Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara

Our experience at Oak Cottage for my mom has been great because of Felipe, the activities Director. The level of detail he gives to his job and the residents goes above and beyond. He recently put together a party to honor my Mom with our entire family there. It was fantastic. We are so grateful for him.

Oak Cottage has set a standard I did not expect to find. My father's wife has been in their care, and from the moment we walked in, every person we encountered, from executive staff to caregivers to the chef in the kitchen, has shown genuine warmth and attentiveness. This is not a team going through the motions. These are people who take pride in what they do. A special shout out to Felipe and Nona, who bring something rare to this work. Their joy is genuine and their compassion is visible. That said, this is true for everyone there. The level of care is exceptional. Our family has peace of mind, and that is everything.

My mom has been living at Oak Cottage of SB Memory Care for 7 months now. Her health has been declining due to her dementia over a few years now and thankfully her husband decided to make Oak Cottage her new home. As her daughter, I am so much more at ease knowing that the care that she is getting is the type of care she had been craving. She is doted on and appears to feel special. Kim, Felipe, Dinah, Nona, Rose and Julien are all wonderful at their positions and the level of sincere care they give to all the residents is so apparent. You feel it the moment you walk onto the grounds. It is the kind of care you cannot just find in any employment pool. I love that the community is on the smaller side, which allows for a cozy, home-like feel. The 'Vibrant Life' program directors do a fantastic job keeping residents engaged with music, exercises, and scenic drives. I also love the fact that I can feel a part of my mom's day to day as Felipe posts all the wonderful photos, videos and events on social media outlets, showing all of the daily activities that he so graciously plans and executes like I have never seen. These photos and videos make it possible for me to see her all the time, which warms my heart. Before ending this review, I would like to mention Felipe Garcia, once again. He is without a doubt an angel. He has made it possible for me to have a face-time call every week with my mom. This alone has made such an impact on me, since I live a couple hours away and cannot be there as much as I would like. I hope that this review helps whomever is looking for a caring place for your loved one. Consider placing Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara Memory Care at the top of your list. *My background for 30+ years was in hospitality, with the last few years of my career at Senior Living Communities. I definitely know what it takes and how difficult it is to find the perfect team so that not only your loved ones can feel secure and safe, but as a family member, you can also feel, safe, secure & comfortable hugging and kissing your loved one good bye after your visits.

Several years ago, my wife was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. As a scientist by training, I researched every aspect of memory care I could find, spoke with friends whose loved ones had entered residential care, and, together with my wife, visited fifteen assisted-living and memory-care facilities in the Santa Barbara area. The facilities ranged from places that seemed little more than human storage—some of which my wife called “God’s waiting rooms”—to luxurious, resort-style communities with swimming pools, multiple dining options, and estate-like grounds. At first, Oak Cottage was not at the top of my list because it did not feel like a resort. As my wife’s disease gradually progressed, however, I came to understand that she did not need a resort, nor did she need an impersonal institutional environment. She needed a warm, loving, and dedicated home. With that new understanding, I revisited all fifteen facilities. This time, I knew what truly mattered. I concluded that Oak Cottage was not only the best dedicated memory-care facility in Santa Barbara, but quite possibly the best in the surrounding area. Oak Cottage provides residents with assistance with toileting, bathing, eating, feeding, transfers, medication administration, laundry, and housekeeping. More importantly, these services are delivered with genuine warmth, patience, and affection. My wife has now been at Oak Cottage for several months, and she is thriving. The attentive staff keeps residents engaged through music, games, puzzles, exercise classes, personal interaction, and outings. Although my wife is wheelchair-bound, Oak Cottage has taken her around town, to the beach, and even out for pizza. A special thank-you goes to Julian, our driver; Kimberly, the Residential Care Director; Nona, the Activities Director; and Felipe, the exceptionally energetic Life Director. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and kindness have made a meaningful difference in my wife’s life. Oak Cottage may not have the extensive landscaped grounds or resort-style amenities offered by some larger communities, but it gives my wife something far more important: extraordinary care, personal attention, and love. I also deeply appreciate the staff’s regular communication with me about my wife’s health, activities, and emotional well-being. Knowing that she is cared for by people who truly know and value her gives me enormous comfort and peace of mind. As a special treat for me, Oak Cottage also hosts monthly parties—sometimes to celebrate a holiday and sometimes simply for the pleasure of bringing everyone together. With festive decorations, entertainment, wonderful food, and a warm, cheerful atmosphere, these gatherings give me the precious opportunity to spend time with my wife and, for a little while, feel as though everything is normal again.