Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center in Federal Way, WA

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Pros

• The staff are friendly and professional.
• The care staff are great and attentive to residents' needs.
• The reception and front desk are friendly and welcoming.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and inviting.
• The therapists are excellent, caring, and knowledgeable.
• The atmosphere is warm and inviting.
• The staff treat residents like family.
• There are daily activities and puzzles for residents.
• Weekly musicians visit to entertain patients.
• The kitchen staff accommodate dietary needs and preferences.
• Residents feel safe and cared for.
• Families feel reassured knowing their loved ones are in good hands.

Cons

• The Garden Terrace rehab facility in Federal Way has neglected care for Marie M for the better part of a week, leaving her in a feces-filled diaper and contracting a painful C. diff infection.
• Attendants were ignorant of her sick symptoms, and internal communication was severely poor, putting her life at risk.
• The doctor and administration were not attentive, and overall care quality was inconsistent and concerning.
• The discharge process was suboptimal, with meds not ordered in time and PT/OT referrals delayed, forcing family members to chase essential services.
• Weekends were extremely understaffed, with call buttons often unanswered and help arriving very slowly.
• The facility was described as disorganized, and staff had to do much of the basic care themselves.
• A reviewer warned others to stay away, alleging neglect of elderly patients in critical condition, including bedsores and being left in soiled conditions.
• The facility had an unpleasant odor on arrival, signaling poor cleanliness and maintenance.

Review

Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center in Federal Way is best suited for families seeking a warm, caregiving-focused environment for a loved one with memory impairment or in need of short- to mid-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay. The community consistently shines in the daily human touch: attentive CNAs and nurses, responsive front-desk staff, and therapists who push for real progress. It presents as a clean, welcoming campus with appealing amenities, hair salon, library, pleasant lounges, outdoor paths, and activity spaces, that help residents feel cared for rather than warehoused. For families who want a safe, home-like setting where staff know names, show patience, and foster connection, Garden Terrace checks many boxes.

Those weighing alternatives should note that Garden Terrace may be less ideal for families prioritizing ironclad medical oversight and rigorous administrative reliability. A subset of reviews flag weekend understaffing and slower call-button responses, plus mixed experiences with discharge coordination and medication processing. For loved ones requiring constant, highly predictable clinical attention or those who want minimal family involvement in daily logistics, other facilities with stronger 24/7 medical immediacy or tighter operations may be a better fit. Families who value pristine administration and seamless transitions will want to investigate those aspects carefully here.

The big positives largely offset the notable caveats. The staff’s warmth, accessibility, and genuine engagement create a reassuring atmosphere that often translates into better day-to-day comfort and safety for residents. Cleanliness and curb appeal influence perceptions of quality, while strong therapy programs (PT/OT) drive tangible gains in mobility and independence for rehab patients. The social framework, bingo, musicians, activities, and communal spaces, helps residents stay mentally engaged and emotionally connected, which matters greatly for dementia care. In short, the pros, compassionate care, clean environment, and effective rehabilitation, make Garden Terrace a compelling choice when families can tolerate occasional administrative frictions.

Care quality in practice emerges as the facility’s core strength. Multiple reviews spotlight the consistency of nursing attentiveness, the skill and patience of CNAs, and the dedication of therapists who tailor regimens to individual needs. The overall atmosphere feels hotel-like to many visitors, and the emphasis on dignity and respect comes through in countless anecdotes from families and friends. The breadth of support, from social workers guiding care conferences to practical conveniences like on-site salons and a protected, secure setting, helps families feel confident about a loved one’s daily comfort, safety, and potential for improved function during rehab and recovery.

Nevertheless, prudent decision-making requires acknowledging a few persistent concerns. Administrative disorganization and gaps in weekend staffing have been documented, along with reports of delayed or incomplete discharge planning and med-authorization lapses. A minority of reviews describe more troubling experiences related to care omissions and communication breakdowns that escalated family anxiety. Prospective residents should verify current staffing patterns, request a recent care-conference summary, and probe how med reconciliation and post-acute transitions are handled. These are not universal flaws, but they are real risk points that warrant proactive verification before move-in.

The bottom-line guidance is clear: Garden Terrace offers a high-quality, person-centered environment that tends to deliver strong caregiving and meaningful rehab outcomes for memory-care and post-hospital residents. It is an especially good fit for families who value a clean, welcoming setting, consistent staff warmth, and robust therapeutic services, and who are prepared to stay actively involved in care planning to offset occasional administrative bottlenecks. For families prioritizing flawless administration, relentless weekend coverage, or near-error-free medical oversight, exploring additional options is wise. A thorough on-site tour, discussions with the director of nursing, and a concrete plan for weekends and med management will reveal how well Garden Terrace aligns with the specific needs and expectations of the loved one.

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)