Brookdale Santa Catalina

They treat their employees like garbage.

My mother has been a resident of Brookdale Santa Catalina for about three years now. She lives in the independent side, and has made wonderful friends. My review, however, is focused on La Rosa, which is the compound that houses Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and Memory Care. My mother had heart surgery this year (she's 98, Bless her heart), and spent about five weeks in the La Rosa Skilled Nursing area. In addition, she spent about a month in Skilled Nursing earlier in the year, so we think we are well qualified to comment. The Skilled Nursing area of La Rosa is filled with a fine and dedicated staff. They have a nurse on site all the time, and a doctor is on call. They have regular caregivers who show compassion and kindness at every turn of the road. I cannot speak highly enough about the physical therapy staff. These people made sure my mother got exercise and also short outings outside because my mother likes being outdoors. They went above and beyond the call of duty. The decor is pleasant and the food is good (VERY important, of course). The rooms are large. Each patient has a private room, but shares a bathroom. I also dealt regularly with the staff because I live nearby. I was impressed with the competence--and the kindness--of everyone I met. They even had a meeting about two weeks before my mother was released. All the caregivers, PT people, and a nurse was present at that meeting. They wanted to be sure that mother could make an easy transition back to independent living when the time came. That was enormously helpful, both to my mother and to me. We knew what to expect, and it gave me time to get the things mom would need. As with any area of life, the people make all the difference. These people are good and kind and caring. We love La Rosa (Skilled Nursing) and recommend it highly.

My mother has been living at La Rosa (Assisted care and Alzheimer's care) for 2+ years. It was good when we moved in HOWEVER, Management has become a major issue. There has been turn over in key management positions including the Executive Director, the Head of Nursing and two event coordinators, all in the past 14 months. These management positions are extremely important to run a caring, well structured and good facility for the residents. The end result in this lack of management is employee turnover, no continuity of nursing care, and an overall depression of the staff. I would not recommend this facility. Thank you for taking time to read my review and please take into account before making a choice for yourself or a loved one.

I decided to stop by this community when my uncle needed short term care. I decided to Google this community due to proximity of my home. I met Augie and he made me feel like a short stay in this community would be the best medicine. My uncle felt like a member of the family and was able to recover and return to his home. Thank you Santa Catalina you are truly Saints!!

I think this is a terrible place. Missed heart medications!!! . Often no nursing supervisor on duty, so nurses self supervise.Complaints and concerned are handled with lip service but nothing changes. Nurses only seen when administering meds. Not a friendly environment for anyone wanting to be involved in their elderly loved ones care and health progress. Brown recluse found in room. Response time to call buttons is very slow. Unprofessional at all levels until you reach health care administrator and medical director. Nurses poorly trained and overworked because facility is understaffed. Only good thing about this place is private rooms and good food. Physical therapy seems to be good but still determining. At least two people sent to emergency room from skilled nursing rehab part of this facility in the first 4 days my grandmother was there. Patient are assigned doctors but only see nurse practitioner. You definitely do not want Dr. Mendoza and nurse practitioner Amanda Hernandez if you want messages returned or to feel confident that true medical care is being provided!! If your loved one goes here be prepared to spend about twenty hours a week making sure they receive quality care and appropriate pain management.