Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center

Pros

• Garden Terrace is described as clean, welcoming, and spacious, with amenities like a hair salon and library.
• The staff are very friendly, attentive, and responsive to residents' needs.
• Families praise the care providers for their kindness, professionalism, and patience.
• Jerome and David are highlighted as outstanding by new admissions.
• The facility feels like a high-quality, hotel-like environment with beautiful grounds and decor.
• Admissions and check-in are described as seamless and comforting for patients.
• PT/OT and nursing care are thorough and excellent, helping residents recover.
• Front desk and support staff are consistently friendly and helpful.
• Residents and families report feeling safe, cared for, and at home.
• The center is described as a wonderful, top-notch place that people highly recommend.
• Staff provide personal time and build meaningful connections, aiding families during visits.
• The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and well maintained, contributing to positive experiences.

Cons

• The Garden Terrace rehab facility in Federal Way was accused of neglecting Marie M's care for days, leading to severe health complications.
• Marie M sat in feces-filled diapers for hours on multiple occasions, and staff were described as ignorant of her symptoms.
• The facility's internal communication was described as extremely poor, worsening the situation.
• The reviewer called the care negligent and even referenced "criminal behavior" due to risk to Marie M's life.
• Weekends were reported as extremely understaffed, with delays in responding to patients' needs.
• Call buttons were often left unanswered for long periods, leaving patients without timely help.
• The food quality was criticized as overcooked and not aligned with the price.
• The facility was described as disorganized, and one reviewer advised staying away.

Review

Garden Terrace in Federal Way is described by many families and residents as a warm, welcoming place that feels less like a traditional facility and more like a caring community. Across numerous firsthand notes, the atmosphere is repeatedly credited with being clean, spacious, and comfortable, often likened to a high-quality hotel rather than a typical rehabilitation setting. The overall tone from these accounts is one of appreciation for the people who work there and for the environment that surrounds patients as they recover or receive ongoing care.

The staff consistently stands out in these testimonials. Families frequently commend the kindness, attentiveness, and professionalism of various team members, from front desk personnel to nurses, CNAs, physical therapists, and social workers. Phrases like "very friendly staff," "attentive to our family members," and "people there are so friendly and helpful" show up many times. In particular, several named individuals are singled out for praise, such as Jerome and David for their outstanding care, and several CNAs and nurses are repeatedly thanked by grateful families for the compassionate, patient-centered approach they bring to patient care. The sentiment is that staff treat patients like family, providing personal attention during difficult times and celebrating progress as recovery unfolds.

Visitors repeatedly describe positive patient experiences with rehab and daily living. Families talk about comprehensive, thorough care from PT/OT teams and nursing staff, and they appreciate the collaborative approach with social workers during care conferences. The facility is noted for its cleanliness and inviting decor, with several reviewers mentioning how nice and uplifting the environment feels, contributing to a sense of security and well-being for loved ones. In addition to medical and therapeutic support, residents enjoy amenities that contribute to a homelike atmosphere: a hair salon, a library, and spaces designed for visiting and socialization. The combination of good food, engaging activities, and opportunities for personal time helps many feel comfortable and hopeful about their rehabilitation or ongoing care.

The quality of interactions with families and visitors is another recurring theme. Reviewers describe smooth arrival and check-in experiences, courteous receptions, and staff who are willing to answer questions, locate necessary items like face masks, and help families navigate the facility. They note that staff go the extra mile to ensure visits are meaningful and that patients feel seen and supported. Several accounts highlight care conferences that involve social workers, PTs, and OTs, underscoring a collaborative, communicative approach to each patient's plan of care. Taken together, these reviews convey a sense of partnership between families and caregivers, with clear lines of communication and visible dedication to patient welfare.

