Deen's Retirement Home Inc

Pros

• Swaby and her dedicated team provided exceptional care to residents, with compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail, making them feel safe, comfortable, and valued every day.
• Golden Sands ALF truly exceeded expectations and made a difficult decision easier for families.
• The home-like environment is meticulously kept and staffed by qualified, caring, and humorous individuals.
• The facility is reasonably priced and considered a hidden gem by families.
• The staff were very kind, met residents' needs, and residents were often smiling in their presence.
• The owner/manager provides direct contact information, enabling prompt communication.
• The property offers a terrific backyard (with a large mango tree) that families look forward to enjoying.

Cons

• The facility was described as dark and gloomy, with dim lighting and poor ventilation, making residents uncomfortable.
• One reviewer would have given zero stars and advised others not to bring their loved ones there.
• A prospective resident found the phone inquiry process a disaster, with staff who did not seem to know what was going on.
• The caller reported that nobody at the facility appeared to know the status of inquiries and that staff were hard to reach.
• A staff member was depicted as answering the phone with "Hello" and giving evasive responses like "she's busy right now," undermining trust.

Review

Golden Sands ALF is painted in the memories of families as a place that can truly change the course of a difficult caregiving decision. One reviewer describes a moment that became a turning point: when Swaby, the staff leader, told them, "now I am responsible for them." That single line lifted a heavy burden off their shoulders and helped seal their sense of trust and hope. Across the years that followed, Swaby and her team were celebrated for stepping into that responsibility with steadiness and care, providing four years of attentive, compassionate, and professional support that helped parents feel safe, comfortable, and valued every day.

From there flows a strong thread of gratitude for what Golden Sands offered in practice. The caregiver team is repeatedly praised for warmth, professionalism, and meticulous attention to detail. Families spoke of an environment that felt not only safe but genuinely welcoming - a home-like atmosphere rather than a sterile or overly formal setting. The care, they say, was high in quality and delivered with a personal touch that made a real difference in the everyday lives of their loved ones. The place is described as a gem that exceeded expectations and made what could have been an overwhelming decision much easier to navigate.

Another voice centers on the long arc of care, focusing on a mother who spent the last three years of her life at Golden Sands. The kindness extended to her needs - often considerable - and the staff's respectful, patient demeanor left a lasting impression. The resident was seen smiling when greeted by staff, and visits by family showed consistent, considerate treatment. The setting is described as a small converted house that avoided an "institutional" feel, which many find comforting. The owner's accessibility also stood out; after moving in, mom's new guardian was given a cell number for quick contact, a practical reassurance that helped families feel connected. There are mentions of other residents, such as a person named Garfield, hinting at the small, close-knit community that some families observed.

Another perspective highlights the practical and financial side of experience. Reviewers revel in the idea that Golden Sands is "a gem" that is "meticulously kept" and staffed by "the most qualified, caring and humorous folk." The praise for the ambiance is matched by praise for value - an important factor for families weighing options for ongoing care. The testimonials emphasize that the care delivered translated into genuine well-being for loved ones, with smiles frequently evident in the everyday moments.

The positive narratives also extend to the daily life at Golden Sands. One comment notes a terrific backyard featuring a huge mango tree, a detail that turns the facility into more than just a place to live; it becomes a space for moments of joy and normalcy. There is particular appreciation for meals, with a mother described as a picky eater who loved every dish prepared for her, a practical illustration of how attentive staff can tailor care to individual preferences. In this vein, families describe leaving their loved ones in a setting that feels secure, attentive, and cheerful, where care routines reinforce a sense of dignity and happiness.

Yet, not every voice aligns with the overwhelmingly positive portrayal. Another set of observations centers on elements some found dark or gloomy, with critics arguing that a dimly lit environment and poor ventilation can undermine comfort. Some reviewers frame Golden Sands as lacking in brightness and airiness, contrasting sharply with the more favorable depictions of a "home from home" feeling. These comments remind readers that experiences of atmosphere and mood can vary, especially in a smaller, converted-house setting where the texture of the space itself matters.

A separate account underscores a different kind of challenge: communication. One prospective family recounts a frustrating phone encounter that felt chaotic from the start. Describing it as a "DISASTER," they recounted a receptionist who seemed unsure of who to connect them with, a person on the line who offered only a casual greeting, and a caller who had to repeatedly ask for names and roles. The interaction included a reference to a staff member named Garfield and a blunt assertion that the staff were "busy right now," which left the caller feeling reluctant to entrust their parents to a place that could not even handle a basic inquiry with clarity. The fear expressed in that moment - "Who would trust their parents in a place that can't get a simple phone call right?" - highlights a real tension between the warmth of hands-on care and the sometimes fragile first impression formed by administrative communication.

Taken together, the reviews present a nuanced portrait of Golden Sands ALF. For many families, the care team's dedication - especially Swaby and her staff - delivered a sense of safety, respect, and genuine affection that made difficult times more manageable. The homey atmosphere, personalized care, and thoughtful touches - such as easy contact with the owner and a welcoming community - are repeatedly celebrated. At the same time, some prospective residents and families encountered concerns about the space's lighting and ventilation, as well as occasional perceived gaps in initial communications. These voices remind us that experiences in senior care can be highly personal and variable, and that both the warmth of the caregivers and the quality of the setting deserve careful consideration by anyone weighing Golden Sands ALF as a place for a loved one. Overall, the prevailing sentiment is one of gratitude and strong recommendation from those who found it to be a good fit, balanced by practical cautions for future families to verify conditions, atmosphere, and communication styles to ensure alignment with their own expectations and needs.

This area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for senior living. With several physicians' offices, pharmacies, and hospitals in close proximity, residents can easily access healthcare services. There are also various dining options nearby, ranging from casual eateries like Matty's and Hunters to more upscale establishments such as Drynk Bar & Lounge. For leisure activities, there are several parks within a short distance, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, transportation options like the Brightline and Cypress Creek Station offer convenient travel options for seniors looking to explore the city or visit loved ones. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of essential services and entertainment choices that cater to the needs and interests of older individuals considering settling in the area.

Physicians

• Care Resource (1 miles)
• Midland Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Pom MRI and Imaging Center (3.2 miles)
• Eye Centers Of South Florida (3.3 miles)
• Arnoldo Ghitis, MD (6.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Matty's (1.4 miles)
• Hunters (1.4 miles)
• Drynk Bar & Lounge (1.5 miles)
• Georgie's Alibi (1.5 miles)
• Village Pub (1.5 miles)
• Johnsons (1.6 miles)
• Scandals Saloon (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Royal Palm Park (1.5 miles)
• Holiday Park (2 miles)
• Central Broward Regional Park (2.4 miles)
• George English Park (2.9 miles)
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (3.6 miles)
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Park (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• Brightline (2.3 miles)
• Cypress Creek Station (3.4 miles)
• Fort Lauderdale Airport- Arrivals Pickup (5.7 miles)
• Delta Air Lines Ticket Counter (5.7 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint (5.7 miles)
• Terminal 3 (5.7 miles)
• Terminal 1 (5.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Coral Ridge 1 (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• UM/Sylvester Clinics At Plantation (6.6 miles)