Golden Age Assisted Living

Pros

• Amaya is wonderful - friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly connected with residents and staff.
• Missoula Valley Senior Living is a warm, welcoming community with positive energy from the moment you enter.
• The remodel at Missoula Valley Senior Living looks fantastic.
• Auberge is an exceptional care facility that prioritizes compassion, professionalism, and resident comfort.
• The Auberge staff go above and beyond to ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and designed to feel like a home.
• Activities at Auberge are thoughtfully planned to engage residents, with personalized care.
• Families can have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are in safe and caring hands at Auberge.
• Auberge is an outstanding choice that values residents and treats them like family.
• The Auberge staff are amazing and caring, providing comfort for families.
• The meals at Auberge are very good and the menu is thoughtfully varied.

Cons

• One reviewer described the care as poor, prices as insane, staff as bottom-of-the-barrel, and a $2,000-per-month rent increase as shameful.
• A reviewer stated that dealing with the facility after a relative's death was very difficult, involving 2.5 months of visits and calls to obtain a refund, with only half of the amount refunded.
• Another reviewer expressed deep disappointment and disgust at the lack of professionalism, citing failures to return calls, alleged lying to the resident, and gaslighting.
• A reviewer warned others to consider every other facility in Missoula first, indicating a strong negative impression of Auberge.
• A reviewer noted ongoing communication issues and frustration with leadership, despite later outreach from marketing staff.

Review

Two senior living communities in Missoula stand out in the voices of families and residents for warmth, attentiveness, and a strong sense of community, even as reviewers acknowledge that no place is without its bumps. Across multiple testimonials, Missoula Valley Senior Living and the Auberge at Missoula emerge as destinations where personal connections, comfortable environments, and thoughtful care are the common thread. Tour experiences, staff engagement, and the way residents are treated by name are repeatedly highlighted as differentiators that leave families feeling confident about the care their loved ones receive.

At Missoula Valley Senior Living, the sentiment is consistently positive and homey. Visitors describe an atmosphere that feels welcoming the moment you walk in, with staff who exude friendliness and familiarity. A core theme is that Amaya, a staff member who guides many tours, connects with people in a personal way - knowing residents and families by name, answering questions thoroughly, and making the process of touring and planning feel easy and natural. Families repeatedly note that this personal touch helps ease understandable anxieties about transitions, and several reviewers say that if their dad or another loved one is ready for senior living, this is precisely where they would want to be. Even when discussing visits and tours, the emphasis remains on warmth, clarity, and a sense that the community genuinely cares about each resident's well-being.

Reviews about the Auberge at Missoula present a broader spectrum, but the positive feedback dominates when it comes to daily life, staff dedication, and the overall environment. Several reviewers point to a remodel as a significant and welcome improvement, describing the facility as bright, clean, and well-maintained. Families consistently note that the staff are kind, professional, and attentive, with several praising the way caregivers engage residents in meaningful activities and maintain an emphasis on dignity and respect. Specific individuals and routines are highlighted - staff members who go above and beyond, the quality of meals, and the opportunities for social engagement and personalized care - suggesting that for many families, the Auberge offers not just a place to live, but a supportive home where their loved ones can thrive.

Within the Auberge narrative, the human touch is a standout feature. Reviewers share anecdotes about how residents have formed friendships, how aides and caregivers become familiar faces, and how families feel reassured by the consistent presence of compassionate staff. Names like Rhea and Mary are cited for their notable contributions to activity programming and resident engagement, while others commend Hope for her kindness and professionalism. The sense that staff see residents as individuals - honoring preferences, providing emotional support, and staying engaged with families - appears frequently, painting a picture of a community where residents feel valued and cared for.

Yet, any collection of reviews is not without friction. One reviewer describes a markedly negative experience with the Auberge, using strong language to criticize perceived lapses in care, communication, and accountability. The concern centers on a lack of timely communication with family members, information gaps, and instances of what the reviewer characterizes as misinformation or gaslighting related to safety concerns. This perspective stands in contrast to the overwhelmingly positive sentiment voiced by many families and underscores the reality that family members' experiences with leadership and communication can shape overall perceptions of a community just as powerfully as day-to-day care. The same reviewer notes frustration with administrative responses - specifically, a stalled or insufficient back-and-forth with marketing personnel and executives - and vividly describes the impact of those gaps on trust and peace of mind.

