What levels of care does this community offer?

Emerald Heights offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, continuing care retirement community, and skilled nursing.

Are there photos of this home?

There are 26 photos of Emerald Heights on Mirador.

Can I shift to assisted living and memory care as needed?

Yes, Emerald Heights allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.

What is Emerald Heights's address?

The full address for this community is 10901 176th Cir NE, Redmond, WA, 98052.

Does this community offer respite care?

Yes, Emerald Heights 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.

Emerald Heights - Redmond, WA

Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive but nuanced: the dominant theme is that Emerald Heights is a large, well-appointed, resort-like continuing care community with an exceptionally strong culture and many enthusiastic residents. Reviewers repeatedly identify the staff and the resident community as the property’s greatest asset — staff are described as friendly, caring, professional, and connected to residents, and many comments emphasize staff going above and beyond (holiday decorating, overtime to run events, warm interactions). Multiple reviewers said moving to Emerald Heights was the best decision for them or their family, citing peace of mind and an easy, comforting transition.

Facility and campus: The property is repeatedly described as beautiful, well-kept, and expansive (commonly reported as 35–38 acres). Amenities are extensive and of high quality: an Olympic-size pool with aquatic classes, full fitness center with attendants, woodland walking trails, resident gardens, a cozy bar with fireplaces, courtyard features (miniature railroad), and multiple social spaces. The campus supports independent living apartments (many with kitchens and in-unit laundry), cottages, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing — reviewers appreciate the continuum of care and on-site medical services. Security features such as gated entry and a 24/7 guardhouse are noted positively. While many praise the resort-like atmosphere and high-end finishes in apartments, several reviewers observe the campus is spread out, which can mean longer walks between areas and variability in sun exposure by unit.

Activities and community life: A standout strength is the breadth and depth of programs and social opportunities. Reviews list a wide range of activities: musical groups (Silver Singers), theater, reading and book meetings, arts and crafts, bingo, knitting, woodworking, exercise classes, lawn bowling, pickleball, bus trips, and other outings. Resident-run committees, a resident store, and frequent events contribute to a lively, engaged community and a strong sense of purpose and belonging for residents. Many reviewers cite residents seeming happy, engaged, and energetic, and note that staff often genuinely enjoy working there.

Dining and food: Dining receives many positive mentions — reviewers describe very good to exquisite food, a large menu selection, reasonably priced or even surprisingly affordable meal options (some comment meals cost less than grocery shopping). Multiple dining formats are available: 24/7 dining, dining room meals, grab-and-go, and event catering. However, there is a recurring complaint thread about changes to dining service: some residents report a shift toward buffets and a perceived decline in food quality after staffing or policy changes. Dining experiences therefore appear mixed: many praise the food and menus, while some have been disappointed by recent changes.

Staff, management, and administration: Staff at most levels (nurses, caregivers, fitness staff, front-line employees) are consistently praised as professional, helpful, and kind. Administrative and marketing teams receive mixed feedback: several reviewers commend marketing and tour staff for informative, pleasant tours, while other reviewers allege heavy-handed or manipulative marketing tactics and name specific staff members in negative accounts. There are also reports of rude or threatening behavior from entrance or administrative staff in isolated incidents, which contrasts sharply with the otherwise warm staff narratives. Organizational responsiveness is another mixed area: some reviewers highlight well-organized offices and thorough staff who answer questions, while others raise concerns about maintenance responsiveness and broken promises.

Maintenance, accessibility, and safety: While many note the grounds and buildings are well maintained, persistent maintenance issues are cited in multiple reviews — most notably long-term elevator outages and concerns after a change in the elevator maintenance contractor. These mechanical and maintenance problems have practical impact, especially for residents using scooters or walkers, and have contributed to frustration. Accessibility knowledge among staff also varies according to reviews. Security is appreciated (gated entry, guardhouse), but limited visitor parking and the sprawling layout create practical inconveniences for families and guests.

Cost, contracts, and value: Cost and value are recurring, complex themes. Reviews include a mix of opinions: some residents and families feel Emerald Heights offers good value for the amenities, services, and peace of mind provided. Other reviewers voice serious concerns about high upfront buy-ins (one review mentions $477,000) and monthly fees (reports of over $5,000 per month), expensive extras, and ongoing price increases that have created perceptions of diminished value. A few reviews explicitly accuse the organization of 'corporate greed' or of using marketing tactics that overpromise benefits, and there are statements suggesting perceived bait-and-switch practices. Prospective residents should consider both the high level of amenities and the potential long-term cost trajectory.

