Overall sentiment: The reviews for Marama are overwhelmingly positive, with multiple reviewers describing the facility as a healing oasis that combines cutting-edge, root-cause medical care with warm, family-style caregiving. Most reviewers emphasize dramatic, observable improvements in residents’ cognitive and physical conditions, crediting a specialized, holistic program led by Dr. Sandison and his team. Across many accounts families express gratitude, relief, and renewed hope — particularly for people with cognitive decline — and praise both the medical approach and the day-to-day caregiving.
Care quality and medical approach: A dominant theme is Marama’s integrative, brain-health-focused model. Reviewers repeatedly mention a comprehensive medical work-up, targeted supplements, specialized diet, and therapies such as sauna, red-light treatment, and exercise with supplemental oxygen. Many families report meaningful improvements in symptoms and describe the program as offering potential reversal or prevention of dementia-related decline; these are presented as anecdotal outcomes by grateful families. The medical leadership (specifically Dr. Sandison) and his clinical team receive frequent accolades for expertise and dedication. The facility is also described as state audited/certified and having hospice supervision available, which reviewers cite as assurances of oversight and end-of-life support.
Staff, communication, and management: Staff are consistently portrayed as a major strength. Words used across reviews include loving, kind, encouraging, cheerful, and attentive. Families note strong communication and frequent updates, and many highlight the benefit of on-site owners living at the facility — contributing to a family-like, accountable atmosphere. Several reviews describe dignified, person-centered care that prioritizes residents’ preferences and daily joy, and one account specifically mentions a peaceful, well-supported passing. The small size (12 beds) is framed positively in most reviews, enabling plenty of individualized attention and close relationships between staff, residents, and family members.
Facilities, environment, and activities: The physical environment is described as bright, cheerful, and immaculately kept. Reviewers frequently mention natural light, pleasant views, a patio outside rooms, and well-maintained grounds. Rooms are described as well-equipped and comfortable. Activities are noted as unique and complementary to the medical program, and the overall atmosphere is repeatedly called joyful and restorative. Many families highlight the sense of safety and the emotional uplift residents experience while living there.
Dining and nutrition: Food and nutrition receive especially strong praise. Multiple reviews name Chef Gil and commend three high-quality meals per day, snacks, and an emphasis on organic ingredients. The meals are described as restaurant-quality and specifically optimized for brain and body health rather than merely taste or convenience. Nutrition is presented as a core component of the therapeutic strategy and a daily highlight for residents.
Concerns and dissenting feedback: While nearly all reviews are positive, there is at least one strongly negative review alleging serious problems: claims that the facility does not follow medication guidelines, employs unskilled nurses, and a recommendation that it should be shut down. This is a stark outlier compared with other comments. Given the severity of those allegations, prospective residents and families should treat them seriously and seek clarifying information directly from Marama: request documentation of clinical protocols, medication administration policies, staff licensing and training records, and details of state audits and certifications. It would also be prudent to ask for references from current families and to verify hospice partnership details.
Synthesis and recommendations: The bulk of reviews portray Marama as a small, high-touch, clinically innovative memory care setting that couples alternative, nutrient- and lifestyle-based interventions with compassionate caregiving and strong family communication. Most reviewers attribute notable health and quality-of-life improvements to the facility’s comprehensive approach. However, the presence of a forceful negative claim about medication practices and nursing skill elevates the importance of due diligence. Prospective families should verify licensure, ask specific clinical questions about medication management and nursing oversight, and consider meeting the clinical team (including Dr. Sandison) and touring the facility to reconcile overwhelmingly positive testimonials with the isolated but serious complaint.
