I first came to The Courtyard Independent & Assisted Living after a hospital stay at Mercy. At the time, I needed extra care, and the location made perfect sense—it’s just four miles from my hometown of Ventura, and Clear Lake is right next door. This is my community, and I’ve worked at the local bank for 60 years, so being close to the people I’ve known all my life made the transition a lot easier.

When I moved into the assisted living side, I really loved it. The staff are incredible. I honestly can’t pick just one to shout out because they all make my day brighter. They come into my room, we chat, we laugh—they’re like my best friends. It truly feels like family.

The food is great, the cleaning staff does an excellent job, and I always feel supported. I haven’t gotten too involved in activities like bingo, but I enjoy the lunches and just being around friendly faces. I’m a talkative person, so it’s been easy to connect with people—many I already knew!

Even after breaking my hip and needing more care temporarily, I’m doing everything I can to get back to my own space in assisted living. I’d definitely recommend The Courtyard to anyone from this area who’s looking for a warm, familiar, and supportive place to call home.

Bonnie B. The Courtyard (Oakwood Care Center)