearby, our residents have easy access to various amenities in the area. Additionally, having 39 physicians nearby ensures that medical care is readily available whenever needed. For emergencies or more extensive medical assistance, there is also a hospital within close proximity.
In summary, the Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility offers a comfortable and supportive community for seniors in St. Augustine, FL. With amenities such as devotional services off-site and indoor common areas, as well as specialized diabetic care services available onsite, our residents enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle while receiving the help they need. Nearby cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, restaurants, places of worship, and hospitals further contribute to the convenience and quality of life enjoyed by our residents at all times.
This part of St. Augustine, Florida, offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to senior living needs. With several parks nearby such as Dr Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park and Anastasia State Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and picturesque surroundings. The area also boasts a variety of dining options including Otter’s On The Water and Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille, providing convenient dining choices for seniors. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians like Eye Center Of St. Augustine and pharmacies such as Winn-Dixie and CVS Pharmacy within close proximity. Additionally, places of worship like Memorial Presbyterian Church offer spiritual support for seniors seeking a community connection. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant and accessible location in St. Augustine.
Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility is located at 169 M L King Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084 in St. Johns County, Florida
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