AlmaVia of San Rafael

September 2025

Google

Jennifer Mattox

Two months ago, we made the incredibly difficult decision to move my father into AlmaVia of San Rafael. It became clear that we could no longer give him the level of care he needed at home, and while that realization was painful, the moment we walked through AlmaVia’s doors, we felt embraced. Amber gave us a tour that was more than just a walk-through; she offered us reassurance, understanding, and guidance when we were overwhelmed. From that day forward, we knew we weren't alone. Mazie and Esther, the unit managers, have been nothing short of amazing. They’re always available, deeply knowledgeable, and so kind. Their warmth made what could have been a heartbreaking transition feel like a path toward hope. The entire staff is extraordinary. April and Marlon...thank you. You care for our loved one as if he were your own family, and that means everything. Shanae and Dee, the nurses we’ve come to rely on, speak with us often, sometimes daily. Their experience and genuine care shine through in every interaction. My dad’s dementia is particularly challenging, but I truly feel like this team was meant to walk this journey with us. Knowing he’s surrounded by people who not only understand his medical needs but also see the person he still is and that is a gift beyond words. The food is excellent, the facilities are beautiful, and every concern we’ve ever had has been met with professionalism and compassion. And sometimes, what you need most is just a hug and no one gives better ones than Mazie and Amber. Realizing your loved one needs more help than you can give is one of the hardest things a family can face. But AlmaVia of San Rafael made that moment softer, kinder, and filled it with love. They didn’t just take my dad in...they took all of us in.

July 2025

Google

Gina Catena

My 90+ year old mother moved into Alma Via. Thanks to Alma Via's exceptional staff and programs, my mother quickly adapted. It did not take long for my mother to express how she felt like family with staff and other residents, that she does not feel institutionalized. Staff pays attention to details and to visiting family members, always greeting me when I visit and offering updates about my mother's latest news. Now that my mother passed away, I will miss my regular interactions with AlmaVia's loving community.

June 2025

Google

Serge Chemla

In 2020/2021 in anticipation of my wife’s deteriorating health, we visited several Assisted Living Facilities. All of them provided us with a well-trained sales person and with one exception, the facilities offered the most up to date amenities. By early 2022, as COVID was still very aggressive, and my wife’s health deteriorated to the point that I could no longer assume her care, we visited ALMA VIA of San Rafael. We were warmly welcomed and, at no time, did we feel any sales pressure; as we moved from the conference room to the elevator, we passed-by- an office with its door open.the sale salesperson stopped and asked the lady in this office if she would want to meet a couple looking for an assisted facility.this person was Angie Boucher-Turin , the Executive Director, who came over, greeted us, and softly inquired on the reason(s) we are considering joining an Assisted Living Facility.She then encouraged us to continue our visit with our guide emphasizing that she will be available should we wish to explore further some aspects with her As we moved through the facility, every time a staff person walked by us, he/she greeted us and smiled; We selected a 2 bedrooms 2 bath unit and we moved back to the conference room where we finalized the paper work. We lived in Alma Via of San Rafael for 3 years; I assert that the CARE personnel were professionally smooth, caring and very attentive to Gabrielle. Separately, the rest of the personnel: the various managers, the administrative staff, the dining room personnel, the maintenance staff, were at all time courteous, warm, attentive and patient. I attribute these positive characteristics directly to Angie BOUCHER-TURIN who demonstrates a patient and warm approach to every resident while executing her function(s) with the staff in the same manner a cruise ship captain doesQuite a balancing act!!! And in my book, ANGIE is doing it EVERYDAY.

June 2025

Google

Kathryn Chipman

My mother has been a resident at Alma Via for 3 years after having lived at a different assisted living facility for a number of years. I have another family member who has lived at 2 other facilities in the area so I feel confident in saying that Alma Via shines above the others. My mother is happy, has friends, and is well cared for. The staff are exceptional! Every time I visit I see residents being social, laughing, and engaged. I highly recommend Alma Via to anyone who is considering independent, assisted living, or memory care for their family member.

