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Assisted Living

Garden Terrace Healthcare Center of Federal Way

Families consistently rate this highly — reviewers highlight clean, modern, and well-maintained facility. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.

491 S 338th Street, Federal Way, WA 9800334 bedsLicensed & Active
Source: WA DSHS — view official record
Google rating
4.6/5

based on 386 Google reviews

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What this means for your family

Garden Terrace offers a clean, modern environment with a highly regarded therapy team that often produces excellent recovery outcomes. However, families must be aware of consistent reports regarding understaffing and administrative lapses; we strongly recommend being present regularly to advocate for your loved one's hygiene and care needs.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

386 reviews on Google
Garden Terrace Healthcare Center of Federal Way is widely praised for its clean, modern, and hotel-like environment, with many families highlighting the friendly and professional nursing and therapy staff. However, several reviewers have raised serious concerns regarding understaffing, inconsistent communication from management, and instances of neglect regarding hygiene and medication management. While many families report excellent rehabilitation outcomes, others have experienced significant distress due to lapses in basic patient care and administrative disorganization.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food8.0Staff7.0Clean9.0Activities6.0Meds3.0MemoryN/AComms3.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Clean, modern, and well-maintained facility
  • Friendly and professional nursing and therapy staff
  • Effective rehabilitation and physical therapy programs
  • Welcoming and inviting atmosphere

Concerns

  • Understaffing leading to slow response times (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Poor hygiene and patient neglect (bed sores, failure to clean) (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Disorganized administration and poor communication (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Medication management errors or delays (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2344.72024(57)4.62025(122)4.72026(66)

Distribution · 245 analyzed

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How They Respond to Reviews

97%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1We've heard such wonderful things about how clean and modern the facility is; how do you ensure the living spaces stay so well-maintained for the residents?
  • 2The nursing and therapy staff have such a great reputation here; could you tell us more about how the team coordinates care between physical therapy and daily nursing needs?
  • 3How does the administration ensure that communication remains clear and consistent between the facility and family members regarding a resident's daily well-being?
  • 4What specific protocols are in place to ensure medication is administered accurately and on a strict schedule every day?
  • 5In the event of a medical emergency during the night, what is the immediate process for getting a resident the care they need?
  • 6We'd love to hear more about the social side of things—what kind of daily activities or community events do the residents typically participate in?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

In the past, she felt like the staff were just “dealing with her,” but at Garden Terrace the staff truly make her feel heard, cared for, and valued.

Long-term resident's family · 2026★★★★★

The 4 stars are for the Staff, they are great, however, the problem with Garden Terrace is there is never enough of that fabulous staff. Tonight as I went to visit my mother, 5 rooms had lights flashing, and there was only a couple staff (as far as I could tell) available to deal with all the calls for help.

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★★

They DO NOT TAKE CARE OF ELDERLY people in critical condition!!! My father came there in from heart surgery COULD eat and sit up and in less than a week got worse and worse by the day.

Family member · 2025☆☆☆☆
Source: 386 Google reviews

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: WA Dept. of Social & Health Services

6total
39deficiencies
Oct 8, 2025Inspection

Follow-up inspection conducted on 10/08/2025 found no deficiencies. This document references compliance determinations 66918 and 63431.; Attestation statements signed by Administrator on 2025-06-17.; The facility is a dual-certified location (Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing) but lacked specific policies for the assisted living portion.

Timing of preadmission assessmentWAC 388-78A-2070

Department found that previously identified deficiencies were corrected.

Service agreement planningWAC 388-78A-2130

Department found that previously identified deficiencies were corrected.

Training and home care aide certification requirementsWAC 388-78A-2474

Department found that previously identified deficiencies were corrected.

Background checksWAC 388-78A-2466

Department found that previously identified deficiencies were corrected.

Full assessment topicsWAC 388-78A-2090

Facility failed to complete a full assessment of care needs, capabilities, and preferences for 3 of 4 sampled residents within 14 days of admission.

Service agreement planningWAC 388-78A-2130

Facility failed to document in 3 of 5 residents' service agreements a plan to monitor and address interventions for clinical needs, such as catheter care and hypertension/anxiety management.

Signing negotiated service agreementWAC 388-78A-2150

Facility failed to ensure 3 of 5 residents or their representatives signed an annual Negotiated Service Agreement.

Food and nutrition servicesWAC 388-78A-2300

Facility failed to ensure menus were not repeated within a three-week timeframe.

Preventing contamination from the premisesWAC 246-215-03360

Unsanitary kitchen conditions including dust and debris on fans, light fixtures, and shelves; and uncovered food in refrigeration.

Tuberculosis testing requiredWAC 388-78A-2480

Facility failed to ensure 2 of 4 staff members were screened for TB within three days of employment.

Notification of change in administratorWAC 388-78A-2570

Facility failed to notify the Department in writing within 10 days of a change in administrator.

Resident rights Notice Policy on accepting medicaidWAC 388-78A-2665

Facility failed to provide 5 of 9 residents with a copy of the facility's policy for acceptance of Medicaid and failed to obtain a signature.

