About Us
Experience Our Culture of Caring
Our incredible culture sets us apart, built on the Carlton Commitments: Love, Honor, and Provide. Since 1985, Carlton’s family-founded, family-focused approach has been rooted in exceptional care, diverse activities, and compassionate staff. For 40 years and counting, we’ve been honored to serve seniors and their families, helping them live full and meaningful lives.
Celebrating 40 Years of Service 🥂Our Story
While caring for his mother, Carolyn, in the early 1980s, Tom MacDonald saw the need for a different kind of senior care community. At the time, there were limited options for active seniors who wanted a high level of services and amenities, so Tom rolled up his sleeves. Drawing on his expertise as a real estate developer and general contractor, Tom designed the earliest Carlton communities himself, and in 1985, the company opened its first senior living community in Pleasant Hill. Dr. Don Engle, a retired professor of dentistry, joined as a founding partner in 1989, bringing with him his valuable medical and business experience.
Our communities, led by President Dave Coluzzi, offer a wide range of highly respected programs and services. As one of Northern California’s most established senior living providers, Carlton is recognized for quality care, engaging health and wellness programs, and meaningful staff development initiatives.
Our founding family continues to play an active role in staying true to the principles we started with decades ago—principles that have shaped Carlton Senior Living into the thriving organization it is today.
Our Values
Satisfaction Guaranteed
At Carlton, we go above and beyond to ensure that our residents and their families feel right at home. We are so confident in the experience we provide that we offer a 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If for any reason you don’t feel Carlton is the right fit, we’ll refund 100% of your rent—because your peace of mind is our top priority. We’d love to show you what makes the Carlton experience so special.
Schedule a Visit
Committed to Kindness
Our employees are our most valuable assets. From our skilled nurses and managers to our friendly dining, maintenance, and housekeeping staff, we are committed to serving you and your loved ones with respect, kindness, and compassion. It’s our unique culture of caring that makes all the difference.
Tailored to Your Needs
Our senior living communities offer an array of individually tailored services and care options — ranging from independent apartments and exceptional assisted living services to award-winning health and memory care programs. We have diverse services and programs for every stage, allowing residents to age in place as their needs evolve.
Our Commitments
Love
Act with empathy, compassion, and understanding.
Honor
Demonstrate value and respect to our seniors and their families.
Provide
Display exceptional service, enthusiasm and integrity creating a safe and pristine environment.
Our Staff
Rewarding Careers
We believe happy employees ensure happy residents. With attractive benefits, hands-on training, and opportunities for career advancement, we take great pride in recruiting people who embrace and embody our unique culture of caring.
Learn More
Education and Development
All employees participate in hands-on training through Carlton University, which educates, empowers, and enables them to provide the best possible care for our residents. Our programs cover a wide range of senior care and safety topics to ensure that every member of the Carlton family feels safe and well-cared for.
Learn More
Celebrating Excellence
At Carlton, we take pride in recognizing the exceptional contributions of our staff across all community roles and shifts. Our “Best of the Best” awards celebrate staff members who exemplify Carlton’s core values every day, while our Hero Awards honor those whose quick action, compassion, and courage made a life-changing difference. Together, these recognitions reflect the heart of Carlton: dedicated people who help create the warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment that defines our communities.
Meet our “Best of the Best” and Hero Award recipients.
Learn More