June 2025

Google

Mary Vetromile

I moved to Alma Via of San Rafael when Nazareth house closed some years ago. Although we were all sad to leave our other community, I have experienced this to be a very welcoming & accommodating community. This has been a very friendly and easy place to adjust to with many friends on every floor. So I have enjoyed living here and I thought it important to say it to others so they know.

June 2025

Google

Michael Braude

Ive had an excellent experience at Alma Via. The food is really good, the exercises classes and movies are well done. The biggest surprise is the cameraderie and community I have found. Very good friends that care for each other. The staff really cares and has been remarkably stable. I unreservably recommend Alma Via as an assisted living facility.

June 2025

Google

Jeanne Robertson

My mother has been a resident at Alma Via San Rafael for the past 3 years. The staff has done a good job caring for her and responding to our concerns. She started in Assisted Living there and moved into Memory Care earlier this year. She has responded well to the structured routines, the daily enrichment programs, and the chance to interact with other residents. We’ve appreciated the regular contact we’ve had with the staff and their willingness to hear and respond to our concerns.

May 2025

Google

Elizabeth Koch

My family is so thankful for the wonderful staff at Alma Via, especially Amber who went out of her way to make us feel comfortable and confident in the admission process. Moving a loved one into new surroundings can be an emotionally difficult situation. Amber was so patient with us. She has always been available (even on her days off) to meet with us and to make my mom feel welcome and seen. The people in the community have also been so kind and welcoming to my mom into her new home. Even though my mom has her own apartment and is able to come and go as she pleases, it is nice to have a sense of security that if she needed assistance Alma Via staff is available.

April 2025

Google

Lamonte Brown

The facility was great and Travise Smith was even better. Professional, friendly, informative and empathetic.

March 2025

Google

meagan may

February 2025

Google

Annette Huddle

My mother entered Alma Via's assisted living in July '19 and moved to memory care in May '20 where she lived until her passing this year. I spent a lot of time researching and visiting potential homes for her and settled on Alma Via because it seemed to show the greatest focus on the well being of the whole person. Our experience has borne that out. My mother was at Alma Via during the most difficult time ever for facilities such as this, but the staff and management worked endlessly to provide a safe, comfortable, meaningful life for those in its care. It wasn't easy, it wasn't perfect, but I never doubted that their number one concern was the well being of their residents, followed closely by the well being of their staff. I was initially resistant to moving my mom to Bridgehaven, the memory care unit, but I soon realized that the staff was absolutely right in making that recommendation at that time. The small community feel there allowed my mom to develop routines and friendships, supported by the caring staff. Caregivers got to know her as a person and tended her needs with kindness, respect, and humor. She was always clean and well-groomed and enjoyed meals that sometimes made me envious. I can't say enough about the caregivers and med-techs, several of whom who cared for her for years, who always greeted me with smiles, stories and updates when I stopped by for my weekly visits. The life enrichment team worked hard to come up with activities and events to engage residents in a variety of ways, and the nursing staff was outstanding. When issues occasionally came up, as is to be expected, management was responsive and worked with me to find solutions. I am so grateful to have found Alma Via which allowed my mother to live her last years with comfort, security and dignity.

December 2024

Google

David N

In the past week, I took my 86 year old mom to visit three assisted living communities. At Alma Via we spoke with Amber, who sat with us and gave us a tour. Of the three facilities & tours we did, Amber was by far the most warm, caring, prepared, and respectful of my mom. Other places simply made us feel like potential clients. Amber made my mom feel seen and cared for. She looked at my mom, she asked her questions about her needs and goals. She listened to her. She didn't assume my mom couldn't speak for herself. At other communities I had directors almost never look at or speak with her directly. Whatever their experiences with the elderly, the assumption that a senior can't speak for themselves is a bad sign. Amber treated my mom with dignity, and she set the tone for the whole visit. At Alma, we had two residents stop us on our tour to ask my mom questions and tell her how great it was there and that they wanted her to move there. At some moment we passed by the director's office. She came out and greeted us as well. She was super friendly. It's the only place where we felt a sense of community. It's where I would want my mom to be if she were ready. In the end, we decided that my mom might be too active and independent for a facility like the three we visited. But it was a great learning experience, and we'll revisit Alma Via again when/if the time comes.

