Friendship Manor in Goleta, California, has served the senior community since 1973 as a non-profit charitable retirement home for people aged 62 and over, offering both affordable senior housing and several living arrangements like studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and semi-private apartments with private baths that people furnish themselves, and residents get services like housekeeping, linen, meals, and all basic utilities, so nobody has to worry about gas, water, electricity, or trash bills, and the property comes with things you don't see everywhere, like covered garage parking, heated swimming pools, gardens, a library, laundry rooms, Dorothy's Corner Store for shopping needs, and even a beauty salon and barbershop which are quite helpful for residents who find it tiring to leave the grounds for haircuts. The community supports seniors needing independent living, assisted living, and even skilled nursing levels of care, and the staff can help with things like bathing, dressing, toileting, medication reminders, monitoring insulin, wound care, and podiatry, which is nice for those with extra medical needs, and emergency help is always on hand because staff stay at the facility 24 hours. Residents who use a wheelchair or can't walk alone get help with moving, and laundry/dry cleaning is handled for those who need it.
Friendship Manor covers all the key safety features like sprinkler systems and accessible formats for seniors, plus there are washers and dryers in the units or on each floor, and some rooms have kitchenettes for those who want to cook, but everyone gets meals if they'd rather not, and the dining room is open to everyone. The staff includes a Marketing Director and Activities Director along with nurses and trained helpers, and they work hard to keep the place active and friendly, so you'll find social spaces inside and out, with game rooms, fitness centers, and areas set out for art, crafts, or devotional gatherings, plus planned activities, offsite excursions, and educational programs, while those who attend church or other religious devotions have programs set up both inside and outside, just like those who enjoy arts, crafts, or movement classes.
Transportation is available for shopping trips and medical visits, and there's even a special pricing structure that breaks out costs for more care, like high, medium, or lower levels of help, and Friendship Manor accepts Medicare, Medicaid, private pay, Social Security, veterans' benefits, and some insurance plans, so most people find an option that works with their budget. They provide tours, and even virtual visits if someone can't make it in person, and prospective residents can meet others, see the rooms, and hear from staff, getting answers to policy questions about waitlists and discharge before moving in. Since the place is state-licensed, and the records are available to check, it helps people feel confident in the standards, and the home offers nursing home services along with incontinence care, diabetic care, non-ambulatory care, and Alzheimer's support for those who need it. There are various kinds of common rooms for socializing, game activities, and even places for quiet time such as the library or gardens, with strong WiFi, cable TV, guest parking, and on-site maintenance. Friendship Manor tries to create a warm environment by encouraging friendships, activities, and a sense of dignity and respect for everyone who lives there, and with the focus on prolonging independence, it helps keep the energy and outlook of the community positive.
With over fifty years dedicated to helping elders who sometimes can't afford other options, the facility blends affordable housing, long-term care, and social activities all on one campus, keeping a discharge policy, waitlist, and specific payment types in place to make sure all residents know exactly where they stand. The sentiment rating by residents is 4.0 out of 5, which reflects satisfaction but leaves room for honest feedback, and the overall atmosphere is one where privacy is valued, and life is about maintaining self-respect and independence for as long as possible.
