The Forum at Rancho San Antonio was founded with a clear vision, to create a senior living community defined by warmth, belonging, and exceptional quality of life. On September 21, 1991, it opened its doors to just four residents. Within two months, that number grew to 163, reflecting the strong appeal of a community designed to foster connection, engagement, and support.

From the beginning, the focus was on building a true sense of family while offering elevated experiences, from outstanding dining to engaging daily life. Though the original campus had modest amenities and limited landscaping, it was grounded in a strong cultural foundation that allowed thoughtful growth over time.

A health care center was added in 1992, amenities expanded, and resident life flourished. Today, in its 35th year, The Forum is home to more than 500 residents, over 30 clubs and groups, and two resident-led boards guiding the community’s future while preserving its founding spirit of connection and belonging.

Can you provide a brief overview of The Forum’s main services and how they meet the needs of the visitors?

The Forum at Rancho San Antonio offers services that support active, independent lifestyles while providing peace of mind through a continuum of care. At the heart of the community are maintenance-free residences with weekly housekeeping, utilities, high-speed internet, concierge support, and resort-style dining with flexible, restaurant-quality meals, allowing residents to focus on what matters most.

Health, wellness, and safety services help residents stay healthy and active. These include fitness facilities, a heated pool, wellness programs, medical alert systems, 24-hour emergency response, and access to skilled rehabilitation services.

As a Life Plan Community, The Forum provides on-site assisted living, memory care at Daffodil Ridge, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services, allowing residents to receive the right level of care without moving elsewhere.

The community also offers many amenities and activities, including nearby Rancho San Antonio County Park trails, art studios, social events, classes, and wellness programs, creating an engaging, social environment that supports independence, connection, and well-being.

What types of intellectual programs and educational activities are offered to residents?

Lifelong learning and intellectual engagement are central to resident life. The community offers stimulating programs such as guest speakers from universities and cultural institutions, along with resident- and staff-led presentations, lecture series, and discussion groups.

Interactive classes and demonstrations, including cooking demos, creative workshops, and art instruction, allow residents to learn new skills while building social connections. Residents can also join book clubs, current affairs discussions, committees, movie nights, and off-site cultural excursions, creating a vibrant environment that encourages curiosity, learning, and meaningful engagement.

The Forum’s remarkable senior living amenities transform it from simply a place to live into a place to think, recharge, create, connect, laugh, and dream. What makes it unique or a “magical” place to live compared to other senior living communities?

What truly sets The Forum at Rancho San Antonio apart from the way it transforms everyday living into a richly meaningful life. Here, residents aren’t just living, they are thinking, creating, connecting, laughing, and dreaming every day. The Forum blends a warm, welcoming culture with purposeful design: award-winning dining, a vibrant calendar of intellectual and creative programs, and a wellness-centered lifestyle that supports body, mind, and spirit.

We are proudly resident-run and governed, with two resident-led boards that help shape programs, priorities, and the overall direction of the community. That level of engagement creates a rare sense of ownership and empowerment. Even more unique, The Forum operates under an equity ownership model, residents actually own their homes, a structure that is exceptionally rare in senior living and reinforces long-term value, stewardship, and accountability.

Nestled in nature where Cupertino meets Los Altos, residents enjoy peaceful surroundings and scenic trails while remaining just minutes from shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. And as a Life Care Plan Community, everything is within walking distance on one campus, from independent living to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. If care is ever needed, it’s right here, without having to leave the community you love.

It’s more than amenities; it’s security, ownership, connection, and the freedom to flourish, all in one place. That’s what makes The Forum not just a place to live but a place to truly thrive.

How does being resident-run and governed change the day-to-day experience for residents?

Being resident-run and governed shifts the experience from simply living in a community to truly having a voice in it. At The Forum, two resident-led boards help shape policies, programs, priorities, and long-term planning, meaning decisions are made with residents, not just for them.

This creates a culture of empowerment, transparency, and accountability. Residents have a voice in areas from dining and amenities to strategic direction. The result is stronger engagement, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility, fostering pride and a vibrant community where residents feel like true stakeholders.

What does equity ownership mean for residents, and why is it so rare in senior living?

Equity ownership means residents at The Forum don’t just live in the community, they own their homes. Unlike traditional senior living models where residents pay entrance and monthly fees without ownership, this structure allows residents to build and retain equity in their residences. It creates financial transparency, long-term value, and a stronger alignment between residents and the community’s future.

This model is rare in senior living, where most communities operate under corporate ownership or rental structures with centralized decision-making. Equity ownership requires strong governance, long-term financial planning, and trust between leadership and residents. At The Forum, this model reinforces stewardship, accountability, and pride of ownership, encouraging residents to invest in the community’s quality, stability, and long-term success.

Finally, is there anything we haven’t touched on that you’d like to highlight—such as recent milestones, awards, or core values that truly represent what The Forum at Rancho San Antonio stands for?

The Forum continues to set the standard for excellence through both innovation and outcomes. Most recently, it earned two Gold Awards in the McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards for Emerging Technology and Falls Prevention, Management, or Detection. Highlighting leadership in using advanced technology to improve resident safety and clinical outcomes.

The community was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Best Long-Term Care and Best Short-Term Rehabilitation and ranked among the nation’s top-performing skilled nursing facilities, underscoring its commitment to consistent clinical excellence.

Additional national recognition includes designation by Newsweek/Statista as one of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities and being voted Best in Silicon Valley for Best Retirement Community and Best Senior Living Facility. The Forum also received the Caring.com Caring Superstar Award, reflecting high levels of resident satisfaction, trust, and transparency.

At the state level, The Forum earned the LeadingAge California Award of Excellence for leadership and innovation in aging services. Within the Life Care Services network, it achieved gold recognition in three programs, Health & Wellness Navigation, Heartfelt Connections Memory Care, and Extraordinary Impressions.

The Forum has also maintained 100% sold status year after year, demonstrating strong market confidence, operational strength, and the lasting value residents place on the community.

Nancy Kao | Executive Director

Nancy Kao is a transformative leader in senior living whose nearly 20-year tenure as Executive Director of The Forum at Rancho San Antonio reflects operational excellence, innovation, and human-centered leadership. With more than 30 years in the field, she has guided the community through growth while strengthening clinical quality, resident satisfaction, and financial sustainability.

Beyond her campus, Nancy has influenced nearly 150 communities through her work with Life Care Services. Under her leadership, The Forum has gained national recognition for technology, safety, and resident experience while advancing sustainability and developing future leaders.

“At The Forum at Rancho San Antonio, wellness is not an added program but the framework guiding the community’s culture and daily life.”