The Kensington Sierra Madre: A Comprehensive Review

Executive summary

The Kensington Sierra Madre, at 245 West Sierra Madre Boulevard in Sierra Madre, California, opened in February 2015. The facility promises to "love and care for your family as we do our own" and provides multiple levels of care on a single campus. As residents' needs change, they can move between care levels without leaving the community. This review covers the facility's services, amenities, resident experiences, pricing, and reputation to help families evaluate whether it's a good fit.

Types of Services Offered

The Kensington Sierra Madre provides several care options:

Assisted Living

The assisted living neighborhood offers a more intensive level of care than many traditional communities:

• 24/7 licensed nursing staff
• Medication management and administration
• Personal care assistance
• Emergency response system
• Individualized care plans
• Diabetes management including injections
• Wellness and exercise programs

Memory Care

The Kensington Sierra Madre was the first Positive Approach to Care (PAC)-designated organization in California. Its memory care program divides residents into three separate neighborhoods based on their cognitive needs.

Each neighborhood has staff trained in dementia care and a dedicated Director of Memory Care. The facility uses the Positive Approach to Care methodology throughout its dementia programming.

Specialized Services

The facility also offers:

• Couples Care: When partners need different levels of support, they can stay together in accommodations designed for varying care needs.
• Rehabilitation Services: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy available on-site for recovery and to maintain current abilities.

Amenities and Facility Features

The Kensington Sierra Madre provides amenities designed to support an engaged lifestyle:

Living Accommodations

Room options and starting prices:

Room Type

Starting Price

Studio

$5,730/month

Private Room

$6,000/month

One-Bedroom

$6,670/month

Dining Experience

The facility has won a "Best Meals and Dining" award. Dining includes:

• Restaurant-style dining with professional chef
• All-day dining service
• Special dietary accommodations
• Meals served with table linens and crystal
• Free meals for family members

Lifestyle Amenities

The facility includes:

• Landscaped outdoor spaces
• Pet-friendly environment
• Fitness and recreational facilities
• Common areas for socializing
• Transportation services

Daily Activities and Programs

The facility offers regular activities:

• Social Events: Community gatherings, music performances, and special occasion celebrations
• Educational Programs: Lectures, discussion groups, and learning opportunities
• Physical Activities: Fitness classes, exercise programs, and wellness initiatives
• Creative Pursuits: Arts and crafts, music therapy, and other creative outlets
• Community Engagement: The facility recently hosted "Dementia Friendly Training for the City of Sierra Madre Community" and sponsored the Scotty Caregiver Award at HFC's CareCon 2023.

Pricing

A studio at The Kensington Sierra Madre starts at $5,730 per month. Larger units and higher levels of care cost more, and pricing depends on the room type and services a resident needs.

The higher pricing reflects several features of the community:

• Higher level of healthcare than traditional assisted living
• Memory care neighborhoods with structured programming
• Family-oriented approach with free meals for family members
• Quality dining with full-service restaurant

Management and Staff Quality

The facility emphasizes staff training, especially for memory care. Staff receive comprehensive dementia training and learn to tailor approaches to residents at different cognitive stages.

Awards and Recognition

The facility has received several recognitions:

• Silver-level award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at the International Builders' Show 2016
• Best of 55+ Housing Awards recognition
• "Best Meals and Dining" award
• First PAC-designated organization in California for memory care excellence

Unique Features and Differentiators

Several elements distinguish The Kensington Sierra Madre from other facilities in the region:

1. Tiered Memory Care: Three neighborhoods allow care to be matched to each resident's stage of memory loss, with support that adjusts as needs change.
2. Positive Approach to Care (PAC): As the first PAC-designated facility in California, it uses evidence-based dementia care methods focused on preserving dignity and abilities.
3. Couples Care: Unlike many facilities that separate couples when care needs differ, The Kensington allows couples to stay together.
4. Family Integration: The facility's promise to "love and care for your family as we do our own" shows in practices like free family meals and family involvement in care planning.

Recommendations for Prospective Residents and Families

If you're considering The Kensington Sierra Madre, here are concrete steps to take:

1. Schedule an In-Person Tour

During your visit, focus on:

• Observe staff interactions with residents
• Sample a meal during dining hours
• Request to see multiple room types
• Ask to visit each memory care neighborhood if relevant
• Inquire about staff-to-resident ratios in each area
• Request to see activity calendars for the past and upcoming month
• Ask about specialized training for staff members
• Observe cleanliness and maintenance throughout the facility
• Inquire about security measures, especially in memory care

Ask for a full written breakdown of costs before deciding. Request the base monthly fee, any care-level assessment fee, charges for services such as medication management, incontinence care, diabetes management, therapy, and transportation, and one-time community or move-in fees. Ask how often rates increase and what triggers a change in care level.

3. Assess Fit with Memory Care Philosophy

If memory care is relevant, ask whether The Kensington's Positive Approach to Care matches your values:

During your tour, ask:

• How does the staff approach challenging behaviors?
• What strategies maintain dignity during personal care?
• How are residents with different cognitive abilities engaged throughout the day?
• How do you customize care plans for individual preferences and needs?
• What training do staff members receive in dementia care?
• How do you involve families in care planning and updates?

4. Compare Value Rather Than Just Price

When comparing facilities, look beyond the monthly fee. Create a comparison chart across three places:

Compare each facility on base monthly fee, room size and features, level of medical care, staff qualifications, dining quality, activity variety, memory care approach, included services, family involvement, and resident satisfaction.

Conclusion

The Kensington Sierra Madre is a higher-priced option in the Sierra Madre area, with particular strengths in memory care, dining, and medical support. Pricing runs above regional averages for larger units and below them for studios.

Before deciding, evaluate whether the services and atmosphere match your needs. Tour the facility, ask detailed questions, and work through the financial details carefully to determine whether it is the right choice for your loved one.