I'm very happy with this brand-new memory care - clean, modern, open layout with private bathrooms, safe wandering, and plenty of engaging activities (music, dancing, cooking, cultural events). The staff are friendly, caring and knowledgeable, provide compassionate 24/7 care and advocate for residents; meals are generally home-cooked with snacks but could use more fresh fruit/veg. It's pricey and prices can rise, and communication/tour prep, occasional heating-system noise and understaffing were minor negatives, but overall I'd recommend it for excellent, dignified care.
Home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients (three meals and two snacks daily)
Wide range of engaging daily activities (flower arranging, music, cultural events, cooking, dancing)
Clean, modern, brand-new facility and attractive/gorgeous building
Private apartments with private bathrooms and memory-care layout
Open, large common areas with plenty of space to walk and mingle
Family-oriented, friendly atmosphere with flexible visitation
Staff who act as advocates for residents
Good housekeeping and resident engagement
Option for a lower-cost shared room
Some reviewers noted good value or price flexibility and close location
Cons
High monthly cost and out-of-pocket expense; many reviewers call it pricey
Reported price increases (one noted after New Year)
Communication issues at times; tours or staff sometimes unprepared
Possible understaffing reported by some reviewers
Building noise near the heating system
Limited or no dedicated outdoor walking area; many outdoor activities brought in
Inconsistent meal quality for some (not enough fresh fruit/vegetables, too many starches)
No in-room kitchen facilities
Some variability in perceived affordability/value
Summary review
Overall sentiment across the review summaries is strongly positive, with the majority of reviewers highlighting high-quality, compassionate memory-care tailored to residents with dementia. Many reviewers explicitly used terms like "exceptional care," "dignity in care," and "compassionate approach," indicating consistent satisfaction with the facility’s clinical and day-to-day care. Several reviews emphasize reliable medical oversight and 24/7 supervision, and a number of family members reported that staff advocated effectively for residents in medical or administrative situations.
Staffing and interpersonal care emerge as a major strength. Reviewers repeatedly describe the staff as caring, knowledgeable, kind, and well trained. Frequent praise centers on strong staff–resident interaction: residents are engaged, staff are attentive, and caregivers are perceived as genuinely invested in residents’ wellbeing. Multiple summaries note that staff provide effective advocacy and that interactions extend beyond routine care to social engagement and emotional support. While most comments about staff are highly positive, a few reviews mention communication lapses (for example, tour staff not fully prepared) and occasional understaffing concerns, suggesting some variability in operational consistency.
Facility features and design are another commonly praised area. The community is repeatedly described as brand-new, modern, clean, and well laid out for memory care. Specific positives include private apartments with private bathrooms, a memory-care-specific layout (no long hallways), open and large common areas that allow walking and mingling, and secure spaces that enable safe wandering. These design elements appear to contribute to a comfortable, home-like atmosphere. Drawbacks noted about the physical plant include building noise near the heating system and a lack of a dedicated outdoor walking area; several reviews say many outdoor activities are brought in rather than being resident-led outdoors.
Dining and food receive generally favorable comments but with some mixed feedback. Many reviewers compliment "home-cooked" meals, fresh ingredients, three meals plus two snacks daily, and interactive food-related activities (cooking with residents). Conversely, a subset of reviews expressed that meal quality could improve — specifically citing too many starchy dishes and insufficient fresh fruits and vegetables. The lack of in-room kitchen facilities was noted as a factual limitation rather than a frequent complaint.
Activity programming is consistently highlighted as a strong point. The facility offers a broad, engaging calendar with arts-and-crafts (flower arranging), cultural programming, music, dancing, and social events. Cooking activities, entertainment, and cultural events are mentioned repeatedly and appear to contribute significantly to resident engagement and family satisfaction. The presence of frequent, varied programming supports reports of residents being active, social, and entertained.
Cost and administrative matters are the most prominent area of concern. Many reviewers list the monthly fee as "expensive," "pricey," or "not affordable" for some families; one review called out a price increase after New Year. A few commenters noted that the facility can be worth the cost, while others mentioned some price flexibility or a budget-friendly option (e.g., shared-room option) and good value for certain families. Communication around pricing and administrative readiness during tours was flagged by a few reviewers, indicating room for improvement in transparency and consistency.
