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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Monterey Palms Health Care Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise exceptional physical and occupational therapy teams. Still worth an in-person visit.

44610 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 9226099 bedsLicensed & Active
4/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.1/5

based on 68 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1

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What this means for your family

This facility offers an excellent physical and occupational therapy program that is highly rated by recovering patients. However, families should be extremely vigilant regarding nursing care, specifically checking on call light response times and ensuring medication accuracy, as multiple reviewers have reported significant neglect in these areas.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

68 reviews on Google
Families considering Monterey Palms should be aware of a significant divide between the highly praised physical therapy/rehab services and serious concerns regarding nursing care. While many reviewers laud the compassion of the therapy teams and the cleanliness of the facility, multiple families have reported critical issues including chronic understaffing, unresponsive call lights, and medication errors.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food2.0Staff4.0Clean7.0Activities8.0Meds2.0MemoryN/AComms2.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Exceptional physical and occupational therapy teams
  • Clean and well-maintained patient rooms
  • Compassionate and kind rehabilitation staff
  • Effective wound care and post-surgical recovery

Concerns

  • Chronic understaffing and slow response to call lights (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
  • Poor communication and difficulty reaching nursing stations/staff (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Inadequate nutritional quality and food temperature (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Issues with medication management and administration (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'14(1)'17(3)'19(5)'21(3)'23(2)'25(17)'26(5)

Distribution · 72 analyzed

5
38
4
1
3
2
2
2
1
29
10 reviews posted between Sep 23, 2025Sep 25, 2025 · 9 were 5-star

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1We've heard wonderful things about your physical and occupational therapy teams; could you tell us more about how the rehab process works for new residents?
  • 2How does the nursing team ensure that call lights are answered promptly, especially during the busier night shifts?
  • 3What steps are in place to ensure that medications are administered accurately and that the nursing station is easily reachable for family members?
  • 4Could you describe the meal service, specifically how you ensure food stays at the right temperature and meets different nutritional needs?
  • 5How does the facility handle medical emergencies or sudden changes in a resident's condition after regular business hours?
  • 6What kind of daily activities or social events are organized to help residents stay engaged and connected with one another?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

From the attentive and kind Director of Nursing, to the calm and caring CNAs, to the welcoming Receptionist, to the cool Physical Therapists and fun Occupational Therapists, to the patient and dedicated Nurses, to the punctual transportation team, to the informational admissions and billing rep, to the sweet and understanding social workers, to the caring nutritionist /culinary team, and to the friendly Doct

Rehabilitation patient's family · 2026★★★★★

During that entire journey, I saw the dedication and compassion of the staff. From the therapy team working hard to help him regain strength, to the nurses who supported him through his decline, their commitment never wavered.

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★★★

My husband was transferred from Eisenhower Hospital to Monterey Palms in early November to recover from a surgery that resulted in a great loss of blood. He weighed 265 when he was admitted, he weighed 230 when he left 5+ weeks later. During the time he was there he was fed less than 1000 calories a day and many meals barely 5 grams of protein.

Rehab patient's family · 2024☆☆☆☆
Source: 68 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.29hrs
39%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
4.23hrs
OK
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
36%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
43%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN hours are below the national benchmark. RNs handle complex medical needs and medication, so ask about coverage during your visit.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
5/ 5
Better Than Avg

10

measures

Worse Than Avg

2

measures

Mixed Results

5

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility4.1%
Better than Avg
Here
4.1%
US
19.4%
CA
10.7%
Riverside
9.3%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
12.1%
CA
7.0%
Riverside
6.4%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

🩹

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better
This Facility14.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
14.3%
US
4.9%
CA
4.5%
Riverside
3.8%
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility7.6%
Better than Avg
Here
7.6%
US
15.4%
CA
11.6%
Riverside
10.6%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
93.4%
CA
98.6%
Riverside
99.3%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility18.9%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
18.9%
US
19.5%
CA
13.7%
Riverside
15.4%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility98.3%
Better than Avg
Here
98.3%
US
79.7%
CA
93.2%
Riverside
92.6%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility99.9%
Better than Avg
Here
99.9%
US
81.8%
CA
94.2%
Riverside
94.2%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.5%
Better than Avg
Here
0.5%
US
1.6%
CA
1.5%
Riverside
1.3%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

13deficiencies
Near state avg (15.4)
13 complaint-triggered

This facility shows a concerning pattern of repeated deficiencies across multiple care areas, with families filing 13 complaint-triggered reports. The most recurring issues involve fire safety and building systems, nutrition and dietary services, and medication management. Recent surveys reveal ongoing problems with emergency preparedness and one serious resident rights violation that remains uncorrected as of January 2026, suggesting persistent quality concerns that families should carefully evaluate.

Jan 29, 2026Complaint
1
0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Jun 13, 2025Complaint
2
0755Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

0842Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Jan 31, 2025Routine
21
0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0352Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0802Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.

0803Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0363Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0761Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

0806Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

0814Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0161Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

0324Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0037Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Establish staff and initial training requirements.

0039Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

0346Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.

0354Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.

0912Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have power receptacles that are properly grounded.

Jul 2, 2024Complaint
1
0558Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

May 30, 2024Complaint
2
0324Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0355Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.

Apr 19, 2024Complaint
1
0558Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Monterey Palms Health Care Center

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Mariner Health Care

Chain Size

17 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.9/5 · Rank 6 of 18

Ownership & Management

Owners

Gc Holding Company 2 LLC

Owner · Organization

99%

Grancare LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Mariner Health Care, INC.

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Mhc Holding Company

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Mhc West Holding Company

Owner (parent company) · Organization

National Senior Care, INC.

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Grunstein, Emily

Owner (parent company)

Key personnel

Black, JohnManaging Control - Governing BodyPresser, EricContracted Managing EmployeeOlvera, ClaudiaW-2 Managing EmployeeThomas, DillonW-2 Managing EmployeeSarcauga, DennisOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

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References & Resources

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