Friendship Manor

Pros

• The residents at Friendship Manor are very happy and enjoy a friendly community atmosphere.
• The staff members are nice and friendly, contributing to a welcoming environment.
• Friendship Manor offers a variety of amenities, such as hairdressing services and a medical van for transportation.
• The independent living arrangement allows residents to maintain their autonomy while still receiving support.
• There is an effort to provide activities and events for the residents, with hopes of returning to pre-COVID offerings.
• The alert system provides added security for residents, ensuring they can call for help if needed.
• The facility presents good value for the services offered, including meals and laundry facilities.

Cons

• The dining room has not reopened since COVID, limiting social interactions and activities for the residents.
• The food quality needs significant improvement, with bland options that don’t cater to residents who prefer seasoned dishes.
• The building is older and shows signs of needing repairs, which detracts from the overall living experience.
• There is a lack of regular wellness checks on residents; if someone misses a meal, no one ensures their safety or well-being.
• The laundry facilities require payment, which may not be convenient for all residents.
• While the staff is friendly, there may not be enough oversight or support during emergencies.

Review

Friendship Manor offers an independent living experience for seniors, providing a mixture of amenities and services that cater well to their residents' needs. One of the central features of this facility is its dining service, which includes three meals a day during the week and two meals on weekends. On weekdays, residents can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the communal dining room, while on weekends they are treated to brunch and dinner. There is also an option for residents to have their meals delivered directly to their rooms for an additional cost of $2. Many residents have chosen this delivery service over the past two years due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, continuing a trend that underscores the importance of safety and comfort in this community.

Before the pandemic, Friendship Manor was known for its vibrant social life and a diverse array of engaging activities. Residents could participate in joyrides around Santa Barbara every Friday—a delightful outing that many looked forward to—along with movie nights, pizza evenings, and ice cream socials featuring chocolate chip cookies. This lively atmosphere contributed significantly to the quality of life at Friendship Manor; however, since COVID-19 began affecting daily routines, these activities have sadly been put on hold. The hope among residents and families alike is that these beloved events will return soon, fostering community engagement once again within the facility.

In addition to meal services, Friendship Manor strives to provide adequate support for personal care. While tasks such as laundry fall under residents’ responsibilities—with access to machines available on-site—the facility also brings in outside help as needed. For instance, one resident's family member arranged for a caregiver to check on her mother every other day, increasing her level of support beyond what was originally provided by just weekly visits. Although assistance is available when necessary—like hairdressing services that include cuts and shampooing—the absence of regular checks means that some vulnerabilities exist within this independent living arrangement.

One concern raised regarding security is related to emergency situations; specifically highlighted was an incident where one resident fell during the night without anyone checking in on her until much later. This situation illustrates a potential drawback: while residents maintain independence at Friendship Manor, there isn't an immediate system in place for ensuring safety if someone doesn’t show up for a meal or engaging with staff regularly. To mitigate risks associated with falls or emergencies at night when assistance might not be readily available, some families have taken proactive steps by procuring alert systems for their loved ones—devices that enable them to call for help if needed.

The condition of the building itself presents another area where improvements could enhance overall resident satisfaction at Friendship Manor. Though generally clean and welcoming, it shows signs consistent with aging infrastructure requiring repairs or updates. Despite these shortcomings regarding maintenance and aesthetics, there’s positive feedback about staff members who are consistently described as friendly and attentive towards residents' needs—a critical element in fostering a nurturing environment.

Lastly, while food choices are offered daily—usually consisting of options between meat or vegetarian dishes—the quality has drawn mixed reactions from some residents like my mother who appreciates flavorful cuisine but finds meals lacking seasoning. It seems that while catering to a large clientele requires broad dietary considerations—including restrictions stemming from health conditions—it can result in flavors being diluted overall. While adding personal seasoning is possible after dishes are prepared (thereby accommodating individual tastes), many feel there should be more attention given upfront so all can enjoy nutritious meals without sacrificing flavor balance altogether.

In conclusion, Friendship Manor presents itself as a solid choice for independent senior living with strengths anchored in social opportunities (historically) alongside essential service offerings such as meal provisions and medical transportation options twice weekly through their medical van service operating on Mondays and Thursdays—all contributing positively toward enhancing resident lifestyles amidst natural aging processes involved through time spent there despite facing various challenges along the way.

This part of Goleta, California offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several restaurants nearby, including Freebirds World Burrito and Lilly's Tacos, seniors have plenty of dining options. Additionally, there are pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Santa Barbara Specialty Pharmacy close by for convenient access to medications. For recreation and relaxation, parks such as Del Playa Park and Girsh Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities. Transportation is easily accessible with Santa Barbara Municipal Airport located just 1.5 miles away. Medical care is also readily available with physicians like Julie Chacko, MD and hospitals like Health Action within a short distance. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient setting for seniors looking to settle down in Goleta.

Restaurants

• Freebirds World Burrito (0.3 miles)
• Lilly's Tacos (1 miles)
• Cajun Kitchen (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Jack In The Box (1 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.4 miles)
• The Bistro (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Del Playa Park (0.6 miles)
• Girsh Park (1 miles)
• Goleta Beach Park (1.7 miles)
• Johnny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park (2.7 miles)
• Blueberry Hill Neighborhood Park (4.1 miles)
• Tucker's Grove Park (5 miles)
• Arroyo Burro Beach (6.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Santa Barbara Specialty Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Santa Barbara Care Center (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Goleta Valley Medical Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Herbay Pharmac08256836 (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) (1.5 miles)
• Santa Barbara Aviation (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Old Town Coffee (2.2 miles)

Theaters

• Fairview Theatre (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Medcenter (2.5 miles)
• Lum Bryant J Md Lum Glaucoma Ctrsanta Barbara Santa Barbara (3.1 miles)
• Julie Chacko, MD (3.1 miles)
• Santa Barbara Internal Medicine Group (3.1 miles)
• Richard E Hammond (3.1 miles)
• Jackson Medical Group (3.1 miles)
• Liza G Presser Belkin (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Health Action (3.2 miles)
• Emcare Of California (6.4 miles)
• Dr Tavinder Dhillon DMD (6.5 miles)
• Cottage Children's Hospital (7.8 miles)
• Rehabilitation Institute At Santa Barbara (7.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hope Community Church (6.6 miles)