In summary, Westwind Memory Care is consistently described as a high-quality, modern memory-care community with compassionate, engaged staff; strong activity programming; clean, attractive spaces; and reliable medical support. The most common trade-offs cited by reviewers are cost (high monthly fees and occasional price increases), some operational inconsistencies (communication/tour preparedness and occasional understaffing), limited outdoor walking areas, and a few critiques of meal variety. For families prioritizing specialized dementia care, staff warmth and engagement, and a modern, secure environment, reviewers overwhelmingly recommend Westwind despite the higher cost; prospective families should, however, ask specific questions about pricing, staffing levels, outdoor access, and meal options during tours to confirm current conditions and any recent changes.
Location
About Westwind Memory Care
Westwind Memory Care sits in Santa Cruz, California, close to the riverfront, the park, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and it's managed by Seasons Living, offering a specialized community focused on serving seniors with memory impairments like Alzheimer's and dementia. This stand-alone Memory Care place supports up to 59 residents in a two-story building and offers companion suites, neighbor suites, and private studios, each about 330 square feet, some of which have private bathrooms while others are shared to save some money, and all the rooms are designed to open up to family rooms and dining spaces, making it feel homelike and open. The community keeps things simple with a soothing color scheme of ocean blues and sand dollar neutrals and uses an open floor plan, so residents can move easily both inside and out, since there are secure courtyards, garden spaces, and walking paths where folks can stretch their legs safely, which helps those who might wander or feel confused.
Staff at Westwind Memory Care are trained with hands-on coaching and regular instructions, and they stick around the clock, which helps residents feel cared for whether they need help with bathing, dressing, medication reminders, or moving around, and there are always nurses in the building for 12-16 hours a day alongside a 24-hour call system. The staff meet with families for regular Care Conferences and come up with personalized plans to help each resident feel respected, engaged, and supported in daily life, and they set up structured memory care programs, a Cognitive Learning Center, and schedules full of activities like flower arranging, games, music, live performances, movie nights, art projects, cooking demonstrations, and even day trips out for a change of scenery, trying to fit the days with interesting things and familiar routines so no one feels lost or left out.
Meals come from the chef in a restaurant-style dining room, with three nutritious meals per day and snacks, and they'll accommodate special diets if needed, which means residents can eat comfortably without fuss, and the dining is joined by an arts room, a library, game room, fitness room, and even a swimming pool and spa where residents can visit or take part in group activities as they wish, with plenty of seating areas for relaxing or chatting with family. Health services aren't short here either, as Westwind brings in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, and works with Dominican Hospital and Dr. Jeffrey Smith, DDS, in the area, and if someone needs hospice or palliative care, the team can set that up and work closely with local providers. The team focuses on helping residents with all their daily living needs and keeps a secure environment with lots of safety features, trying to give peace of mind to both residents and families, and everyone pitches in to keep things running smoothly by handling laundry, housekeeping, and regular maintenance, so residents don't have to keep track of chores.
The memory care program at Westwind is tailored just for seniors with memory concerns, using structured activities and a secure setting to lower confusion, prevent wandering, and help with engagement and dignity, and the compassionate team strives to foster a sense of connection, community, and individual respect every day. The community's environment, staff training, social routines, and support services are designed for those with dementia and memory loss, promoting safety, well-being, and positive interactions in a flexible but secure way, and the brand new, clean building uses two similar but separate areas for residents based on their needs, ensuring everyone gets the specific care they require, whether for long-term residency or short-term Respite Care. Westwind Memory Care runs with a state license, License #445202597. Families can take tours any time to get a look inside and see day-to-day life how it happens, and the community does its best to see residents live comfortably, safely, and with as much joy as each day allows.
People often ask...
Westwind Memory Care offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $5,750 per month.
Westwind Memory Care offers assisted living and memory care.
There are 11 photos of Westwind Memory Care on Mirador.
The full address for this community is 160 Jewell St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.
Yes, Westwind Memory Care 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
47
Inspections
12
Type A Citations
6
Type B Citations
6
Years of reports
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Found the allegation that staff did not notify the responsible party of a resident's change in condition UNSUBSTANTIATED.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated the understaffing allegation and found insufficient evidence to prove or disprove it, noting four caregivers per floor with one med tech per floor for 26 residents and night coverage with private sitters used as needed. Found the alarm-system allegation not supported; there are no bed alarms, while care plans guide checks, bathrooms have pull latches, and delayed-egress doors were tested and found to be working.
01 Feb 2021
01 Feb 2021
Found that on August 12, 2020, a resident was found on the floor and staff did not report the fall to the medical team or the resident’s family, did not monitor for injuries, and did not seek timely medical treatment. Showed by autopsy that rib fractures dated to the time frame of the fall, and interviews indicated two staff who knew of the floor finding did not report it or inform hospice or the family.
