Belmont Village Albany

April 2024

Google

Joe Hertzberg

My loved one has been at Belmont Village for a year and a half, and I have visited frequently. Staff members are unfailingly and genuinely caring with the residents. They make a point of knowing everyone's names and preferences, sometimes including mine. Residents are friendly, and I have enjoyed hearing many of their stories. Rooms are very nice, and common spaces are light and clean. The food is just fine: plenty of variety and reasonably tasty.

April 2024

Google

Bernis Cortez

December 2022

Google

bk

We helped place my parents in Belmont Village when it first opened in Albany five years ago. They had been living in another well-reputed assisted living residence in Oakland for a couple of years, which was quite good. But when we learned that the Belmont Village organization was building a new, environmentally designed residence near us, we went to a meeting that was held to explain its philosophy of care; it was very compelling, and our experience there has born that out. When my parents moved in, they were in their 90s, and needing considerable care services. Throughout their time there, they had some serious health needs and challenges, and Belmont Village staff, from the directors to the direct caregivers, worked with us closely, to make everything work out. Ultimately, my father lived to be 101 years and 4 months old before he passed away, in his own bed, in their assisted living apartment, with me, my mother and my wife at his bedside. Over his last years my father's functioning declined in a number of ways, but Belmont Village staff worked with us to maintain his highest level of functioning in a flexible, collaborative way, which really worked out well for us.. Belmont Village worked with us and our hospice workers to ensure my father had a caring, compassionate end to his long life, and I have no doubt that he would not have had such a satisfactory end to his life story had he not been taken care of in Belmont Village. We remember fondly his 100th birthday celebration held in the dining room, with fellow residents and care-giving staff all there to share our joy with him. We were concerned about my mother's state of mind after she lost my father, after 73 years of marriage, but my wife and I held her close, she stayed in the same apartment, and kept dining with her fellow residents, being cared for by the same care-givers, kept going to the Brain Games sessions, the drumming circle and other activities, watching the opera broadcasts my father loved, attending the frequent live concerts, and a year and a half after losing my father, having just turned 96 herself, she is going strong, enjoying the food, the companionship and the entertainment. Belmont Village's philosophy of having residents remain as active as possible, coming to the Wellness Center for any medications they need, to the dining room for meals, and all the activities to keep them active and stimulated, has demonstrably preserved their best levels of functioning. Belmont Village has scrupulously rolled through the ups and downs of the Covid pandemic with flexibility and thorough care of residents and staff, so my parents have not been negatively impacted by it. I cannot recommend Belmont Village more highly; having my parents settle there has been one of the best life decisions our family has ever made. -Barry K.

November 2022

Google

Michael Montalvo

Loved the management here! The team really help with everything from the big “to-dos” to the small things with move ins and getting her residents what they want out of Belmont. Love the energy and the attention to detail! Thank you for making these efforts, they go a very long way!

November 2022

Google

Victoria Lambert

Beautiful facilities! My grandmother loves it here ! Really organized and so many activities! From day one we were so happy and satisfied with our experience for our grandmother ! So grateful for Belmont and the staff !

November 2022

Google

Scott Arnold

My mother-in-law and her sister have been living at Belmont Village for over a year now and it has been an absolute game changer for them. I can't say enough good things about Belmont. From day one, we have encountered nothing but warmth, kindness, compassion and professionalism from the entire staff. It's obvious that they like their jobs. Belmont provides a beautiful environment and wonderful food, and well- planned opportunities for social interactions, movement, learning and fun. From plenty of outdoor space to walk safely, eat and hang out, to a full-size movie theater, areas to garden, a gym and a library. There's also classes and activities every day. It is a dynamic place that is really supportive of the residents and their families, no easy feat in the midst of a pandemic. We are deeply grateful to everyone at Belmont who help make it a home! Laura Garcia and Scott Arnold

November 2022

Google

timma nkereuwem Properties

Belmont village is a beautiful place. It's impeccably well kept. So clean. Some of the staff are particularly nice and amazingly committed. But some can be terrible. Over all it's a good place!!!

