Dale Commons

This is the reason I moved into Modesto. I have a relative living here. He was unable to care for himself completely at home so we helped him sell his home and move in here. This is a very nice place and they give what help he needs. It’s within walking distance to the Vintage Faire Mall and to a grocery store and to some nice restaurants if he so desires to venture that far seeing as how he no longer drives. I always heard that these places were rat traps but this one is very nice and clean and they serve good food for the people who live here.

This review is for Dale Commons:
Oh boy… what a great place. My wife and I agree that if we were to move into retirement living it would be Dale Commons.
The Facility is immaculate and classy. The furniture, dining area, various rooms, grounds, apartments, food and activities are terrific. It reminds us of a college apartment complex, but far, far cleaner and classier than our memories of college life.
When you walk in you are greeted and amazed at the layout. The dining area looks like a high-​end restaurant. Each day has a different menu and there are options for each meal as to appetizer, main course and dessert. In fact, your server hands each diner a menu and takes individual orders. The food is excellent and the kitchen will, within reason, accommodate idiosyncratic preferences.
Meals can be taken in your apartment or in the dining area.
Two stories, the apartments are spacious, have mini-​kitchens and all have some form of window view. Like a hotel, beds are made and rooms tidied up daily at extra charge, but linen changed weekly as part of the menu A basic services.
At first we questioned how «open» the main floor, but later understood how it fostered mingling rather than residents keeping to their rooms.
Laundry facilities are in each hallway or residents can pay for laundry services.
The grounds are wonderful with BBQ areas, multiple patios and areas for shuffle board and other outdoor sports. Nicely maintained with large trees and manicured lawns.
Reasonable pets are allowed and it is nice to meet the resident’s four-​legged friends.
We were very impressed with their activities. Lots of excursions and indoor sports, like Wii, which is very popular, bingo, speakers or movies. Transportation is available for medical appointments, sometimes for a fee. Otherwise a small van or bus is used for excursions or getting people where they want or need to go.
Although walkers abound, the residents dress for meals and are upscale in attire. Women are coiffed, carry purses, bejeweled and wear dresses and nice shoes. Men are in slacks and collared shirts with sweaters or sport coats. And the residents are lucid, intelligent and very interesting to talk with. Most have had successful careers or marriages and have opted to stay in a nice place. It is a classy upscale place.
But…this is primarily an independent living retirement facility with some assisted living care available. They say that they can handle dementia patients so long as they are not a danger to themselves or to others. However, our experience was that if you get sick or need long-​term or more skilled care you will have to go elsewhere. Something to think about when choosing a retirement living option.
Do you want to face a change in facilities or stay in one place that has a wide range of increasingly detailed levels of nursing care?
Why did we move from Dale Commons? My mother-in-law’s health was fading and she needed a higher level of supervision and individualized care. Also, and this is a cultural factor, she felt pressure and uncomfortable in having to «dress» for meals, so mostly stayed in her room, isolating herself.