(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Cars whiz past the long, low building that houses Hillside Care Center on four-lane Mission Boulevard. The facility's red clay tile roof evokes a Spanish hacienda. As we arrived, birds chirped cheerfully in the trees covering the facility's extensive grounds. The interior brings to mind both a home and a hospital. The spotless common areas possess minimal furnishings—the demand for seating is low, as most residents use wheelchairs. We overhead one resident in the small living room request that a fellow wheelchair user be moved so that she could have a better view of the television. Staff members quickly positioned the residents so that both were comfortable. The staff informed us that residents' favorite meal is chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. A few of the residents mentioned that they were looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner, particularly the cranberry sauce! Many alert residents waited patiently outside their rooms for lunch to begin, a good indicator of healthy appetites. Residents' rooms feature the standard hospital beds and grab bars as well as their own belongings. Windows fill the rooms with warm sunlight, framing views of lovely rosebushes, twisting paths and tall fruit trees. Two gazebos also inhabit the grounds. Hillside Care Center is family-owned and operated. Many of the staff members possess impressive tenure; the admissions coordinator has worked at the home for fifteen years, while the activity coordinator has been in place for thirty-five years! Bingo, cooking classes and discussions on history and current events rank among residents' favorite activities. They eagerly attend two annual outings, which are organized with a local religious organization.