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Assisted Living

Ponderosa Retirement Center

Families consistently rate this highly — reviewers highlight compassionate and caring staff. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.

3300 Englewood Ave, Yakima, WA 9890285 bedsLicensed & Active
Source: WA DSHS — view official record
Google rating
4.5/5

based on 8 Google reviews

5
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Ponderosa Retirement Center Assisted Living in Yakima, WA — Street View
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What this means for your family

While some families report a positive experience regarding the food and staff, the lack of detailed, recent reviews makes it difficult to verify current standards. We recommend scheduling an in-person tour and asking specifically about staff turnover and the current daily activity schedule to ensure the facility meets your loved one's needs.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

8 reviews on Google
Ponderosa Retirement Center receives high praise from a subset of families who highlight the quality of the cafeteria and the compassionate nature of the staff. However, the review profile is heavily skewed by numerous empty five-star ratings and defensive responses from management, making it difficult to assess the current quality of care based on these reviews alone.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food10.0Staff8.0CleanN/AActivitiesN/AMedsN/AMemoryN/ACommsN/AValueN/A

Strengths

  • Compassionate and caring staff
  • High-quality cafeteria with good variety
  • Long-term resident satisfaction

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2343.02017(2)5.02018(2)5.02019(5)

Distribution · 9 analyzed

5
8
4
0
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1

How They Respond to Reviews

75%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed your team is very active in responding to feedback online; how do you incorporate that kind of open communication into your daily relationship with residents' families?
  • 2The dining experience is frequently highlighted as a highlight here; could you tell me more about how you accommodate individual dietary preferences or special requests in the cafeteria?
  • 3With 85 residents, how does the staff ensure that the compassionate care mentioned by others remains personalized for each individual's specific needs?
  • 4What are some of the most popular activities or social events that help foster that sense of long-term community I’ve heard so much about?
  • 5How does your team coordinate with local medical providers to ensure residents receive prompt attention during a health emergency or an unexpected change in condition?
  • 6Given the strong sense of community here, what opportunities are there for families to get involved or participate in the daily life of the facility?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The staff from top to bottom care about there residents and it shows. Top notch cafeteria with excellent variety and good food.

Family member of resident · 2018★★★★★

My father has been cared for at the Ponderosa for many years and is most happy there giving the facility an A for it

Long-term resident's family · 2018★★★★★
Source: 8 Google reviews

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: WA Dept. of Social & Health Services

11total
32deficiencies
Mar 19, 2026Fire

Facility initially disapproved on 02/23/2026, subsequently approved following inspection on 03/19/2026. All cited violations were noted as corrected.

Extension CordsIFC 603.6 2021

Extension cords found in use in front office, kitchen office, and Room 217.

Repair of penetrationsIFC 904.13.5.2 2021

Broken glass window pane on the Activities Room door on the 3rd floor.

MaintenanceIFC 1203.4 2021

Facility failed to provide documentation for annual generator maintenance and 4-hour load bank testing.

Extinguishing System ServiceIFC 904.13.5.2 2021

Nozzle cap missing from the kitchen skillet stove top appliance.

Width and CapacityIFC 1020.3 2018

Exit corridor to the patio on the 2nd floor obstructed by a wheelchair scale.

Securing Compressed Gas ContainersIFC 5303.5.3 2021

Unsecured oxygen cylinder found in the Nurses Office (Room 109).

Location Near CombustiblesIFC 308.1.5 2021

Candle found in Room 228 with ignition within 6 inches of a curtain.

Relocatable power taps and current tapsIFC 603.5 2021

Power strip plugged into a power strip in Room 217; unfused multiplug adapter used in Room 205.

Portable, Electric Space HeatersIFC 604.10 2018

Unapproved portable space heaters found in Room 310, 218, 217, and 216.

Nov 5, 2025Investigation

Includes compliance determination 70651 (dated 12/30/2025) which was found with no deficiencies on a follow-up inspection.

Medication servicesWAC 388-78A-2210Corrected Nov 19, 2025

The facility failed to ensure medication orders were administered as prescribed for 3 of 6 residents. Staff signed for medications as given when they were not available at the facility.

