Hearthstone of Sun City

Pros

• The Gardens of Sun City is described as a homelike, welcoming community with a caring staff that loves what they do.
• The memory care unit is intimate and well-staffed, with a director (Emily) who clearly cares deeply for residents.
• The nursing and caregiving staff are consistently warm, attentive, and dedicated to resident well-being.
• The executive director (Michelle) and front desk team greet visitors warmly and make them feel comfortable.
• Renovations create a bright, restaurant-like dining atmosphere and a generally welcoming environment.
• The activities program, led by Sabina, keeps residents engaged, happy, and socially connected.
• The food is described as excellent with good variety and quality across meals.
• The facility feels clean, calm, and well maintained, with staff who are friendly and easy to reach.
• Families note compassionate guidance during tours and move-in, with staff like Ellie Dawson easing the transition.
• Overall, The Gardens is highly recommended by families and professionals as a top choice for assisted living and memory care.

Cons

• One reviewer said this place should be shut down.
• They barely cleaned the residents' rooms and charged top dollar for low-quality care.
• One reviewer reported a theft of a resident and claimed staff did not address it.
• There were several instances of neglect that were grossly overlooked and upper management didn't rectify.
• Lunch and dinner portions were so small that many residents lost weight.
• Personal hygiene was neglected and diapers were left on for three shifts soiled.
• Housekeeping was horrible, and a housekeeper who had been fired wouldn't come in to clean.
• The manager Michelle was described as very unprofessional and as having personally attacked the reviewer on two occasions.
• A reviewer warned not to leave a loved one there.
• When hospice was brought in, the monthly rent was raised by $2,000.

Review

The Gardens of Sun City is best suited for families seeking a warm, home-like assisted living with a strong emphasis on memory care and daily companionship. The community consistently presents a small, intimate feel - especially in its memory care unit, which is described as a tight-knit, secured space designed for personal attention. Residents appear engaged and well cared for, with a clear devotion from staff evidenced in daily interactions, meal service, and a calendar filled with activities. Upgraded common spaces, a welcoming front desk, and a dining room that feels restaurant-like all reinforce a place where residents are encouraged to stay active and socially connected.

Those weighing alternatives should consider the mixed experiences loud enough to warrant caution. A minority of reviews recount serious lapses in care, hygiene, and safety, including reports of delayed baths, inadequate supervision, and instances of neglect; there are also accounts of theft concerns and disputes with management. Pricing friction and perceptions of abrupt increases after transitions into hospice care appear in some families' experiences, along with disagreements about leadership interactions. While many reviews celebrate the staff and community, these divergent stories mean that risk tolerance and the need for meticulous, ongoing oversight should inform the decision.

On the plus side, the facility's strengths largely offset the potential downsides. The memory care unit is notably intimate, with capacity around 18 residents and a dedicated activity professional, which can translate to more individualized attention and better engagement for residents with memory challenges. Emily, the memory care director, is repeatedly described as warm, passionate, and deeply invested in her residents, setting a tone of genuine care that permeates the unit. Across the campus, a broad team - nurses, aides, dining staff, and activity coordinators - routinely greet visitors with smiles and demonstrate a visible pride in their work. The combination of a refreshed atmosphere, strong dining, multiple activity options, and a feel of "home" makes the day-to-day experience feel natural and comforting.

Yet the concerns cannot be dismissed, and they bear directly on risk assessment and planning. Some family members report frustration with communication lapses or inconsistent care, and a few firsthand experiences describe inadequate response to calls or insufficient supervision. The building's age in certain pockets, despite renovations, can also influence perceptions of upkeep and atmosphere for some visitors. Instances of high-stress care transitions or disagreements with management practices remind potential residents to verify expectations in concrete terms - care plans, supervision routines, and the cadence of family updates must be part of every tour conversation.

For families deciding, a proactive, armed approach is essential. During visits, demand a candid tour of the memory care unit - meet Emily and the nursing staff, observe how meals are served, and note how activity programming is actually executed (not just what is advertised). Request a transparent view of staffing ratios on all shifts, the process for responding to call buttons, and daily hygiene protocols. Ask for sample menus, and sample residents' calendars to gauge consistency in engagement. Demand detailed pricing disclosures, including any ancillary charges or changes tied to transitions within the spectrum of services. Finally, speak with multiple families currently living there and with the leadership team to form a balanced picture of how the community handles both routine needs and rare crises.

In the end, The Gardens of Sun City stands out as a standout option for families prioritizing warmth, engagement, and a truly attentive memory care environment. The combination of a small, intimate unit, passionate leadership, and a consistently welcoming culture can translate into meaningful quality of life for many residents. However, the decision should be tempered by awareness of the outlier experiences - some families report serious care concerns and management tensions that necessitate vigilant ongoing oversight. For those who value a "home first" philosophy with strong social programming and excellent dining, this community deserves serious consideration; for others who require unwavering consistency and exhaustive risk mitigation, it is prudent to widen the field and compare against other well-vetted options before committing.

This part of Sun City, Arizona offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple Starbucks cafes within a short distance, residents can easily enjoy their favorite coffee beverages. Nearby physicians' offices such as Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates and The CORE Institute provide accessible healthcare options. In terms of dining, there are various restaurants like Line Thai Restaurant and Whataburger offering a range of cuisine choices. Additionally, there are several pharmacies for prescription needs, as well as parks for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. For entertainment, residents can catch a movie at AMC Surprise Pointe 14 or enjoy cultural events at The Church At Arrowhead or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Overall, this area provides a mix of conveniences and recreational opportunities for seniors seeking a comfortable living environment in Sun City.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Physicians

• Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, PC (0.8 miles)
• The CORE Institute - Sun City (0.8 miles)
• Academic Urology & Urogynecology Of Arizona (1.1 miles)
• Multi-Specialty Physicians (1.1 miles)
• Associated Retina Consultants (2.7 miles)
• Aspire Pedi. Therapy (3.4 miles)
• North Valley Dermatology & Original Skin (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Line Thai Resteraunt (2.5 miles)
• Lou's Tivoli Gardens (2.8 miles)
• Haymaker Thunderbird (3 miles)
• Whataburger (3.4 miles)
• Culver's (3.5 miles)
• Tacos Calafia (3.5 miles)
• Crumbl Cookies (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Rio Vista Community Park (2.8 miles)
• Indoor Playgrounds International (3.5 miles)
• Veramonte Park (3.7 miles)
• Surprise Community Park (4.7 miles)
• Pioneer Community Park Off-Leash Dog Park (4.8 miles)
• Pioneer Community Park (4.8 miles)
• Kingswood Parke HOA Park (5.4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Surprise Pointe 14 (3.3 miles)
• Arrowhead Fountains 18 (3.8 miles)
• Park West 14 (4.1 miles)
• AMC Arrowhead 14 (4.8 miles)
• AMC Westgate 20 (5.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (4.6 miles)
• The Church At Arrowhead (5 miles)