California Assisted Living Facilities Safety: A Deep Dive into Citation Data

Here at Mirador Living, our mission is to bring transparency to the search process for assisted living facilities, providing consumers with the facts to help them make more informed decisions.

As part of this mission, we’ve conducted a thorough analysis of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) citation database, to uncover which facilities across the Golden State have received the most citations from CDSS inspectors.

What Are Citations?

A citation is an official warning from a state’s department of health or social services, which can lead to corrective actions, fines or even license revocations in the most serious cases.

The CDSS issues two types of citations, Type A for the most serious safety breaches and Type B for less serious corrective action required. Here’s a rundown of both as defined by the CDSS:

• What is a Type A Citation? It is for the most serious type of violations in which there is an immediate risk to the health, safety or personal rights of those in care. Examples may include lack of care or supervision, access to open bodies of water, lack of a fire clearance for the building and access to dangerous chemicals. Citations for these violations will always be issued even if the violation is corrected on the spot.

• What is a Type B Citation? A Type B citation is for a violation that, if not corrected, may become an immediate risk to the health, safety or personal rights of clients. Examples include faulty medical record keeping and lack of adequate staff training.

The data available on the CDSS database which formed our analysis covers the last 5 years of inspections.

The California Assisted Living Facilities with the Most Citations

The below table is a list of the 50 assisted living facilities in California with the most citations issued over the last 5 years, broken down between Type A and Type B citations for each facility.

Geographic Hotspots

The data also shows that certain areas in California have large numbers of citations issued to assisted living facilities. Here’s a summary of the 10 locations in the state with the most citations.

1. Sacramento (924 citations across 81 facilities): Legacy Oaks Of Sacramento leads with 107 citations (57 Type A, 50 Type B), followed by Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living And Memory Care with 71 citations (44 Type A, 27 Type B). City Creek Assisted Living and Apple Ridge Assisted Living also have high citation counts with 53 and 49 respectively.

2. Los Angeles (588 citations across 56 facilities): Country Villa Terrace Assisted Living Center has the most citations at 48 (6 Type A, 42 Type B), followed closely by Hayworth Terrace with 42 citations (7 Type A, 35 Type B). The Preserve At Woodland Hills and Bentley House By Serenity Care Health also have significant citation counts.

3. Bakersfield (438 citations across 40 facilities): Jasmin Terrace At Bakersfield tops the list with 55 citations (23 Type A, 32 Type B), followed by The Trinity with 47 citations (17 Type A, 30 Type B). The Pointe At Summit Hills and Izene's Haven Assisted Living also have high citation counts.

4. Walnut Creek (424 citations across 33 facilities): Tender Touch Residential Care Home II has the highest number of citations at 45 (16 Type A, 29 Type B), followed by Atria Walnut Creek with 35 citations (14 Type A, 21 Type B). Aaron's Advance Care Home and Walnut Creek Willows also have significant citation counts.

5. Riverside (415 citations across 36 facilities): Arlington Riverside Senior Community stands out with 143 citations (66 Type A, 77 Type B), significantly higher than the next facility, La Sierra Gardens, with 36 citations (32 Type A, 4 Type B). Pacific Vista Senior Living follows with 29 citations.

6. Stockton (388 citations across 35 facilities): Wagner Heights Residential leads with 61 citations (26 Type A, 35 Type B), followed by Camlu Assisted Living with 46 citations (22 Type A, 24 Type B). Rose Place Memory Care and Arlyn's Guest Home also have notable citation counts.

7. Santa Rosa (384 citations across 27 facilities): Adom Manor Care Home has the highest number of citations at 64 (27 Type A, 37 Type B), followed by The Vineyard At Fountaingrove with 46 citations (21 Type A, 25 Type B). Betsy's Residential Care Home and Wild Rose Care Home At Hardies Lane also have significant citation counts.

8. Fresno (366 citations across 49 facilities): Westmont Of Fresno leads with 28 citations (12 Type A, 16 Type B), closely followed by Kingston Bay Senior Living with 24 citations (11 Type A, 13 Type B). Gettysburg Christian Home and Nan's Tlc Home also have high citation counts.

9. Concord (342 citations across 44 facilities): Oakmont of Concord and A Ohana Home for Seniors both have 25 citations each, with Oakmont having more Type B citations. Qcare Residential Facility III and Mayon Board And Care follow, both with 20 citations each.

10. Woodland Hills (334 citations across 18 facilities): Comfort Elderly Care stands out with 92 citations (62 Type A, 30 Type B), significantly higher than the next facility, Hannah's Home By Serenity Care Health, with 57 citations (28 Type A, 29 Type B). The Commons At Woodland Hills follows with 39 citations.

And here’s a detailed rundown of all the facilities with citations in each of these locations:

How to Assess Safety When Searching for Assisted Living

This data shows the importance of assessing the safety of an individual assisted living facility during the search process for yourself or a family member. Here are the most important factors to consider when doing this:

1. Citation History: Research the facility's citation record using the California Department of Social Services database search tool. Pay attention to both the number and types of citations, especially Type A citations which indicate more serious issues.
2. Staffing and Training: Inquire about the staff-to-resident ratio and the training staff receives, particularly in emergency response, first aid, and elderly care specifics.
3. Safety Protocols and Features: Ask about emergency procedures and evacuation plans. During a tour, look for safety features such as handrails, non-slip flooring, emergency call buttons, and clearly marked exits.
4. Medication Management: Understand how medications are stored, administered, and tracked to ensure proper management and resident safety.
5. Cleanliness and Maintenance: Assess the overall cleanliness and maintenance of the facility, particularly in high-risk areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
6. Security Measures: Inquire about visitor policies, measures to prevent unauthorized entry, and systems to prevent wandering for residents with cognitive impairments.
7. Resident and Family Feedback: If possible, speak with current residents or their family members about their experiences with safety at the facility.

Remember, a reputable facility should be transparent about its safety practices and willing to address any concerns you may have.

A Call for Compassion and Improvement

While these statistics are concerning, it's crucial to approach this issue with nuance and compassion. The vast majority of assisted living staff are dedicated professionals working hard to provide quality care, often under challenging circumstances.

However, the data clearly indicates that there is significant room for improvement in parts of California's assisted living industry. By shining a light on these issues, we hope to catalyze positive change that will enhance the quality of life for all seniors across the state.

As our population ages, ensuring high-quality, safe, and dignified assisted living options becomes increasingly vital. This data serves as a call to action for all stakeholders – from facility operators and staff to policymakers and families – to work together in elevating the standard of care in assisted living facilities throughout California.

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