West Hills Retirement Center is located in a blue building with a scarlet canopy over the entrance. A homespun charm pervades the facility as evidenced by the multiple paintings and the faux flowers throughout. Magazines and books are gently splayed along the coffee table in the lobby seating area. Carpets line most of the interior space. Color schemes vary in residents’ rooms, but within each one the wallpaper and carpet complement one another. Windows allow natural light to stream in. Residents can opt to bring in their own furnishings to add a more personalized touch, although several choices of furniture sets are available from the facility. The large dining room has several covered tables. Menus are varied and always include a few vegetarian choices. West Hills Retirement Center works to keep mealtimes lively by celebrating birthdays monthly and hosting live music during the Sunday evening meal. Those with a sweet tooth will happily note the dessert cart that makes the rounds at both lunch and dinner. The TV room sports not only its namesake, but also books and an organ. The Chapel Room has music playing in the background. Residents sometimes enjoy board games here. Larger activities take place in the main common room. With its long tables, it reminded us of a banquet hall. Family days are celebrated with outside entertainment. Trips to local attractions or special events take place weekly. The daily fitness hour keeps residents in shape, and the arts and crafts program keeps fingers nimble. Lawn furniture is spread throughout the outdoor patio which sits alongside the building’s exterior; some residents smoke in this area. Throughout our tour, the staff was cheerful and friendly. We also noted that the administrator seemed to keep an open-door policy, as we witnessed many residents entering her office. The current owners have run the facility for a number of years and are particularly hands-on. Residents requiring wheelchairs are not accepted.
