I have mixed feelings. The staff are often warm, loving and knowledgeable about Alzheimer's - my mom/grandpa made friends, enjoyed activities, and in many ways thrived; the place can feel home-like, organized into villages, and some caregivers (like Janice) went above and beyond. However, I'm worried about chronic understaffing, high turnover, inconsistent supervision and lack of licensed nurses at times - incidents and falls have happened - and room/cleanliness and meal quality are hit-or-miss. It's expensive; I'd recommend it only if you can afford it and have confirmed current staffing, safety, and supervision.
The Village at Sydney Creek sits in San Luis Obispo, CA, and offers several levels of care for older adults, and it's often chosen by families whose loved ones need memory support, assisted living, or extra supervision, so there's quite a bit going on with different support options under one roof, with a focus on secure spaces for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias, and that means you'll find a specially designed memory care section for people who tend to wander or whose behavior can be challenging, and they've set up safety features like bracelets to keep residents from getting lost, which helps folks feel more at ease. The community's staff includes 24-hour caregivers, nurses on site, and a doctor on call, and you'll also see visiting professionals like dentists, podiatrists, and speech or physical therapists coming through, so residents can get a lot of what they need without leaving the place, plus a nurse helps manage medicines and care plans and there's supervision for insulin shots and other health routines.
The community itself looks and feels more like a neighborhood than a medical building, with gardens, safe walking paths, open common areas, and rooms that are often studio or semi-private with the choice of kitchenettes in some places, plus everything is wheelchair accessible and there are showers made for walkers or chairs. Meals-three a day along with snacks-are prepared in the community's own kitchens and always try to be balanced, homemade, and according to diet needs, so if someone needs low-salt or diabetes-friendly food, they can get that, and a visiting or on-site hairdresser is another touch that keeps things comfortable. Activities are a main part of daily life, with regular events like exercise classes, music therapy, animal visits, art sessions, cooking demos, movie nights, stories, outings around the area, scenic tours, and group support, which the community says helps keep everyone's mind and body active-plus there's a fitness room, steam room, hot tub, spaces for reading and relaxing, and outdoor patios to use.
Transportation is available for doctor's appointments, shopping, and church outings, and they've set up an all-inclusive fee structure so families know what to expect without hidden charges. Residents who need help with bathing, clothes, movement, bathroom use, and medication get it from staff, and there are also aides for home care and support for those who want to stay more independent, so families can find different solutions depending on needs. There's hospice and respite care for when advanced support or short-term stays are needed, and the staff is known for being friendly and treating people kindly, with stories from families and residents about the caring, familiar atmosphere and staff that's quick to step in and help with unique challenges or harder days, which can be important when someone is living with dementia or chronic illness.
They organize regular family support groups and care planning meetings, and the whole community has earned a high resident rating, in part due to detailed planning and a clear focus on helping people remain as healthy, active, and comfortable as possible, no matter their care level, so folks tend to stay as their needs change. The Village at Sydney Creek isn't huge or flashy, but it's structured, attentive, and friendly, and it keeps its doors open to tours and questions from families at any stage of considering a move, with coordinators helping people figure out what sort of care, room, or activities might be best, so it all adds up to a steady and caring place for seniors and their loved ones.
People often ask...
The Village at Sydney Creek offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
There are 9 photos of The Village at Sydney Creek on Mirador.
Yes, The Village at Sydney Creek allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.
The full address for this community is 1234 Laurel Ln, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401.
Yes, The Village at Sydney Creek offers respite care.
Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.
State of California Inspection Reports
46
Inspections
13
Type A Citations
7
Type B Citations
5
Years of reports
19 Jun 2025
19 Jun 2025
Investigated hot water delivery, staffing adequacy, and sanitation; interviews and records indicated hot water issues were temporary and resolved, staffing generally met residents' needs, and sanitation remained in place. Overall, findings did not prove that violations occurred.
14 Sept 2022
14 Sept 2022
Found that staffing shortages and high turnover led to delays in meeting residents' care needs, with staff reporting double shifts and limited coverage. Noted that residents had some falls with bruising in records, but no clear pattern of supervision failures; meals were generally provided and leftovers saved for later, with occasional concerns about residents left in soiled clothing but no consistent rashes documented.
§ 87468.1(a)(2)
13 Sept 2021
13 Sept 2021
Identified five staff without fingerprint clearance. One left after notification, three were sent home pending clearance, and one was not on duty; civil penalties totaling $5,000 were assessed.
§ 87355(e)(1)
19 Aug 2022
19 Aug 2022
Found that on some occasions staff did not assist residents with hygiene needs and left residents in soiled clothing for extended periods. Determined that claims of improper staff training and unqualified medical assessments could not be confirmed, and there was no evidence of an unusually high number of unattended falls.
§ 87468.1(a)(2)
30 Jul 2024
30 Jul 2024
Found safety, health, and resident-care requirements met, including posted rights, functioning detectors, quarterly drills, clean common areas, proper food storage, and secure medication storage.