§ 87411
§ 87466
§ 87211
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated allegation that staff were not properly trained. Found that a random sample of eight staff members had dementia-related training through Relias, and interviews indicated there isn’t a preponderance of evidence to prove the claim.
18 Sept 2020
18 Sept 2020
Reviewed a self-reported resident-on-resident altercation during an unannounced case management tele-visit on 9/18/2020; requested care plans, the 602s for residents involved, status check logs, progress notes, and witness statements, with additional staff to be interviewed.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated the allegation that staff did not follow doctors' orders. Interviews showed orders received by fax were promptly updated in the system, but there was insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the violation, resulting in an unsubstantiated finding.
03 Dec 2024
03 Dec 2024
Found safety, food storage, and resident records in order, with locked medication storage and complete resident files. Identified missing CPR/First Aid training documents for two staff, resulting in a technical violation.
08 Mar 2021
08 Mar 2021
Found that a noncompliance conference addressed a complaint; a citation was revised, and no deficiencies were cited during the meeting.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Found that although concerns were raised about care plan updates, adherence to admission agreements, activity planning, dementia training, and food service, interviews and records did not establish a preponderance of evidence that any violations occurred.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated the allegation that staff did not communicate with the authorized representative; interviews indicated ongoing communication and regular family meetings with updates. Found that there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove the allegation occurred, so it is unsubstantiated.
20 Mar 2025
20 Mar 2025
Investigated the allegation that a staff member pinched a resident’s nose on 1/8/2025, causing loss of consciousness; found insufficient evidence to prove the nose-pinching incident occurred.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated five allegations: staff did not safeguard residents' personal items; there was a questionable death linked to potential staff neglect; staff did not provide residents with activities; staff did not respond to resident requests for help in a timely manner; and staff mismanaged medications. Found no conclusive evidence to prove or disprove these concerns, and the death-related matter was reviewed without establishing causation or neglect.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Found that the allegation that residents did not have access to assistive devices resulting in falls was unsubstantiated, given care plans, fall-prevention measures, and ongoing status checks with adequate staffing.
09 Jul 2021
09 Jul 2021
Investigated allegations that confidential information about a resident was improperly shared, including proof that on 9/17/2020 documents about a different resident were sent to the wrong requester and that on 9/21/2020 the former administrator admitted the error. Evidence supports that the allegation occurred.
§ 87506(c)
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated the allegation that COVID-19 protocols were not followed. Interviews and records indicated PPE and emergency kits were available and testing guidance was not mandatory; there was not enough evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
31 Oct 2023
31 Oct 2023
Investigated allegations about medication administration and resident care. R1’s Naproxen and Lorazepam orders were not clearly administered per records, with notes suggesting delays; R2 was found with morphine on the floor and hospice notification for PRN dosing was unclear; R3’s comfort pak medications were given without hospice authorization; and R4’s feces-related behaviors were inconsistently documented and monitored.
§ 87465(h)(b)
§ 87633(d)
18 Sept 2020
18 Sept 2020
Reviewed a medical error incident involving medication administration and the process for tracking medications.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Investigated the allegation that staff neglected a resident; interviews indicated status checks follow the care plan and concerns were raised about training and food quality. Found insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
24 Oct 2023
24 Oct 2023
Found that the 2020 allegation about how anti-anxiety PRN medications were used and related redirection practices, along with staffing levels, was unfounded. Interviews and review of records supported this conclusion.
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024
Found that in-service training on proper body mechanics for transfers occurred in 2022, conducted by a physical therapist. Not enough evidence to prove or disprove the allegation that staff were not trained and were injuring residents through improper lifting, so the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.
09 Jul 2021
09 Jul 2021
Found that staff followed proper resident assessment and reporting procedures after an unwitnessed fall, including notifying a supervisor, requesting emergency services, informing the resident’s family, and having paramedics determine no hospital transport. Showed that caregiver interviews and training records aligned with the guidelines.
14 Dec 2021
14 Dec 2021
Found staff and residents wore masks, vaccination status including boosters confirmed, and a booster clinic held; observed ample PPE, food, and hygiene supplies, entry temperature checks and symptom screening, and no deficiencies cited.
07 Jan 2025
07 Jan 2025
Found no preponderance of evidence to prove the allegations that staff failed to monitor skin, improperly withheld prescribed rash ointment, did not consistently provide showers, or failed to verify start dates on medications. An advisory note was issued, and no deficiencies were cited.
