Atria Willow Glen

My experience with Atria was very positive.
My Mom lived at Atria for 5 years and enjoyed the residents, staff and all the activities. She was especially fond of the writing class. The class had two books published and a third one is due out in November.
The meals are creative and delicious. The dining room servers are polite and always accommodating. As guests, our family was always welcomed by everyone and treated very well. The entire dining room staff is amazing and efficient. Tony was especially kind to my Mom and our family. We will always be grateful for Tony’s kindness and for the kindness of the entire dining staff.
We enjoyed many meals with my Mom. Monthly birthday celebrations were amazingly special with filet mignon, lamb, and many other birthday specialties featured each month.
On Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, there were elaborate barbecues, complete with live entertainment. Families are always welcome to join in the festivities at Atria.
All things considered, I think Atria is reasonably priced. Not only are meals
included, but weekly laundry, weekly housekeeping, shopping trips, outings to museums, sight-​seeing trips, grocery and pharmacy trips, along with a myriad of daily activities that includes bingo, various games, current events, crafts, and exercise classes, are all included with the monthly rent.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the Ambassador program and to be an active part of the Atria community.
My Mom made a lot of friends at Atria and it was always a joy visiting with the residents and the Atria staff.
I am especially grateful to Anjelica, Felicia, and Kurt for helping our family during a very difficult time when our Mom needed more care. The Atria staff was instrumental in helping find the right place when my family and I were in desperate need of help. Everyone on staff at Atria was wonderful during a difficult time. Victoria, Alex, and Julia were especially kind and receptionists, Sierra, Genevieve, and everyone on the front desk were always willing to help and very friendly.
During the past 5 years, the housekeeping department, Ilda and Maria were always there to help when needed. The maintenance crew hung pictures and helped when things broke and needed repair or replaced. The kitchen staff and wait people — all respectful to my Mom and to me!
Overall the past 5 years at Atria was a very positive experience for my Mom and for our family. Thanks to everyone at Atria.

Hello Reviewers!
I have been to Atria Willow Glen several times and have been very impressed. The grounds are clean, lush, spacious and located in a great part of town. It has excellent curb appeal and street noise is not a problem. Although, the staff is really the highlight… knowledgeable on geriatric care, accommodating and readily available. True professionals, who love their work. I would recommend my own grandparents to this outstanding senior community. I have toured many similar communities, and Atria Willow Glen, is hands down my favorite.

This place is a highly recommended senior community. The people running the place are all top-​notch individuals who possess a vast experience in healthcare. From the Executive Director– Kurt Gursu, to his other Directors– Jett Cabuena & Antoine Rabbat who are always there to lend a hand.
You can never go wrong with the amenities of the place, a heated pool, dining facilities, community activities & outing, koi pond, walk path. This is such lovely, friendly and truly wonderful place for seniors.

Atria Willow Glen is set on beautiful grounds. The care staff is compassionate and many of them have been at Atria for years. The management team strives for excellence and have created a vibrant community where the residents enjoy living.

This place is so gorgeous! I came by to help my uncle move in, and at first I was a little skeptical when my aunt said my uncle was coming here. BUT THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! There’s a pool, a koi pond, a bus to take them out for activities and they have 5 star dinning! Seriously?!! I wanna live here! And they have nurses on staff, that was pretty cool everyone’s really nice! If you come in ask for Jett, he’s so helpful and nice and you could tell he really cares about the residents. So far a great experience for my uncle which I’m truly happy about.

