After living here for seven years now it appears that the new senior management has a directive is to 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. read more

Valle Verde is truly an exceptional place for seniors to live. My client Luella resides here, and I am constantly impressed by the quality of care, the kindness of the staff, and the overall warm atmosphere. It feels more like a welcoming community than just a retirement home.The grounds are beautiful, the facilities are well-maintained, and the food is excellent. Staff members go above and beyond to make sure every resident feels comfortable, respected, and cared for. Luella enjoys her days here, surrounded by friendly neighbors, engaging activities, and a supportive environment.I am grateful to see how happy and secure she is at Valle Verde. I would highly recommend this community to anyone searching for a caring, professional, and uplifting place for their loved ones. read more

Great care ...staff is caring patient and always making it right! Leadership team top notch!

My husband and I moved into a wonderful cottage here at Valle Verde on 12/12/22. We are on the younger side but we both had parents in Life Plan Communities and knew we wanted this for ourselves sooner than later. We could not be happier with living here. Everyone has been very welcoming and we felt at home nearly from day one. The 62+ acre campus was like no other when we were doing our research of Life Plan Communities in California. One level living, large private courtyards and such a rich well of friendships. Their Life Enrichment team is here for helping us create the type of community life that WE want and really support that happening. Natural beauty is just a step out of one's door with a 15 acre park with a stream right across the street and a private dog park here on campus for our Corgi to play safely. We couldn't reccomend this community more! read more

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"but I'm not ready." This is what my husband and I kept hearing from our friends. We weren't really 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 read more

We had a great visit at Val Verde and a nice tour of the grounds and of one of the typical villa units. We decided to put a deposit down for our future needs. Unfortunately, the wait for a one and two bedroom unit is around 4 to 6 years. Better plan early if you wanna stay here in a continuing care community in Santa Barbara. read more

Valle Verde is struggling to retain character, care and competence. What was once a lovely community has been gutted by construction, cost containment and carelessness. My father literally spend ALL of his life savings to move to Valle Verde only to find himself lost in a community that functions for long time residents but does not welcome newcomers. The nursing/rehab facility is a nightmare. The nursing staff is insufficient and doctors are unavailable. There is little collaboration with family members and only spotty concern for those being treated. read more

We lost my mother a year ago. My dad still lives at Valle Verde. Incredibly, my Dad has been getting charged $$ for my late mother's food/meals ever since she died. Residents try to fight it, but that is V V's policy. It's part of the deal and its heartbreaking for a grieving widower. I personally find this dirty little secret appalingly heartless. read more

Thia place used to be an amazing place to work for but since a new company took over it's gone down hill for team members and quality of care to residents have worsen, pay is horrible there is no chance to move up, a few people i know have been there for 10 or 20 + years and only get paid 17 an hour SAD. read more

This nursing facility is dated and nursing staff is about 50/50. 50% on the game and 50% clueless. The PT staff currently run by Joanne S. is the best in town. Food is great but caregivers/waitstaff in nursing are not effective in getting patients to eat. Sometimes patients fall asleep in dining after sitting for 45 minutes because no one has served them. Our loved one lost 10+ pounds in 14 days at VV. The dietician, Tamara is great, but the oversight in dining/ caregivers/nurses is lacking!!!!! Would never put a loved one in VV if it were not for doctor Fearer and Joann S. VV should truly look at replacing there so-called social worker Ann Monroe who is integral virus at VV. Totally incompetent. read more

We moved here about six years ago. and simply love it! My wife and I consider this the second best decision we have ever made - the first was getting married over fifty years ago! The grounds are beautiful, the residents are friendly and interesting (lots of professors and doctors), and the management is superb. They take great care of us during the COVID pandemic - very transparent about information, and very supportive about meeting our needs (meal delivery, clinic nurses, Zoom meetings, etc!). Come check it out - you'll be glad you did! read more

