"but I'm not ready." This is what my husband and I kept hearing from our friends. We weren't…read morereally ready either, but in 2014 we had a chance to "buy" one of the new units and decided to "go for it!!" In hindsight moving to Valle Verde was one of the best decisions we made. We were still healthy and as active as your average 70+ year olds are, and so we could enjoy all that Valle Verde offered --activities and trips AND living with neighbors who have become wonderful friends. Our advice to anyone considering a move to a retirement community continues to be- "don't wait until it's too late!" We both later had physical problems and so spent some time in our skilled nursing facility. It's an older facility, but the nursing and physical therapy care we received was wonderful. AND, when we returned to our Valle Verde home, we didn't have to deal with all the problems we had to deal with in our Hope Ranch home - roof problems, landscaping issues, plumbing Valle Verde's new "green house" skilled nursing facility are almost complete and construction is scheduled to begin in the next year or so. The one story units, the wonderful gardens and walking paths are just a few of the amenities that make living in Valle Verde so special. P Williams

After living here for seven years now it appears that the new senior management has a directive is…read moreto charge the residents as much as possible and to cut back on services and staff and then complain that this nonprofit is only cleaning a million a year which is why they are raising prices.

We moved in six months ago to an independent living apartment…read more My husband and I are both in our early 80's and in relatively good health. We chose to move in when we can enjoy the many activities Samarkand has to offer. We made the right decision. We absolutely love it here. The food, the people, the surroundings, and of course the many activities. Don't wait!

I just finished one review, but after reading some older reviews, I'm happy to report that the care…read moreis much better than nine years ago. When my dad pushes the call button, someone usually responds in under 5 minutes. They seem to be on top of their game!!

We have had a wonderful experience at Villa Santa Barbara. Bob, the director and Bill, the business…read moreoffice manager, have been attentive and very welcoming. There is a community feeling among residents. I highly recommend them without hesitation. There are activities on a daily basis and all the staff is supportive of residents.

Really uncommunicative and downright hostile at times…read more In the time we were there we were originally told we could park his car in the garage as part of his lease. Came back two weeks later to find a hand written note on the windshield saying it needed to move or be towed. No email, no name attached to it, and when I went in and asked a very hostile man came out, followed me through the lot and began berating me. When I tried to show the email they told me that staff member no longer worked there... This is just one of many examples of how they handle issues with residents and their families.

I am deeply grateful that my mother spent her final year in the exceptional care of Alexander…read moreGardens. Navigating her Parkinson's and dementia was difficult, but the staff's kindness, patience, and dignity-first approach provided immense comfort to both of us. The beautiful, fragrant gardens, engaging community activities, and in house entertainment (movies, live music, guest speakers) offered her a quality of life I will always appreciate. Alexander Garden is more than an assisted living facility, its a welcoming, historic, and comfortable home that I am forever thankful for.

A family member shared written disparaging email remarks from their leadership about me because I…read morechallenged out of cycle fee increases (that breached their admission agreement) and also because I challenged their standard of care by advocating for my loved one, as a son and Trustee. Additionally, AG markets and is equipped for assisted living, but I feel they will keep residents beyond their care capacity in the interest of revenue. This is an ideal location for your loved one if you want them devoid of stimulii, alternating between sleeping and watching TV all day and if you have a high tolerance for unresponsive and unprofessional adminstrative staff. Amazingly, their hands on care staff are commendable, but overworked, and exhibit more professionalism than their management.

My mother in law spent her last year alive as a resident of Heritage House. She had required much…read moremore care as she aged, that our family could no longer handle even with outside assistance. We researched places and Heritage House was highly recommended by one of her closest friends. I've never seen another residential home that was better! The care was exemplary. The food was so good. I'd rather have eaten there than at most restaurants. They actually have a chef on staff who prepares absolutely wonderful meals. A lot of of these residential aging facilities get a bad rap for horrible food. Not heritage house! Of course, no places is perfect but the complaints that we had were so small and few that I would always recommend this facility if you have an aging parent that needs full-time care. Is it inexpensive? Of course not but none of these residential facilities are inexpensive anymore. With utilities and food and cable TV and telephone service all included in the monthly bill. We do know from experience that it's a fraction of the cost of maintaining a private house with full-time staff. That's what you get at Heritage house. You will have someone on staff 24 hours a day seven days a week that cares.

My 91 year old mother is here for the last stage and it is such a wonderful facility. So much…read morekindness and care is shown to every elder. Even in COVID I feel every precaution to protect the elders is being taken yet clearly staff tried to meet the needs if residents for human care and connection even in quarantine. They are wonderful about pets living with their elder owners. Cannot recommend more highly.

My wife is a caregiver who has a patient at Vista del Monte. She's been assigned this client for…read moreabout a year now, and is only minimally pleased with the service. Visted on money gives their patients. For instance, just today, she went for her shift only to find out after she had been there for an hour that the patient had acquired COVID. NO NO NO WARNING SIGN ON THE ROOM ENTRANCE. That's a terrible thing for patients and caregivers!

