I placed my parent at AlmaVia and have been extremely pleased. The staff are consistently warm, caring, and responsive - nurses, caregivers and leadership know residents by name - and there are daily RNs, an in-house doctor, excellent nursing support, and lots of engaging activities that create a home-like, social community. The property is clean, well-maintained and conveniently located by Terra Linda Mall, with bright dining and generally good food. It isn't perfect - we've seen some staff turnover, occasional front-desk issues, and higher costs/extra overnight fees - but overall it's compassionate, safe, and I would recommend it, especially for assisted-living or memory-care needs.
Ambassador Senior Care is a small assisted living community located in San Rafael, California. With a capacity for up to five residents, this intimate care facility is dedicated to enriching and improving the quality of life for its elderly residents. The core mission of Ambassador Senior Care is to offer a safe, respectful, and compassionate environment, creating peace of mind for both residents and their families. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere within a residential setting, the care home ensures that each individual receives personal attention tailored to their unique needs and preferences.
Residents at Ambassador Senior Care benefit from a variety of services and amenities designed to support both their physical and emotional well-being. Assistance is available for daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility. If needed, the home can coordinate with traveling stylists or hairdressers to provide additional personal care. Meals are thoughtfully prepared onsite, with three homemade dishes served each day. For residents requiring specific dietary modifications—whether due to high blood pressure, diabetes, or other medical conditions—personalized meal plans can be arranged to accommodate those needs.
To promote engagement and social interaction, Ambassador Senior Care organizes regular entertainment and wellness activities. Music therapy, pet therapy, and board games are among the offerings designed to stimulate residents mentally and emotionally, while outdoor relaxation and exercise schedules contribute to their physical health. The care community frequently plans additional scheduled activities, including craft projects and movie entertainment, keeping residents' daily lives vibrant and fulfilling.
Amenities at Ambassador Senior Care may include access to a reading room, spa or wellness area, barber or parlor, and inviting yard spaces, depending on current facility plans. Coordination for transportation to medical appointments, errands, or religious services is also available to ensure residents maintain connections with the broader community. The care home embraces a flexible approach, with activities and amenities being updated as needed to meet the evolving preferences and care requirements of its residents.
When it comes to accommodations, options typically include private and shared bedrooms, with pricing varying based on room selection, care level, and specific resident assessments. The monthly cost for assisted living at this facility generally starts at $3,000, with rates influenced by the range of services required, facility amenities, and the individual’s assistance needs.
Ambassador Senior Care strives to provide a homelike environment where seniors live with dignity and purpose. Families are encouraged to visit the facility, become acquainted with staff and other residents, and experience firsthand the compassionate community that Ambassador Senior Care has cultivated. With its resident-focused approach, tailored services, and engaging programming, Ambassador Senior Care represents a nurturing option for seniors seeking assisted living in San Rafael.
People often ask...
AlmaVia of San Rafael offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $4,906 per month.
AlmaVia of San Rafael offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
There are 18 photos of AlmaVia of San Rafael on Mirador.
Yes, AlmaVia of San Rafael allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.
The full address for this community is 515 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, CA, 94903.
Yes, AlmaVia of San Rafael offers respite care.
Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.
State of California Inspection Reports
44
Inspections
4
Type A Citations
1
Type B Citations
6
Years of reports
05 Jun 2025
05 Jun 2025
Identified allegations that a resident sustained an unexplained injury and that staff did not report the incident. Found that on 04/13/2023 an injury was observed, staff notified the responsible party and emergency services, video could not be reviewed due to a 90-day archive limit, and no abuse documentation was found, so a violation could not be determined.
05 Jun 2025
05 Jun 2025
Ordered immediate exclusion of a staff member from any contact with clients and from being present at any licensed setting, with the administrator acknowledging the notice. No deficiencies were cited.
§ 9058
04 Mar 2025
04 Mar 2025
Found no deficiencies after reviewing staff files, resident records, medications, and safety systems at the site. Validated on-site staff background clearance and current administrator's certificate.
29 Jan 2025
29 Jan 2025
Identified missing narcotics in a self-submitted incident; internal investigation, medication audit, and narcotics count conducted with a nurse consultant; police contacted to conduct their own investigation; no deficiencies cited; exit interview conducted.
22 Nov 2024
22 Nov 2024
Found nine incident reports were submitted late, with the executive director submitting them rather than staff, in violation of the seven-day filing rule. Identified specific allegations: a staff member kissed a resident on two occasions; another staff member pinched a resident's nose and raised a hand; and a former resident's medication was missing, with internal investigations ongoing and police notified.
