Talk to an advisor (866) 208-4318

Gardens On University in Spokane, WA

Gardens On University is a nursing home community in Spokane, WA.

Information last verified:

414 South University Road, Spokane, WA 99206

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

2.6 from 52 reviews
5 stars
16
4 stars
5
3 stars
0
2 stars
3
1 stars
28

Overall Review of Gardens On University

differentiator 9 reviews mention this

Call light response is hit-or-miss

Care responsiveness is inconsistent, with reports of long waits and delayed help alongside praise for prompt assistance.

Several reviews describe slow call light response and difficulty getting assistance, including cases where residents waited for help or food for long periods. A few reviews directly connect this to staffing levels, describing understaffing and delayed daily needs like showers. Other reviewers report prompt service when they used the call button and say staff were attentive when they needed help. The community offers a 24-hour call system and 24-hour supervision, plus 12–16 hour nursing and assistance with activities of daily living.

caveat 7 reviews mention this

Food quality draws strong complaints

Food quality is a frequent concern, with residents and families describing it as inedible or served too late.

Multiple reviews criticize meals as terrible, including descriptions of jail-like food, cold trays, and instances where food arrived after delays. One review also mentions food being served half eaten and needing a replacement meal. A couple of families also include food issues in their ongoing list of concerns, not just one-off problems. The community provides restaurant-style dining, and it also lists diabetes diet and special dietary restrictions among its dining services.

caveat 8 reviews mention this

Smells and cleanliness issues recur

Cleanliness and odor complaints show up repeatedly across reviews.

Some reviews describe the facility as smelling bad and report dirty rooms or areas, including dust issues and dirty conditions around resident spaces. There are also accounts of soiled bedding not being changed promptly when families visited. Another review highlights food and kitchen areas as part of broader cleanliness concerns. At the same time, a smaller set of reviews describe the environment more positively, focusing on residents smiling and staff care.

common 13 reviews mention this

Staff attitude is widely split

Many reviewers describe staff as caring and attentive, even though other reviews report rudeness and difficult communication.

A number of reviews praise staff as kind, knowledgeable, and attentive, including quick check-in, meaningful interactions, and supportive help when families could not be there. Several comments also mention residents smiling and being well looked after, which families frame as bringing peace of mind. However, other reviews say they experienced rudeness, defensive behavior, and difficulty getting clear answers, including frustrations with phone communication and care updates.

caveat 11 reviews mention this

Communication problems frustrate families

Families report frequent communication barriers, including calls that go unanswered and inconsistent explanations.

Several reviews describe difficulty reaching staff by phone, transferring through multiple lines, or having to leave messages without a clear response. Other families mention inconsistent information about care situations or rules, creating confusion when they were trying to make decisions. Alongside these concerns, some reviewers do report positive interactions during check-in or while staff helped them navigate the building, suggesting the experience varies by situation.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Housing

  • 124 resident community capacity 124 resident community capacity

Types of Care

  • Skilled Nursing Facility Skilled Nursing Facility

Amenities

  • Air-conditioning Air-conditioning
  • Beauty salon Beauty salon
  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Computer center Computer center
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Fitness room Fitness room
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Gaming room Gaming room
  • Garden Garden
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Kitchenette Kitchenette
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Private bathrooms Private bathrooms
  • Restaurant-style dining Restaurant-style dining
  • Small library Small library
  • Telephone Telephone
  • Wellness center Wellness center
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

  • Spokane International (13 miles away) Spokane International (13 miles away)
  • Community operated transportation Community operated transportation
  • Transportation arrangement Transportation arrangement
  • Transportation arrangement (non-medical) Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
  • Transportation to doctors appointments Transportation to doctors appointments

Care Services

  • 12-16 hour nursing 12-16 hour nursing
  • 24-hour call system 24-hour call system
  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Mental wellness program Mental wellness program
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Dining

  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Activities

  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Concierge services Concierge services
  • Fitness programs Fitness programs
  • Planned day trips Planned day trips
  • Resident-run activities Resident-run activities
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities

Nearby Places of Interest

This part of Spokane, Washington, offers convenient access to transportation options such as the Pence-Cole Valley Transit Center and Mirabeau Park & Ride, making it easy for seniors to get around. There are plenty of dining options nearby, including fast food restaurants like McDonald's and Taco Bell, as well as sit-down establishments like Senor Froggy Mexican Foods and Denny's. Pharmacies such as Halpin's Pharmacy & Treasure Room and Rite Aid are close by for any medical needs. In terms of healthcare, there are several physician offices in the area, including Restylyne and Providence Physicians Services Co. The neighborhood also boasts several places of worship for spiritual fulfillment and nearby parks like Brown's Park and Mirabeau Park for outdoor recreation. Overall, this area offers a range of amenities that can cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment in Spokane.