My older brother suffered a severe stroke that left him paralyzed on one side of his entire body. When he fell from his stroke, he shattered his good shoulder. A side effect of the stroke resulted in the risk of occasional seizure. Needless to say, he was in a world of hurt and challenge. While recovering from surgery in the hospital and skilled nursing facility thereafter in another city, I was desperate to get him transitioned closer to my home in SB. He needed in-patient rehabilitation services for his stroke deficiencies but no one would take him while his good shoulder was recovering from surgery. He needed his good side to be able to rehab his paralyzed side. Catch 22. Val Verde was the only facility that was up for the challenge. They are a fantastic assisted living community that also has a skilled nursing wing along with a top notch rehabilitation team. It was the perfect transition for my brother. His recovery soared immediately upon arriving at Valle Verde. He arrived unable to walk and suffering insomnia, anxiety and other stroke symptoms. He was a very challenging patient. As difficult as he could be, the nursing staff showed compassion and patience even through disrespectful behavior by my brother. They understood he had a brain injury and applied professional care regardless. His mental recovery was facilitated to the point that the staff actually was sorry to see him "graduate" to Cottage. The rehabilitation staff at Valle Verde were fantastic. They saw my brother's complicated deficiencies as a challenge. By the time he qualified for Cottage Rehab as an in-patient (his good shoulder healed sufficiently), he was literally running down the hallway. Valle Verde and their fabulous nurses and rehab professionals saved my brother's life. He is now living semi independently in his own home and has recovered most of his disabilities. My family will be eternally grateful for their top notch services and compassion. read more

My father moved into this place 12 years ago. Costs steadily rose although he was on a fixed income. He died mid-March. My siblings and I came to get his belongings. My brother and I asked if we could eat in the main dining room, since he had already paid for his food for the whole month of March. They looked at us as if we were crazy and said, "no". While we tried to move his stuff out and settle things, the office was less than helpful. This place is all about the money they are generating, not about their residents. They were constantly pressuring my father into go to the third stage of care because they could get $7,000.00 a month. Other reviewers have mentioned the construction. That is not the issue. The issue is the lack of compassion for the people who live there and the fact that money is most important to them. read more

Many residents are currently unhappy. They feel the parent organization is non-responsive to residents' needs. Right now there is major construction disrupting everyone's quality of life. Seniors give their life savings to live here only to have construction in their back yards and the loss of the rural atmosphere they paid for. Parent Org. in No. Cal. remains non responsive. Just talk to the residents, before considering this place, I would advise. read more

I moved out here from St. Louis to help out with my uncle. I must say that our family is so pleased to have him taken care of at this facility. All the staff are pleasant and seem to genuinely care for their subjects. read more

My mom has been a patient/resident in the Valle Verde Health Center (aka Skilled Nursing) for the past three months. At first we thought she would receive stimulation and therapy to recover from an unruptured brain aneurysm stent procedure but Valle Verde.s priority has been to have my mom's Medicare coverage stopped and either pay cash (11,000.00 a month) or forced to move to another more affordable skilled nursing home. It would appear that Valle Verde is looking for private pay rather than Medicare patients. Weekly, Valle Verde sends a notice to Medicare advising that my mom has plateaued and they don't believe she requires skilled nursing any longer. My mom can't feed herself, can't bathe herself, she is blind and she is not lucid much of the day. Without therapy and skilled nursing she will not thrive. Apparently Valle Verde is all about the profit and nothing about the patient. That says a million words about the parent company, American Baptist Homes Of The West (ABHOW) If you were serious about the welfare of patients Melissa, you would know that there is actually no requirement of rehabilitation potential. There must be a need for skilled nursing to maintain or improve the patient's condition. Valle Verde has put my mother, a human life/soul in a very dangerous state. I would not wish what you have done to her on my worst enemy. How do you people sleep at night? You have no problem hurting elderly and disabled people? ABHOW is Christian?? Really? If the example of Christianity is how ABHOW and Valle Verde operate then I want nothing to do with that religion. read more