Reviewed five resident files and found no issues in medical assessments, needs and service plans, signed admissions, or pre-appraisals; exit interview was conducted.
13 Dec 2022
13 Dec 2022
Investigated an incident in which a resident was found unresponsive and died by suicide; staff reported prior suicide attempts and dementia concerns, and the resident had a key to a locked room. No deficiencies were cited.
03 Sept 2024
03 Sept 2024
Investigated a complaint that staff did not follow infection control protocols; found toothbrushes stored on bathroom countertops in six of eight rooms examined, and in all shared restrooms only one resident’s toothbrush was out. Identified that there are no regulations prohibiting countertop storage of toothbrushes, and that bathrooms are checked for cleanliness under policy.
04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022
Found that a July 2020 laundry-area fire was not reported to the licensing agency as required; staff stated the sprinkler contained it and there was no threat to residents, and no incident report existed for the fire.
§ 87211
14 Jul 2023
14 Jul 2023
Identified several safety and staffing concerns at the home, including quarterly emergency drills not consistently conducted, a torn window screen, and a fire extinguisher not in good condition. Also noted trash cans without lids, unlocked scissors in a common area, staff missing current first aid certification, and an administrator’s file showing a staff member not associated with the home, creating health and safety risks.
§ 1569.695(c)
29 Oct 2020
29 Oct 2020
Identified an allegation that 16 residents were on hospice while only 8 were approved. Found that 16 residents were on hospice, exceeding the approved waiver; administrator could not provide documentation that a 16-resident waiver was approved or that a waiver increase request had been submitted.
§ 87632(a)
18 May 2023
18 May 2023
Found that the resident likely died by suicide; there was no evidence of foul play or trauma, and a suicide note was found. Investigations noted a prior suicide attempt and depression, with staff reporting the resident’s needs were being met and care provided.
04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022
Found infection control measures in place, including signage, entry screenings, and staff masking. Soap and towels were available in bathrooms; fire extinguishers were charged and inspected; carbon monoxide detector alarms did not sound during testing; no deficiencies cited.
05 Jun 2024
05 Jun 2024
Found that evidence did not establish violations for each allegation—visitor access, mail, confidential phone calls, and cleanliness. Concluded that all allegations were unsubstantiated.
02 Aug 2021
02 Aug 2021
Investigated a complaint alleging staff made inappropriate comments toward residents and other care concerns. Found that language used around residents sometimes appeared inappropriate and may reflect a workplace culture issue; however, no evidence showed staff hitting residents, rough handling, withholding food, unsafe shower temperatures, threats, or unsafe assistance, and falls were addressed promptly with proper procedures and trained staff.
§ 87468.1(a)(1)
18 Jun 2025
18 Jun 2025
Identified multiple hazardous items unlocked and accessible to residents in several kitchens and bedrooms, including deodorizer spray, nail polish and remover, nail dryer, disinfectant spray, and glass cleaner. Boilers delivering hot water were under repair; a medication audit found no violations; safety devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and extinguishers were current, and the annual inspection could not be completed and will be resumed later.
§ 9058
§ 87309(a)
04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022
Investigated the allegation that the administrator is not at the site a sufficient number of hours. Found the administrator appears to be present for the minimum required hours, but staff said he should be in the building more often to communicate with them.
25 Aug 2022
25 Aug 2022
Investigated the allegation that staff did not treat a resident with respect; evidence from interviews and records did not establish that any staff member was disrespectful.
08 Feb 2024
08 Feb 2024
Found insufficient evidence that there was not enough staff to meet residents’ needs on 12/17/22. Observations and interviews indicated staffing levels were generally adequate and residents’ needs were being met.
19 Jun 2025
19 Jun 2025
Identified missing or outdated reappraisals for residents with changes in condition—one with multiple falls not reflected in the care plan, and another with a wound requiring home health care not reflected in any reappraisal. Conducted a review of the annual care tool.
§ 9058
§ 87463(a)
14 Jul 2023
14 Jul 2023
Found the allegation of hazardous grounds conditions unsubstantiated after observing a board over irrigation pipes in the garden; the board and surrounding area appeared secure.
07 Apr 2022
07 Apr 2022
Found that staff were not consistently wearing masks while present in care, and a visitor was not screened upon entry.
§ 87468.1
28 Jun 2021
28 Jun 2021
Found no deficiencies after an unannounced infection control check; observed a non-working kitchen freezer and poster/signage issues.
08 Feb 2024
08 Feb 2024
Found that the allegation that residents' medical needs were not met was not supported. Findings showed past issues with a resident's hand brace use, nail care, and a skin condition managed with doctor-prescribed treatments, with staff reporting timely communication of medical concerns.
28 Jul 2022
28 Jul 2022
Found that fire drills were not conducted at least once every three months with all direct care staff on each shift attending. Records showed irregular drill occurrences and incomplete staff participation, with some staff not clearly aware of evacuation responsibilities.