February 2022

Google

Jonathan Westbrook

January 2022

Google

Laura Garcia

After doing lots of homework, my mother decided to make the move to Belmont Village and we now truly understand why it gets so many accolades. Thanks to the amazing and attentive staff, interesting activities, healthy and delicious Josephine’s Kitchen and supportive services she is thriving and making new connections in this next chapter of her life.

January 2022

Google

Valerie Braimah

The facility is beautiful and clean, and there is good food, and a good calendar of activities. Beyond that, I don't have much to say that is positive. My dad entered BV Albany a year ago, and his dementia was progressing rapidly (new milestones of memory loss almost monthly). They turned over the ED, heard of nursing, and reception staff within 60 days, such that no one was tracking dad's needs. He was given the wrong meds and allowed to miss meals. Their PALS are very kind, but poorly trained, and unreliable. Our family (we have people visiting 3-5 times per week), kept asking them to escort him to meals and activities, as he was losing a sense of time and missing things on his own. Many promised were made but there was virtually NO follow through. We asked that he be moved into the higher level of memory care (at our expense), and we were told he did not need it, but the reality was, they did not have the staff/space for it. By the time they made a space for him, it was too late for that level of care. After a very detailed email documenting all of the lapses in care, and a series of meetings, we finally got them to start monitoring and supporting him, but then it was too much, too fast, and not done in an effective manner for a confused person (For example, they would try to rush his showers because they were understaffed, and then complain that he was resisting showering). He got overwhelmed and starting seeking to exit (which is typical of dementia patients, especially when they are made to feel anxious). Instead of handling the behavior with support and care, BV threatened to kick him out if we did not pay for around the clock supplemental care ($800-$1000/day!!!). Had they been monitoring and tracking his needs all along, the increase in care could have been gradual and not felt threatening. They kept telling us they were short staffed, but for $12,000/month, we felt they should be able to problem solve and/or at least communicate with us and work with us on solutions. They were long on excuses, and short on follow-through. (Much longer) story short, I don't know what it's like for residents who DON'T have vigilant and involved family members, but I would not recommend this place for anyone other than a fully independent person with very mild dementia. I'm a mother of two, and it felt like having my toddler in a neglectful environment where I could never quite know if he was getting what he needed, or if the support was being provided in a manner appropriate to his needs.

November 2021

Google

Zach Sorgen

Positives: beautiful space, pretty good food, nice staff members, activities including concerts and excursions Negatives: lack of organization, lack of communication, lack of follow through, not really equipped to deal with individual's needs, extremely expensive and prices go up for various claims. When my dad first entered Bellmont, he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's and it seemed to be OK. But as his dementia progressed, there were times nobody came to remind him it was meal-time. Thursday was supposed to be laundry day but it rarely happened. They were not helping him to shower. The lack of hygiene and food can lead to health and emotional problems. Excursions often filled up quickly so signing up promptly became a family duty. I can only imagine how someone would handle there who didn't have children checking in a few times a week. Overall there are some very kind and fun staff members, but there are not enough of them! And the systems for organization are simply inadequate to help residents make sure their needs are met. I was hoping this could be his forever home, but as my dad's Alzheimer's progressed, the only way to ensure he didn't leave the building was to hire outside help 24/7 which increased the monthly payment to an impossible rate. Or to confine him to one small section of the building that doesn't have any of the nice amenities that we were originally attracted to. When we complained and asked the Pals to come get him for food and activities, they started showing up more with some success but didn't seem to have the patience or training to get him to always shower when needed. Overall might be an OK place for a year or two of assisted living but unfortunately not for the long haul of real care.

October 2020

Google

Rachel Kelly

This beautiful community has an amazing, professional staff, and it attracts intelligent and passionate residents. The amenities, including a bistro, gym, and movie theater, set this community apart, and the resident-driven activity programming is phenomenal.

