The Terraces at Park Marino — Local services in Altadena

My mother has now been a resident at 3 different Assisted Living Facilities (one in Indiana and two here in California) and it is hard for us to imagine her having a better experience, for any amount of money, than the one she is having living at the Terraces at Park Marino. To say that the staff is dedicated is an understatement. Unlike the other ALFs, the staff turnover rate is extremely low; I think that speaks highly about the management of TaPM.

The other thing that sets them apart is the high staff to resident ratio. At her last ALF, eventually they went down to only ONE CAREGIVER in the building from 11pm-6 am; it was scary! A call for assistance is responded to much more quickly at TaPM than it was at her previous facility; that gives us a lot of peace of mind.

The food is also the best by far. Far from seeming “institutional,” the food is delicious and there is a lot of variety. There is often shrimp and asparagus on the menu; and their soups are out of this world!

Last but by no means least, Sam Baum, the Director of The Terraces, is the most personable, loving, patient man you could ever ask for to occupy his position. His sincere and genuine caring for your loved one cannot be faked and it makes my mom feel seen, listened to and cared for; Sam is directly contributing to my mother’s quality of life and for that I will be forever grateful.

I am SO HAPPY that we found TaPM; I would recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone who is in the market for a diverse, stimulating, caring facility to someone who needs extra care. The physical setting is beautiful as well; it’s tucked away from the busy street and has amazing views of the foothills. I could literally go on and on but I’ll stop because I’m sure everyone reading this has things to do! Suffice it to say that you or your loved one would be very fortunate indeed to become a resident at the Terraces at Park Marino; my mother is hoping never to have to live...

When I was looking for an assisted living facility it was a task I approached with dread. I love my mother but the reality of costs of assisted living were also on my mind. I needed to find a place we could afford but it also needed a great place for my mother to live as well. When I first walked into the Terraces I received a big hello from a wonderful woman named LaShawna. Although she told me I would need to speak with Sam Baum (more about him later) to get the information I would need on pricing and amenities, she and I spoke for more than ten very enjoyable minutes. As I left I told LaShawna that "my mother is gonna love you and that you will love her too". Even though I continued to investigate other facilities that one encounter had really already made my mind up. Then when I met with the Terraces Director Sam Baum, his presentation and understanding of my mothers needs set my decision in stone. He informed me that staff, like LaShawna, had been working at the Terraces in most cases for decades. That kind of continuity is very important because it means that in addition to their guests, The Terraces takes care of its employees too. That is very important because it is the best way to ensure superior service and care. I am happy to report that my mother did fall in love with LaShawna and the rest of the staff as well. At the Terraces I found that pretty much everyone there treats my mother, not as a client or even a guest but rather as family. That means more to me than even the fact that is the facility we could afford. It was not the least expensive but it WAS the very best that I could find. As in all things there are problems and folks can drop the ball from time to time. That is to be expected. What is great is that any concerns or issues that come up the Staff and especially Sam Baum they all take my concerns seriously and address them. You can look elsewhere but I do not believe you can...

What a wonderful home for Mom! Most of you reading this are likely in the same situation as I was in. Mom lived in her Downey home for 50 years and wanted to stay there forever. Unfortunately, after a car accident, she fell down a few times during the night, unable to get herself up. We knew it was time to find her a senior living location. My sister went on a hunt; after many tours—some she just walked out because they smelled so bad or looked horrible—she found TPM. It is an oasis nestled next to the Eaton Canyon Reserve which neighbors on both sides. Don’t let Washington Blvd. scare you away as TPM has its own long driveway leading way in the back. Go tour this place! Sam Baum is an amazing, loving, patient man who made the move significantly easier for my mom who was appalled at the idea of moving. She has lived in her own apartment for a year and a half now. Mom is the ambassador at TPM, introducing new residents around to all the activities and facilities including a hair salon and manicurist on-site. The menu is awesome! It is like a cruise ship with the regular items and specials of the day. My family of four just went today for breakfast. Any options you want, they deliver. Mom says the staff is very loving, always taking care of her needs. They have many apartment layouts depending on what you need. TPM has a pendant system, so if you fall or press the button it alerts the staff. Just last week Mom fell in the dark, knocking herself out. The staff was there in 5 minutes and rushed her to Huntington Memorial. Had this been at her home the results could have been life-ending. God Bless to all who...