Transportation

  • STA Pence-Cole Valley Transit Center (0.2 miles)
  • Mirabeau Park & Ride (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

  • McDonald's (0.3 miles)
  • Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
  • Senor Froggy Mexican Foods (0.3 miles)
  • Arby's (0.4 miles)
  • Denny's (1.1 miles)
  • Wendy's (1.9 miles)
  • McDonald's (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

  • Halpin's Pharmacy & Treasure Room (0.6 miles)
  • Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
  • Chas-Valley Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
  • Walgreens (1.1 miles)
  • Yoke's Fresh Markets (1.5 miles)
  • Welllife Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
  • Yoke's Fresh Markets (2 miles)

Cafes

  • Dutch Bros Coffee (0.9 miles)
  • Dutch Bros Coffee (1.1 miles)
  • Higher Ground Espresso (2 miles)
  • Fueled Coffee Company (2.4 miles)
  • Daily Habit (3.3 miles)
  • Starbucks (3.5 miles)
  • Whistle Stop Coffee Shop (3.7 miles)

Physicians

  • Restylyne (0.9 miles)
  • Spokane Oral Surgery (1.3 miles)
  • Providence Physicians Services Co. (1.3 miles)
  • Freedom Health Group (1.4 miles)
  • Aspen Sleep Centers (1.6 miles)
  • MultiCare Rockwood Clinic Digestive Health Center - Spokane Valley (1.6 miles)
  • MultiCare Rockwood Radiation Therapy and PET/CT Services (1.6 miles)

Places of Worship

  • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (1.7 miles)
  • Victory Faith Fellowship (1.8 miles)
  • Journey Church (4 miles)

Hospitals

  • Valley Hospital (1.8 miles)
  • Providence Holy Family Hospital (6 miles)
  • Spokane Kidney Center (6.6 miles)

Parks

  • Brown's Park (2 miles)
  • Mirabeau Park (2.8 miles)

Theaters

  • Regal Spokane Valley (2.9 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Gardens On University?

Nearby Communities

  • Home Is Where The Heart Is

    Home Is Where The Heart Is

    Spokane, WA

     
     

    pro Personalized care with 24-hour supervision, medication management, and diabetes-friendly dining.

  • Safari Adult Family Home

    Safari Adult Family Home

    Spokane Valley, WA

    1 from 1 review
    $4,000 / month

    pro Specialized memory care with high-acuity support and on-site amenities (private rooms, bath tubs, beautician, devotional services) plus on-site and off-site activities.

  • Noble Care Adult Family Home

    Noble Care Adult Family Home

    Spokane, WA

     
     

    pro Peaceful Spokane location with abundant nearby amenities and a welcoming staff.

  • Sunshine Terrace

    Sunshine Terrace

    Spokane, WA

     
     

    pro Memory-care specialty with 24/7 supervision and engaging activities.

  • Sunshine Health & Rehab

    Sunshine Health & Rehab

    Spokane, WA

    3.4 from 52 reviews
     

    pro Warm, welcoming environment with 24/7 care and comprehensive amenities.

  • Sherwood Forest AFH

    Sherwood Forest AFH

    Spokane Valley, WA

    3.4 from 10 reviews
    $2,205 to $3,595 / month

    pro Welcoming, woman-focused environment with attentive staff and good dining options.

  • Colonial Court

    Colonial Court

    Spokane, WA

    4.5 from 46 reviews
    $5,195 / month

    pro Caring, dedicated staff with personalized attention in a clean, home-like setting.

  • Orchard Crest Retirement Community

    Orchard Crest Retirement Community

    Spokane, WA

    3.4 from 48 reviews
    $1,850 to $3,170 / month

    pro Spacious, well-maintained apartments with friendly staff.

  • Broadway Court Estates

    Broadway Court Estates

    Spokane Valley, WA

    4.8 from 89 reviews
    $2,195 to $3,395 / month

    pro Friendly, caring staff with an active, social community and well-maintained facilities.

Skilled Nursing Facility in Nearby Cities

Related Resources

  • home care aideHome Health Care Aides: Understanding Their Role and Supporting Your Family

    Home health care aides provide vital medical and non-medical support to individuals at home, assisting with daily living activities and promoting emotional well-being, while the demand for these services increases due to an aging population. Families benefit from in-home care's flexibility and cost-effectiveness but face challenges like scheduling consistency and caregiver turnover.

  • uti in elderlyUrinary Tract Infections in Older Adults: Comprehensive Insights on Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

    Older adults with urinary tract infections (UTIs) often present atypical symptoms, complicating diagnosis due to factors like incomplete bladder emptying and chronic health conditions that increase their susceptibility. Effective management involves prompt treatment with antibiotics, hydration, and preventive strategies while minimizing antibiotic resistance and focusing on holistic care approaches.

  • 602 formCalifornia's Form 602A: An In-Depth Examination of Senior Care Assessment

    California's Form 602A is a vital tool for evaluating the health needs of seniors seeking residential care, detailing their medical conditions and daily living requirements to ensure proper service alignment. This standardized form enhances communication among physicians, families, and facilities, serving as a regulatory measure for admissions and ongoing care while adapting to changing healthcare practices.

Call a senior care advisor
By clicking submit, you agree to our Partner's Terms of Use. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from our Partner. Your consent is not a condition to using our Partner's service. Please visit our Partner's Privacy Policy for information about their privacy practices.