November 2024

Google

Tenesa Vuillemenot

Every time I visit Alma Via with a client I am struck by what a warm and inviting atmosphere they've created. Staff are friendly and attentive to guests and residents alike and residents are engaging and happy to be there.

November 2023

Anonymous

April 2023

Google

Christine

I am writing this review of Alma Via of San Rafael because my mother will have been living there for six years as of September 2023 and I feel that it’s important to give credit to the staff and institution when due, and comment on unsavory changes should they arise, to accurately inform potential consumers. Choosing an assisted living community is one of the most important decisions a family can make for an elderly family member who can no longer fully care for themselves. It’s an enormous financial and emotional decision which is often rife with stress and confusion. I performed extensive research into various Bay Area facilities”specifically Marin”which resulted in our choosing Alma Via of San Rafael. To date, I have been comfortable with our decision. Since our relationship with Alma Via has been lengthy, and hopefully that this will be our mother’s final home, I will try to update my commentary annually. Having just emerged from the unprecedented Covid years, I was primarily impressed with Alma Via’s response, and felt comfortable throughout that my mother was safe in their care. Because of rigorous mask-wearing mandates and strict adherence to both the Department of Social Services Health and Safety regulations and County of Marin mandates, Alma Via experienced remarkably few Covid cases. Staffing quality of care has been outstanding. All employees”from dining room chef, food servers, van driver, medical technicians, nurses, front desk personnel, event coordinator, bookkeeper, to the executive director”appear to be working in unison to create a warm, homelike environment for residents. The environment exudes a palpable sense of comradery, good humor, kindness, tolerance, and hope. The facility is spotlessly clean and furnished in a manner that encourages community gatherings. Soft music circulating throughout the lobby is pleasant and calming. Cozy fireplaces in winter and tasteful decorations at each holiday add to the homelike quality. Food choices and dining room procedures have improved significantly since Ignacio’s arrival. He is a Paris-trained chef who and is friendly, approachable, highly skilled in his craft, and specializes in creating Belgian desserts. He communicates weekly with residents about their dietary restrictions and ensures that each has access to enjoyable and highly nutritious food. Lastly, the arrival of Executive Director Angela Boucher Turin has had a very positive impact on the community. She is an effective leader and clearly cares a great deal for residents and staff. She promptly responds to email and telephone communications and can be relied upon to make sound and compassionate decisions about the myriad daily issues. I live nearby and am quite involved with the Alma Via community. Even if this was not so, in my absence I would be comfortable continuing my mother’s residency. Of course, businesses, staffing, market conditions, and individual needs change, which results in rethinking choices about choosing a residential care facility for the elderly community. For the foreseeable future, we are pleased to choose Alma Via of San Rafael as our mother’s home.

January 2023

Google

Ross Tyrrell

Angie the Director is just purely a phenomenal spectacle, and Really knows her staff, her residents, and everything else there is to

March 2021

Google

John Finnegan

December 2020

Anonymous

August 2019

Google

Delia Donlon-DeMarini

They were very kind and attentive to my mom. Only suggestion is you should give your residents more dignity by allowing them far more meal choices and for God’s sake, let them sleep in, in the morning. They have earned that dignity. Thank you for taking good care of my mom. She lived a very long and wonderful life.

May 2017

Google

Lee Schwartz

June 2016

Google

Dave Reed

As far as senior living goes this place seems well on par with the latest standards of cleanliness and friendly staff. The food in the restaurant is yummy as well.

March 2016

Google

Greg Freed