Occupancy rate
85%
Higher than the California average: 72.8%Covenant Living at the Samarkand
Memory Care in Santa Barbara
Covenant Living at the Samarkand
Memory Care in Santa Barbara
Overview of 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.
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.
Staffing hours breakdown
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.
| Staff type | Hours / day | 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 44m per day | ▼ 9% 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 |
379-bed community
A large-scale community that may provide a wide range of amenities, services, and structured programs.
33 years in operation
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score: 50 / 100
Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.
BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)
An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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About this community
Occupancy
Higher than the California average: 72.8%Occupied beds
323 / 379
Average residents
87 per day
Facility TypeRcfe-continuing Care Retirement Community
StatusLicensed
IssuanceApril 6, 1993
CountySanta Barbara
License NumberCOA #052
RCFE Number421702848
Covenant Living at the Samarkand is legally operated by Covenant Living West, and administrated by Marjan Albert.
Rehabilitation Services
Respite Care
24-Hour Staffing
Minimum Age62
Fitness Center
Outdoor Dining
Wellness Center
Arts And Crafts
Social Events
Specific ProgramsResidential Living
Operating HoursResidential Living: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Assisted Living: 24/7
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.
7 visits
Inspections are mandatory, regular evaluations conducted by state health departments or regulatory agencies. They ensure the community provides safe, compliant care, covering areas like resident health, staff and management.
California average: 16 visits
Breakdown by visit type
1 total complaint visit
1 other visit
Other visits include regulatory visits that are not routine inspections or complaint investigations, such as administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, or licensing-related visits.
California average
13 total complaint visits
7 other visits
Show Inspection Reports
1 complaint investigation
Inspections conducted in response to complaints filed by residents, families, staff, or others about possible problems at the facility.
Investigations can have many visits.
California average: 10 complaint investigations
5 official inspections
Routine inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state care and safety standards.
California average: 4 official inspections
2 total citations
Citations indicate regulatory violations. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.
California average: 10 citations
2 serious citations
A violation that poses an immediate risk to resident health or safety, or represents a substantial failure to comply with licensing requirements.
California average: 3 serious citations
0 moderate citations
A violation that does not pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety but requires correction to remain in compliance.
California average: 4 moderate citations
Latest inspection
Date
April 29, 2025
Annual Inspection2 deficiencies
Deficiencies indicate regulatory issues. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.
California average: 8 deficiencies
Inspection Report Summary for Covenant Living at the Samarkand
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.
Compare Memory Care around Santa Barbara The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
Filter by care type
| Covenant Living at the Samarkand |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Santa Barbara (Samarkand) | 379 | No | 50 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 33 | 85.2% | A+ | Covenant Living West | - |
| Vista Del Monte Retirement Community |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley) | 266 | Yes | 18 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 75.6% | A+ | Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, Doug | - |
| Villa Alamar |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Santa Barbara (North State) | 43 | No | 86 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 60.5% | - | Gl And Vl 2, Llc, Gp Of G And V 2 Lp | - |
| Abundant Care |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Santa Barbara (Goleta) | 6 | No | 54 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 100.0% | - | Timothy Pryko & Daniel Bond | - |
Living Spaces & Floor Plans
Studio 387 sq ft
Download PDFAlcove 520 sq ft
Download PDF1 Bedroom 588 sq ft
Download PDFStudio 402 sq ft
Download PDFAlcove 510 sq ft
Download PDF1 Bedroom 885 sq ft
Download PDF2 Bedroom 895 sq ft
Download PDF2 Bedroom 1010 sq ft
Download PDF2 Bedroom 1035 sq ft
Download PDF2 Bedroom 920 sq ft
Download PDF2 Bedroom 970 sq ft
Download PDF1 Bedroom 600 sq ft
Download PDF1 Bedroom 703 sq ft
Download PDF1 Bedroom 700 sq ft
Download PDF1 Bedroom 815 sq ft
Download PDFCovenant Living at the Samarkand – Samarkand-communication-plan.pdf
Download PDF
Financial Assistance for
Memory Care in California
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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)
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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
CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Hospitalizations per 1,000 days
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.73
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.73
23% better than California averageCalifornia average: 2.25
ED visits per 1,000 days
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
2.06
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
2.06
30% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 1.59
Short-stay resident measures
CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Re-hospitalized after SNF stay
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
19.8%
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
19.8%
15% better than California averageCalifornia average: 23.2%
Emergency department visits
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
13.8%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
13.8%
23% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 11.2%
Falls with major injury
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
0.6%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
0.6%
27% better than California averageCalifornia average: 0.8%
Ability to care for self at discharge
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
41.9%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
41.9%
22% worse than California averageCalifornia average: 53.7%
Successful return to home or community
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
68.5%
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.
Guides for Better Senior Living
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