Bernardita F. Sarausad Adult Family Home

Pros

• Carmen and Valentin are amazing, loving caregivers with big hearts.
• They go above and beyond expectations in their care.
• Carmen and her staff do an outstanding job caring for their clients.
• Bella Vita provides professional, caring care, with safety and loving attention as priorities.
• Bella Vita AFH is spotlessly clean and cheerfully decorated.
• Residents receive personalized long-term care in this small facility.
• The warmth and professionalism of the owners make residents feel at home.
• The staff are attentive and adaptable to residents' needs.

Cons

• They warned others not to send loved ones to this place.
• They claimed medications were not dispensed according to doctors' orders.
• They stated there was no medical staff on duty.
• They described that only the owners' children and an elderly grandmother who doesn't speak English were often at home.
• They reported having to call hospice to administer medications because no one else would.
• They expressed disappointment that their loved one deteriorated quickly under the care.

Review

Bella Vita Adult Family Home comes through in most of these accounts as a place where warmth, dedication, and a hands-on approach to daily living are the norm. Several reviewers describe Carmen and Valentin - often called Valentine - as remarkable people with big hearts who bring a sense of comfort and peace to families during challenging times. The sentiment that this is a home where loved ones are well cared for and surrounded by genuinely caring staff is echoed across multiple testimonials, making Bella Vita stand out as a small, family-oriented environment in the Shoreline area.

The most striking thread across the favorable reviews is the personal commitment shown by the owners and their team. One reviewer spoke of nine months spent at the home, during which Carmen and Valentine did "everything they could to get me up and walking," repeatedly going above and beyond expectations. The sense that the owners treat their residents as part of a family, rather than as clients, comes through in phrases like "they go above and behind in their care" and "they take such good care of my sister." Several families emphasize that the care feels individualized, with a focus on safety, consistent attention, and emotional support that helps residents feel secure and valued.

The facility itself is consistently described in glowing terms. Reviewers highlight "spotlessly clean and cheerfully decorated" spaces, pleasant and well-kept rooms, and a warm, friendly atmosphere that makes the home feel inviting rather than clinical. A common point is that the care team is attentive, with a low rate of staff turnover, which helps residents form lasting relationships with caregivers. The environment is also portrayed as well organized and structured, enabling caregivers to maintain high standards of care while allowing residents to experience a sense of normalcy and routine in a small, home-like setting.

Families repeatedly note the quality of communication and coordination with loved ones' medical needs. The reviews praise how staff stay informed about residents' conditions, obtain family consent for changes in prescriptions or treatment, and coordinate with hospice services when needed. One account mentions a nurse practitioner overseeing treatment and medication, underscoring that medical oversight is present and integrated into daily care. The overall message is that Bella Vita supports ongoing, professional care while prioritizing safety and loving attention, with families feeling that their loved ones are in capable hands and kept informed throughout the care journey.

There is also a strong emphasis on the broader quality of life and the sense of being well cared for beyond basic needs. Reviewers talk about good meals, caring companionship, and activities that contribute to a dignified, comfortable life. The care is described as long-term and personalized, with caregivers who listen and adapt as circumstances change. The combination of compassionate staff, a nurturing home environment, and a cooperative approach with hospice and rehab services forms a theme of continuity and reliability that many families rely on when planning for long-term care.

However, not all experiences were uniformly favorable. One account presents a starkly different perspective, urging caution and cautioning prospective families not to send loved ones if high-level or end-of-life care is required. The reviewer asserts that there is no on-site medical staff and that medicines are not dispensed according to doctors' orders. They describe the home as sometimes having only the owners' children and an older family member on site, and they claim that a resident did not receive timely or adequate medication without hospice involvement. This perspective emphasizes language barriers, with a grandmother who does not speak English, and notes the presence of a student CNA who could not dispense medications or turn patients. The reviewer also mentions the need to involve hospice personnel to provide necessary meds and care. In short, this view cautions that Bella Vita AFH may not be equipped to handle substantial medical needs and suggests seeking a licensed facility for higher-acuity situations.

Taken together, these testimonials present a nuanced portrait of Bella Vita AFH. The majority depict a warm, professional, family-led home where residents receive attentive, individualized care, feel safe, and experience a high quality of life under the supervision of Carmen and Valentin, with strong collaboration from hospice services and healthcare professionals as needed. The negative account, while important to consider, highlights specific concerns about medical staffing, medication administration, and capacity for high-level or end-of-life care in a small, home-like setting. For families evaluating Bella Vita, the message is to weigh the demonstrable strengths - personal attention, consistent staffing, clean and welcoming surroundings, proactive communication, and a caring, responsive approach - with the potential limitations of a setting that may not be suited to heavy medical or end-of-life needs without additional licensed medical support. In deciding, prospective families should consider the level of care required, the importance of on-site medical oversight, and how well the home's philosophy and practices align with their loved one's health goals and comfort.

This part of Shoreline, Washington, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities to support comfortable senior living. With several well-known restaurant options such as McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, and The Habit Burger Grill nearby, residents can enjoy a variety of dining choices. Additionally, multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and Fred Meyer Pharmacy are easily accessible for healthcare needs. For outdoor recreation, the area boasts several beautiful parks like Echo Lake Park and Carkeek Park for leisurely strolls or picnics. In terms of healthcare facilities, Northwest Hospital and Swedish Medical Center are within close proximity for any medical concerns. Public transportation options from Northgate Station Seattle and Northgate Transit Center provide ease of travel around the city. Moreover, reputable physicians such as Lakeshore Clinic are available for quality healthcare services. Overall, this area offers a blend of convenience, healthcare access, dining options, and recreational activities that cater to seniors' various needs in a tranquil suburban setting.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)
• The Habit Burger Grill (2.4 miles)
• Dick's Drive-In (2.5 miles)
• The Guest House (4 miles)
• Dick's Drive-In (4 miles)
• Seaplane Kitchen & Bar (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• QFC Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Diva Espresso (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Woods Coffee (3.9 miles)
• Walnut Street Coffee (4.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Northwest Hospital (2 miles)
• Swedish Medical Center (4.2 miles)
• Seattle Children's Hospital (6.1 miles)

Parks

• Echo Lake Park (2.1 miles)
• Carkeek Park (2.6 miles)
• Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (2.7 miles)
• Lake Ballinger Park (3.2 miles)
• Greenwood Park (3.5 miles)
• Log Boom Park (3.5 miles)
• Maple Leaf Park (3.8 miles)

Transportation

• Northgate Station Seattle (2.8 miles)
• Northgate Transit Center (2.8 miles)
• Roosevelt Station Seattle (4.7 miles)
• U District Station (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• Ballard Pediatric Clinic PS (4.4 miles)
• Warby Parker (5.8 miles)
• Lakeshore Clinic (6.2 miles)