Covenant Living at the Samarkand
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is a senior living community that mainly provides services for residential living, assisted living, and skilled nursing seniors. The senior living community is dedicated to empowering all residents to live on their terms. The resort-like community boasts a relaxing and calming experience for its residents because it allows them to choose a lifestyle that matches their needs independently.
The Covenant Senior Living lifestyle is all about convenience and individuality. Many of their amenities and services are designed to ensure that a resident’s needs are met and satisfied. These include a library, wellness center, courtyard, and garden, and an arts and crafts studio, while services include housekeeping, laundry, and transportation.
Capacity and availability
About this community
Occupancy
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is legally operated by Covenant Living West, and administered by Marjan Albert.
Inspection History
In California, the Department of Social Services (for assisted living facilities) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.
Inspection Scorecard
This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the California state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Since 2019 vs. California state average• Total citations (80% below)
• Serious citations (Type A) (33% below)
• Moderate citations (Type B) (100% below)
• Citations per inspection (91% below)
Citations
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total citations
| 2 | 10 | This facility has 80% fewer total citations than a typical California nursing home (2 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 80% better |
|
Serious citations (Type A)
| 2 | 3 | This facility has 33% fewer serious citations (type a) than a typical California nursing home (2 vs. CA avg 3).↓ 33% better Rank #724 / 1434 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 724th out of 1434 homes in California for # of serious citations. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1434 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking. |
|
Moderate citations (Type B)
| 0 | 4 | This facility has 100% fewer moderate citations (type b) than a typical California nursing home (0 vs. CA avg 4).↓ 100% better |
|
Citations per inspection
| 0.3 | 3.3 | This facility has 91% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California nursing home (0.3 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 91% better |
Inspections & Visits
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
| 8 | 16 | This facility has had 50% fewer total inspections than the California average (8 vs. CA avg 16). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 50% fewer |
|
Complaint visits
| 1 | 13 | This facility has had 92% fewer complaint visits than the California average (1 vs. CA avg 13). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 92% fewer Rank #211 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 211th out of 1388 homes in California for # of complaint visits. Shows this facility's # of complaint visits compared to the California average among 1388 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking. |
|
Other visits
| 1 | 7 | This facility has had 86% fewer other visits than the California average (1 vs. CA avg 7). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 86% fewer |
|
Official inspections
| 6 | 4 | This facility has had 50% more official inspections than the California average (6 vs. CA avg 4). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 50% more |
|
Complaint investigations
| 1 | 10 | This facility has had 90% fewer complaint investigations than the California average (1 vs. CA avg 10). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 90% fewer |
CMS Health Inspection History
Federal inspection data published by CMS, covering this home's Medicare and/or Medicaid-certified skilled-nursing/nursing beds only.
Inspections
California average 12.5
Last Health inspection on Sep 2025
California average 50.2
California average 4.65
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
29 of 32 citations resulted from standard inspections; and 3 of 32 resulted from complaint investigations.
Breakdown of citation severity (last 7 years)
California average: 0.4
California average: 1
Citations history (last 7 years)
Staffing Data
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
Nursing staff breakdown
Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31Registered Nurse
Manages medical care and health needs.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Assists with medical care and medications.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Contractor staffing
Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31Total hours from contractors
5,813 contractor hours this quarter
Staff by category
Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31| Certified Nursing Assistant | 38 | 44 | 82 | 13,749 | 92 | 100% | 8.5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 10 | 8 | 18 | 5,151 | 92 | 100% | 8.4 |
| Registered Nurse | 9 | 3 | 12 | 1,377 | 90 | 98% | 7.1 |
| RN Director of Nursing | 3 | 0 | 3 | 971 | 67 | 73% | 8.2 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 0 | 4 | 4 | 960 | 88 | 96% | 4.1 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 0 | 7 | 7 | 958 | 79 | 86% | 4.4 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 2 | 0 | 2 | 903 | 65 | 71% | 8.2 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 2 | 0 | 2 | 891 | 91 | 99% | 7.3 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 0 | 2 | 2 | 577 | 72 | 78% | 5.4 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 480 | 60 | 65% | 8 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | 0 | 1 | 1 | 464 | 55 | 60% | 8.4 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 448 | 56 | 61% | 8 |
| Administrator | 1 | 0 | 1 | 416 | 52 | 57% | 8 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 0 | 1 | 1 | 355 | 51 | 55% | 7 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 0 | 2 | 2 | 326 | 61 | 66% | 5.3 |
| Medical Director | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 27 | 29% | 1.1 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 4 | 4% | 6.3 |
82 Certified Nursing Assistant
18 Licensed Practical Nurse
12 Registered Nurse
3 RN Director of Nursing
4 Physical Therapy Assistant
7 Respiratory Therapy Technician
2 Clinical Nurse Specialist
2 Other Dietary Services Staff
2 Speech Language Pathologist
1 Mental Health Service Worker
1 Occupational Therapy Aide
1 Nurse Practitioner
1 Administrator
1 Physical Therapy Aide
2 Qualified Social Worker
1 Medical Director
1 Occupational Therapy Assistant
Penalties and fines
Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.
Source: CMS Penalties Database
No penalties in the past 3 years
No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.