October 2020

Google

Rita Charlesworth

Quiet, elegant with friendly residents and excellent food. Lots of interesting activity options.

September 2020

Google

Stanley Stevens M.Div.,Lmft

Wonderful facility. Great food, attentive staff, interesting fellow residents.

August 2020

Google

Lora Condon

The chef is very creative in preparing exceptional menu selections, especially for institutional food.The decor is sophisticated and well maintained.

August 2020

Google

Liza Worden

Beautiful, modern community. Fresh & appetizing meals. Dedicated and passionate team of employees and mangers. Resident driven programming that offers many opportunities for excursions, engaging speakers, live music and fabulous film selection!

August 2020

Google

Sun H

My mother has been staying at Belmont Village for over a year and so far weve had very positive experiences. The nurses, managers, pals, maintenance, and restaurant staff have all been very professional and kind. Joanna, Chef Marx, Rick, Eileen, Zack, Jackie, and Michelle have all helped my mother get situated and integrated into the community. My mother says shes happier there than shes been in the prior 10 years. When my mother broke her ankle, the nurses and pals really stepped up to help keep her safe. I am very grateful for the Belmont staff and facility. Both my mother and I sleep better at night because of them.

July 2020

Google

Såce Tveita

I have worked in many senior care facilities. Belmont Villages has the longest training and orientation process out of any job Ive ever had. Most facilities like this have an online training course that you can blow through in one day. Until be hired at Belmont- I had never been sat down, in a class setting, and taught about Dementia with role playing. I had never been given live tests with an instructor. I had never been taught customer service.The training that this facility puts new hires through is unheard of. They go far and beyond above the state regulated expectations. That is what makes living at Belmont Villages such a first class experience. They hold their staff to a much higher standard than the rest of the industry. You will not find a more well-groomed and compassionate team of people to care for your loved ones.

June 2020

Google

Rich Mccartney

A bustling senior center. As a senior I appreciate the cleanliness and activity. Facility is close to some shops and an eatery or two. Some City road construction is only a temporary hindrance. Residents interact with each other. Nice sized dining room.

June 2020

Google

Barbara Price

Very nice facility with friendly people in a convenient location. Not much green space though.

May 2020

Google

Diane Ichiyasu

To all the Belmont Albany Team members,Thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping us safe, fed, involved, and interactive in the community. Who knew Covidwould happen, but you have all risen to the occasion, and are helping us cope in many ways. Life has gone on as usual,with many changes, but after two years of being here, I realize it is a great place to be. Thank you all, Diane

May 2020

Google

Erin Mansfield

This is a warm & friendly home for many people. Well organized, clean, numerous & various activities. While moving our friend into the memory, the staff was extremely helpful & anticipated our needs before we even knew we had them. We should all be so lucky to transition into such a place.

March 2020

Google

Scottie Warren

Great place to our seniors and a great place to work

February 2020

Google

Bethany Hyatt

Friendly staff, feels like a fancy hotel

February 2020

Google

Miles Digby

Amazing place for memory loss!

January 2020

Google

Tsering Wangchuk

Wonderful place for work and live !

October 2019

Google

Gusty Maat

The facility is amazing.. staff was courteous and attentive.. can not say much more as I was simply there as a tourist to interview for a position that was available and not as a client nor customer, but my mother is in a position to be placed in a new home then her current care and I have been shopping around

