Small home · Licensed for 6 · Buellton

Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch

310 Sycamore Drive, Buellton, CA 93427Licensed since 2026

Overview

Estimated starting rate

$5,500 a month

Covelight estimate · likely $4,500–$6,800 See costs

No openings reported

Approved by the state: Wheelchair · Dementia · Hospice · BedriddenState licensing record · October 26, 2026
Licensed for 6: a small care homeThe state license record

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Care and support

Wheelchairup to 6 residents
Dementia
Hospiceup to 2 residents
Bedriddenup to 1 resident

Approved by the state · State licensing record · October 26, 2026. An approval may cover specific rooms or residents; it does not establish an opening.

Read the state’s own wording

AGE RANGE 60 AND OVER. APPROVED FOR SIX(6) NON-AMBULATORY OF WHICH ONE(1) MAY BE BEDRIDDEN IN BEDROOM #3. WAIVER GRANTED FOR HOSPICE CARE FOR TWO(2).

983 - RCFE / DEMENTIA

CDSS record, verbatim · October 26, 2026

As needs change

Staying through hospice
Hospice waiver on file · covers up to 2 — care may continue at the end of life
State licensing record · October 26, 2026
If memory loss develops
Dementia-care designation on file
State licensing record · October 26, 2026

We’ll ask for you. Not on file for Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch: two-person transfers or a lift, who is awake overnight and help with medicines. When we check availability, we ask about these too.

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What it costs here

Covelight estimate

$5,500a month to start

Likely $4,500–$6,800

From 14 nearby homes that publish rates · this home’s rate is not on file

Monthly cost breakdownWith a shared room and basic help · room, care and fees$5,500likely a month

Room

Daily care

Sharing the room

Starting monthly rate$5,500likely $4,500–$6,800
Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 14 small homes and similar homes within 38 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.
Basic help with daily careUsually includedup to $600
Basic help is usually part of the starting rate. Homes that price care by level start around $600 a month (44 California homes publish a care-level range, seen in September 2026).
One-time move-in fee$2,500one time · likely $0–$4,000
Homes that list a one-time entry or community fee charge a median of $2,500 (133 California listings; middle half $1,000–$4,000). Many homes list none — ask.

Likely monthly totalLikely $4,500–$6,950: $5,500
First monthWith a one-time move-in fee · likely $5,300–$10,100: $8,000

How people payPrivate pay, Medi-Cal waiver, SSI/SSP, veterans, insurance

MedicareDoes not pay for room and board in a care home. It can still cover hospice or home-health visits inside one.
Private payMost residents pay from savings, a home sale or family help. Ask for the rate and what it includes in writing.
Medi-Cal Assisted Living WaiverThis home is not on the DHCS participation list dated October 1, 2026. Ask the program about current options. The waiver pays for care services, not room and board.
SSI/SSPCalifornia’s 2026 standard is $1,626.07 a month; $1,444.07 of it goes to the home and $182 stays with the resident. Whether this home accepts it is not on file — ask.
VeteransVA Aid & Attendance can add to a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s pension. Ask whether residents here have used it.
Long-term care insuranceMost policies pay for licensed care homes. Ask what paperwork the home provides for claims.

If the money runs out, what Medi-Cal covers

Rates at nearby homes14 nearby homes publish starting rates of $2,995 to $7,750

14 homes like this within 38 miles publish starting rates mostly between $4,500–$6,100.

Tree of Life Retirement HomesSanta Barbara · 25 mi · Small home
$6,000Listed on Seniorly · assisted living private room · seen September 9, 2026
Lotus VillaSanta Barbara · 26 mi · Small home
$4,500Listed on Seniorly · assisted living · seen September 9, 2026
Casa Cambria WaySanta Barbara · 29 mi · Small home
$5,000Listed on Seniorly · assisted living · seen September 9, 2026
Casa St. JamesSanta Barbara · 30 mi · Small home
$5,000Listed on Seniorly · assisted living · seen September 9, 2026
Villa AlamarSanta Barbara · 30 mi · Mid-size home
$5,500Listed on its own website · private small room · seen October 5, 2026
Alexander GardensSanta Barbara · 31 mi · Mid-size home
$2,995Listed on Seniorly · seen September 9, 2026
Mission VillaSanta Barbara · 31 mi · Mid-size home
$4,900Listed on Seniorly · seen September 9, 2026
Santa Barbara Memory CareSanta Barbara · 31 mi · Mid-size home
$4,500Listed on Seniorly · seen September 9, 2026
Casa San MiguelSanta Barbara · 32 mi · Small home
$5,000Listed on Seniorly · assisted living · seen September 9, 2026
Yokam's RCFE # 1NNipomo · 33 mi · Small home
$4,500Listed on Seniorly · assisted living shared bedroom · seen September 9, 2026
Villa Mariposa Senior CareNipomo · 33 mi · Small home
$4,500Listed on Seniorly · assisted living shared bedroom · seen September 9, 2026
Casa SantecitoSanta Barbara · 34 mi · Small home
$5,200Listed on Seniorly · assisted living · seen September 9, 2026
Cypress Garden Home CareArroyo Grande · 37 mi · Small home
$7,000Listed on Seniorly · assisted living one bedroom · seen September 9, 2026
Casa Rosa Elder CareArroyo Grande · 38 mi · Mid-size home
$7,750Listed on Seniorly · assisted living one bedroom · seen September 9, 2026