Valle Verde is a pleasant residential like neighborhood. All single story and does not have the institutional feel of other retirement communities. It is the hope the following criticisms are constructive. Sales person is uniformed and deceptive. Cell phone service is useless. Cell phone boosters are not provided. No facility wide WiFi. No WiFi for residents in dining area, but inaccessible to resident WiFi is available there for staff. That is typical of the attitude that staff is more important than residents. Inadequate parking with new residents restricted to one space, independent of the number of drivers in a residence. Former policy of staff parking off site and using a shuttle to provide resident parking has been abandon. There is report of an item of equipment in a residence was not repaired for months. No Valle Verde sign in front making it difficult to find. Dinning times are restrictive. No dinning access for visitors or relatives of deceased resident closing residence. Receptionist times are limited. Library does not provide current periodicals. Only resident donated, out of date, ones are there. There has been a large recent turn over in staff. A well liked activities director was fired for, by resident opinion, political reasons. No known abuse there, but there is no quality control plan to identify and prevent elder abuse. It occurs in 1/3 of retirement homes. http://www.nursinghomeabuseawareness.com read more

When we arrived here nearly two years ago, we knew no one but quickly became acquainted thanks to the welcoming spirit of the residents. The community has up-to-date facilities for all interests, including art, woodworking, and fitness, to name a few. read more

We moved to Valle Verde 2 years ago when the 40 new homes were completed. Many other facilities were also renovated so we have a lovely complete campus now. Having been built in the 60's it is a real plus for the residents to have new buildings in a lovely landscaped campus. What we love about Valle Verde is the welcoming atmosphere and the ease we have to meet new people, especially at meals and at all the activities we participate in. We came to Santa Barbara from out of state so this was very important to us. We rescued a dog a year ago and the administration was very positive about setting aside a fenced in area for an off leash dog park which will open soon. We feel we made the perfect choice for us to live here at Valle Verde. read more

Valle Verde Assisted Living Facility Being dependent on others for personal care has always been foreign to me but when I was transported with care and skillfulness from the hospital to Valle Verde assisted living facility after knee replacement surgery I knew right away that I would be in safe hands. All the attendants knew how to do their caretaking jobs, were quite pleasant and welcoming, and so I quickly relaxed and trusted that I would be well cared for. My room was spacious, accommodated my needs and full of light. I loved the gardens. Generally, the attendants responded quickly when I buzzed for help. They were attentive allowing me the personal space I required but still stayed close by. Head nurses were very responsive to solve any problems that arose. The delivery of three meals a day was an adventure in itself. You could order just about anything you wanted off the varied menu which specialized in fresh foods. Many convenient activities were planned for everyday but I was too busy exercising with physical and occupational therapists to get to the activities. Most importantly, I received regular treatment and training from the excellent and encouraging physical therapists. Three times a day of extensive physical therapy got me past my concerns about needing long-term help when I returned home. It gave me the self-confidence and training I needed to do well in my recovery. Staying at Valle Verde was actually fun at times because the staff was so cheerful, helpful and truly seemed to enjoy their jobs. We could laugh together. Personally I was amazed at the pleasant and helpful atmosphere that permeated the facility. I think having the administrator come into the rooms on occasion and ask us how things were going was a great opportunity for me to praise the staff. I am having the other knee replaced quite soon and I definitely will be spending a few days again at Valle Verde because I know that will give me the head start that I need to recover quickly. Great place for recovery. Georgina M. Santa Barbara May 2016 stay read more

