All states › California › Garden Grove › Alta Gardens Care Center
13075 Blackbird Street Garden Grove, CA 92843 · Orange County
All 6 nursing homes in Garden Grove, CA (6 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555473 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Alta Gardens Care Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Alta Gardens Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the California average of 3.2.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.91 hours per resident per day at Alta Gardens Care Center, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.58 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.67 hours, 6% below its all-week average. 19.5% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%). That is lower than most homes in California, a sign of a steadier team.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Alta Gardens Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Alta Gardens Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet California's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on February 18, 2026 and found 25 deficiencies, plus 6 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 62 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 62 citations at Alta Gardens Care Center across 8 inspection dates, 9 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on March 11, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (20) and nutrition and dietary (12). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals" (tag F0684, level G, March 11, 2026). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 30, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
June 1, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the facility is licensed under applicable State and local law and operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards.
March 11, 2026 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
February 18, 2026 · 26 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
EPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure 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.
DProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
DEnsure 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.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides drinks consistent with resident needs and preferences and sufficient to maintain resident hydration.
DHave a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DKeep all essential equipment working safely.
BPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
BDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
BProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
BConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
February 18, 2025 · 19 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
EEnsure 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.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHave a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
BHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
BNotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
BEnsure 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.
BDispose of garbage and refuse properly.
January 7, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
BProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
June 5, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
September 20, 2022 · 10 citations
EEnsure 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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure 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.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DKeep all essential equipment working safely.
Questions to ask on a tour of Alta Gardens Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on March 11, 2026 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on February 18, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
1 penalty in the last three years, including $8,278 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2026 | Fine | $8,278 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Alta Gardens Care Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
-
0.2 mi
Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center Garden GroveEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 14m for patients treated and sent home
-
1.6 mi
UCI Health-Orange OrangeEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 5h 18m for patients treated and sent home
- 2.6 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Alta Gardens Care Center › All nursing homes in Garden Grove ›
Compare Alta Gardens Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Town & Country · Santa Ana · 5 stars · 2.9 mi
- Sun Mar Nursing Center · Anaheim · 5 stars · 4.0 mi
- La Palma Nursing Center · Anaheim · 5 stars · 5.2 mi
- West Anaheim Medical Center D/P SNF · Anaheim · 5 stars · 6.3 mi
Other Windsor nursing homes in California
- Windsor the Ridge Rehabilitation Center · Salinas · 5 stars
- Hayward Post Acute · Hayward · 5 stars
- Rosewood Post Acute · Pleasant Hill · 4 stars
- Coastal Post Acute · Salinas · 4 stars
- Monterey Post Acute · Monterey · 4 stars
- Country Drive Post Acute · Fremont · 4 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 22 Windsor nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.