The Kensington Sierra Madre: A Comprehensive Review

• Executive Summary

• Types of Services Offered
  • Assisted Living
  • Memory Care
  • Specialized Services
• Amenities and Facility Features
  • Living Accommodations
  • Dining Experience
  • Lifestyle Amenities
• Daily Activities and Programs
• Resident and Family Experiences
  • Positive Testimonials
  • Areas of Concern
• Pricing and Value Comparison
  • Regional Comparison
• Management and Staff Quality
• Awards and Recognition
• Unique Features and Differentiators
• Recommendations for Prospective Residents and Families
  • 1. Schedule an In-Person Tour
  • 2. Conduct a Thorough Financial Assessment
  • 3. Assess Fit with Memory Care Philosophy
  • 4. Compare Value Rather Than Just Price
• Conclusion

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, which reviews consistently highlight as a major strength.

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.

Resident and Family Experiences

The Kensington Sierra Madre has a Seniorly Community Score of 9.9 out of 10 based on 81 reviews. This places it in the top 4% for resident satisfaction among comparable facilities.

Positive Testimonials

"We LOVE the Kensington!!! Moving a parent into assisted living is stressful. The staff here were absolutely wonderful." – Richard S. (Son)

"The nurses and aides are warm, kind and actively involved with residents throughout the day." – Monica T. (Daughter)

"They write 'we love you' notes and always pop in to make dad feel included. The place is like a 5-star hotel." – Sue R. (Daughter)

A family member who joined in November 2022 said: "I'm pleased with the level of care and attention for our father in memory care. The staff accommodates his preferences, like serving foods he especially enjoys. The caregivers are well-trained in dementia and treat residents with dignity and respect."

Areas of Concern

Some reviews mention:

• High costs compared to other assisted living options
• Communication issues, particularly regarding medical care
• Inconsistent staff responsiveness
• Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on resident experience
• Some existing residents being less welcoming to newcomers

Pricing and Value Comparison

The Kensington Sierra Madre costs more than the Sierra Madre area average for some room types, but less for others. A studio starts at $5,730/month, compared to the area average of $6,250. However, larger units cost more than county and state averages:

Room Type

The Kensington Sierra Madre

Los Angeles County Average

California Average

Semi-Private

$3,802

$3,349

$3,333

Studio

$4,530

$4,172

$4,145

2 Bedrooms

$7,150

$6,164

$5,270

1 Bedroom

$7,350

$4,603

$4,340

Regional Comparison

Average monthly senior living costs in nearby areas:

• Sierra Madre: $4,245/month
• South Monrovia Island: $4,065/month
• Arcadia: $4,241/month

• California state average: $4,620/month
• U.S. national average: $4,126/month

The Kensington offers several things that may justify its premium pricing:

• 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.

Several reviews mention staff members by name—Martha Reyes, Marjorie Villarosa, and Jodie Kendall—for exceptional service. The administration is described as approachable, with staff who "clearly enjoy their work and support each other."

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

The community achieved a 77% approval rating during its development.

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

2. Conduct a Thorough Financial Assessment

Write down all costs before deciding:

1. Base Monthly Fee: $_______
2. Care Level Assessment Fee: $_______
3. Additional Services (check what applies):
   • Medication Management: $_______
   • Incontinence Care: $_______
   • Diabetes Management: $_______
   • Physical Therapy: $_______
   • Transportation Services: $_______
   • Other Specialized Care: $_______
4. One-time Fees:
   • Community/Administrative Fee: $_______
   • Move-in Fee: $_______
5. Plan for future cost increases:
   • Annual rate increases (typically 3-5%)
   • Care level changes

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:

Use a table to compare facilities side by side:

Feature

The Kensington Sierra Madre

Facility 2

Facility 3

Base Monthly Fee

Room Size/Features

Level of Medical Care

Staff Qualifications

Dining Quality

Activity Variety

Memory Care Approach

Extra Services Included

Family Involvement

Resident Satisfaction

Conclusion

The Kensington Sierra Madre is a premium option in the Sierra Madre area with particular strengths in memory care, dining, and medical support. Pricing is higher than regional averages for larger units but lower for studios. The facility delivers value through specialized care programs, quality amenities, and emphasis on resident dignity and family involvement.

The high Seniorly Community Score (9.9 out of 10) and positive reviews suggest strong satisfaction. 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 if it's the right choice for your loved one.