MorningStar of Albuquerque

My mother was a resident of Morningstar's Reflection unit for 3 years and received excellent care from the staff as she transitioned from more independence to needing hospice care. The staff were very kind with my mother who faced many challenges beyond dementia including severe hearing loss and becoming more physically incapacitated. The staff work as a team to provide quality care in a beautiful environment and they encourage participation in activities to keep residents active at whatever level they are capable of. They were very responsive to our requests for the additional needs my mother had over time. We are very grateful for their professionalism and compassion.

I suspected the care here was unreasonably low, but it wasn't until my family moved my mother to a different facility that it was confirmed. This review is mainly for the memory care area. If your loved one only needs assisted living, your experience could be ok, but if like my mom, you no longer remember how to take care of yourself, different story. I'll start with a positive. The building is really nice. Hygiene is substandard. I took my mom to the dentist after being in their facility for a number of months, and her dental hygienist was enraged at the state of her mouth. I sent a foot nurse to see to her foot pain, and they reported her toes were black with grime and nobody noticed or informed us that her toenails had not been cut once. The food in memory care was increasingly bad. She was given juice to drink - not water despite our requests - and while sometimes the food seemed just ok, other times, it looked terrible, nothing fresh or fresh made or healthy looking. She never had her own eyeglasses on. Nobody noticed or kept track despite my numerous requests. She went in with a very nice wardrobe, which gradually mostly disappeared as her closet was filled with old, worn, wrong sized items, even large men's clothes. She had multiple pairs of nice shoes, and by the time we moved her out, she had 2 shoes (not pairs) of her own that matched. Both her coats gone. Her walker gone. They couldn't find any of her things. When I would drop in, she was most often in mismatched, inappropriate pajamas, no bra, hair not brushed, one slipper, etc. Without exception, every time I dropped in, most (not all) of the staff were sitting together and on their phones, INCLUDING the male supervisor. There were a couple of staff who seemed to care and be half way professional, but they tended to be replaced at high rates. One staff member told me the situation bothered her and she tried to bring things up, but it was useless. Possibly worst of all, when we tried to bring up our concerns in a respectful way, we were blown off by the male supervisor, and the higher ups were copied. We have copies of these emails. And all for 10k plus a month. NOW: We moved my mother to a Good Life facility a few months ago. Everything changed overnight. All above problems gone. Best thing we ever did. Wish we moved her sooner. I'll end with some positives. The mission is good, and some staff are caring, and the facilities are very nice. They kept my mom more or less safe and fed. The occasional activities and entertainment are very nice.

I can’t say enough about the exceptional care and service my dad has received at Morningstar Assisted Living. From the moment we arrived, I knew we had made the right decision. The facility itself is absolutely beautiful, immaculately maintained, and full of amenities that make it feel more like a four-star resort than an assisted living facility. It has everything from a serene garden and a movie theater to a gym, a library with a cozy fireplace, and even a salon. But it’s the staff that really makes this place stand out, and I truly feel like I’ve found a place that sincerely cares for my dad’s well-being. A huge thank you to Analise Pham in the front office, who has been incredibly helpful and welcoming. Her warmth and efficiency made the transition smooth, and she really made us feel at home right away. I also want to recognize the medical director, Elijah, who has been instrumental in coordinating my dad’s care. His professionalism and thoughtful approach have given me so much confidence in trusting Morningstar with my dad’s needs, especially after months of dealing with acute medical conditions. He has ensured my dad's move from sub-acute rehab to assisted living was seamless and safe, and I couldn’t be more grateful. That is most certainly among the reasons he has been selected as best of the best in New Mexico. The nursing staff is absolutely top-notch. Their compassionate care and attention to detail have made all the difference. I’ve also been so impressed by the dedication of the housekeeping team, Daniel and the maintenance department, and the amazingly kind staff in the dining facility. They’ve all gone above and beyond in ways I didn’t expect. Speaking of the dining staff, I’ve had the pleasure of sampling the food during my visits, and I’ve been so impressed by the quality and variety of offerings. The food is delicious, and the service is equally outstanding. It’s clear that they truly care about providing an enjoyable dining experience for the residents. Another huge plus is how the staff encourages patient participation in activities, which my dad really needs. From games in the community room to peaceful strolls through the garden, there’s always something to engage and uplift the residents. When my dad arrived, the team even greeted him with a chocolate milkshake—a small gesture that spoke volumes about the level of care and thoughtfulness at Morningstar. They also helped me haul countless boxes as I was unpacking his things, making a potentially overwhelming experience much more manageable. In short, I cannot recommend Morningstar enough. It’s a place where the staff doesn’t just meet expectations—they exceed them, every day. I feel so incredibly lucky to have found a place that not only cares for my dad’s physical needs but also fosters an environment of warmth, comfort, and community. If you’re looking for a place that truly values its residents and their families, Morningstar is the best of the best.

Beautiful and welcoming community. Great caring staff. Jackie greets you with a big smile at the front desk. Analise, Efren, and Isidro have really raised the bar for excellence throughout the community. By far the best community in the area!