How this estimate worksWithin 25% for 7 in 10 homes in testing

Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 14 small homes and similar homes within 38 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

Only prices a home put out itself count: its own website, a listing it supplied, or a price Seniorly says the home confirmed. Prices a listing site shows without saying where they came from are left out.
Nearby homes are the nearest of the same size that publish a rate, widening from 3 to 40 miles until at least 8 do. The estimate starts from what they charge, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices.
Room, care-level, second-person and move-in lines come from what California homes publish on listing sites. Memory care uses Covelight’s researched premium over assisted living.
Totals add each line’s figure and combine the lines’ ranges as separate charges, because a home is rarely at the top, or the bottom, of every line at once.
We tested this estimate on 1,546 California homes that publish their own starting rate. It was within 10% of the real rate for 3 in 10 homes and within 25% for 7 in 10; the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 (September 12, 2026).
It cannot see this home’s specials, how it assesses care, or which rooms are open.

Avoid surprises on the billWhat changes the price, and what to ask

The care level
Some homes charge one all-inclusive rate. Others add levels or points as needs grow. Ask how the level is set, who decides, and what the next level costs.
What is billed separately
Medication management, incontinence supplies, transportation and a second person in the room are often extra. Ask for the list in writing.
Move-in costs
A one-time move-in fee or deposit is common. Ask what it covers and whether any of it comes back if the stay is short.
Increases
California requires at least 90 days’ written notice, with reasons, before a rate rises (Health & Safety Code §1569.655). A change in the resident’s care level is the section’s own exception and can be billed sooner.

Ask for the price

An estimate for planning, not a quote. A home sets the price after hearing about the care needed.

Daily life

Daily life here is not on file yet. Most small homes haven’t published it, and that says nothing about the home.

The best way to see it is a visit.

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Where it is

310 Sycamore Drive, Buellton, CA 93427Address from the public record · October 26, 2026. Confirm the entrance with the home before visiting.

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The state record

California inspects every licensed home and publishes what it found. A citation does not make a home unsafe, and an empty file does not make a home good.

CDSS public record, read October 26, 2026 · License #425850700 · See the state’s own record

The last 36 months — 2 of 2 documents

20262 state visits · 2 documents

Mar 21, 2026Facility evaluation reportPrelicensingReport on file

Type of visit: Prelicensing

At 8:00am on 03/21/2026, Licensing Program Analysts (LPA) Jeffries arrived at the appointment time to conduct the Pre-Licensing inspection visit. LPA met with Administrator, Lauren Mahkian, announced who he is and the purpose of the visit. This facility has 3 bedrooms, that are all double resident occupancy, with bedroom #3 identified as allowing one bedridden resident. This facility has a large kitchen and dining room area, there is an Art room, Reading room and a Relaxation room for residents, there is a laundry room, and the large living room is identified as the common area room. There is a a large outdoor area with several areas for seating for residents, visitors and staff, that all have covered sails or umbrella, LPA noted that the medication cabined is a magnetically secured lock in the kitchen area, LPA noted that a first aide kit with all regulated items was located on the wall in the facility hallway. LPA noted that all bedrooms had storage, lighting, seating and linin per regulations. LPA noted two fire extinguishers that were both primed and in the green indicating working. LPA noted dual smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors located throughout the facility, and were tested functioning during this pre licensing inspection. LPA reviewed facility emergency disaster plan, infection control plan, plan of operations, including dementia training and behavioral expression, and liability insurance. LPA noted that the facility was clean and in good repair. Administrator and LPA reviewed the inspection care tool and found no violations or issues with the pre-licensing inspection. Licensing Program Manger waved COMP III requirements due to additional licensed facilities. This pre-licensing inspection is complete and this facility has no deficiencies. Exit interview, report read and report provided.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Mar 21, 2026

