St. Francis Home sits in a quiet residential part of Santa Ana, California, and it's been there for more than 85 years, run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who still provide hands-on care and even run the beauty salon themselves, which says a lot about their dedication to the residents, and Sister Veronica Villalpando became the new administrator in late 2023 to help carry on their approach. The place feels calm and clean, not fancy, just focused on comfort, with private, fully furnished studio apartments, though the rooms can feel small and sometimes a bit crowded, but they've got private bathrooms and room air conditioning, and it's possible for residents to bring their own things to make it feel personal. There's a real sense of community, and daily Mass is available in the chapel, plus the Sisters are there for spiritual comfort and companionship, which many find important. The community focuses mainly on women aged 62 and up, with care levels that include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care, and they welcome seniors starting at age 55. Their team helps with basic care needs like bathing, dressing, taking medicine, and getting around, and they've got nursing support for up to 16 hours a day, with 24-hour supervision and a call system for safety.
Residents get meals served restaurant-style in the dining room with attention to special diets, and there's help with meal preparation if someone needs it, and housekeeping, laundry, and linen services are all covered, making day-to-day living easier for everybody. They provide free transportation for medical and non-medical needs, which helps folks get to their appointments and run errands, and they've even got a community-operated transportation system, plus regular day trips for shopping or outings. For staying active, St. Francis Home has a fitness room, cozy TV and gaming rooms, a wellness center, and plenty of social activities like music programs, movies, resident-led groups, and communal get-togethers, and they're known for having some of the best community activity scores in the area. Engaging activities happen almost every day, and folks can get involved in raising money through the St. Francis Guild or just enjoy time in the indoor common areas and outdoor gardens with fountains, patios, and a grotto for a bit of peace and fresh air. They also offer a computer center, a small library with reading materials, and in-house barber and haircuts, plus services in both English and Spanish to make everyone feel at home.
The care team spends time getting to know residents and their families, and the Sisters are respectful, providing compassion and dignity, whether it's with medication management, diabetes or incontinence care, mental wellness help, or spiritual guidance. They host special events, offsite activities, and give support with daily living, always putting community connection first. St. Francis Home holds a California state license (#300600905) for up to 74 residents and serves about 90 beds, offering reasonable rates between $2,000 and $5,000 a month, depending on the care needed. It's a private, non-profit retirement residence with high ratings from residents, often placing in the top few spots for satisfaction and activities among senior living communities in the area, though it's not affiliated with the Diocese of Orange despite the Catholic traditions. There are no fancy extras or hidden luxury perks-just straightforward care, friendly companionship, and a place to feel safe, comfortable, and supported.