August 2019

Google

S Thomson

I visited this place five times, twice for meals, and went through their admissions process. Each time I entered the huge entry room I felt depressed. It has a large piano with canned tinkling music emanating from its insides and fake flowers dotted around. I never saw more than one-three individuals sitting in the vast spaceThere was never a sense that there is any sort of spontaneous community there. I saw very few people going in or going out. Maybe there is a back door to a parking lot I missed.On reading their literature it seems one woman developed the three-tiered concept in another state from her Alzheimers father needing care. Thus, the independent living folks seem, to an outsider, to be pulled down into dependency by that original origin. That is, I originally thought it was a way for older adults to age in place and do everything they would do if they lived in their own homes, but feel secure in case they ever needed more care, but I then saw it as actually starting with the idea that they DO need more care. The managers, a nurse and a longtime former HR manager at a hotel (completely different skills from managing an independent community) seem to see the independent livers as needing their care from the start. For instance, they want to know if and what medicines the independent residents take so they can have someone monitor them. (Youd be surprised how many people forget to take their medicines.) There is a rule that a staff person goes into each apartment two (2!) times a day to collect the trash A resident I sat with at dinner suggested it was due to nosiness. Otherwise, such intrusiveness makes no sense. -- All the staff have keys to each apartment.The last two choices of apartments available were very small and have only a view of a wall or busy, unpretty San Pablo Ave.I was shown a large concrete patio (I was told there are more!) with sad small trees in places which I would never be drawn to sit in. I didnt see a garden for planting or enjoying outside, nothing to invite resident participation. No people were in this one and I bet people rarely if ever went there.I didnt see pets and doubt they are allowed.I didnt see a single child during each of my visits. Who is it who thinks that old people need to be only with other old people?They seem to think elders want to be pampered. The dining area (two meals a day are paid for) is built like a restaurant, with orders taken by waitresses. There is a long wait. The food was good enough the two times I ate there. My daughter came with me once and ordered salmon which turned out to be farmed. I didnt ask what percentage of the food is organically grown but I doubt it is high..One resident told me she could get brown rice if she asked for it. Real-life examples of food available for choosing was set out at the entryway to the dining area; I felt hurt at the waste that caused every single day.A friends husband with Alzheimers stayed there for a time. But she felt she had to go and feed him three times a day because he wasnt getting properly fed by the caretakers. She paid over $8000, month for his care felt patronized, by both the nurse and the former Human Resources manager.I missed an art room; the idea that residents create their own programming; spaces with nature to walk in and work in; and natural indoor design rather than a sense that decor is there to impress. Thr architecture is not designed for light and nature. There was no bustle and no sense of friendly, spontaneous community. Even the waitresses didnt say hello though I had interacted with them at lunch before. They didnt speak to the residents eitherThe managers exude a sense of knowing whats best for residents. I felt smaller having been there, shrunken, didnt see how I could take a deep breath and expand It is definitely designed for the last years and one could see the end. As a longtime former trauma and family psychotherapist and educator, I could imagine my last years cut in half if I moved in there. So I didnt.

August 2019

Google

J V

Nicest last years of life facility Ive seen. I was told its about $6000, mo. I know someone who pays about $7000.

July 2019

Google

Daniel Koolish

Good, I feel like they have very good care givers.

May 2019

Google

Christopher Hopper

Really great environment and staff. My mother is very happy here.

March 2019

Google

Jack Mark

Beautiful design, very uplifting, large windows throughout the facility, plenty of natural light. They have their own gym, physical therapy center and espresso bar in the bistro. Everyone seemed genuine and happy.

March 2019

Google

Carmela Altamirano

Its a very nice spacious place , clean, and people ready to help as you walk in plenty of activities through out the day and weekend too.

March 2019

Google

Lily Ortiz

Nice for senior living, parking structure, ♿ parking and ♿ accessibility entrance. Clean, has a Bistro, full dining room with chef and different choices for meals daily, several activities for residents, cleaning staff for residents rooms, ♿ restrooms for visitors and staff very clean. They do have a wellness center for medication and well checks. Only thing is they are under staff for building and number of residents. Very pricey.

September 2018

Google

Joe Delaney

Belmont Village has been really great for my mother. She is meetinh a lot of new friends, doing many activities and seems to be very happy T Belmont.

July 2018

Google

Iam Poopoo

This place is amazing. Swing by and see for yourself. Well done Belmont!