All states › California › Santa Cruz › Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
675 24th Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 · Santa Cruz County
All 3 nursing homes in Santa Cruz, CA (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 055109 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz 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 Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz 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 4.05 hours per resident per day at Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.69 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.73 hours, 8% below its all-week average. 43.8% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz: Medicare and Medicaid
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz 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 December 12, 2025 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 54 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 54 citations at Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz across 12 inspection dates, 10 of them from complaint investigations. 3 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on March 19, 2024. The most common areas cited were pharmacy service (13) and nutrition and dietary (11). 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 G, March 19, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 25, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DNotify the appropriate authorities when residents with MD or ID services has a significant change in condition.
July 15, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
December 12, 2025 · 6 citations
ETry different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
EEnsure 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.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
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.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
August 22, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
October 2, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
June 24, 2024 · 25 citations
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
EDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
ETry different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
EEnsure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
EProvide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
EImplement 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.
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.
EDispose of garbage and refuse properly.
EMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
EMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
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.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
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 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 each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
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.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
DEnsure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
DRegularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
March 19, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
March 4, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
January 18, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
October 9, 2023 · 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.
October 6, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
August 19, 2022 · 13 citations
FEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
FProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FKeep all essential equipment working safely.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
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.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
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.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Questions to ask on a tour of Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on March 19, 2024 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 August 22, 2025. 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
CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 1.5 mi
- 1.6 mi
-
1.7 mi
Dominican Hospital Santa CruzEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 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 Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz › All nursing homes in Santa Cruz ›
Compare Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Pacific Coast Manor · Capitola · 5 stars · 1.4 mi
Other Mariner Health Care nursing homes in California
- Palm Springs Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center · Palm Springs · 5 stars
- La Crescenta Healthcare Center · La Crescenta · 5 stars
- Almaden Health and Rehabilitation Center · San Jose · 5 stars
- Fruitvale Healthcare Center · Oakland · 5 stars
- Santa Monica Health Care Center · Santa Monica · 4 stars
- Pine Ridge Care Center · San Rafael · 4 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 17 Mariner Health Care 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.