Notable negative reports: Although negative accounts are fewer in number compared with positive ones, they are important and varied. Complaints include maintenance lapses (e.g., prolonged elevator outages), overcrowding in certain care areas (Corwin Center), declines in dining after service changes, accessibility issues for mobility devices, and individual reports alleging disrespectful or threatening administrative behavior. One review was strongly critical of care quality (rating 2/5) and referenced potential external scrutiny; this suggests that while many residents report excellent care, there are isolated but serious concerns that merit investigation and due diligence by prospective residents and families.

Overall assessment: The reviews paint Emerald Heights as a high-end, activity-rich continuing care community with a warm culture and abundant amenities, where staff and resident community are the defining strengths. However, potential residents should weigh the clear positives against recurring concerns: high costs, some management and maintenance issues, occasional declines in service (notably dining), and mixed experiences with administrative and marketing staff. Because a few reviews reference significant problems, prospective residents are advised to tour the property, ask specific questions about elevator reliability and maintenance protocols, dining formats and recent changes, exact contract terms (buy-in, monthly fees, fee increases, what is included vs extra), and to speak with current residents about accessibility and responsiveness to repair requests before making a decision.

Emerald Heights sits behind Redmond High School on Education Hill in Redmond, Washington, and has been serving older adults since 1992, so they've got over 30 years of experience looking after seniors who want to stay independent but still need a bit of support from time to time, and with over 550 residents on its 38-acre campus, you see all types of people coming and going, some out for a walk on the one-mile trail through the trees, some sitting in the landscaped courtyard with its waterfalls and fire pit, maybe enjoying a meal from the dining room or just talking with friends in one of the common areas. You'll find residents as young as 55, and they live in everything from studio apartments to one- and two-bedroom places, even some cottages, with semi-private rooms also available for those who want to share. The campus gives a lot of choices, and they're always working on upgrades, like the retrofitting project on the main building or activities in the fitness center, and folks use the gym, the therapy rooms, even the pool when they feel like it. There's skilled nursing care, memory care, and assisted living, so if you need more help down the line-and many do as they age-you can mostly stay on the same campus and keep a routine. People get help with blood sugar checks if they have diabetes, though you'll need to handle insulin shots yourself, and staff can give extra assistance with things like moving from the bed to a wheelchair or advice for anyone dealing with incontinence so long as residents can manage themselves. The medical staff can be called when you need them, and someone is available around the clock in case of emergency, plus there's access to therapists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and internal medicine doctors if the need arises.

You see lots of activity at Emerald Heights, from group games to classes and social events on the packed calendar, and the programs include things meant to keep you moving or to stir up friendships, or just keep your mind sharp. Homemade meals are prepared every day, which saves residents the effort of cooking, and most everything is aimed at helping people age in place, so you don't have to move if needs change; that applies to independent living, assisted living, memory care, and even skilled nursing or rehab care. Special activities like devotional services offsite, a garden railroad, and a mile-long hiking path are there if you're the type who likes to get outdoors or enjoy hobbies, and the community pays attention to all seven aspects of wellness, including emotional and social needs, spiritual life, learning, the environment, physical health, and even some work or volunteer opportunities for those interested. Emerald Heights runs as a non-profit, so their focus is steady support, offering not just a place to live but a life plan community with unlimited on-site long-term care, and with Medicaid accepted for assisted living without a private pay commitment, plus private pay, social security, veterans benefits, and their own fee structure, there are quite a few ways folks can arrange to stay. The community managed to grow too, with their Heron's Key site that opened in Gig Harbor back in 2017.

You'll find indoor common spaces to gather, a resident portal for folks comfortable with computers, an interactive campus map with a floor plan fit calculator for anyone thinking about moving in, and even relocation services to help newcomers transition more smoothly. Residents can expect amenities like scheduled meals, on-site and offsite activities, therapy rooms in both smaller and bigger gym spaces, outpatient fitness facilities, and beautiful neighborhood settings. Emerald Heights puts an emphasis on creating stable communities for seniors where you get a sense of security and the chance to keep busy, meet new people, and age with some confidence, with everything meant to support your physical, social, and emotional health as you go about daily life.

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