Novato Healthcare Center

Pros

• The staff at Novato Healthcare was noted for being nice and attentive, demonstrating a personal interest in each patient.
• Physical therapy was described as very good, with ample staff available to minimize wait times for patients.
• One reviewer highly recommended the facility based on their extensive daily observations of the care provided in the dementia unit.
• The facility offered transportation services for residents to grocery stores and drugstores, enhancing their accessibility.
• Overall cleanliness of the facility was acknowledged despite occasional odors mentioned by another reviewer.

Cons

• The facility occasionally smelled like urine despite being clean.
• The staff did not provide enough communication or updates to families about their loved ones.
• The food served at the facility was not very good.
• The facility was old and had not been updated.
• There were concerns about neglect, as some patients were ignored most of the time.
• Diabetic meals arranged with the head cook were not provided to patients as promised.
• Patients were left sitting in their own waste due to a broken pager system and lack of proper rounds.
• One reviewer expressed a strong unwillingness to recommend the facility based on their negative experiences.

Review

Novato Healthcare: A Mixed Bag of Experiences

Novato Healthcare has garnered a range of reviews from families who have entrusted their loved ones to the facility. While some positive aspects are highlighted, several concerning issues are noted that could be crucial for potential residents and their families to consider. Visitors often remark on the cleanliness of the facility, despite occasional unpleasant odors upon entry; specifically, some reported smelling urine at times. This suggests that while staff members maintain a generally clean environment, there may be areas in need of attention.

The quality of staff interactions is another recurring theme in these reviews. Many family members express appreciation for the kindness exhibited by caregivers. One reviewer emphasized the personal interest that staff showed toward patients, highlighting their gentleness and dignity in care—qualities that exceeded expectations during daily visits over three and a half years. This commitment to compassionate care indicates there are dedicated professionals working diligently to support patients' needs.

However, communication between the facility and families appears to fall short in several instances. Multiple reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with how infrequently updates regarding patient status were provided. Families indicated they would receive calls primarily when something went wrong, such as falls or emergencies, rather than regular check-ins about day-to-day wellbeing. This lack of proactive communication can leave families feeling disconnected and anxious about their loved ones’ experiences within the facility.

In terms of rehabilitation services, Novato Healthcare demonstrates strength particularly noticeable in physical therapy offerings. One family noted that during two separate one-month stays for their mother, the physical therapy proved beneficial due to an adequate staffing level which minimized wait times for patients needing assistance. However, this positive aspect is somewhat overshadowed by other criticisms regarding overall care practices and attentiveness.

Another significant concern raised involves diet and meal management within the facility. While one reviewer mentioned that arrangements for diabetic meals were made with kitchen staff, these requests seemingly fell through as patients received standard meals instead of those tailored to their specific dietary needs. This oversight raises questions about adherence to individualized care plans and points towards a systemic issue where patient requirements may not always be prioritized or fulfilled adequately.

Unfortunately, some reviews took a much darker turn when describing severe lapses in basic caregiving routines. One review recounted alarming situations where a patient was left unattended even after expressing urgent needs—most disturbingly being left in soiled diapers overnight due to poor response times from nursing staff. These accounts fuel concerns regarding staffing levels or operational procedures that hinder timely responses during critical moments—a situation no family would want for their cherished relatives.

In conclusion, Novato Healthcare presents a complex picture shaped by both commendable elements and significant shortcomings. While many appreciate the compassion shown by individual staff members and recognize high-quality rehabilitation services available at certain intervals, alarming reports regarding communication breakdowns and caregiving neglect raise serious questions about overall patient safety and satisfaction at this facility. Families considering Novato Healthcare must weigh these varied experiences carefully when planning long-term care options for their loved ones.

Physicians

• Gail Altschuler (0.1 miles)
• Tamalpais Pediatrics (0.1 miles)
• Novato Dermatology Associates (0.1 miles)
• Brian Hollander, DDS, MS (0.2 miles)
• Novato Dermatology (0.5 miles)
• Marin Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Novato Urgent Care Center (0.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Red Whale Coffee (5.8 miles)
• Split Rock Tap & Wheel (7.5 miles)
• Fairfax Coffee Roastery (7.6 miles)
• M.H.Bread and Butter (8.7 miles)
• Starbucks (9.3 miles)
• Java Hut (10.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Italian Delite Submarine Sandwiches (0.8 miles)
• Mi Pueblo (0.9 miles)
• Bacon (0.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1 miles)
• Moylan's Brewery & Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Longs Drugs (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (6.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (6.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Chaplain's Office: Novato Community Hospital: Sutter Health Affiliate (0.9 miles)
• Novato Community Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Caremeridian (7 miles)
• Tamalpais Shambhala Meditation Group (9 miles)
• Evergreen Health Rehabilitation Center (9.9 miles)
• Marin General Hospital (10.5 miles)

Parks

• Pioneer Park (1.4 miles)
• Miwok Park (1.9 miles)
• Lucas Valley Park (4.2 miles)
• Lagoon Park (7.1 miles)
• China Camp State Park (7.6 miles)
• Peri Park (7.7 miles)
• Doc Edgar Park (7.9 miles)

Transportation

• Smart Train Station Hamilton (4 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theaters (6.7 miles)
• Boulevard Cinemas (10.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Valley Baptist Church (7.4 miles)
• St Vincent De Paul Church (10.1 miles)