The Gardens of Riverside - Riverside, California

Jaclyn Morse

I am writing this review based on my personal experience with the Gardens of Riverside, where my mother lived for the last four years of her life. Initially, everything seemed fine, and my mother was happy and active. However, things took a turn for the worse after Gracie Garcia took over as Director. I noticed that some caregivers seemed unqualified to care for Alzheimer's patients.

In June 2024, I started noticing marks and bruises on my mother, but Gracie and Joanna refused to explain why, citing that I was not the power of attorney. Her power of attorney did not visit. My mother's cognitive state began to decline rapidly. I stopped receiving updates and photos of her activities, and during my weekly visits, I saw many residents, including my mother, left unattended in wheelchairs with no stimulation.

In August, my mother was left standing unattended and fell, hitting her head and causing a brain bleed. Despite my persistence, the facility delayed sending her to the hospital for five hours. Gracie claimed it wasn't an emergency because she didn't see a bump on my mother's head, demonstrating her lack of qualifications. My mother's doctors' notes indicated that she needed follow-up care, but both the facility and her power of attorney failed to provide it. My mother passed away two months after her fall, and her death certificate listed a subdural hematoma as the cause of death. If my mother had received proper care, she might still be alive today, as she was not in the final stages of Alzheimer's disease. I am sharing this review to warn other families about the Gardens of Riverside and the leadership of Gracie Garcia.

I've documented my observations of my mother through photographs from June to November. Although I was currently involved in a lawsuit with her power of attorney, her passing ultimately brought relief from my daily concerns about her well-being.

Teresa Martinez

This whole journey of putting my mother in a care facility has been extremely difficult but after so much thought and my own personal illness is the best for her and myself.
I do have to say that once I decided that that’s what needed to be done I took the drive and decided to visit the GARDENS IN RIVERSIDE !!! I showed un announce not without and appointment I was greeted by
GRACIE (executive director) with a huge smile on her face she told me lol let’s do this quick …… that was the beginning of my peace of mind.
To my surprise the facility was so nice super and I mean super clean patients clean staff on top of everything and everyone.
Seeing all the space and the little farm they had I told myself this is it ? I then knew that I had found mom her home and I knew in my heart that she would definitely be at home.
I can’t say enough of Gracie and her staff helping me getting all paperwork done pretty much they did everything making me focus more on myself and my own personal illness. I can stay here all day writing ✍️ beautiful things about The Gardens but you need to experience this yourself .
Thank you Gracie and staff for everything you have done for mom.
And this will be the begging of a new chapter for me and mom.
Teresa…….

Denise Brown

We moved my dad to The Gardens in February 2021, and it was the best decision for him and our family. Stephanie is amazing! All of the staff are positive and happy. The atmosphere is uplifting, the facility is always clean, and the courtyard landscaping is relaxing. My dad is always treated with love and respect. I sleep well every night knowing he is getting the best care available to him. Thank you so much!

samantha c

I visited this Nursing home and it is sad. I got to see behind the scenes before visiting hours and the clients are barely taken care of. They are so understaffed it is impossible for every client to be taken care of with care and respect. Please visit your loved one often if you plan on sending them here to make ensure that they are not at risk for isolation and being properly taken care of. The main problem with this facility is that they are understaffed. When a client complains about being wet, the staff responds with "I just changed you". Of course people who are not medically trained will not understand that clients with chronic gastrointestinal problems need to frequently be changed. While the clients do get 3 meals a day and scheduled snacks, they are refused food outside of scheduled meal times. They are hungry. They are eating the apples that grow on the trees in the patio throughout the day. The staff are not nurses or even nurse assistants, just caretakers. This business is money seeking, yet they cannot hire even one RN to be there 24/7. A nurse is just there when they legally have to be according to California Laws. Think twice about sending your loved one here.

Elise Rodriguez

My husband and I absolutely love this memory care facility and the employees that work here. Our grandmother was diagnosed with dementia in June of 2020, and became progressively worse. After MUCH consideration, we decided to place our grandmother into a care facility. After a tour of The Gardens facility (following CDC protocols for the pandemic of course), our decision was made. The Gardens is a tranquil, clean, well maintained facility with a beautiful courtyard and a miniature farm. The spacious rooms for the residents are clean and well maintained. We were able to get to know the staff, and Stephanie is a personable, loving, organized and highly detail-oriented person. We were so glad to meet her. She, Shannon, and her staff truly treat everyone, patients AND their families, like their own family. We were put at ease with transitioning our grandmother into the facility and received tons of support. Since she has been transitioned, our grandmother has made new friends with the other residents and is cared for the way we as her family would care for her. We also LOVE getting short videos, pictures, and updates of our grandmother; it helps us feel close to her! Thank you so much for your professional care, empathy, and support. We would highly recommend this facility to anyone looking for a memory care facility for their loved one.

Gabrielle Smith

We recently made the tough decision to move my mom into an assisted living facility with memory care. We were given a long list of possible places and immediately felt overwhelmed. Fortunately, with help we found The Gardens of Riverside. After researching and speaking with a handful of people at Kaiser, we felt we were on the right track. Still, it was a tough, stressful task....
How will she like the place, is it homey? We didn’t want a hospital feel, we want a loving and uplifting place that mom can call home.
When my mom checked in and got settled, she called us and told us she loved it there, and felt like she was on vacation. She loves her roommate. She’s making friends, and enjoying the freedoms that The Gardens offer. She’s already involved in some of the activities and was able to get her hair done which is a big deal for our mom. It’s only been a week and we’re feeling very confident that we made the best choice for mom. Stephanie has included us in moms first week with lots of photos and updates!
The Gardens is a blessing for us.

Heather Gonzales

The Gardens of Riverside was excellent. Our aunt had rapidly progressing alzheimer's. The staff at the Garden were kind, caring, compassionate and patient. The communication was always clear and open. Our aunt did transition to hospice while at the Gardens and the change was seemless. Our aunt stayed with the Gardens until her passing. She received excellent care during every step of her journey.

Kim Noble

My Dad was placed at Gardens in 2019 and has had excellent care. The rooms are a nice size and arranged well, the courtyard in wonderful. I really like the way this facility is laid out. The staff is caring, communicative and a huge help to me. They never make me feel bad for calling and asking questions. They were very helpful when COVID happened to keep us informed and involved. I love all of the staff and appreciate everything they do!