All states › California › Porterville › River Walk Care Center
1100 West Morton Avenue Porterville, CA 93257 · Tulare County
All 5 nursing homes in Porterville, CA (5 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555658 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is River Walk 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 River Walk 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 4.11 hours per resident per day at River Walk Care Center, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.55 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.67 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 46.5% 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 River Walk Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
River Walk 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 26, 2026 and found 7 deficiencies, plus 5 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 51 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 51 citations at River Walk Care Center across 17 inspection dates, 27 of them from complaint investigations. 3 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on September 5, 2025. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (15) and resident assessment and care planning (13). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured" (tag F0656, level G, September 5, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 16, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
May 5, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
April 2, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DLet each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
February 26, 2026 · 7 citations
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
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.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
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.
February 9, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
October 27, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
September 5, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
August 21, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
May 29, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
April 30, 2025 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DNot transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
March 13, 2025 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide 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.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
March 12, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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 8, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
October 17, 2024 · 8 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
FHonor 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.
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.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
DProvide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
DEnsure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
October 3, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
October 19, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
October 24, 2022 · 17 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor 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.
EProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
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.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate foot care.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care/assistance for a resident with a prosthesis.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
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.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of River Walk Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on September 5, 2025 under the rule on resident assessment and care planning. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on February 26, 2026. 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 46.5% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 2 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- 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
4 penalties in the last three years, including $164,778 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2025 | Fine | $24,252 |
| Mar 12, 2025 | Fine | $64,200 |
| Mar 12, 2025 | Payment Denial | 5 days of payments denied |
| Oct 3, 2024 | Fine | $76,326 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near River Walk 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.
-
0.8 mi
Sierra View District Hospital PortervilleEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 9m for patients treated and sent home
- 3.9 mi
-
19.6 mi
Adventist Health Tulare TulareEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 18m 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 River Walk Care Center › All nursing homes in Porterville ›
Compare River Walk Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Sequoia Transitional Care · Porterville · 4 stars · 0.6 mi
- Sierra View Medical Center · Porterville · 4 stars · 0.6 mi
- Sierra Valley Rehab Center · Porterville · 4 stars · 1.1 mi
- Gateway Post Acute · Porterville · 3 stars · 1.6 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.