The Montecito Santa Fe accommodates residents across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Active seniors who want minimal support can maintain their own schedules in independent residences, while Assisted Living adds help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and medication reminders. Memory Care is a secured program for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, offering structured routines and specialized engagement.

Clinical resources are available on site every day. Licensed nurses oversee diabetes monitoring, administer medications, and coordinate physician orders. Short-term respite stays let family caregivers take a break while residents receive the same staffing attention as long-term occupants. Incontinence and ambulatory care, therapeutic massage, and coordinated hospice and end-of-life support are offered when needed. An emergency call system in each unit connects directly to staff, and the community is fully sprinklered for fire safety.

Residences range from studio and efficiency layouts to larger units that may include kitchenettes, balconies, patios, or decks. Central air conditioning, cable or satellite TV hookups, Wi-Fi, and utilities are included. Select apartments feature washers and dryers, wheelchair-accessible showers, and direct access to landscaped walking paths. Housekeeping, laundry, and parking are supplied, and pets such as cats are generally welcome, although not every apartment includes every listed feature.

Meals are prepared by professional chefs and served in a restaurant-style dining room with optional guest seating. Daily menus rotate through international cuisine and classic regional dishes, always offering gluten-free, low-sodium, no-added-sugar, and vegan alternatives. Residents who prefer lighter fare can choose from soups, salads, or made-to-order options, and staff monitor dietary needs to align with physician or therapeutic recommendations.

Recreational amenities include an activity center, arts and crafts studio, library and computer lounge, and a heated swimming pool. Residents can join special-interest clubs, cooking classes, karaoke nights, intergenerational programs, community service projects, and health and wellness classes such as Live Well programs. Social calendars feature live music, dances, holiday events, birthday parties, and regular outings into Santa Fe for shopping, dining, or cultural performances.

Residents and their families say:

This community has received abundant positive feedback for its beautiful and well-constructed environment, offering residents a bright, open space filled with amenities such as hot tubs, a big workout room, a gym, a salon, and a library. Residents and visitors alike appreciate the array of activities provided, the good quality of care, and the comfortable, nicely designed apartments that feel like part of a neighborhood rather than a hotel. There is a strong sense of community, with residents supporting each other, staff being described as responsive, friendly, and accommodating, and the food receiving high marks for quality and variety. The community is praised for its cleanliness, the maintenance of its facilities, and the effort put into making it feel more like a luxury resort than an institution.

However, some concerns were noted regarding the price being considered high for the value received in comparison to other facilities, especially with regards to the independent living options. There were also specific mentions of limited variety in the food, particularly a wish for less reliance on chicken dishes. A few reviewers expressed concerns about safety and accessibility, such as ice on the asphalt parking lot presenting a hazard, and the lack of automatic door openers in the bathrooms making access difficult for individuals in wheelchairs. Additionally, there was mention of the community having undergone management changes, which seemed to shift the atmosphere towards a more corporate feel, and some concerns about under staffing and underpaying of staff. Despite these points of critique, the sentiment remains largely favorable, underscoring the community's commitment to providing a welcoming, supportive, and luxurious living environment for seniors.

AI generated summary of real reviews