Quality of care over time
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
Long-stay resident measures
Short-stay resident measures
Facility Characteristics
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Programs & Services
Residents Group
Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Nurse Aide Training
State-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program on-site
CCRC
Part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community offering multiple care levels
Active Resident Council
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Financial Trends
Historical financial and operational data for Covenant Living at the Samarkand from 2012–2023, based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
Key figures below are for fiscal year ending in 09/2023.
Finances and operations
Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 09/2023.
Scott Bigler joined Covenant Living at the Samarkand in 2018. Formerly the Healthcare Administrator with full responsibility for skilled nursing operations, he now serves as Associate Executive Director overseeing Dining Services, Resident Life, Facilities Management, Assisted Living, and the Wellness Clinic. Scott’s early experience caring for family members inspired his dedication to supporting seniors and those in need of stable living environments.
Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Covenant Living at the Samarkand
Places of interest near Covenant Living at the Samarkand
1.9 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Santa Barbara's city center to Covenant Living at the Samarkand's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 0.36 miles to nearest hospital (Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital)
Calculate Travel Distance to Covenant Living at the Samarkand
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Compare Nursing Homes around Santa Barbara
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
| Covenant Living at the Samarkand | NH AL MC SNF | Santa Barbara (Samarkand) | 379
Facility
379
CA AVG
104
Rank
#31 / 1646 |
85.2%
Facility
85.2%
CA AVG
73.9
Rank
#453 / 1492 | +15% | 4.42
Facility
4.42
CA AVG
4.22
Rank
#85 / 289 | -5% | +5% | $0
Facility
$0
CA AVG
$56.5k
Rank
#1 / 294 | 90
Facility
90
CA AVG
81
Rank
#461 / 1475 | 32
Facility
32
CA AVG
50.2
Rank
#107 / 291 | 5.3
Facility
5.3
CA AVG
4.6
Rank
#217 / 291 | - | 323 | - | 50 | Covenant Living West | $11.4MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility
$11.4MFiscal year ending 09/2023
CA AVG
$15.7M
Rank
#174 / 260 | $6.3MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility
$6.3MFiscal year ending 09/2023
CA AVG
$8.9M
Rank
#184 / 260 | 55.8%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility
55.8%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
CA AVG
61.1%
Rank
#109 / 260 | 555762 | ||||
| Mission Terrace | NH SNF | Santa Barbara (Samarkand) | 138
Facility
138
CA AVG
104
Rank
#445 / 1646 |
93.1%
Facility
93.1%
CA AVG
73.9
Rank
#261 / 1492 | +26% | 4.15
Facility
4.15
CA AVG
4.22
Rank
#131 / 289 | -60% | -2% | $0
Facility
$0
CA AVG
$56.5k
Rank
#1 / 294 | - | 14
Facility
14
CA AVG
50.2
Rank
#17 / 291 | 1.4
Facility
1.4
CA AVG
4.6
Rank
#1 / 291 | - | 129 | - | 62 | Evelina Murphy | $19.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$19.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG
$15.7M
Rank
#65 / 260 | $10.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$10.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG
$8.9M
Rank
#68 / 260 | 54.1%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
54.1%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG
61.1%
Rank
#122 / 260 | 55991 | ||||
| Casa Dorinda | NH AL MC SNF | Santa Barbara | 360
Facility
360
CA AVG
104
Rank
#34 / 1646 |
85.3%
Facility
85.3%
CA AVG
73.9
Rank
#449 / 1492 | +15% | 5.99
Facility
5.99
CA AVG
4.22
Rank
#9 / 289 | +170% | +42% | $8.3k
Facility
$8.3k
CA AVG
$56.5k
Rank
#188 / 294 | 89
Facility
89
CA AVG
81
Rank
#521 / 1475 | 29
Facility
29
CA AVG
50.2
Rank
#91 / 291 | 5.8
Facility
5.8
CA AVG
4.6
Rank
#239 / 291 | - | 307 | - |
2
Facility
2
CA AVG
59
Rank
#2043 / 2058 | Ramona Clark | $36.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$36.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG
$15.7M
Rank
#4 / 260 | $19.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$19.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG
$8.9M
Rank
#7 / 260 | 52.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
52.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG
61.1%
Rank
#145 / 260 | 555023 |
Financial Assistance for
Nursing Home in California
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is located in Santa Barbara, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
Frequently Asked Questions about Covenant Living at the Samarkand
What neighborhood is Covenant Living at the Samarkand in?
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is in the Samarkand neighborhood of Santa Barbara.
Who is the owner of Covenant Living at the Samarkand?
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is legally operated by Covenant Living West, and administered by Marjan Albert.
Is Covenant Living at the Samarkand in a walkable area?
Covenant Living at the Samarkand has a walk score of 50. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.
What is the occupancy rate at Covenant Living at the Samarkand?
Covenant Living at the Samarkand's occupancy is 85%.
How long has Covenant Living at the Samarkand been in business?
Covenant Living at the Samarkand has been operating for approximately 33 years, based on available licensing and registration records.
Does Covenant Living at the Samarkand have different floorplan options?
Yes — see the floorplan options available at Covenant Living at the Samarkand on this page.
Are pets allowed at Covenant Living at the Samarkand?
No, Covenant Living at the Samarkand has a no-pet policy.
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