All states › California › Pasadena › Foothill Heights Care Center
1515 North Fair Oaks Ave Pasadena, CA 91103 · Los Angeles County
All 13 nursing homes in Pasadena, CA (13 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555894 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Foothill Heights 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 Foothill Heights Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below 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 4.40 hours per resident per day at Foothill Heights Care Center, above the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.33 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.99 hours, 9% below its all-week average. 51% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Foothill Heights Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Foothill Heights 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 May 7, 2026 and found 16 deficiencies, plus 4 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 60 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 60 citations at Foothill Heights Care Center across 18 inspection dates, 20 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 55 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 5 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (15) and resident rights (10). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents" (tag F0689, level E, August 21, 2026). 4 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 21, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
June 4, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
May 7, 2026 · 16 citations
EEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EDispose of garbage and refuse properly.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor 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.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
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.
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 care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
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.
BPost nurse staffing information every day.
March 26, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
December 10, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
July 23, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
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.
May 31, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
April 17, 2025 · 10 citations
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 dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
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.
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.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
BProvide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
March 7, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
September 17, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
BPost nurse staffing information every day.
August 20, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
June 11, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 31, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DPermit a resident to return to the nursing home after hospitalization or therapeutic leave that exceeds bed-hold policy.
May 30, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
May 5, 2024 · 16 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EInform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DHonor 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.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
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.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
BProvide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
BDevelop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
February 8, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
December 27, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
November 7, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Questions to ask on a tour of Foothill Heights Care Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on May 31, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- Nursing staff turnover was 51% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- 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
2 penalties in the last three years, including $9,390 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2024 | Fine | $3,039 |
| Dec 18, 2023 | Fine | $6,351 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Foothill Heights 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.
-
2.6 mi
Huntington Memorial Hospital PasadenaEmergency roomMedian ER visit 4h 28m for patients treated and sent home
- 4.0 mi
-
4.4 mi
Verdugo Hills Hospital GlendaleEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 4h 3m for patients treated and sent home
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 Foothill Heights Care Center › All nursing homes in Pasadena ›
Compare Foothill Heights Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Villa Gardens Health Care Unit · Pasadena · 5 stars · 1.7 mi
- Glendale Adventist Medical Center Dp/Snf · Glendale · 5 stars · 4.8 mi
- Ararat Post Acute · Glendale · 5 stars · 5.7 mi
- Huntington Healthcare Center · Los Angeles · 5 stars · 6.5 mi
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.