§ 87705(i)(8)
24 Apr 2024
24 Apr 2024
Found an unlocked bathroom cabinet containing items that could pose a danger, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, an aerosol can, two electric shavers, and a curling iron. Later, all bathroom doors were locked and no dangerous items were observed, so the allegation about accessible dangerous items was not supported.
11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022
Found the allegation that staff withheld water from residents unsubstantiated; interviews indicated staff consistently offered water and residents received adequate hydration.
04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022
Investigated the allegation that staff were not properly supervising residents and found no evidence of residents being left unattended or unsupervised for extended periods.
03 Sept 2024
03 Sept 2024
Reviewed concerns about infection control practices related to toothbrush storage, which were found to align with existing policies and regulations, highlighting the importance of respecting residents' personal rights while maintaining good hygiene protocols.
30 Jul 2024
30 Jul 2024
Found that the facility maintained proper safety protocols, clean and accessible common areas, adequate supplies and nutritious food, well-organized resident records, and appropriate medication storage, with all aspects meeting regulatory standards during an unannounced inspection.
05 Jun 2024
05 Jun 2024
Investigated the allegation that staff prevented a resident from having visitors, found staff never turned away visitors but monitored visits for safety; also reviewed the resident's ability to send mail, make phone calls, and maintain cleanliness, with no violations confirmed.
24 Apr 2024
24 Apr 2024
Investigated an allegation that an unlocked bathroom cabinet contained dangerous items; found that staff had reminders and locked doors in place, and no accessible dangerous items were observed at the time.
08 Feb 2024
08 Feb 2024
Determined that the allegation that there was not enough staff to meet residents’ needs on 12/17/22 was unsubstantiated, as staff interviews and observations indicated residents' needs were generally met despite some shifts having fewer staff.
14 Jul 2023
14 Jul 2023
Investigated the allegation that residents were exposed to hazardous grounds conditions due to holes, wires, and water; found that a board covered a plumbing leak, was secure, and posed no risk to residents.
18 May 2023
18 May 2023
Reviewed evidence indicating that a resident with a history of depression and prior suicide attempts died by hanging in their room, with law enforcement concluding it was likely a self-inflicted death and no signs of foul play or trauma found.
13 Dec 2022
13 Dec 2022
Investigated an incident where a resident was found unresponsive and later died by suicide, with multiple staff and family members providing information about the resident’s prior mental health history and previous suicidal expressions.
14 Sept 2022
14 Sept 2022
Investigated staffing shortages and found residents' care needs, supervision, and hygiene were not consistently met due to insufficient staff, while noting no significant increase in falls or resident rashes related to being left in soiled clothing. Concluded that specific concerns about care and safety were supported by observation and interviews.
§ 87468.1(a)(2)
25 Aug 2022
25 Aug 2022
Investigated whether staff treated Resident #1 with disrespect; found insufficient evidence to confirm that Staff #7 antagonized the resident to provoke agitation.
19 Aug 2022
19 Aug 2022
Found that staff did not consistently assist residents with hygiene needs or change soiled clothing in a timely manner, and identified issues with staff training and oversight. Determined that residents' fall incidents did not occur at an unusual rate during the period reviewed.
§ 87468.1(a)(2)
11 Aug 2022
11 Aug 2022
Investigated the allegation that staff withheld water from residents; found that staff generally provided adequate water and did not withhold it.
04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022
Investigated the allegation that facility staff were not properly supervising residents and found no evidence to support residents being left unattended or unmet needs.
28 Jul 2022
28 Jul 2022
Identified that staff did not conduct fire drills as required every three months with all direct care staff, and documented that some drills were infrequent or lacked full staff participation.
§ 87705(i)(8)
07 Apr 2022
07 Apr 2022
Found that staff failed to consistently wear masks while providing care and supervision, and visitors were not screened upon entry, violating health and safety orders.
§ 87468.1
13 Sept 2021
13 Sept 2021
Identified that five staff members working without fingerprint clearances, leading to immediate removal or suspension until proper clearances are obtained, resulting in civil penalties.
§ 87355(e)(1)
02 Aug 2021
02 Aug 2021
Investigated multiple allegations including staff making inappropriate comments, hitting residents, handling residents roughly, failing to respond timely after falls, threatening residents, withholding food, improper shower water temperature, and unsafe assisting techniques; findings concluded that most allegations were unsubstantiated, with some concerns about staff communication.
§ 87468.1(a)(1)
28 Jun 2021
28 Jun 2021
Confirmed that infection control measures were reviewed and found adequate, with immediate responses to identified issues during the inspection.
29 Oct 2020
29 Oct 2020
Found that the facility exceeded their approved hospice waiver by having 16 residents on hospice when only 8 were permitted, and the administrator was unable to provide documentation supporting an increased waiver.