Of course, not every review is uniformly glowing. A minority of comments raise concerns that deserve attention. One reviewer alleges a severe lapse in care, describing a period during which a patient sat in soiled diapers for hours, contracted a C. difficile infection, and was subsequently moved to the ICU. This account accuses the facility of ignorance about warning signs, poor internal communication, and even criminal behavior, signaling a serious drop in trust and quality for the affected family. Another reviewer notes that weekends can be extremely understaffed, leading to delays in responding to call buttons and slower assistance for patients. A separate comment mentions disorganization within the facility, suggesting inconsistencies in operations that can be unsettling to families seeking reassurance during a loved one's recovery. Additionally, there are mentions of a patient death and other emotionally charged experiences that underscore the fragility of health situations and the importance of attentive, reliable care.

Despite these critical voices, a large portion of the feedback remains positive and affirming. Many reviewers recount experiences of warmth, competence, and a strong commitment to patient safety and dignity. They describe families visiting as a comfortable, positive experience where staff treat patients with respect, keep them clean and well cared for, and create a supportive environment that promotes healing and home-like comfort. Recurrent praise for the cleanliness of the facility, the pleasant surroundings, and the attentive, patient-centered care reinforces the impression of a well-regarded rehab and long-term care option for many families.

In sum, Garden Terrace emerges in these reviews as a facility with a core strength in compassionate staff, clean and inviting surroundings, and a patient- and family-focused approach to rehabilitation and ongoing care. The widely echoed messages highlight friendly, professional personnel who form meaningful connections with patients and their loved ones, a comforting atmosphere, and a range of amenities that contribute to a higher quality of daily life during recovery. At the same time, there are serious concerns raised by a minority of reviewers about staffing levels at weekends, communication gaps, and a particularly troubling account of alleged neglect and its consequences. For families evaluating Garden Terrace, the message is clear: the center can offer exceptional care, connection, and facility quality, but it is important to conduct a thorough tour, ask targeted questions about staffing and safety protocols, and consider both the overwhelmingly positive experiences and the more cautionary reports when making decisions about a loved one's care.

This part of Federal Way, Washington, offers a convenient and well-equipped environment for senior living. With a variety of healthcare facilities nearby such as Digestive Health Specialists and St. Francis Hospital, residents can easily access medical care. There are also several pharmacies within close proximity for medication needs. In terms of recreation, there are parks like Steel Lake Park and Dash Point State Park providing opportunities for outdoor activities. Additionally, there are cafes like Starbucks and restaurants like Wendy's and Chick-Fil-A for dining options. Places of worship such as St Theresa's Church cater to spiritual needs, while theaters like Regal Auburn offer entertainment options. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and recreational amenities that can contribute to a comfortable lifestyle for seniors.

Physicians

• Digestive Health Specialists (0.2 miles)
• Wyman Carl MD (0.2 miles)
• Pediatrics NW (0.4 miles)
• Lateef J Harper MD | Kaiser Permanente (1.1 miles)
• Federal Way Dental (1.5 miles)
• UW Medicine - Valley Women’s Health (4.6 miles)
• Molen Oral & Facial Surgery (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• St Francis Sleep Disorders Clinic (0.4 miles)
• St. Francis Hospital (0.4 miles)
• St Francis Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Federal Way Community Dialysis (0.7 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (6.5 miles)
• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center - Tacoma (6.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Auburn Way Big Foot Java (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Alfred's Cafe (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Wendy's (0.8 miles)
• Del Taco (0.8 miles)
• Jack In The Box (0.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• Traditional Korean Beef Soup (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Angel Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Cardinal Health (4.6 miles)

Parks

• French Lake Off-Leash Dog Park (1.5 miles)
• Steel Lake Park (2 miles)
• Dash Point State Park (4 miles)
• Saltwater State Park (5.4 miles)
• Lakeland Hills Park (6.1 miles)
• Sunset Park (6.5 miles)
• Lea Hill Park (7.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Theresa's Church (2.7 miles)
• Church Of The Nazarene Auburn (5.4 miles)
• Christ Episcopal Church (6.6 miles)
• Holy Spirit Parish (7 miles)
• Bethlehem Baptist Church (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Auburn (4 miles)
• Grand Cinema (6.2 miles)
• AMC Kent Station 14 (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (4.9 miles)