The Norma J Home for the Elderly

    142 W Columbia Road, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
    3.3 · 4 reviews
      AnonymousLoved one of resident
      2.0

      Looks great, but care concerns

      I toured briefly and, on the surface, the newer facility is immaculate, smells clean, and the staff are attentive - Loretta seemed especially knowledgeable; they cook on-site and organize nice events. But my overall impression was a wolf in sheep's clothing: I felt lied to and untrustworthy about care, I observed worrying signs (a resident on a breathing machine, several residents not very alert), and the interior felt cramped with limited maneuverability. It might suit a less-active loved one, but I wouldn't choose it for my very mobile mom.

      Pricing

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      Amenities

      3.25 · 4 reviews

      Overall rating

      1. 5
      2. 4
      3. 3
      4. 2
      5. 1
      • Care

        4.5
      • Staff

        4.5
      • Meals

        3.3
      • Amenities

        2.0
      • Value

        3.3

      Pros

      • Very clean / immaculate facility
      • Newer building
      • Attentive, proactive, and meticulous staff
      • Organized events (for example, a Christmas event)
      • On-site meal preparation / cooks residents' meals
      • Knowledgeable caregiver (Loretta singled out)
      • Good location
      • Appealing appearance / overall nice place
      • Reported good fit for some residents

      Cons

      • Cramped interior with limited maneuverability
      • Small common / TV area
      • Resident population described as not very alert (possible cognitive decline or higher acuity)
      • May not be suitable for young, very mobile or active residents
      • At least one observation of a resident on a breathing machine (indicates some higher-acuity care)
      • Allegations of dishonesty/untrustworthiness and a very negative personal experience
      • Some reviewers did not tour the interior, limiting consistency of impressions
      • Mixed impressions about suitability and transparency

      Summary review

      Overall sentiment across the review summaries is mixed but leans toward positive for cleanliness, staff attentiveness, and the facility's appearance, with notable and serious negative concerns about fit, transparency, and space. Several reviewers emphasize that the Norma J Home for the Elderly is a newer, immaculate facility that smells clean and is meticulously maintained. Positive remarks about staff behavior are common: reviewers used words like attentive, proactive, and organized. One staff member, Loretta, was specifically named as knowledgeable about care. The facility was praised for organizing events (a Christmas event was mentioned) and for providing cooked meals for residents; location was also noted as favorable. For some families, reviewers felt the home would be a good fit for their loved one.

      Care quality and staff: Many comments portray staff as attentive and proactive, suggesting hands-on, organized day-to-day care. The presence of a named caregiver who is described as knowledgeable strengthens that impression for at least some visitors. The fact that staff organize holiday events and prepare meals in-house points to an engaged caregiving and activities approach. However, there is a stark and serious counterpoint: at least one reviewer reported a “very bad experience,” used language like “lies,” “untrustworthy with elderly,” and called the facility a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” This allegation contrasts sharply with other reviewers’ positive impressions and raises concerns about consistency of care, transparency of management, or one-off negative incidents. Prospective families should treat such allegations seriously and seek direct clarification from management and references.

      Facilities and accessibility: Several reviewers praised the physical condition of the building — newer, immaculate, and clean-smelling — which suggests good maintenance and housekeeping standards. At the same time, multiple reviewers reported that the interior felt cramped, with limited maneuverability and a small television/common area. These observations suggest the common spaces may be tight and could present challenges for mobility devices or for residents who need larger shared spaces for activities. One visitor observed a resident on a breathing machine, indicating that the facility may house residents with higher medical needs; coupled with comments that some residents seemed “not very alert,” this suggests the resident mix may skew toward individuals with cognitive impairment or greater care needs rather than an active, independent population.

      Activities and dining: The facility appears to provide at least some organized activities and on-site meal preparation. The organized Christmas event is a concrete example that management or staff arrange social programming, and the fact that cooks prepare meals was noted positively. Beyond that, details on the breadth and frequency of activities, menu variety, or dining atmosphere are limited in the summaries, so while these aspects appear professionally handled, further inquiry would be warranted to understand the full activity calendar and meal quality.

      Management, transparency, and suitability: There is evidence of proactive management in event organization and apparent facility upkeep, but the presence of a severe allegation of dishonesty and an explicitly negative personal experience introduces an important red flag. Additionally, multiple comments indicate the community may not be a good match for younger, very mobile, or highly active seniors. Instead, the community may be better suited to residents who require more assistance or have lower levels of alertness. These two themes — suitability for a particular resident profile and concerns about transparency or trustworthiness — are the most consequential patterns to emerge.

      Implications for prospective families: The reviews suggest the Norma J Home for the Elderly could be an excellent option if cleanliness, attentive staff, a newer building, and on-site meals are priorities, and if the resident profile and common space size fit your loved one’s needs. However, prospective residents who are young, very mobile, or seeking an active, social environment may find the community limiting because of small common areas and a population that some reviewers describe as less alert. Because of at least one serious allegation about trustworthiness, visitors should schedule a thorough tour, observe staff-resident interactions, ask about the typical resident acuity mix, request written policies and references, inspect accessibility for mobility devices, and clarify administrative processes and contracts before deciding. The mixed nature of the reviews suggests experiences may vary by individual circumstances, so direct, detailed investigation is important.

      Location

      Map showing location of The Norma J Home for the Elderly

      About The Norma J Home for the Elderly

      The Norma J Home for the Elderly sits in a quiet, residential part of Thousand Oaks, California, surrounded by hills and close to local medical offices and nature spots where seniors can enjoy fresh air and scenic views. This small care home is licensed for up to six residents, and each bedroom is furnished and designed for comfort, with options for twin, full, or queen-sized beds. Staff offer 24-hour support with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, and help with mobility or bathroom needs. The home welcomes people who need assisted living, memory care, hospice or respite care, and seniors with different levels of mobility or alertness, so some need more support while others manage most things on their own.

      The entire building is one story, making it easier for residents to move around, and the doorways and outdoor areas are handicap accessible. There's a swimming pool and hot tub for relaxation, water therapy, or exercise, plus a yard and walking paths for anyone who enjoys being outside. Staff plan regular events like group games, music therapy, animal visits, crafts, and movie nights, and often celebrate holidays together. There's space for family gatherings and group visits in the living and dining rooms, where residents can watch high-definition TV or use the wireless internet and telephone service. The home feels more like a family house than an institution, and people living there are encouraged to make friendships with both other residents and the staff, who often talk about treating those in their care like family.

      Meals are cooked daily in the kitchen and served three times a day, with snacks in between. Staff can prepare special meals, including vegetarian and kosher diets, as well as clinical diets for conditions like diabetes or hypertension, and there are options for those with food allergies. The staff takes care of housekeeping and laundry, and help is available with beauty needs in the on-site salon or barbershop. Caregivers also arrange and provide transportation for medical appointments, errands, or visits to faith services, and keep in close touch with health providers if the resident needs ongoing care.

      Seniors living here have move-in help from the staff, and there are regular recreational activities, exercise programs, and opportunities for group outings in the local community. Rooms are safe, with electronic alarms on gates and doors, and the whole house is kept tidy. Emergency systems are in place for added safety. Everything in the home is designed to help seniors keep their independence, stay comfortable, and enjoy their life with dignity and peace of mind. The home follows state licensing rules (License #: 565801532) and is known in the area as a place where seniors can live in a comfortable, supportive environment, making it easier for them and their families.

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