Fisher House sits in a quiet residential neighborhood close to downtown Santa Barbara at 2324 Chapala Street, where owner Efaie McFarland keeps a homey, welcoming place for seniors and military families alike, and you'll find six residents at most, each with their own comfortable bedroom and space to relax. The house is filled with art and antiques, giving it a lived-in feeling, and there are gardens outside for fresh air and sunny days, along with indoor common areas for reading, relaxing, or just talking with friends. Fisher House holds a state license and the staff often help people with memory care needs, whether that's dementia or other memory conditions, using personalized wellness plans and safe, thoughtfully monitored spaces. Folks with high care needs get help with dressing, bathing, grooming, incontinence, insulin, and transfers if needed; there's always 24-hour awake staff, a nurse and doctor on call, plus extra healthcare like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and visits from a podiatrist.
What makes Fisher House different is the way they serve healthy, organic home-cooked meals three times a day, with diet adjustments for health needs like diabetes or high blood pressure, made in a kitchen that's part of the home instead of a big cafeteria. Pet therapy dogs visit often and residents can bring their own cats or dogs, making it less lonely for animal lovers, which is something that folks really seem to appreciate, and they also get to enjoy entertainment, music, group exercises, arts and crafts, and games, both indoors and outside in the garden. The staff encourage everyone to be as independent as they can, but they step in with help for daily living as needed, and there's transportation arranged for shopping, appointments, and activities out in the community. The atmosphere is calm, with a friendly, well-trained team who know how to handle memory challenges, and there's always a full calendar of activities to keep people engaged and active, from movie nights and art projects to fitness sessions.
Guests who stay as part of the Fisher House program-especially families of those in the military or veterans-get to use on-site suites and family spaces while their loved ones receive hospital care nearby, and there's no charge for this service. The home gives military families kitchens, laundry, and leisure areas to make their visits less stressful, so they can focus on supporting each other. Because Fisher House is close to healthcare providers and offers hospice care too, it makes things easier when care needs change, and because it's a small care home, the approach is always personal. Payment options here include private pay, long-term care insurance, and veterans aid. Tours are available for families considering a move, and overall, the place puts comfort, meaningful living, and support at the center of every day, while keeping things simple and friendly.