I stayed at Vista Del Monte for a week with a relative who needed round the clock care while he…read morewaited for his room to be ready at their 'memory care' facility (which includes round-the-clock supervision and care.) These are the observations I made in that time :  The staff is doing an excellent job caring for their residents and treats each person as a unique and valued individual. Every staff member we encountered knew my great uncle's name and greeted him warmly.  The kitchen staff were fantastic and accommodating. Any time we had unique requests for condiments or extras (any time of day) they were always happy to oblige. There were two ladies in particular that remembered my name (even though I am a guest and not a resident) and made a point to address me by it, which I thought was very professional and kind. I believe their names were Jennifer and Melissa. On the occasions when we went to dine in the outdoor dining pavilion the wait staff was on par to any high end restaurant in town. I would know as this is what I did for a living for many years. I was shocked...especially considering they don't accept tips anyway...they were just that good because they cared. William stood out as being especially accommodating when our 'reservation' got messed up (my fault) one day.  All of the medical staff who came to the room to give medications or do wellness checks were professional and kind. One woman (Juline) was particularly warm and cheerful. Everytime she left my uncle commented on how much he enjoyed her visits.  The 'resident services' staff were always going above and beyond with any request I brought to them. One lady in particular (Angie I believe) stands out. When I needed to do laundry for my great-uncle, but it was after hours so their little shop was closed she went to her car and got her OWN laundry detergent that she happened to have with her and gave it to me to use!  I could go on and I'm sure there are many staff that deserve specific mention that I've forgotten to include (I should have been keeping notes all week) but in general the entire staff was amazing and I don't have one single less than stellar incident to report.

My mother has been living at Wood Glen Hall for almost three years now and I have to say that she…read morehas never been happier. There are so many fun activities each day and they go all out for the holidays, with a live band and the best decorations and live entertainment. I am always very, very impressed with the regular activities as well as the special event activities that are planned. The staff is very caring and kind and really makes an effort to make everyone have fun and feel like family. The facility is one level with lovely furnishings and a beautiful courtyard garden where residents can gather if they want to sit outside. I also think it is a great value as I looked at other places in Santa Barbara before picking Wood Glen Hall. I am so happy we did and I know my mom will be happy here for many years to come.

Be careful of this place with your elder relatives or loved ones. It may be fine for the…read moreable-bodied, but if your family member has some level of disability (or may have down the road), this place will not be helpful for them. Apparently once a reliable long-term care facility, Wood Glen Hall has come under new management. Our family encountered lack of clear communication there, as well as chaotic care (though some staff members are doing their best). We also had problems with dietary issues, which were not quickly resolved. Also, the recent Covid outbreak at the facility was not necessarily well handled, as it was up to our family to obtain Paxlovid, which needs to be given early in the illness.

On the plus side: My…read moremother made some good friends at Maravilla. On the minus side: Food is generally good, but not great. Maravilla does not know how to do pastries, and deserts are often very disappointing. As a rule, vegetables are undercooked. Maravilla business practices are somewhat unfair. When one is absent for two weeks or more, one gets vouchers for half the meals that one missed. Why not all of the meals? And, why does one have to be absent for two weeks or more? Overall, I'd say that Maravilla does not offer good value for the money.

I have been living in Maravilla for six months starting January 15. Prior to entering Maravilla I…read morepaid a fee of approximately $50,000. Six months later that fee is no longer in existence. They debited that amount over those six months for that I cannot understand that I received. When I looked it up on their website, it said such fee was for or memory care, but I was in independent living the entire time. During my time in the independent living building, I was paying an additional $8800 a month on top of that $50,000. As such they were charging me another $7500 a month for services that I did not receive. I am leaving the facility this month and moving to a better place called the fOremin Cupertino, California. It is a much more professional and organized would provide me with lifetime . I did 25,000 to the healthcare at that place upon in and also had to purchase an apartment. However, the value and will be sold when and if I die or going to supported living. Overall, Maravilla zest program had very little of interest to an educated, professional male such as myself. I believe that Maravilla is no country for old men. The ratio of females to males is approximately 8 to . Finding a peer group is very difficult if you have your cognitive abilities. I would not recommend Maravilla to anyone who is concerned about a continuity of care. It is very slipshod in regards to moving from independent living to supported living or memory care. Finally they do nothing to screen the clients upon admission. This is very different from what I went through to get into the Forum in Cupertino. I had to go through cognitive screening, submit, extensive health records and financial records. From what I've seen the SRG group that runs Maravilla is interested in getting your money ASAP.

Casa San Miguel provided exceptional care for my mother during her five years there with dementia…read moreand mobility issues. The staff treated her with dignity, compassion, and genuine love, and our family always felt supported and welcomed at any time. Knowing she was cared for like family in such a beautiful home brought us great peace of mind. I am incredibly grateful -- truly the best in town.

Our mother lived here for 5 years during her final stages of dementia. We couldn't have​ found a…read moremore caring, loving home. All of the caregivers were so patient and supportive​. Home​ cooked meals, clean facility​, individual rooms in a comfortable residence. My mother was finally able to get calm and not as confused here. We are confident we couldn't have​ found a better facility during this difficult time. The owner owns a couple other homes/facilities if this one is full.

My father was there for 8 months with end stage Parkinson's, before passing. Personal items,…read moreincluding marked clothing, would regularly disappear. A lot of the staff are less than friendly, and a bit impatient with him, even thpugh he was quiet and calm, compaired to many of the other residents. Food quality was horrible, as family would come eat with him. A lot was inedible. Uneaten food, including fruit, would be heated again in microwave, or pureed in a blender to a mush, even though he had a good appetite and was self-feeding. Complaints met with rudeness or indifference. Considering how expensive they are, we expected better. Building and rooms were beautiful. Activities guy was very good with residents, and tried to get everyone involved in activities. My mother said she rather end it, then be put there. Awful place.

The residents at Oak Cottage are cared for with respect, dignity, a dedicated work ethic with deep…read morecompassion. The facility is clean, and comfortable. The activity director is totally involved and dedicated in making each day exciting, stimulating, enjoyable and fun for the residents. He decorates for each holiday with color, appropriate props, some moveable parts, both the interior and exterior. The food is delicious, with an appealing and appetizing presentation. I feel blessed to have my husband so well cared for and kept watched over by professional kind care takers. Linda Muzinich12/7/24