Almavia of San Rafael

Reviews and listings

What families and listing sites say.

Reviews

• Google5/5

  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.

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  Sep 9, 2025

• Google5/5

  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.

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  Jul 13, 2025

• Google5/5

  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.

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  Jun 16, 2025

• Google5/5

  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.

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  Jun 15, 2025

• Google4/5

  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.

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  Jun 9, 2025

• Google5/5

  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.

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  May 17, 2025

• Google5/5

  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.

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  Feb 27, 2025

• Google5/5

  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.

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  Dec 19, 2024

• CareScout5/5

  I've lived at ALMAV, San Rafael for the past three years and have been extremely pleased with this home away from home. The administrative staff with its supportive group of assistants, leaves very little to be desired. Maintenance, activities, health care, spiritual and culinary perform far more than expected. As a resident in independent living, I can vouch from experience that there is very little, if anything, that's not professionally addressed. As with any living condition, everything is not always perfect, but I'm "One Happy Camper" living here at ALMAV. .

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  Jul 31, 2024

• Caring.com5/5

  We brought our mother to Almavia San Rafael in 2019 to be near her children and grandchildren in Marin and to provide the assistance she needed. She enjoyed Almavia’s offerings – daily yoga, arts and crafts activities, poetry sessions, rosary gatherings, and especially mass. My mother had Alzheimer’s and in 2021 her cognitive decline made her unable to navigate life in Almavia. The experienced staff and leadership at Almavia recommended we move her to the memory care side, Bridgehaven. This was a hard truth for my siblings and me to accept. Our mother was alert and aware of what was going on, able to interact with us, and feared being confined to the dementia ward. We were advised that the move would reduce stress and help her to function better. It did! It was a tough transition, but the support and love she felt from the Bridgehaven Care Team made it work. Mom was beautifully dressed every day and her hair was coiffed. Everyone called her by name and knew her well. She participated in games, loved the sing-along sessions, and proudly showed us her artwork. Bridgehaven’s small group setting is inclusive; everyone sits together in a circle in the living area and at meals. The residents know each other, without the pressure of making friends or the risk of being excluded. Mom was proud of her capabilities again and saw herself as a leader, a role that she enjoyed her whole life. My brothers and sisters and I visited daily and always came away with gratitude and admiration for the Bridgehaven Team. They are a well-synchronized and attentive group, answering everyone’s needs and creating a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. They kept me informed of Mom’s care, her needs, and her successes. I will never forget the lavish tea party they threw for the residents. It was over the top, just as our mother would have done it. They kept a careful eye on her health and well-being. Mom had real relationships with the whole staff and appreciated their attention. When you look in on Bridgehaven you may not see the diverse personalities and individual contributions of the residents sitting quietly in their chairs. But the Bridgehaven Team sees it and works tirelessly to give each person attention and respect. They keep them engaged in life. We are so grateful for the care that Almavia provided our mother.

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  Meg M. · Family member

  May 3, 2023

• CareScout5/5

  We are seriously considering this community for our father (who is currently out of state). It's located close to the Terra Linda mall which is convenient for us. They have a reputable staff and the property was well maintained when we toured. Looks like a good option if our dad is willing to move back to the area.

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  Jan 3, 2023

• CareScout5/5

  AlmaVia San Rafael is a great option for assisted living needs in San Rafael. The facility is operated by a local company that also has a place in San Francisco.

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  Nov 15, 2022

• Caring.com3/5

  AlmaVia of San Rafael was a larger facility and looked like it had more activities to offer. They had libraries and transportation, but I got the impression from the person who showed me around that they wanted long-term residents. So, it's not a fit for me as we were hopefully having my husband to stay there just for 3-6 months. She also said they only have one-bedrooms and when she showed it to me, it had old carpeting. It was stained and had a gray color in it.

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  Visitor

  Nov 11, 2022

• A Place for Mom5/5

  My mom wishes she had moved in 3 years earlier

  We chose AlmaVia for its excellent care. All staff are wonderful and helpful.

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  Deanne W. · Family member

  May 31, 2022

  Verified
• A Place for Mom4.5/5

  Memory care facility with a great community

  I chose this community because it was recommended that my mother needed memory care. The care was very giving, but we were asked to hire overnight caregivers because she would get up night,which was an additional cost for us. The people were great, the care was great, and it was a very small community . The activities were good and as a family member I was able to visit everyday whenever I wanted to. The communication was easy. I was able to access the director whenever I needed to.

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  Anne R. · Family member

  Jul 23, 2020

  Verified
• A Place for Mom5/5

  Good place for assisted living

  My parents are very happy and this place fits all their needs!

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  Family member

  Jul 11, 2019

• A Place for Mom5/5

  Parents living in Alma Via

  Great facility that is meeting all my parents needs! Great for memory care. The staff is very friendly and helpful to get them adjusted

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  Katy M. · Family member

  Jun 18, 2019

• Caring.com5/5

  I had a good experience at AlmaVia of San Rafael. The people I spoke to were very helpful. My mom moved two months ago, and it's excellent and fabulous. The atmosphere is very positive and it has a friendly and warm environment. They offer all kinds of memory care activities, and they also can take her to assisted living and she can choose to participate in the assisted living activities, too. She has people checking on her all the time, meals, snacks, and anything she needs. There's a beauty parlor and a doctor on site. It's complete. The food also looks very good.

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  Family member

  Mar 20, 2019

• Caring.com5/5

  AlmaVia of San Rafael was very nice. There were lots of residents about, so it seemed very social. The facilities were very well kept and up-to-date. The residents were very happy. The staff was very competent and nice. The grounds were very well kept, and it's convenient in its proximity to a lot of things. They have the typical activities like movie nights. They have transportation. It was very clean and looked well maintained. There were no stains anywhere.

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  Visitor

  Jan 2, 2019

• Caring.com5/5

  AlmaVia of San Rafael was a lovely and very cheerful place. The people were very kind and accommodating. The apartment, while compact, was very well appointed. Everything looked perfect and we liked it very much. We saw residents sitting in the lobby reading papers, some were doing puzzles, and they were actively engaged. The staff was excellent.

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  Daphne N. · Visitor

  Dec 6, 2017