24 Mar 2022
24 Mar 2022
Identified that the allegations of inadequate medical oversight—including delayed detection of a resident’s cancer, uncommunicated weight loss, and unaddressed health concerns—were supported by records. The mold-related allegation was not supported by the evidence.
§ 87466
§ 87468.2(a)(4)
§ 87464(f)(4)
08 Nov 2023
08 Nov 2023
Determined that the allegation of inappropriate interactions between staff, including in a resident’s room or in the presence of a resident, could not be proven or disproven based on interviews and records.
19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023
Identified neglect/lack of supervision contributing to a resident’s death, with two staff failing to observe health changes, delaying medical care after a fall, and not reporting the incident to hospice or documenting it within seven days. Autopsy revealed rib fractures from the fall, and no treatment for those injuries was provided before the resident died.
18 Aug 2022
18 Aug 2022
Found that three direct care staff described resident assessment and reporting consistent with the plan, and that staff training was substantive. Found that four caregivers provided direct care, activities, and social interaction to residents with no injuries observed, and no deficiencies found.
25 Jun 2021
25 Jun 2021
Found that the allegation of insufficient staffing and ineffective fall-prevention measures was unfounded. Interviews and records showed staff were trained in alarms and fall prevention, and family members reported no staffing concerns.
08 Nov 2023
08 Nov 2023
Investigated allegations of inappropriate interactions among staff; found insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the occurrences, resulting in the allegations being unsubstantiated. No deficiencies identified.
31 Oct 2023
31 Oct 2023
Investigated allegations included staff not administering medication as per new orders, medications found mishandled, and inadequate checks on a resident for specific hygiene issues. Found preponderance of evidence for medication administration violations but not enough proof to confirm or deny hygiene-related allegations.
§ 87633(d)
§ 87465(h)(b)
24 Oct 2023
24 Oct 2023
Confirmed false complaint allegation regarding the use of PRN medication for anxiety in a resident. Multiple staff members reported attempts at redirection before medication was administered.
19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023
Found neglect and lack of supervision leading to a resident's death. Staff failed to report falls or seek timely medical treatment, resulting in serious bodily injury.
18 Aug 2022
18 Aug 2022
Confirmed compliance with assessment and reporting guidelines, with staff receiving adequate training and following fall assessment protocol correctly. No deficiencies noted during the inspection.
24 Mar 2022
24 Mar 2022
Confirmed deficiencies in resident records and care plans, as well as cleanliness and maintenance concerns at the facility.
§ 87468.2(a)(4)
§ 87466
§ 87464(f)(4)
14 Dec 2021
14 Dec 2021
Confirmed no deficiencies during the inspection.
09 Jul 2021
09 Jul 2021
Confirmed compliance with assessment and reporting protocols following an unwitnessed fall incident. Staff training records were found to be in compliance with guidelines.
25 Jun 2021
25 Jun 2021
Investigated allegations regarding fall prevention measures and staffing adequacy. Found no evidence of wrongdoing and determined that staffing was sufficient and staff were properly trained.
08 Mar 2021
08 Mar 2021
Confirmed deficiencies were identified during the meeting, which have since been addressed by the facility.
01 Feb 2021
01 Feb 2021
Confirmed allegation of failure to report and properly assess a resident's fall, resulting in serious injury and subsequent death.
§ 87466
§ 87411
§ 87211
18 Sept 2020
18 Sept 2020
Reviewed an altercation between residents and requested documentation to assess the situation. Additional staff interviews will be conducted.
17 Jul 2020
17 Jul 2020
Discussed visitation policy, toured facility to ensure health protocols followed, and requested picture of isolation room.
02 Jun 2020
02 Jun 2020
Conducted unannounced tele-visit case management, no deficiencies cited. Isolation area designated for potential COVID-19 outbreak and resident quarantine.
22 Apr 2020
22 Apr 2020
Confirmed allegation of a broken arm as false. Another resident was grabbed but not injured.
11 Mar 2020
11 Mar 2020
Reviewed incident involving medication error, staff promptly reported, resident monitored, no adverse effects observed. Staff received training on medication administration safety.
02 Jan 2020
02 Jan 2020
Substantiated allegation of phone line being down due to system crashing during the inspection. Deficiency cited.
§ 87468.1(a)(14)
23 Dec 2019
23 Dec 2019
No deficiencies were cited during the inspection. Three residents were interviewed, and the inspection will continue at a later time.
20 Dec 2019
20 Dec 2019
Completed inspection found all areas of the facility well maintained, with staff and resident records in order and proper safety measures in place. No deficiencies were noted during the inspection.
