Atria at Foster Square — Local services in Foster City

Living at Atria Foster Square is a gift I gave myself and life in much easier for me living here. Today is one month that I’ve been here. Even though I am 60 years old and much younger than most of the residents, my hereditary disability has progressed and I’m not able to function as well as I used to. Every week my laundry (including bedding if I want) is done, returned clean and folded. Light housekeeping is done weekly also. Three meals a day are included and the food is good to excellent. I don’t require a Michelin chef and Santos and his staff make tasty and healthy meals. Desserts are my favorite! The staff here are impressive.....friendly and helpful and address residents by name. From all the executive staff/directors to Concierges to drivers to caregivers, everyone is respectful and attentive. I appreciate the welcoming atmosphere. Even though Covid protocols limit activities at the moment, Kris, Resident Engagement Director, has many activities daily that are fun and engaging. Twice daily exercises, morning coffee/conversation, learning and art activities, Bingo and Name That Tune, a daily or twice daily movie, religious services and events, Blackjack and Poker.....there’s something for everyone! This isn’t a medical facility so there isn’t medical help available but every resident wears an alert pendant that gets a rapid response. Fellow residents are friendly and welcoming and inclusive, and those are all important to me. Transportation booked in advance is available within reason and particularly helpful for me since I don’t have a car here and is included in the monthly cost. There’s a waiting list for parking in the garage but parking nearby is plentiful. The Post Office is outside and a small market, Starbucks and half a dozen restaurants too. Poppies Bistro is right outside the lobby and now open with limited hours. Each resident has their own mailbox with larger mailboxes for Post Office delivered packages that don’t fit in your mailbox. Packages from UPS, Fedex, Amazon, etc are delivered to your apartment by staff. My beloved cat is here with me, a top priority for me. I also very much appreciate that it’s quiet here and comfortable and nothing like a nursing home. Help is available for additional cost and I it use once in a while at the moment. Before I chose this facility I toured others in the area and nothing came close. I’m very happy...

I moved my 94 year old Aunt and 88 year old Uncle into this facility in July of 2017. In February, 2018, I requested that my Aunt be moved into their memory care ward. All was set, room chosen, furniture ordered and due to be delivered, when the afternoon before the move, the non-licensed nurse called to say my Aunt was evicted because she required two people to transfer her.

Her assessment was made after two emergency hospital visits the week before, one due to AFIB, second due to a second fall after being released from the first hospital visit. She had not fallen previously, was walking in the hospital, so had leg strength. Now that she was on blood thinners she fell and was afraid to walk, and she was on pain meds making her fatigued.

Instead of giving her a chance to build her strength, Atria kicked her out of "the last home she would need to move to", according to the sales woman when we signed up, just seven months after they moved in, one month after the $8,000 move in fee was non refundable.

At no point did this facility show compassion or empathy once they decided to evict a 94 year old woman.

So, apparently, if you are healthy, you are welcome to spend $10-20,000 per month at Atria Foster Square. If you become weak, you're out on the street.

Meanwhile, at the new facility my Aunt and Uncle were forced to move to, my Aunt is being transferred by one female caregiver multiple times per day, receiving better care and being given physical therapy.

Before deciding upon an assisted living facility, contact CANHR, or other elder care advocates and the State Ombudsman. There have been two fall deaths at this facility that should be inquired about.

Update: July 13, the California Community Licensing Division contacted me with their findings about my complaint against Atria Foster Square. They have substantiated my complaint by finding that this was an unlawful eviction. Go to ccld.ca.gov for more...

Hello everyone I wanted to take a minute to let you know how wonderful it is to have my mother at Atria Foster Square. We were desperate to find a safe place for my mom when her memory declined and started to exhibit signs of dementia. It was a challenging time for all. The staff Atria came alongside us and helped make the life changing decisions , for my mom , that needed to be made with ease, comfort and care. We met with Karen who was so professional, kind and loving. Then the leader Freddie who runs a strong loving professional Senior Housing Retirement Facility. What has impressed me the most are the caring staff there. From the nursing staff, to activity Directors, to beauty care employees, to the fabulous cooks. Everyone who works there goes the extra mile and treats your family as if they are their own family. They are there for you and your loved ones and they truly care. Here is an example. They always go an extra mile. Recently my mom had a birthday and Since the unfortunate times of the Pandemic and everything in shut down mode we couldn’t go to celebrate with her. The staff is there to help us stay connected to our loved ones. They did a special Birthday zoom call. We all sang Happy Birthday, served a cake, gave her the gifts and we were All able to reminisce and honor her. Also, We get at least one weekly zoom conversation a week with her (or more) if we would like to schedule them. They will provide more if requested. In the Memory care unit, Kristin and Olga are top notch. They always go the extra mile to help my mom have the most wonderful experience each day. I can not say enough at how fortunate we are to have my mom at Atria with loving staff who treat us and my mom like family. I can sleep well each night knowing my mom is well loved and cared for. 💕 Sincerely, Karen...