I am proud to call Valle Verde home. We've been here for more than six months and couldn't feel more cared about or listened to... It's a big decision to move to a retirement community, but Valle Verde's commitment to resident service, the beauty of trees, green grass (recycled water for all landscaping), several conversations with residents, the welcoming of well-behaved dogs, the openness of staff (team members), the heated swimming pool, ample activities for all levels of care, and having our own wonderful home "sealed the deal." Like the review of 4/21/15, the assurance that we would be cared for (regardless of level of care) was very reassuring. Being unshackled from home ownership and responsibilities has been so "freeing." Of course nothing is perfect, but I have found that a pleasant word to "team members" and/or administration is welcomed, not shunned. Recently we attended our first Thanksgiving dinner on campus and couldn't have been more delighted. There was a variety of items for everyone's palate, freshly prepared, food stations galore -- new dishes, traditional items, plates removed when finished, and a smiling team member meeting everyone with mimosas, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Each dish was carefully thought out and very well executed by team members. I watched as people who don't maneuver quite as easily as others were carefully taken to their tables. The Dining Room Manager was ever-present making rounds to all tables, while keeping an eye out for anything needing to be done. I can't give more kudos. We, as residents, take quite the ownership of our "home" and how things happen. In my limited experience, resident committees are vocal and thoughtful ... and the current administration cares. Running a facility of this magnitude, with all levels of care is a huge task. Whether it is systems theory, budget management, or just plain listening to the multitude of questions from everyone...it is a mind-boggling job..., yet management accepts positive comments and constructive criticism with the same level of respect. As of now, I have not had any experience with the Health Center or other higher levels of care -- so, to those I cannot speak. However, if/when that moment comes, I hope that the negative comments posted before me on this board would not arise. I'm a realist and I know that Medicare is a boondoggle, with upcoming changes that we cannot predict. But for now, and the foreseeable, but always unknown, future, I must say that Valle Verde has surpassed my expectations -- and I expect that it will continue to do so. read more

I have lived at Valle Verde for a little over a year. What I love about it is the quality of people who live here...Intelligent, interested and interesting. The care and commitment of the staff is wonderful and the one story casitas with patios are sized to suit every need. Pets are allowed and there is even a dog park for them to run free. I haven't needed the health care of assisted living but know it is highly rated by health professionals around town. If you ever need physical therapy or extended help after a hospital stay, check out Valle Verde. You don't have to buy in to use the services here. read more

The negative reviews of Valle Verde make me wonder if we're talking about the same place. My parents lived at Valle Verde in an independent duplex for 14 years. During that time they not only enjoyed the beautiful campus setting but, of more importance, a very enriched daily life filled with many friendships, fulfilling activities, and caring staff. And they enjoyed the feeling of security Valle Verde's program of graduated care gave them as they entered their 90s. Family would visit from far and wide. We were always warmly welcomed in the dining room and served by the most friendly servers you can imagine, whether our group was four or a dozen. We held numerous special family events in one of their community rooms or at The Grill and enjoyed staying in their classy B & B. We were always treated with utmost respect and the staff bent over backward to meet our needs. Was everything perfect all the time? Of course not! Sure there was noise during construction. Sure there were times of human error. But as a daughter living at a distance, what I especially appreciated about the Valle Verde staff was that I could count on them to approach solving any problem the way I would - with a focus on the quality of their relationships with my parents. When my mother was widowed, her dementia made it necessary for her to move into Valle Verde's memory care facility. The deeply kind, wise and caring program managers and daily caregivers always kept in close contact with our family to learn how to maximize our mother's comfort and contentment. They worked so hard to do this, especially in the last six months of her life when she was grieving and confused. They helped her remember there was still goodness and connection to have in life. Her last days were spent in the skilled nursing clinic. There she received the same gracious and excellent care we were used to from Valle Verde. Our wishes for those last days were heard, adjustments to their routines were made, and we got to experience a time of deep peace as we said goodbye. read more

I am a physician and I have worked in Santa Barbara 26 years. I have had many patients stay at the SNF of Val Verde. My father was a patient at the skilled nursing facility as well. My father and all my patients have received superb care. The nurses are outstanding and the CNAs and other assistants provide a very caring atmosphere. The facility and staff are superb and I continue to refer my patients there on a regular basis. Dr. Robert Wright read more

Recent surveys among our residents confirm, the best thing about VV is the people. It is an interesting collection of truly friendly mostly retired professionals, educators, trade people and entrepreneurs. They get to know newcomers quickly and the friendships endure. This is townhouse living, not apartments, so we have kitchens, gardens and no stairs. Residents can do as much or as little as they want in the yard and can take as many meals at home as they desire. Many use their kitchens not at all. The food is very good daily and special events such as birthday dinners are gourmet quality. In addition to the dining room there is the Amigos Grill with intriguing cooked-to-order offerings. Whatever one's interest is, it probably can be accommodated as we have facilities and in many cases, instruction for fitness, art, woodworking, dancing, quilting, performing, and many others. If you should become ill, there are exemplary facilities and staff to assist. Moving to Valle Verde is a great gift to your family as you will be taken care of in case of illness. But, again, the best thing about VV is the people. read more

