Senior Living Marketing
Caring Stars
Testimonials
Jean — a senior in her early 80s — reached out to Caring a few years ago for help finding a new home closer to friends. She chose The Waterford at Thousand Oaks, a community serving seniors in San Antonio, Texas for over 20 years. In October 2024, Jean shared a 5-star review via Caring’s award-winning review call-in line, detailing how much she loves the community and her experiences serving as a resident “ambassador” to help others considering or living at the community.
“All the options, all the positive things that happen in this building, I'm one of the ones that share the information,” she said in her review. She’s particularly fond of community activities like dance, art, crafts, sewing, bingo, and more, and compliments the staff: “All of them are very excellent people. They learn everybody's name. They care about everybody…They do ‘above and beyond’ work here.”
It’s reviews like Jean’s that have led to The Waterford at Thousand Oaks being a Caring Stars service excellence award winner in six years since 2017 — including in the last five consecutive years, and a Caring Super Star (3-year or more winner) every year since 2022.
Executive Director Dennise Acosta said in a recent interview with Caring, “Feedback is a great gift. We always reach for the moon, and get to the stars!”
She displays their Caring Stars awards in the community lobby. “There are so many people that have agreed this is somewhere that your loved one is going to be cared for, be loved, and be happy. We’re going to create new memories together. And I think that’s what Caring Stars helps us to display.”
In their reviews on Caring.com that led to their stellar status:
Residents (like Jean) praise the camaraderie in the community, the genuine attention and caring from the staff, flexible dining options, and the activities.
Family and friends of residents comment about how accommodating and helpful their team is, and notice how clean and well-maintained the community is (something the residents have also mentioned).
Tour-takers likewise give positive feedback about how welcoming, homey and family-oriented the community is — The Waterford at Thousand Oaks is making a great first impression for these visitors.
Dennise shares the published reviews with her staff and says, “This is how great you are. This is the impact you’re making.” And when residents ask her how they can help the community they love, she asks them to share a review too, “to help us change more lives.”
The Waterford at Thousand Oaks is a community within the Sonida Senior Living portfolio of properties, focused on “comfort, connection and fun — helping seniors live their best lives.” Their mission is “to create a safe and caring environment where team members thrive, and residents find their joy in new experiences and friendships.” The reviews on Caring.com help demonstrate how well they’re delivering on their mission.
“Reputation management has become an important focus for Sonida Senior Living and for the families we support,” says Kari Wilson, director of sales operations. “Being recognized by Caring.com with the Caring Stars award is certainly an additional bonus as we achieve and maintain a strong reputation for each of our communities. An award like Caring Stars shows that as a company, Sonida is dedicated to ensuring that we not only measure up in our markets, but also shines a spotlight on the fact that we exceed, by offering the best services possible for the families that choose a Sonida Senior Living community.”
Kari adds, “The Caring Stars award helps families that are at the beginning of their senior living journey navigate offerings and identify great options regarding communities to consider and commit to. It sets Sonida apart and helps to guide families to the best solutions for them.”
Since June 2014, over a dozen such family members of residents have given a positive review about The Waterford of Thousand Oaks’ independent living services. A few samples:
“I'm glad she's safe & enjoying her senior years,” said Allenton, whose mother is a resident.
“People were very friendly, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Anytime I needed something from them, they were very accommodating,” said Sherry, whose sister was a resident.
“I am very impressed…all the staff interact and care about the clients, and treat the seniors like family!” said Olivia, whose aunt lives there.
Dennise agrees and adds, “We have amazing residents, family members and staff. We do have a beautiful community, but it’s the people who make us who we are, and they’re among my biggest blessings.”
Caring’s CEO Tracey Zhen also highlights the importance of customer reviews and the Caring Stars award. In announcing the 2025 winning communities, she said, “Earning the Caring Stars award is a mark of excellence that sets these communities apart. This achievement underscores their commitment to creating high-quality, customer-centric experiences and to delighting those they serve.”
As their Caring Stars performance has demonstrated, The Waterford at Thousand Oaks has been a shining example of service excellence in senior living, and their reviews on Caring.com help illuminate, detail and celebrate how so.
Photo Source: The Waterford at Thousand Oaks
Photo Source: The Waterford at Thousand Oaks
Learn more about Caring Stars by contacting reviews@caring.com, and learn more about The Waterford at Thousand Oaks via their community’s profile.