07 Nov 2024
07 Nov 2024
Found that a resident choked on a piece of food, staff performed the Heimlich maneuver and contacted emergency personnel for evaluation, the resident returned to baseline with no dietary changes, and no deficiencies were cited.
19 Jul 2024
19 Jul 2024
Found that the allegation that staff were not aware of the resident's change in condition was unfounded. Found that the allegation of mismanaging medications was unfounded; the resident can manage and store their own medications, emergency personnel were contacted when symptoms occurred, and no deficiencies were cited.
19 Jul 2024
19 Jul 2024
Reviewed documented efforts to address concerns about a resident’s change in condition and medication management, and found no evidence to support allegations that staff were unaware of the resident’s health issues or mismanaged medications.
26 Apr 2024
26 Apr 2024
Found no deficiencies; on-site staff were background cleared with complete files and current First Aid/CPR certifications, and 117 residents with 29 staff were present. Observed a clean, safe environment with functioning safety systems and adequate supplies.
26 Apr 2024
26 Apr 2024
Confirmed compliance with safety, sanitation, staffing, and operational requirements during an unannounced routine check, with no deficiencies noted during the visit.
03 Nov 2023
03 Nov 2023
Investigated a reported stolen diamond necklace involving a resident; the responsible party informed the administrator, appropriate notifications were made, and an extensive internal investigation with ongoing communication with police continued.
03 Nov 2023
03 Nov 2023
Investigated the allegation that a staff member yelled at a resident in the dining room; due to conflicting statements, could not determine whether a Personal Rights violation occurred, though interviews indicated no yelling or rude behavior was observed. No deficiencies were noted.
03 Nov 2023
03 Nov 2023
Investigated a complaint that a staff member yelled at a resident in the dining room; found insufficient evidence to confirm a Personal Rights violation.
31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023
Investigated three incidents involving a resident with C-Diff; the resident was hospitalized, then returned to the home against its recommendation and quarantined with universal precautions, before being admitted to a Skilled Nursing Facility until no longer infectious.
31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023
Reviewed three incident reports related to a resident diagnosed with C-Diff after returning from the hospital against recommendations; confirmed that the resident was hospitalized, discharged, and transferred to a skilled nursing facility during their infectious period.
24 Jul 2023
24 Jul 2023
Found no evidence to support the allegations that residents were kept at uncomfortable temperatures or that a resident’s air conditioning unit was in disrepair; observed temperatures and cooling systems were functioning within normal ranges.
24 Jul 2023
24 Jul 2023
Determined that the allegation of the facility not maintaining a comfortable temperature and resident’s air conditioning being in disrepair was unsubstantiated after observing that the air conditioning units and thermostats were functioning properly within regulated temperature ranges.
22 Jun 2023
22 Jun 2023
Reviewed multiple incident reports involving falls and medical events; noted prompt emergency responses and ongoing communication with families and physicians, with no deficiencies identified.
22 Jun 2023
22 Jun 2023
Reviewed multiple incident reports involving falls, injuries, and health emergencies, with all appropriate notifications made and residents returned to their baseline conditions; no deficiencies identified during the visit.
04 May 2023
04 May 2023
Found the allegation of Unlawful Eviction UNFOUNDED.
04 May 2023
04 May 2023
Determined that the allegation of an unlawful eviction was unfounded, as proper eviction procedures and documentation were in place and justified.
24 Mar 2023
24 Mar 2023
Reviewed three incident reports: one about a resident found unresponsive and hospitalized with ongoing testing and planned care plan updates; another about a resident who drank water with Polident, leading to reassessment of care needs and a Memory Care transition. Identified a third incident describing concerns about staff interactions with residents.
24 Mar 2023
24 Mar 2023
Reviewed multiple incident reports involving resident health issues and staff concerns, including a resident who was found unresponsive, another who ingested Polident, and staff interactions raising safety concerns, with ongoing investigations and staff training conducted.
17 Feb 2023
17 Feb 2023
Identified COVID-19 signs at the entry and throughout, observed staff wearing masks, and noted cleaning/disinfecting practices, daily symptom screening for staff and residents, sufficient PPE, and a staffing-shortage plan, with a Mitigation/Infection Control Plan submitted to licensing.
Noted no deficiencies cited; several administrative documents were requested for updating records with a submission deadline.
17 Feb 2023
17 Feb 2023
Confirmed that the facility maintained appropriate infection control practices, including masking, hand hygiene signage, and cleaning schedules, and that safety systems such as fire alarms and extinguishers were up to date, with documentation required for submission by a specified date.
