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The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
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.
The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.
This home is ranked 105th out of 346 homes in California. Total adjusted nursing hours per resident per day, combining RN, LPN, and aide time. CMS adjusts this for case-mix so facilities can be fairly compared.
| Staff type | Hours / Day / Resident | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs hold the highest nursing license and can assess residents, interpret test results, and direct care plans. More RN hours per day often signals stronger clinical oversight and faster response to health changes.
| 26m per day | ▼ 33% State avg: 39m per day · National avg: 41m per day |
|
LPN / LVN
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver routine hands-on care — medication administration, wound dressing, and monitoring vital signs. They work under RN supervision and make up a large share of daily bedside care.
| 1h 7m per day | ▼ 8% State avg: 1h 13m per day · National avg: 52m per day |
|
Nurse Aide
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) provide the most direct day-to-day assistance: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. Nurse aide hours are typically the largest staffing category and directly affect residents' quality of life.
| 2h 33m per day | ▼ 4% State avg: 2h 39m per day · National avg: 2h 21m per day |
|
Total Nursing (Weekend)
Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours.
| 3h 39m per day | ▼ 11% State avg: 4h 5m per day · National avg: 3h 26m per day |
|
Physical Therapist
Hours per resident per day provided by licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants. PT services help residents recover mobility after injury or illness and are especially important for post-acute (short-stay) rehabilitation.
| 10m per day | ▲ 100% State avg: 5m per day · National avg: 4m per day |
|
RN (Weekend)
Registered nurse hours specifically on weekends. Facilities sometimes reduce RN presence on Saturdays and Sundays — a low weekend RN figure compared to weekday hours can indicate reduced clinical oversight when most administrative staff are absent.
| 13m per day | ▼ 57% State avg: 30m per day · National avg: 29m per day |
Higher than the California average: 72.8%Covenant Living at the Samarkand is legally operated by Covenant Living West, and administrated by Marjan Albert.
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.
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.
Citations
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total citations
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
| 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)
Violations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action.
| 2 | 3 | This facility has 33% fewer serious citations (type a) than a typical California nursing home (2 vs. CA avg 3).↓ 33% better |
|
Moderate citations (Type B)
Violations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.
| 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 year
Average citations per year since 2019.
| 0.3 | 1.4 | This facility has 79% fewer citations per year than a typical California nursing home (0.3 vs. CA avg 1.4).↓ 79% better |
|
Citations per inspection
Average 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 visits
Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections.
| 7 | 16 | This facility has 56% fewer total visits than a typical California nursing home (7 vs. CA avg 16).↓ 56% better |
|
Complaint visits
On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.
| 1 | 13 | This facility has 92% fewer complaint visits than a typical California nursing home (1 vs. CA avg 13).↓ 92% better |
|
Other visits
Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits.
| 1 | 7 | This facility has 86% fewer other visits than a typical California nursing home (1 vs. CA avg 7).↓ 86% better |
|
Official inspections
Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.
| 5 | 4 | This facility has 25% more official inspections than a typical California nursing home (5 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 25% worse |
|
Complaint investigations
On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.
| 1 | 10 | This facility has 90% fewer complaint investigations than a typical California nursing home (1 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 90% better |
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
This facility’s inspection record is mostly clean, with no deficiencies found in infection control or safety during recent visits and unsubstantiated complaints about falsified records in December 2024. The most recent inspection on April 29, 2025, found the facility generally in good repair and clean, though the review was not fully completed and will continue later. In 2022, the facility faced immediate jeopardy citations for missing criminal background checks on several staff, but those issues were addressed in follow-up reports.
Read the full inspection reports for this facility, including detailed findings and corrective actions.
Show Inspection ReportsCalifornia 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.
100% better than California averageCalifornia average: 0.4
100% better than California averageCalifornia average: 1
Corrected
Corrected
Corrected
Corrected
Reporting period: April 1 – June 30, 2025 (Q2 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
2964812% better than California average
0% compared with California average
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering April 1 – June 30, 2025.
Manages medical care and health needs.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
6.9 hoursThis role is partially covered by contractors.
Assists with medical care and medications.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
8.4 hoursThis role is partially covered by contractors.
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
8.5 hoursThis role is partially covered by contractors.
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering April 1 – June 30, 2025.
Total hours from contractors
8,480 contractor hours this quarter
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering April 1 – June 30, 2025.
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 42 | 49 | 91 | 13,614 | 91 | 100% | 8.5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 11 | 10 | 21 | 4,885 | 91 | 100% | 8.4 |
| Registered Nurse | 8 | 1 | 9 | 1,443 | 90 | 99% | 6.9 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 0 | 9 | 9 | 1,051 | 80 | 88% | 4.5 |
| RN Director of Nursing | 2 | 0 | 2 | 960 | 69 | 76% | 8.2 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 3 | 0 | 3 | 904 | 66 | 73% | 7.9 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 3 | 0 | 3 | 894 | 89 | 98% | 7.1 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 0 | 11 | 11 | 889 | 73 | 80% | 4.4 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 0 | 5 | 5 | 738 | 78 | 86% | 5.6 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | 0 | 1 | 1 | 543 | 64 | 70% | 8.5 |
| Administrator | 2 | 0 | 2 | 512 | 64 | 70% | 8 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 512 | 64 | 70% | 8 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 480 | 61 | 67% | 7.9 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 0 | 3 | 3 | 448 | 63 | 69% | 6.1 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 0 | 3 | 3 | 403 | 56 | 62% | 6.9 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 0 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 4 | 4% | 6.3 |
| Diagnostic X-ray Services Staff | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 3% | 4 |
| Medical Director | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3% | 2 |
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.
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline.
8.3
25% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 6.6
A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence.
13.8
22% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 11.3
CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
13.4%
21% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 11.1%
Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened
16.4%
36% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 12.0%
Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder
11.6%
In line with California averageCalifornia average: 11.3%
Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
2.5%
52% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 1.7%
Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers
3.2%
36% better than California averageCalifornia average: 5.0%
Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
2.0%
60% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 1.2%
Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight
6.0%
43% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 4.2%
Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms
10.5%
56% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 6.7%
Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
10.7%
6% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 10.1%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
98.1%
In line with California averageCalifornia average: 98.5%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
95.5%
In line with California averageCalifornia average: 98.2%
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.73
23% better than California averageCalifornia average: 2.25
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
2.06
30% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 1.59
CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
96.6%
In line with California averageCalifornia average: 94.0%
Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
1.0%
34% better than California averageCalifornia average: 1.5%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
83.3%
11% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 93.2%
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
19.8%
15% better than California averageCalifornia average: 23.2%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
13.8%
23% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 11.2%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
0.6%
27% better than California averageCalifornia average: 0.8%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
41.9%
22% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 53.7%
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
68.5%
35% better than California averageCalifornia average: 50.6%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Total residents
57Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
State-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program on-site
Part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community offering multiple care levels
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Data sourced from CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics quarterly report. Payer mix reflects the current resident census by primary payment source.
Historical financial and operational data for Covenant Living at the Samarkand based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #191 / 347Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 191st out of 347 homes in California. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the California average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
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.
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)
Add your location
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is located in Santa Barbara, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is in the Samarkand neighborhood of Santa Barbara.
The legal owner and operator of Covenant Living at the Samarkand is Covenant Living West.
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.
Covenant Living at the Samarkand's occupancy is 85%.
Yes — see the floorplan options available at Covenant Living at the Samarkand on this page.
Marjan Albert is the administrator of Covenant Living at the Samarkand.
Covenant Living at the Samarkand has 379 beds.
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