In response to that critical feedback, the Auberge's leadership later re-entered the conversation in a constructive way. The reviewer reports a follow-up from the Marketing Director about three weeks after the initial post, characterized as a respectful, thorough, and accountable conversation that addressed many questions and concerns. This update illustrates how even difficult feedback can prompt improved communication and a more collaborative relationship between families and the facility. While the reviewer remains cautiously optimistic about the care their mother is receiving, the incident highlights the ongoing importance of transparent, responsive leadership in maintaining trust and ensuring that families feel heard.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a picture of two Missoula communities that many families would choose for their loved ones. Missoula Valley Senior Living is celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere, staff who know residents by name, and a tangible sense of communal warmth that makes tours and everyday living feel comfortable and reassuring. The Auberge at Missoula is praised for its remodel, its home-like environment, robust activity programming, and a team of caregivers who are described as compassionate and engaged. While one review raises significant concerns about communication and accountability, the subsequent outreach from leadership offers a path toward reconciliation and continued improvement, underscoring that openness to feedback and action in response to concerns can be as important as the daily care itself.

Across the board, families repeatedly emphasize the importance of feeling that their loved ones are safe, well cared for, and part of a supportive community. Whether through the personal attention delivered during tours, the dedication of individual staff members, or the ongoing efforts to create vibrant, home-like living spaces, these Missoula communities appear to be places where compassion, connection, and quality of life for seniors are the guiding principles. While no facility is perfect, the recurring themes of warmth, professional care, meaningful activities, and responsive communication suggest that both Missoula Valley Senior Living and the Auberge at Missoula are frequently viewed as strong options for families seeking a caring home for an aging parent or relative.

This part of Missoula, Montana offers a variety of amenities that cater to seniors looking for convenience and comfort. With numerous dining options such as MacKenzie River Pizza Co. and Paradise Falls, as well as pharmacies like Missoula Fresh Market and Walmart Pharmacy within close proximity, residents have easy access to essential services. Additionally, there are several healthcare facilities nearby including CMC Missoula and Now Care Western Montana Clinic, ensuring quality medical care is readily available. For recreational activities, the area features multiple parks like Fort Missoula Recreation Area and Bonner Park where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities. In terms of relaxation, cafes such as Florence Coffee and Starbucks provide cozy spots for socializing with friends or simply enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this part of Missoula offers a convenient and vibrant environment for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Restaurants

• MacKenzie River Pizza Co. (0.3 miles)
• Jimmy John's (0.3 miles)
• Paradise Falls (0.4 miles)
• Notorious Pig BBQ (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Applebee's (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Missoula Fresh Market (0.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Shopko Missoula Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Missoula Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Broadway Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• Wiswell, Grant M, DDS (0.7 miles)
• Missoula Oral Surgery (0.7 miles)
• Now Care Western Montana Clinic (0.9 miles)
• NowCare (0.9 miles)
• Thompson, Steven, Md - Now Care Western Montana Clinic (1 miles)
• Dr. Jennifer Kessler (1 miles)
• Woman To Woman (1.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Missoula Alliance Church (1 miles)
• Meadow View Church (1 miles)
• St Francis Xavier Church (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• CMC Missoula (1.1 miles)
• Big Sky Surgery Center (1.1 miles)
• Village Health Care Center (1.2 miles)
• Cancer Center-St Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Cen (3.3 miles)
• Joint Repair Clinic of Montana (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Fort Missoula Recreation Area (1.2 miles)
• Bonner Park (2.5 miles)
• Evelyn Borg Johnson Park (3 miles)
• Bess Reed Park (3.1 miles)
• McCormick Park (3.1 miles)
• Kiwanis Park (3.2 miles)
• Jacob's Island Bark Park (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Florence Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Cambie Taphouse + Coffee (2.1 miles)
• Le Petit Outre Breads (2.9 miles)
• Liquid Planet Grille (3 miles)
• Market on Front (3.2 miles)
• Ducrey Chocolate Maker (3.3 miles)