03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023
Reviewed three self-reported incidents involving residents who were evaluated by emergency personnel and hospitalized: one a fall with a leg laceration, another an episode of hallucinations with high blood pressure leading to pneumonia and sepsis and hospital transfer, and the third an alcohol-related incident with subsequent hospital evaluation. As of early February, staff remained in contact with medical providers and the responsible party, monitoring ongoing care needs, with no deficiencies cited.
03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023
Reviewed three self-reported incidents involving residents who experienced injuries, hospitalization, hallucinations, or alcohol ingestion, with appropriate notifications made and ongoing monitoring in place; also discussed COVID, staffing, training, and inspections without any deficiencies noted.
31 Oct 2022
31 Oct 2022
Reviewed seven self-reported incidents, including two falls with hospital transport, a death due to aspiration, a skin tear, a wound change, missing jewelry, and missing medication; noted that appropriate notifications were made and residents were monitored, with no deficiencies cited.
31 Oct 2022
31 Oct 2022
Reviewed multiple incident reports involving falls, injuries, medication theft, and a death, noting that all proper notifications were made and residents appeared to be doing well afterward.
02 Mar 2022
02 Mar 2022
Identified medication errors affecting 16 residents, with medications not administered as prescribed on February 13, 2022. Told nurse responsible for medication passes not to return.
02 Mar 2022
02 Mar 2022
Found that medication errors affected 16 residents when medication was not administered as prescribed, and staff responsible for medication passes was directed not to return to the facility. Identified violations of regulation related to medication management and staff training.
11 Feb 2022
11 Feb 2022
Found clean, well-maintained premises with exits unobstructed and safety systems functioning; medications and toxins were securely stored, and there were ample foods with a daily activity schedule. Hot water registered 115 degrees in 8 of 20 bathrooms, within the 105–120 degree range, and no deficiencies were observed.
11 Feb 2022
11 Feb 2022
Found the facility to be clean, well-maintained, with proper safety systems, adequate food supplies, and appropriate resident accommodations, meeting required standards during the inspection. No deficiencies were observed or cited.
02 Feb 2022
02 Feb 2022
Found a resident with dementia who left unassisted and was located by local law enforcement at a nearby gas station soon after; the resident returned unharmed and was in the care of a responsible party. Identified that all staff had training on elopement.
§ 87705(b)(2)
02 Feb 2022
02 Feb 2022
Found that a resident with dementia left unassisted and was later found nearby by law enforcement, highlighting a failure to adequately prevent elopement despite staff training on the issue.
§ 87465(a)(5)
29 Sept 2021
29 Sept 2021
Found that the allegations that staff did not communicate with the resident's representative regarding care needs; staffing was insufficient; residents were not re-appraised; the Admissions Agreement was not followed; the emergency/disaster plan was not executed; medications were mismanaged; and visitation rights were not allowed were unsubstantiated.
29 Sept 2021
29 Sept 2021
Found no preponderance of evidence to prove or disprove four allegations: lack of supervision resulting in unexplained injuries; failure to ensure the resident was seen by a physician; improper storage of medication; and failure to notify the authorized representative. The investigation showed the resident was seen by a physician, the medication was properly secured, and the authorized representative was notified.
29 Sept 2021
29 Sept 2021
Found the allegation of staff not following proper quarantining protocols resulting deaths unsubstantiated.
29 Sept 2021
29 Sept 2021
Found failure to submit an unusual incident report to licensing and a missed urinalysis appointment for a resident.
29 Sept 2021
29 Sept 2021
Found that allegations regarding staff not communicating with resident representatives, short staffing, failure to reappraise residents, non-adherence to the Admission Agreement, failure to execute emergency drills, mismanagement of medications, and prohibiting visitations were unsubstantiated based on record reviews and interviews.
02 Apr 2021
02 Apr 2021
Found unsubstantiated the allegations that staff handled residents in a rough manner, served meals with ants and hair and with portions that were too small or poorly cooked, did not keep common areas at a comfortable temperature, and failed to keep the home clean or complete repairs promptly.
02 Apr 2021
02 Apr 2021
Determined that allegations of staff handling residents roughly, providing inadequate food, maintaining uncomfortable temperatures, and keeping the facility unclean were unsubstantiated, with no sufficient evidence found to confirm these claims.
26 Feb 2020
26 Feb 2020
Reviewed recent incident reports and gathered additional information from staff, with no deficiencies identified during the visit.
§ 87211
§ 87465
18 Dec 2019
18 Dec 2019
Reviewed recent incident reports and requested additional information regarding a resident's death, which occurred in 2019 while on a skilled nursing unit; no deficiencies were cited during the visit.
