Elan Santa Monica Assisted Living & Memory Care

Pros

• Mario has been exceptional in his role as the key point of contact, always available for questions and guidance.
• The Assisted Living Manager, Jamie, and her care team have gone above and beyond in ensuring new residents have the care they need.
• Matt ensured a seamless move-in process by installing televisions and phones prior to occupancy.
• The apartment at Watermark is described as lovely, light-filled, and comfortable.
• The staff at Elan is incredibly helpful, positive, and accommodating to residents' needs.
• Elan Santa Monica is described as clean, modern-looking, with good interaction between residents and staff.
• The marketing employees at Elan Santa Monica are praised for their great customer service skills.

Cons

• The staff ratios at Watermark have had a lot of turnover, which is a negative aspect.
• Elan Santa Monica had dead cockroaches in the rooms during the tour, which is a negative and unsanitary experience.
• The food at Elan Santa Monica was terrible and bland, causing disappointment among residents.
• The care received by the head nurse at Elan was described as terrible and lacking, leading to concerns about the well-being of the residents.
• Elan Santa Monica did not provide adequate care or keep family members informed about incidents such as falls or injuries, resulting in frustration and mistrust.
• The director of Elan Santa Monica had poor customer service skills and stopped returning calls when issues were raised, leaving families feeling ignored and deceived.

Review

The Watermark at Cherry Hills has received exceptional reviews from a family who recently had a new resident move in. Mario, the key point of contact, has been highly praised for his availability and willingness to answer questions and provide guidance. He has spent several hours with the family member, visiting and encouraging her as she gets acclimated. Mario's assistant, Danielle, seamlessly filled in for him when needed. The Assisted Living Manager, Jamie, and her care team have gone above and beyond to ensure that the new resident and her dog receive the necessary care. Matt ensured that all televisions and phones were installed prior to move-in, eliminating any last-minute chaos.

The family members are particularly impressed with the lovely apartment provided for their loved one. It is described as a light-filled space with sufficient room for personal possessions, making it comfortable and homely. They highly recommend Watermark to anyone looking for a beautiful and peaceful environment where living at home is no longer an option.

Another reviewer shares positive feedback about The Watermark at Cherry Hills, mentioning that their father has been in the facility since the end of July. They describe it as a great transition from personal living to a place that provides additional support for older individuals with special needs. The staff is highly praised for being helpful, positive, and accommodating. The facility offers various room options such as 1-bedroom apartments, 2-bedroom apartments, or studios. Despite some limitations on activities due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are still plenty of amenities available including a dining area, theater room, workout room, beautiful grounds, and private rooms for family gatherings.

Elan receives mixed reviews from different individuals who have experienced the community firsthand. One reviewer chose Elan based on good room sizes, reasonable prices in comparison to other communities, and adequate staff ratios. However, they also mention that there has been significant staff turnover which may impact continuity of care.

Another reviewer acknowledges that Elan Santa Monica is kept clean and modern-looking with well-maintained common areas. The assisted living side of the community is described as more sophisticated, with better care and communication than the memory care side. They appreciate the attention given to their mother's care and the assistance provided in attending off-campus events. The activities director is commended for engaging their mother in various activities, while the executive director is responsive to their needs.

On the other hand, one reviewer strongly advises against choosing Elan Santa Monica. They mention finding dead cockroaches in some of the rooms during a tour and experiencing cold showers. The food is criticized as extremely bland. Furthermore, they express disappointment with the care their family member received after moving in. They claim that promises of regular check-ins every 30 minutes were not fulfilled, resulting in falls going unreported and inadequate care provided. Additionally, there were issues with communication and transparency regarding behavior concerns, leading to their family member being asked to leave due to "bad behavior". Financial matters were also mentioned as they did not receive promised refunds.

In conclusion, Watermark at Cherry Hills has been praised for its exceptional service during the initial stages of residency. Elan receives mixed reviews regarding staff turnover as well as quality of care and communication between different sections of the community. While some residents have had positive experiences at Elan Santa Monica, others express dissatisfaction with cleanliness, food quality, and inadequate care for loved ones despite promises made by staff members.

This area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers a range of healthcare options with several physicians specializing in eye care, hearing, spine health, foot and ankle care, and more located within a mile radius. There are also pharmacies nearby for convenient access to medications. In terms of dining options, there are popular chain restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and Cracker Barrel as well as local favorites like Sadie's. The area boasts proximity to hospitals and medical facilities such as Tri Core Reference Lab and HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. Additionally, there are cafes like Starbucks for leisurely coffee outings. For those looking to engage in spiritual practices, there are churches in close proximity. Parks like Altura Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, while theaters such as Regal Winrock IMAX & RPX offer entertainment options. Overall, this area offers a mix of healthcare services, dining choices, recreational activities, and cultural amenities that may appeal to seniors considering senior living in Albuquerque.

Physicians

• Southwest Eyecare (0.6 miles)
• Premier Hearing (0.8 miles)
• Vessel Health Harvey J White MD (0.9 miles)
• Retina Consultants of New Mexico (1 miles)
• Sandia Foot & Ankle (1 miles)
• New Mexico Spine (1 miles)
• Optum Ophthalmology & Optometry (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Allison David MD (1 miles)
• Smith's Food & Drug (1.1 miles)
• Smith's Food & Drug (1.6 miles)
• Rx Innovations (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.9 miles)
• Flying Star Cafe- Paseo (0.9 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1 miles)
• Sadie's (1.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.4 miles)
• Twin Peaks Restaurant (1.7 miles)
• Craft Republic (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Tri Core Reference Lab (1.1 miles)
• HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• The Range Cafe (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Sandia Presbyterian Church (2.8 miles)
• Sangre De Cristo Catholic Church (3.5 miles)
• Faith Chapel (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Midtown Dog Park (4.4 miles)
• Workers Memorial Park (4.7 miles)
• Altura Park (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Winrock IMAX & RPX (4.5 miles)