I’m familiar with the independent living side of the Atria as I had a relative living here for several years (and who would have considered moving into the assisted living side when it recently became necessary had there not been a several months waiting period as our family has been pleased with the responsiveness of the Atria management). Unlike some of the other reviewers, our family’s experience has been that the staff have been professional, courteous, and caring. When I would visit my aunt, at least once or twice a month, the front desk staff checked in on who I was (to ensure the safety of the residents and that I legitimately should be on-​site), the wait-​staff in the dining hall conversed pleasantly with the residents and guests and the activities director took the time to have a conversation with me and show me around the building even though my aunt didn’t usually participate in the many and diverse activities that are planned and offered for residents since she preferred informal chats with her neighbors over meals, reading by the ponds and pool and relaxing in her own apartment. Even after a small fire in the main building last year, the staff took extra effort to communicate with the residents, ensure everyone’s safety and make arrangements for care and continuity in the short period while they restored things. I also saw staff responsive to my aunt when she needed assistance getting up after a fall and calling to check in on her when she’d forgotten to let staff know she’d not be attending a meal as she was at a family gathering off-​site.
Truthfully, as someone who lives in the bay area and is aware of the high cost of «regular» apartments without any food and activities much less weekly housekeeping and sheet cleaning plus free access to laundry for your clothes, the spacious studio apartment with kitchenette and bathroom and patio were spacious and a bargain. Without three meals a day and a van and driver to go to the store and on outings, I’m paying almost as much for a one bedroom in the same city without the services. Any individual staff member anywhere might not be responsive on a given day or instance, but as for me and my experience of the Atria over the past several years, I’ve felt that it was well maintained and a place I’d feel comfortable encouraging others to check out.

My aunt had the pleasure of living at the Atria in Willow Glen for several years. When I first toured this place I thought WOW I wouldn’t mind living there. It has a lush tropical feel with well maintained garden walkways and nicely furnished outdoor pool area. They have a very homey vibe going. The wide range of amenities was also a nice surprise. Meals are served in a nice dining hall with lots of choices to select from. There’s also a great self serve snack bar.
Every staff member our family interacted with was helpful. My aunt loved living here and we felt very fortunate that my aunt got was able to enjoy such a lovely place while still mobile.

My mother changed her residence here about 6 months ago. We have had several interactions with the staff and front desk. On the night before her death, she asked for some ice cream from the cafeteria, who were still serving the residents. They refused. This is a classic example of why I will never recommend this facility to any elderly person. They are, as a whole, uninterested, not empathic, and very indifferent to the care and needs of their residents, especially those who require more TLC. They didn’t blink an eye when we informed them our mother had died, just asking us when we could expect to get her things out of her unit. Wow. Please look elsewhere if you are seeking a caring, responsive facility for your parent.

Worst customer service. I’m a home health nurse and I’ve been to many places but this place is ridiculous. And for me to have to write this review could only mean that it didn’t have once or twice… but many times.
1)I’m waiting at the reception area for assistance and I stand there looking stupid because the staff LOOKS as if they Are busy. I asked some questions and they give me a side way look as if why it would be at the front desk instead of the resident’s building. Totally useless and disappointing.
2)Then I go to the resident’s building, one of the regular staff greets me with an attitude like I’m interrupting something.
3) my second visit to this place, the staff in the same building doesn’t even know their own residents and insisted that the resident was in this area, which the resident was not.
Very frustrating and UNPROFESSIONAL.
The only upside is the building director guy, very friendly and welcoming.

My mother’s been at Atria since July and LOVES it… she swims an hour every day in the heated pool, enjoys the koi pond, and she loves the open menu dining from 7AM to 7PM every day. She orders a steak every week and they will even make her a milkshake! Atria WG published a book of residents’ short stories and a book of residents’ artwork. Everyone I’ve met is happy with the facilities and activities. No one here is bored or «warehoused» It is a real community.

I toured Atria and decided to apply my mother in their memory care section. I was told that their assessor would see my mother at our home to decide if she would be suitable for their facility. Antoine met with my mom at our home and reported to me and my father that she would be accepted. He said that, because of her depression and hostility towards my dad, he gave her a «50−50» of acclimating to Atria successfully. I then asked again if she was officially accepted. He looked me in the eye and said ‘yes’. Three days later, we were told she would not be accepted and was not suitable. I spoke with Antoine and asked about his saying she was accepted and the 50 – 50 remark. He changed the story to the main directors a 50 – 50 chance of accepting her. I cannot tell you the problems this caused for me and my family. We were in desperate need of care for my mother and had relied on this place. After they pulled back, we luckily found a much better solution at Vintages Silver Creek. I’m thankful for that-​but being lied to in this situation was unforgivable. Also, Vintage accepted my mom into the ASSISTED CARE section-​not the Memory unit. That, alone, speaks for itself. We saved thousands and she is much happier in a private room. The so called assessment by Atria speaks for itself. They couldn’t see admitting her to a memory unit yet another place admits her into assisted care with good results. Proceed with caution.

