Santa Barbara Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Santa Barbara, on the California coast, has been referred to as the "American Riviera." It’s a great place in which to to settle down and retire. Others should also consider a Santa Barbara assisted living facility (ALF) for their parents or elderly relatives.

An ALF differs from the environment the elderly may experience in a nursing home. It offers senior care but also gives its residents more independence and a homelike setting, which is unlike the hospital environment found in many nursing homes. Some of the facilities are converted homes, while others are essentially senior apartments. An ALF usually offers not only housing but meals and even specialized services, such as assistance with dressing and taking medication. Some are highly specialized facilities that offer assistance to seniors with special needs.

Many may find Santa Barbara assisted living as extraordinary, not only because of the facilities offered there but the setting of the city itself. Its population of more than 80,000 live in one of the most scenic cities in the country, with the Pacific Ocean to the south and west and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north and east. Located only a couple hours north of Los Angeles, which is itself within hours of almost anywhere in the country, Santa Barbara also offers residents and visitors with a colorful culture. Seniors will find its climate ideal, warmer than most of the country in the winter and cooler than most in the summer.

Seniors who are more active will find many things to do in Santa Barbara. Its harbor is home to the famed Stearns Wharf, with its many restaurants and fine dining. Other sites include the Santa Barbara Zoo, a 30-acre facility that features 500 animals, and its Historical Society, Maritime and Natural History museums. Once a year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival serves as a preview to the Academy Awards. There’s also plenty to do at the Santa Barbara Waterfront, from walking to whale watching.

California itself is an ideal place for retirees, and is home to some four million senior citizens, or more than 10 percent of its population. Although its cost-of-living and health indexes are higher than the national average, the state offers a huge selection of independent living and senior care facilities. As the costs are usually borne by the seniors or their relatives, it might be necessary to review the facilities available in Santa Barbara. Assisted Senior Living offers a comprehensive review of senior care options in a directory that is available on its website at www.AssistedSeniorLiving.net.