My mother was at Valle Verde in the Health Center. The care and attention that she received there in her two month stay was beyond amazing. I am so grateful and appreciate that there is such a place for our families to have available. I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years and have not yet seen such a place of care and attention. I have actually recommended folks to have their loved one be taken to Valle Verde for care. The campus is looking just out of this world. I thank all the folks at the Health Center and all of Valle Verde. read more

I am amazed at the negative reviews here. My parents came to Valle Verde and moved into a two bedroom duplex unit. It was was perfect for them, and a delight for us as their family to join them for special occasions in the dining room (including gourmet food!). All of us (children and grandchildren) have very fond memories of those times. After many years, my dad (because of his dementia) needed to go to the specialty unit Quail Lodge where he currently resides. All of the staff there have been fantastic and the monthly family dinners are a great way for us to share time with him. My mother eventually moved to assisted living and died in the Valle Verde hospital. Her care was exemplary (a special note of gratitude to the incredibly kind and sensitive nurses and caregivers who helped her leave this earth). Yes, there is construction but it is a fleeting nuisance. Sadly, it seems that only the disgruntled tend to write reviews. I want to counter that with my many years of very positive experience at Valle Verde. read more

My mother was discharged from Cottage Hopsital to the Valle Verde SNF in late 2013. The hospital doctor thought she could use a few days there to regain her strength before returning to her nice assisted living home. I had to pry her out of there with a crow bar. Like many SNF's, they are milking those Medicare dollars--so she was there for those magic 21 days. I had great difficulty getting return calls and emails as the days ticked by. After a week I managed to get word that she was there so they could help her not to need a Hoyer lift anymore. A long shot, but that would be nice. After zero updates and nearly three weeks later, they said they weren't able to accomplish that goal (this news after many calls and emails from me). Plus, when I'd go over to see Mom she was either in bed or sitting in her chair in the hallway. She was declining from lack of attention. I did not see rehab taking place in their rehab facility. And now, they are billing me for $150 dollars. Not a ton of money in the grand scheme of things, but I really resent the money grubbing and very poor treatment. read more

My review is presented on the health care center. After visiting my 95 year old Aunt there each month over the past 3.5 years I find that there is no accountability at this place for their errors, omissions and poor judgement. I have a long list of complaints that have only been addressed in part by a previous Administrator who is no longer there. Little to no turnover of the nursing staff but a constant turnover in administration. There is very little oversight, quality review or quality control. No one ever takes responsibility for their actions at Valle Verde. It's sort of like listening to a Jockey tell the trainer of a race horse who finishes 4th on a 1-9 shot what he didn't do wrong. In other words they come up with every excuse under the sun as to what went wrong but never take any blame. Also, it appears this facility caters to the high end residents who bought into one of their homes. The health care center seems to be an afterthought and thus it is at the bottom of their priority list. read more

My husband and I moved to Valle Verde eight months ago. We based our decision, in part, on the fact that, contrary to other Yelp reviews, Valle Verde has an excellent reputation in the community. We can support that statement wholeheartedly because my mother was a 20 year resident here and we had an opportunity to observe first-hand the level of caring and comfort she received in her years here. In addition, we decided on Valle Verde because of its resident's diversity and inclusiveness, its garden like collection of cottages and the assurance that we would be appropriately cared for in our last years. The most immediate benefit was the freedom from the responsibilities associated with home ownership and with that came a sense of certainty about the future. Some of the previous reviews were written based on conditions which have since changed - there is new leadership in the administration, open to resident input, an excellent sales and marketing team and a superb support staff that provides needed services. Of course there are complaints, as there are in any connected community, but it appears to me that those are being appropriately addressed by the organization. If you are considering a continuing care residence, I would certainly consider Valle Verde. For us it was the obvious choice. read more