Atria Encino Terrace is located in a modern off-white building with a crisp appearance. Green awnings above the windows and the main entrance block the sun. Russet patio furniture provides seating in the two well-maintained courtyard patios. Smoking is limited to these outdoor areas. The marketing director, our guide, told us many residents utilize the barbecue area. One resident’s son visits here often, grilling steaks for his father. Decorative concrete pillars frame the second lobby entrance. The reception desk is staffed around the clock, monitoring a computer emergency response system. Ivy threads through the neutral-hued lobby carpet. Brass-framed mirrors are grand focal points. Coffee, cookies and water are always available in the cozy lounge.
Waitstaff work in the dining room, which rivals any five-star restaurant. Swag curtains bedeck the windows on one side of the room. On each green tablecloth, a silk floral centerpiece and a four-page menu make an inviting display. Breakfast offers a smorgasbord of options, from eggs and omelets to pancakes and waffles with mouthwatering side dishes. Daily specials diversify the already varied menu. The salad bar is piled high with lush greens. Each resident gets three free guest meal passes monthly. We saw quite a few family members visiting their loved ones during lunch. A private dining room aligns one of the patios. Gold-trimmed dishware, glasses and napery grace the tables. An old-fashioned ice cream parlor is always open, serving tea, coffee, fruit and frozen treats. A sofa and fancy table sets allow room for group socialization or watching TV. Residents often play bridge and card games at the poker table. Jewish and Christian services happen here as well as non-religious pursuits like a weekly happy hour. The well-stocked library is the perfect spot for academic pursuits as well as recreational reading. Blood pressure screenings are conducted in the wellness center, which contains exercise equipment. During the week, activities take place in a sophisticated room with striped wallpaper, comfy sofas and a big TV. Artificial plants hang amid framed photographs. Books, games and a stereo system fill a bookcase in the far corner. Every resident has a private mailbox here.
All accommodations are private unless a couple wishes to share a one-bedroom apartment. Although studios can’t be shared, management is obliging, often tearing down walls to create one-bedroom units for couples. We saw both vacant and occupied apartments, noticing ample room for furnishings and generous closet space. Some pricier apartments have private balconies. All have Internet access. Repainting is allowed. There is a locked medication drawer in every bathroom; some residents are responsible for administering their own medications, while others rely on nurses.
