What levels of care does this community offer?

The Carnelian III offers memory care and board and care.

What is The Carnelian III's address?

The full address for this community is 2374 Warren Road, Walnut Creek, CA, 94595.

Does this community offer respite care?

Yes, The Carnelian III 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.

The Carnelian III - Walnut Creek, CA

Overall sentiment from the reviews is strongly positive, with repeated emphasis on compassionate, personalized caregiving and a warm, home-like atmosphere. Reviewers consistently note that staff are attentive, patient, and knowledgeable, and that residents benefit from assigned primary caregivers and consistent staffing. The facility’s approach is described as dementia-friendly, focusing on stimulation, loving interaction, and individualized attention rather than an institutional model of care. Multiple comments underline that the small size of the community is an asset because it allows staff to know residents well and provide tailored personal care.

Care quality emerges as a central theme. The presence of primary caregivers and consistent staffing is highlighted as promoting continuity and personalization, which reviewers associate with better outcomes for residents, especially those with dementia. The facility’s philosophy of emphasizing stimulation and warm, loving care is repeatedly mentioned; reviewers portray a setting where residents receive hands-on, individualized support rather than impersonal, regimented services. This positions the community as especially well-suited for families seeking a compassionate, person-centered environment.

Staff and management receive strong praise. Descriptors such as wonderful, attentive, compassionate, patient, and knowledgeable appear across reviews. The manager is singled out as energetic, hands-on, and communicative — traits that reviewers connect to overall responsiveness and effective oversight. Several reviews explicitly say residents are treated like family, which reinforces the impression of strong interpersonal care and a values-driven staff culture.

The physical environment and amenities are another clear strength. Reviewers describe a charming complex of homes and gardens with ornate decor, warm common areas, large decks, and lush landscaping. These elements contribute to a homelike, inviting atmosphere rather than a clinical setting. Activities and programming are noted as excellent and varied, with live music, big-screen movies, and holiday parties specifically called out. Dining is also praised, with multiple mentions of excellent food. Together, these factors suggest a vibrant daily life with attention to both social and sensory engagement.

There is limited criticism in the reviews provided. The primary (and essentially sole) concern mentioned is that the facility’s relaxed, home-like style and ornate, less-rigid approach may not suit individuals who prefer a strict, military-like standard of neatness or highly regimented environments. This suggests a potential mismatch for people seeking ultra-formal order and precision rather than warmth and hominess. No other recurring negatives—such as problems with staffing levels, cleanliness, safety, or food quality—appear in these summaries.

In conclusion, the reviews paint The Carnelian III as a small, well-managed community that prioritizes personalized, dementia-friendly care within a warm, residential setting. Strengths include compassionate and knowledgeable staff, consistent caregiver assignments, an active program of activities and events, attractive grounds and common areas, and strong, communicative leadership. Prospective residents and families looking for an intimate, family-like environment focused on stimulation and individualized care are likely to find it a very good fit. Those who require or prefer highly regimented, ultra-neat institutional standards should consider whether the facility’s relaxed, ornate, and homelike style matches their expectations.

The Carnelian III in Walnut Creek is a small board and care home that houses up to six residents, giving a close-knit feeling where everyone gets personalized support. The facility's been around since 1973 and sits in a quiet residential area, surrounded by beautiful, lush gardens and big decks where residents can relax outdoors. The staff help with daily tasks like bathing, grooming, dressing, and medication, and they coordinate with healthcare providers too. They're patient and familiar with residents' routines, offering insulin shots, managing special diets for things like high blood pressure or diabetes, and even handling more complex needs like two-person transfers or using lifts. Wheelchair users get easy access to showers and private or full baths.

The Carnelian III offers assisted living support, memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia, and respite programs if a caregiver needs a break. There's a secure section for those with memory challenges, with 24-hour supervision, wander alert systems, and even bracelets that ring alarms if someone tries to leave the safe areas, and the staff are experienced with handling behavior issues if they come up. For residents who like company, there's a communal dining room for meals, a book room, recreation and movie areas, and gatherings for holidays. There are weekly activities-exercise groups, movie nights, music and art programs, pet therapy, and social games. Residents enjoy walks on accessible paths, can join in spiritual services, or get rides to the doctor's or for local errands. Meals are prepared on-site with care for nutrition and taste, meeting personal needs.

The Carnelian III offers a more home-like setting than large institutions, with housekeepers keeping rooms and shared spaces clean, laundry and dry cleaning done for residents, and help always near thanks to emergency alert systems installed throughout the community. There are amenities like a fitness room, hot tub, steam room, and a hair parlor, plus indoor and outdoor areas for socializing. Residents can keep pets, and the facility hosts events during special times like July 4 and Christmas, providing a sense of routine and celebration.

The care team works to keep life calm, safe, and welcoming. They create routines for memory support, help people stay active and social, and focus on relationships. Families are welcome to visit and join in, and there's an emphasis on regular activities to keep everyone engaged. Licensed by local authorities, The Carnelian III doesn't accept Medicare unless they're certified, but they do provide hospice care if needed. The place has earned a 4.7 overall rating from reviews, showing appreciation for the level of attention, calm environment, and the comfort it brings to seniors and their families.

Nearby Communities