Staff TrainingWAC 388-78A-2460(1)(c)(d)(e)

Facility failed to ensure 4 of 6 staff completed required training in dementia, mental health, CPR, first aid, and continuing education.

Communication systemWAC 388-78A-2930

Facility failed to provide a system for 9 of 9 residents to summon staff for assistance in resident-accessible areas.

Background checksWAC 388-78A-2466

Facility failed to submit background authorization forms or complete fingerprint background checks for 5 of 6 staff members.

Policies and proceduresWAC 388-78A-2600

Facility failed to develop and implement written policies and procedures for assisted living services, only having policies for skilled nursing.

Storing, securing, and accounting for medicationsWAC 388-78A-2260

Facility failed to properly store over-the-counter medications separately for each resident.

Staff Qualifications and TrainingWAC 388-78A-2450

Facility failed to ensure 6 of 6 staff had documented qualifications, orientation, or training for their assigned duties.

Sep 16, 2025Investigation

The document package includes a cover letter dated 2025-10-30 stating that a follow-up inspection on 2025-10-30 found no deficiencies and that the previous citation was corrected.

Medication servicesWAC 388-78A-2210Corrected Sep 16, 2025

Facility failed to ensure safe handling and storage of liquid narcotic medication (Oxycodone) for Resident 1, with reports of medication spilling, missing amounts, and unexplained changes in medication color/taste.

Aug 8, 2025Enforcement
$1,600.00Report

Letter details an imposition of civil fines totaling $1,600.00 for uncorrected deficiencies previously cited on June 2, 2025.

Timing of preadmission assessmentWAC 388-78A-2070 (1)(2)

Failed to complete two residents' pre-admission assessments.

Service agreement planningWAC 388-78A-2130 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(5)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(6)(a)(i)(ii)(b)

Failed to document in two residents' service agreements a plan to monitor and address interventions required to meet their care and current clinical needs.

Training and home care aide certification requirementsWAC 388-78A-2474 (2)(a)(c)(d)(e)

Failed to ensure four staff completed all required training to perform their job duties and responsibilities.

Background checksWAC 388-78A-2466 (1)(a)(b)(2)

Failed to complete a national fingerprint background check for three staff.

May 20, 2025Fire

The inspection conducted on 04/21/2025 was marked 'Disapproved'. A follow-up inspection on 05/20/2025 confirmed that all violations from the previous inspection have been corrected, resulting in an 'Approved' status.

Sprinkler systems maintenanceIFC 903.5 2021

Facility unable to provide an annual forward flow report.

Fusible Link MaintenanceIFC 904.5 2021

Facility needs a heat survey for the commercial hood to determine required fusible link rating; current report shows 7 links at 450 degrees.

Means of egress maintenanceIFC 1032.2 2021

A bush outside by room 322 obstructs the exit door, making it harder to open and close.

Emergency and standby power systems recordsIFC 1203.4.3 2021

Facility unable to provide a fuel sample report for their generator.

May 7, 2024Fire

Initial inspection on 2024-03-21 resulted in a 'Disapproved' status. A follow-up inspection on 2024-05-07 confirmed all violations noted during previous inspection(s) have been corrected.

Inspection, Testing and MaintenanceIFC 901.6 2021

Sprinkler heads were loaded in the kitchen and laundry room.

Extinguishing System ServiceIFC 904.13.5.2 2021

The facility's hood suppression report shows it is yellow tagged.

Hangers and BracketsIFC 906.7 2021

The fire extinguisher in the Riser room is not properly mounted.

Dec 14, 2023Inspection

A separate follow-up letter indicates these deficiencies were verified as corrected by 02/05/2024.; The document includes both a formal statement of deficiencies regarding medication and a cover letter/inspection summary listing additional consultation items.

Licensee's responsibilitiesWAC 388-78A-2730

Facility failed to maintain/post the current license, failed to post the 2020 inspection report, and failed to renew the Medical Test Site Waiver certificate.

Food sanitationWAC 388-78A-2305

The facility failed to have a valid food worker card for two food service employees.

Notification of change in administratorWAC 388-78A-2570

Facility failed to notify the Department in writing of a change in the assisted living facility administrator within 10 days of hire.

Maintenance and housekeepingWAC 388-78A-3090

The facility failed to keep ceiling tiles throughout the facility clean and in good condition due to water damage.

Food and nutrition servicesWAC 388-78A-2300

Menu items repeated within a three-week timeframe; food service director was unaware of the requirement to include all food options or avoid repeating menu items.

ActivitiesWAC 388-78A-2180

Facility failed to provide specific group activities for assisted living residents; activities were nursing-home based, and no specific AL calendar was created.

Specialized training for dementiaWAC 388-78A-2510

The facility failed to ensure all staff completed required specialized training for dementia for four residents with a primary diagnosis of dementia.

Signing negotiated service agreementWAC 388-78A-2150

2 out of 7 sampled residents did not have an annual negotiated service agreement (NSA) signed by the resident or their representative.

Documentation of potential side effects and interventions

The facility failed to document potential side effects and interventions for a resident receiving blood-thinning medication (Aspirin and Clopidogrel), placing the resident at risk.

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References & Resources

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