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

A stucco exterior punctuated by green awnings gives Monticello West the appearance of an apartment building. Mature oak trees border the parking lot in front of the portico. Despite its bustling location between McKinney Avenue and North Central Expressway, the nearby traffic does not mar the facility's serene atmosphere. The upscale interior features beautiful earth-toned carpeting. Silk floral arrangements grace the lovely dark wood bookcases, hutches and tables. The white domed ceiling seems to float overhead. The elegance extends to the computer room (which has internet access) and other common areas. Tasteful glass and metal fixtures shed soft light throughout the facility. Handrails trace the broad hallways. Residents furnish their rooms, where pretty off-white curtains frame the windows.

During our visit, mouthwatering aromas from the kitchen announced a meal of sesame chicken, sweet and sour pork, steamed rice and sautéed squash. Active residents enjoy buffet-style dining in the main dining room, which also hosts sing-alongs and guest musicians. Residents are served by a waitstaff in the other dining areas. The helpful staff knows each resident by name. Genuine affection marks the interaction between the two groups. Bingo, movies, bowling, exercise and various games are among the many scheduled activities. Two extensively landscaped courtyards entice residents to walk among the shade trees and vine-covered trellises.

The Alzheimer's unit at Monticello West occupies its own floor. The unit is divided between residents in the early stages of Alzheimer's and those in advanced stages. During the tour, our guide soothed a distressed resident who was lost. She was relieved to be escorted back to her room, which she believed to be the home that she had lived in with her family. Our guide validated her belief and the resident was visibly comforted.