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Senior Living Marketing
Caring Stars
Testimonials
Jean — a senior in her early 80s — reached out to Caring a few years ago for help finding a new home closer to friends. She chose The Waterford at Thousand Oaks, a community serving seniors in San Antonio, Texas for over 20 years. In October 2024, Jean shared a 5-star review via Caring’s award-winning review call-in line, detailing how much she loves the community and her experiences serving as a resident “ambassador” to help others considering or living at the community.
“All the options, all the positive things that happen in this building, I'm one of the ones that share the information,” she said in her review. She’s particularly fond of community activities like dance, art, crafts, sewing, bingo, and more, and compliments the staff: “All of them are very excellent people. They learn everybody's name. They care about everybody…They do ‘above and beyond’ work here.”
It’s reviews like Jean’s that have led to The Waterford at Thousand Oaks being a Caring Stars service excellence award winner in six years since 2017 — including in the last five consecutive years, and a Caring Super Star (3-year or more winner) every year since 2022.
Executive Director Dennise Acosta said in a recent interview with Caring, “Feedback is a great gift. We always reach for the moon, and get to the stars!”
She displays their Caring Stars awards in the community lobby. “There are so many people that have agreed this is somewhere that your loved one is going to be cared for, be loved, and be happy. We’re going to create new memories together. And I think that’s what Caring Stars helps us to display.”
In their reviews on Caring.com that led to their stellar status:
Residents (like Jean) praise the camaraderie in the community, the genuine attention and caring from the staff, flexible dining options, and the activities.
Family and friends of residents comment about how accommodating and helpful their team is, and notice how clean and well-maintained the community is (something the residents have also mentioned).
Tour-takers likewise give positive feedback about how welcoming, homey and family-oriented the community is — The Waterford at Thousand Oaks is making a great first impression for these visitors.
Dennise shares the published reviews with her staff and says, “This is how great you are. This is the impact you’re making.” And when residents ask her how they can help the community they love, she asks them to share a review too, “to help us change more lives.”
The Waterford at Thousand Oaks is a community within the Sonida Senior Living portfolio of properties, focused on “comfort, connection and fun — helping seniors live their best lives.” Their mission is “to create a safe and caring environment where team members thrive, and residents find their joy in new experiences and friendships.” The reviews on Caring.com help demonstrate how well they’re delivering on their mission.
“Reputation management has become an important focus for Sonida Senior Living and for the families we support,” says Kari Wilson, director of sales operations. “Being recognized by Caring.com with the Caring Stars award is certainly an additional bonus as we achieve and maintain a strong reputation for each of our communities. An award like Caring Stars shows that as a company, Sonida is dedicated to ensuring that we not only measure up in our markets, but also shines a spotlight on the fact that we exceed, by offering the best services possible for the families that choose a Sonida Senior Living community.”
Kari adds, “The Caring Stars award helps families that are at the beginning of their senior living journey navigate offerings and identify great options regarding communities to consider and commit to. It sets Sonida apart and helps to guide families to the best solutions for them.”
Since June 2014, over a dozen such family members of residents have given a positive review about The Waterford of Thousand Oaks’ independent living services. A few samples:
“I'm glad she's safe & enjoying her senior years,” said Allenton, whose mother is a resident.
“People were very friendly, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Anytime I needed something from them, they were very accommodating,” said Sherry, whose sister was a resident.
“I am very impressed…all the staff interact and care about the clients, and treat the seniors like family!” said Olivia, whose aunt lives there.
Dennise agrees and adds, “We have amazing residents, family members and staff. We do have a beautiful community, but it’s the people who make us who we are, and they’re among my biggest blessings.”
Caring’s CEO Tracey Zhen also highlights the importance of customer reviews and the Caring Stars award. In announcing the 2025 winning communities, she said, “Earning the Caring Stars award is a mark of excellence that sets these communities apart. This achievement underscores their commitment to creating high-quality, customer-centric experiences and to delighting those they serve.”
As their Caring Stars performance has demonstrated, The Waterford at Thousand Oaks has been a shining example of service excellence in senior living, and their reviews on Caring.com help illuminate, detail and celebrate how so.
Photo Source: The Waterford at Thousand Oaks
Photo Source: The Waterford at Thousand Oaks
Learn more about Caring Stars by contacting reviews@caring.com, and learn more about The Waterford at Thousand Oaks via their community’s profile.
