Aegis of Laguna Niguel

Since my previous review, there has been a change in management of the Laguna Niguel facility and the level of staffing has been reduced. I cannot in good conscience wholeheartedly recommend this facility. While the caregivers try very hard, there are not enough of them to provide adequate care. I have been forced to consider other facilities.

We just started my mom’s residency at Aegis this week and we could not have been more blown away by their level of service. Every single person employed there was so genuine and kind. The food is really fantastic there. The calendar for each day offers so many different options for the residents to enjoy and promote interaction with one another, without being or seeming too overwhelming for those who may not be the most social of butterflies. I really am beyond impressed and frankly, quite relieved to not have to stress or worry too much about the hands my dear mother is in during this time of her life.

While no place is perfect, Aegis comes close. Prior to coming to California my mother had been in five different residences on the East Coast. Aegis has been the right place for her. My mother has been there for almost 7 years now. While at Aegis during her deterioration she has had fabulous attention and caring from the staff. The small size of Aegis lends itself to that type of care. I had not seen that anywhere else she had lived.
There have been times when things haven’t run so smoothly, but everybody who works there steps up when something is missing. It’s like running your own home — sometimes everything works well and sometimes it doesn’t. The management is responsive as well as responsible. It is like a family there.
I couldn’t be happier. As a daughter/​caretaker I couldn’t ask for more. I know my mother is cared for when I am not there. Mark, who has been the director for a year, has made really good hires. It may take longer to find the right fit, but ultimately, he finds the person he needs. The daily peace of mind about my mother and where she lives is overwhelming. I couldn’t be going on this journey without my Aegis family. There is a wonderful spirit to Aegis — a very important feeling for older people. It is alive over there and a wonderful place.

I was hoping to find more reviews on this page. I wanted to see what others have experienced. Last year I visited 3 of the «top» senior living facilities in the area. I preferred a different one but my mother liked Aegis so there she went. She has been at Aegis for almost a year. I am happy that she is not living on her own and that she has made some great friends. However, I have to agree that they are severely understaffed and their turnover is alarming. Perhaps that is a usual occurence in these types of communities. There are some AMAZING caregivers there and some not-​so-​great. I do not think there is a standard training program which may be the problem. We constantly «reward» those great caregivers on our own. That helps us get the attention needed.
The food is average but for what the cost is I think they can do better. They focus a lot on desserts! Is that a usual thing?! My mother has gained quite a bit of weight because of that!
Regarding med management I suggest you look at what the caregiver is giving you rather than just popping the pills. I also suggest you know what you are supposed to get so you get the proper meds at the proper time. There has been occasion where my mom did not get a morning pill because «the pharmacy had not yet delivered the meds» which is not acceptable. Ron’s Pharmacy does automatic deliveries to the facility and you should never «run out» of medication. Again, because staffing is an issue perhaps there are not enough people to follow up.
There are some activities here but I think there should be more. The residents need to get out more and because of staffing issues there is not always a driver to take them out. I was assured that transportation would not be an issue when I first met with the director but on occasion there have been issues. Make sure you schedule doctor visits with the front desk as early as possible so you do have transportation.
I also might add that I have made several requests to management and it is not immediate that they get resolved. So you do have to keep on top of them.
Again, for the amount of money you are paying I would expect much more. I welcome feedback from other resident’s children to see if this is isolated or they are experiencing the same. I also welcome feedback regarding other facilities. Maybe this is as good as it gets!

This facility seemd like the ideal place to have your mother or father. From the outside you think it is pretty, decorated well, and has a nice atmosphere. But let me tell you that this is not the case.
In the unit that is locked the ratio is about 1:8, which is way too high. They will bathe your loved one when it suits them, not when the family member want to be bathed. And if you refuse at the time they want, you don’t get bathed that day.
You are charged for every little thing. Need help getting dressed, that’s a charge. Need help eatting, that’s a charge. Can’t find your glasses, that’s a charge. Before you know it, the fee that you thought was high to begin with is sky high but you feel like it is so difficult to move your parent that you continue on anyway.
The food situation is terrible. The food that is served is processed, Costco-​like packaged food that is gross. If your parent doesn’t eat, they take the food away and that is it for that meal. If that continues to happen, your parent will simply lose weight. there is no intervention by the staff. They weigh them and track the loss but continue to let them lose the weight.
Finally, but most importantly, they require the use of medication to «sedate» the patients there. Patients will be sedated for walking around too much, talking too much, or simply not complting with what the staff wants them to do. The demenia patients are left to wonder around the halls sometimes frightened and confused, sometimes crying.
If you love your relative, do not house them here. It is not as it appears.