Wow, this place is THE BEST! I’ve been living here for two years bow and it is PERFECT for my needs. I live in the assisted living building. The staff is lovingly caring, very professional. The food is very good and I look forward to each meal both for the great food and the friendliness of the other wonderful residents. We are all like family and we support each other «through thick and thin.» Management is always willing to work with the residents to resolve any issues that arise. I have nothing to say that might be considered negative. I LOVE my home here at Atria Willow Glen. I am blessed to be here.
Carol E. Y.

My 91-​yr old Mom was in an independent living apartment for several years until this month when her health declined and she had to move elsewhere to receive the level of care she needs. Here are my observations:
1. Mom was able to stay independent for as long as she did entirely due to a caring staff that went beyond the call of duty to help her out, even when she didn’t ask for help.
2. The public areas were always clean, warm and inviting. The landscaping between the garden-​apartment buildings was always immaculate. Love the koi pond, the swimming pool, the fruit and flowering trees.
3. There were at least 8 activities to choose from each day. There were many musical activities, which Mom loved. But there were also weekly sightseeing trips, shopping trips, group walks, current events, exercising, and so forth.
4. There was a large number of very friendly residents. Mom found some favorites and it always brightened her day to sit with them at lunch or dinner.
5. When Mom wasn’t quite herself, the Atria staff took it upon themselves to call us and let us know. Good thing. Mom had undiagnosed pneumonia which greatly weakened her. Their proactive action allowed Mom to get the treatment she needed.
6. We often joined Mom for holiday meals. I can honestly say they were excellent and there was a good variety. Even if you don’t like the daily specials, there’s a good sized list of items that are available every day. And the wait staff came to know her preferences, how she liked her meals cooked, and they took pains to please her.
7. When we were moving Mom’s furnishings out, we stopped in to talk with Kurt Gursu, the Executive Director. Here’s a guy who used to seek my mother out, ask her how things were. When she complained about this minor thing or that, he actually looked into the matter and got back to her, occasionally making changes for the betterment of the community.
On occasion, Kurt sat down to lunch with Mom. He made her feel very special. He generously gave us recommendations for care providers even after Mom was no longer a resident. He didn’t have to do it. He willingly offered the information.
8. I spoke with Angelica today, the smiling person at the front desk. She asked with sincerity how Mom was feeling and told me how she missed Mom. This is no act. She intends to visit Mom on her own day off. Who does that?
9. This is a caring, devoted staff. That is what matters the most at a community like Atria.
Atria staff, we are grateful for all you have done for Mom. You made life enjoyable for her and showed her kindness. Thanks to all!

Grounds are very nice, and staff keep seniors busy from morning til night!

Our mother has been living at the Atria & we couldn’t be happier. Everyone has been incredibly warm and helpful, the food service is delicious, there are many interesting activities, families are absolutely welcome, the manager, Kurt has done an excellent job to make residents & their families feel heard, Tamberly is warm and lends a sympathetic ear/​sage advice for resident sadness and issues, management expectations for the entire staff are high and fulfilled or the person is asked to leave. This is a place I would consider living at that point in my life.

Horrible. This isn’t sour grapes as someone who used to work there, this is information from someone who knows the place from the inside and saw (and left because of) what the staff tries desperately to hide. Poorly run, promises made aren’t kept, understaffed, no RN onsite, and a director who doesn’t know the word integrity and who can’t keep anyone good there. Anyone good leaves because they can’t live with what they see going on (very substandard care). The only good thing there is their great chef. Otherwise, RUN, do not walk, from this place. Atria’s across the country have poor reputations (my own dad was in one that almost killed him from neglect).

Moved my dad there after he lived for 8 yrs. at a senior residence in Redwood City. Atria has been great. Food is good. Staff is caring. Facilities are well kept. Lots of activities. We could not be happier. Now moving to assisted living and they have been incredibly helpful

Attria Willow Glenn has a section for dementia patients that is well run and caring.
Our dad, after having been abused at «The Mansion» in Santa Cruise, found a good home here where the people are caring and often went out of their way to make him comfortable. We look around for a long time to find such a facility. Avoid the Mansion at all costs.