Jul 9, 2025Fire

The inspection report dated 07/09/2025 notes that the fire alarm system annual maintenance report is missing the date completed and deficiencies were noted requiring repair. Previous inspections on 02/25/2025 and 04/02/2025 indicated a 'Disapproved' status with multiple fire safety violations, many of which were marked as corrected by the 07/09/2025 inspection.

Fire alarm inspection, testing and maintenanceIFC 907.8

Facility failed to provide documentation of the fire alarm system annual maintenance inspection.

Jun 3, 2025Investigation

A follow-up inspection on 07/09/2025 found no deficiencies, confirming that the deficiencies identified in Compliance Determination 60511 were corrected.

Other requirementsWAC 388-78A-2040Corrected Jun 23, 2025

The facility failed to maintain compliance with the Washington State Patrol Fire Protection Bureau; multiple re-inspections (04/02/2025 and 05/21/2025) showed continued violations of sprinkler systems and fire alarm/detection system requirements.

Apr 3, 2025Investigation

The investigation also included a second allegation regarding inaccurate assessments, but no failed practice was identified for that specific allegation.

Resident rightsWAC 388-78A-2660

The facility incorrectly billed a resident for cost of care that was covered by the Department. The facility acknowledged the error and issued a credit.

Apr 2, 2025Fire

Facility status is listed as Disapproved as of the 04/02/2025 follow-up inspection. Multiple items previously cited on 02/25/2025 were corrected, but sprinkler and alarm maintenance documentation issues remain.

Fire alarm maintenanceIFC 907.8

Facility failed to provide documentation of fire alarm system annual maintenance inspection.

Sprinkler systems maintenanceIFC 903.5

Facility unable to provide documentation of annual forward flow testing and 5-year FDC hydro testing; kitchen sprinkler heads loaded with debris.

Jan 15, 2025Inspection

Includes follow-up inspection letter dated 03/11/2025 stating no deficiencies found for compliance determination 56083.; The document includes a cover letter from the Executive Director responding to the survey visit on 01-28-2025.

Intermittent nursing services systemsWAC 388-78A-2320Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure a Registered Nurse Delegator was in place to assess and train staff for residents 1, 4, and 7; staff were working outside their scope of practice.

Background checks Employment Nondisqualifying informationWAC 388-78A-24701Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to complete a review to determine the Character, Competency, and Suitability (CCS) to work with vulnerable adults for Staff D.

Specialized training for dementiaWAC 388-78A-2510Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure specialized training for dementia was completed for 2 staff (Staff B and D) providing care to a resident with dementia.

Family assistance with medications and treatmentsWAC 388-78A-2290Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to maintain a written plan for family medication assistance including required components and signatures for residents 4 and 5.

Background checks Employment Conditional hireWAC 388-78A-2468Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to submit a background check for Staff B within one business day of hire.

Specialized training for mental illnessWAC 388-78A-2500Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure specialized training for mental health was completed for 2 staff (Staff B and D) providing care to a resident with mental illness.

Service agreement planningWAC 388-78A-2130Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure resident 3 had a negotiated service agreement completed within 30 days of moving in; it remained incomplete for 91 days.

Background checksWAC 388-78A-2466Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure a new background authorization form was submitted to the department every two years for 2 staff members (Staff E and F).

Specialized training for developmental disabilitiesWAC 388-78A-2490Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure specialized training for developmental disabilities was completed for 2 staff (Staff B and D) providing care to a resident with a developmental disability.

InvestigationsWAC 388-78A-2371Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to thoroughly investigate and document accidents/incidents for residents 4 and 10, and failed to investigate reports of staff mistreatment for another resident.

Tuberculosis Testing RequiredWAC 388-78A-2480Corrected Mar 1, 2025

Facility failed to ensure TB screening was completed within three days of hire for 4 staff (Staff A, B, C, and D).

Jan 13, 2025Investigation

Original completion date of 03/24/2025 on the Plan of Correction was updated to 02/27/2025.

Reporting abuse and neglectWAC 388-78A-2630Corrected Feb 27, 2025

Facility failed to report an unwitnessed accident/substantial injury (black eye and hand injury) to the Complaint Resolution Unit.

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References & Resources

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