Mar 19, 2026Facility evaluation reportOfficeReport on file

Type of visit: Office

Component II completion: Successful Facility Type: INITIAL Application Type: RCFE Capacity: 06 Census : 0 Method: Telephone call with CAB COMP II Participants: LAUREN MAHAKIAN (licensee/administrator) Administrator/Licensee participated in COMP II via telephone call with CAB analyst. Identification of the Administrator/Licensee was verified by confirming driver’s license number. During COMP II, Administrator/Licensee confirmed the understanding of Title 22. Component II was successfully completed. Administrator/Licensee was advised to email signed LIC 809 with copy of photo ID to CAB. During COMP II, CAB analyst confirmed Administrator/Licensee's understanding of following areas: 1. Facility operation: License type, client/resident populations, and program 2. Admission Policies 3. Staffing requirements & Training 4. Restrictive/Prohibited Health Conditions 5. General provisions 6. Emergency Preparedness 7. Complaints & Reporting 8. Pre-licensing readinessthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Mar 19, 2026

License holder

Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch Inc., licensed since 2026.

The state’s totals for this licenseSince 2026, as the state’s facility page counts them

State visits on file: 2
Total complaints: 0
Substantiated allegations: 0
Type A citations: 0
Type B citations: 0

These are the state’s own totals for this license since 2026, per CDSS records. The state counts them apart from the documents above, and they can differ from what those documents show; the documents say what each visit found. One complaint can contain several allegations.

Compare with homes the same size

	This home	Typical
Type A citations	0	0
Type B citations	0	0
Substantiated allegations	0	0
Total complaints	0	0

“Typical” is the statewide median for licensed homes this size. It does not adjust for years licensed, and older licenses have had more visits and reports. The median is across the 6,916 licensed small board-and-care homes (6 or fewer beds) in the state record. The figures compared are the state’s totals, not the documents.

What the state’s words mean

Routine visita visit the state records as “Required” — a scheduled visit, not one made in answer to a complaintSubstantiatedthe state found the allegation more likely true than notUnsubstantiatedthere was not enough evidence to prove a violation occurred — not a finding of wrongdoingUnfoundedthe evidence showed the allegation was false, could not have happened, or had no reasonable basisType A citationa violation that poses an immediate risk to health, safety or personal rights if it is not correctedType B citationa violation that could become a risk if not corrected, or one involving records, resources or required services

CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗ · CDSS complaint outcomes ↗

An “unsubstantiated” complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing — it means the state investigated and could not confirm the allegation. Outcome words are the state’s own; we never grade, score, or color a record, and we publish no reviews — the state’s dated documents stand in their place.

Open CDSS facility search ↗Report a record error Operate this home? Respond or correct, free →

Frequently asked questions

A citation does not make a home unsafe, and an empty file does not make a home good.

Quick answers about Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch

Is Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch licensed?

The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of October 26, 2026.

How many residents is Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch licensed for?

6 residents — a small home, per CDSS records as of October 26, 2026.

Has Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch been cited?

0 Type A and 0 Type B citations since 2026, per CDSS records as of October 26, 2026. Those records count 2 state visits over the same years.

Is Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch still open?

This license was on the CDSS roster as of November 12, 2026.

What does Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch cost?

$5,500 a month to start is a Covelight estimate, likely $4,500–$6,800. This home’s own rate is not on file. Ask: “What is the all-in monthly rate, and what would push it higher?”

Among 10 other homes of a similar licensed size across Santa Barbara County that publish a starting rate, the middle half runs $4,500 to $5,200 a month, and the middle figure is $5,000 (n = 10 other homes publishing a starting rate).

Each of those is a home’s own published figure, gathered on its own date between September and October 2026 — not an average of ours, and not a survey. Similar size means small and mid-size homes counted together, and large communities counted on their own, because they are different markets.

A home outside the band is not overcharging or underpricing: a starting rate covers different things in different homes, which is the first thing to ask about.

The price is made in the phone call. Nothing here is a quote, an offer or a discount.

A starting rate is the room and the base care. California homes commonly bill care levels, medication management, supplies, transport and a second person in the room as extras. Many also charge a one-time fee at move-in. Ask for that list in writing before anything is signed.

Only prices a home put out itself count here: its own website, a listing it supplied, or a price a listing site says the home confirmed. Prices a site shows without saying where they came from are left out.

Does Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch take Medi-Cal?

On Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver: this home is not on the DHCS participation list dated October 1, 2026. Ask the program about current options. The waiver pays for care services, not room and board.

Who holds the license?

The license is held by Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch Inc., per CDSS records as of October 26, 2026.

Can Family Connect Memory Care Sycamore Ranch keep a resident on hospice?

Hospice care is approved on this license, covering up to 2 residents, per CDSS records as of October 26, 2026.