Desert Cottages I

Overview of Desert Cottages I

Ideally located in the peaceful residential of Himalaya Drive, Indio, CA, Desert Cottages I is a blissful retreat that specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Dedicated to residents’ welfare, the community also offers hospice care, transitioning program, and respite care. With its quaint and welcoming setting, the community strives to accommodate up to six residents. Keep peace of mind with a compassionate and highly trained team attending to your special needs 24/7, while retaining your independence.

Enhance cognition through stimulating activities that aims to keep residents happy and active. Pet therapy is also conducted to ease residents’ loneliness. Seek comfort in food and enjoy mealtimes with delightful and healthy meals catering to dietary needs and tastes. The community is great for those aiming to create memorable moments in their later years with its specially designed amenities and dedicated services.

Facility Direct Line (760) 342-7767

6-bed community

A smaller, more intimate setting that may offer a quieter environment and closer staff-resident interactions.

18 years in operation

A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.

Walk Score: 37 / 100

Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)

An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate

100%

Higher than the California average: 72.8%

Occupied beds

6 / 6

Average occupied beds in California homes 87 beds

Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly

IssuanceAugust 28, 2007

CountyRiverside

RCFE Number336413271

Desert Cottages I is legally operated by Desert Cottages L.l.c, and administered by Elizabeth Hengstler.

Respite Care

Dementia / Memory Care

Since 2022 · 4 years of data These figures come from state-published and/or federal inspection records. The period covered can vary depending on document availability. 5 citations 32 total visits 9 complaint visits 4 official inspections 6 complaint investigations

Inspection Score

2 points above the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Inspection Scorecard This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the California state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Since 2022 vs. California state average

Overall vs. CA average

Citations Citations are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total citations Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.	5	10	This facility has 50% fewer total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (5 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 50% better
Serious citations (Type A) Citations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action.	3	3	This facility has serious citations (type a) in line with the California average (3 vs. CA avg 3).— At avg Rank #899 / 1434 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 899th out of 1434 homes in California for # of serious citations. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1434 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Moderate citations (Type B) Citations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.	2	4	This facility has 50% fewer moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 4).↓ 50% better
Citations per inspection Average citations per inspection.	0.2	3.3	This facility has 94% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.2 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 94% better

Inspections & Visits State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total inspections Combined count of official scheduled inspections, complaint visits and other regulatory visits. California counts each evaluation report, so one trip can count twice when it serves two purposes.	32	16	This facility has had 100% more total inspections than the California average (32 vs. CA avg 16). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 100% more
Complaint visits On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.	9	13	This facility has had 31% fewer complaint visits than the California average (9 vs. CA avg 13). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 31% fewer Rank #810 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 810th out of 1388 homes in California for # of complaint visits. Shows this facility's # of complaint visits compared to the California average among 1388 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Other visits Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits.	19	7	This facility has had 171% more other visits than the California average (19 vs. CA avg 7). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 171% more
Official inspections Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.	4	4	This facility has official inspections in line with the California average (4 vs. CA avg 4).— At avg
Complaint investigations On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.	6	10	This facility has had 40% fewer complaint investigations than the California average (6 vs. CA avg 10). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 40% fewer

Show Inspection Reports

What does this home offer?

Pets Allowed

Housing Options: 1 Bed / Semi-Private Room

Building Type: Single-story

Transportation Services

Parking Available

Housekeeping Services

Recreational Activities

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Compare Assisted Living around Riverside County

Info below is compiled from the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.


Desert Cottages I	AL HOS MC RESC RC	Indio	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 104 Rank #1319 / 1646	Yes	37 Facility 37 CA AVG 59 Rank #1602 / 2058	83 Facility 83 CA AVG 81 Rank #765 / 1475	32	9 Facility 9 CA AVG 13 Rank #810 / 1388	3 Facility 3 CA AVG 3 Rank #899 / 1434	18 Facility 18 CA AVG 13 Rank #453 / 1504	100.0%	A+	Desert Cottages L.l.c	1 Bed / Semi-Private Room
Citiview Residential Care	AL RESC	Riverside (Woodcrest)	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 104 Rank #1319 / 1646	No	8 Facility 8 CA AVG 59 Rank #1973 / 2058	96 Facility 96 CA AVG 81 Rank #1 / 1475	3	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 13 Rank #1 / 1388	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1434	12 Facility 12 CA AVG 13 Rank #604 / 1504	100.0%	A+	Citiview Residential Care, Inc	1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Galleria View Villa	AL RESC RC	Riverside (Arlanza)	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 104 Rank #1319 / 1646	No	46	95 Facility 95 CA AVG 81 Rank #123 / 1475	5	1 Facility 1 CA AVG 13 Rank #211 / 1388	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1434	31 Facility 31 CA AVG 13 Rank #118 / 1504	83.3%	A+	Andrei & Daniela Miclea	Private Rooms
Avery Garden Assisted Living	AL RESC	Riverside (Alessandro Heights)	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 104 Rank #1319 / 1646	No	-	96 Facility 96 CA AVG 81 Rank #1 / 1475	4	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 13 Rank #1 / 1388	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1434	2 Facility 2 CA AVG 13 Rank #1323 / 1504	83.3%	-	Avery Garden Assisted Living-Riverside	Private / Semi-Private Suites
Loren’s Good Life Care	AL MC RESC	Riverside (Woodcrest)	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 104 Rank #1319 / 1646	No	7 Facility 7 CA AVG 59 Rank #1988 / 2058	92 Facility 92 CA AVG 81 Rank #349 / 1475	5	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 13 Rank #1 / 1388	1 Facility 1 CA AVG 3 Rank #478 / 1434	9 Facility 9 CA AVG 13 Rank #739 / 1504	66.7%	A+	Loren's Good Life Care Inc	Private / Shared Rooms

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Multipurpose Senior Services Program

MSSP (Medi-Cal Waiver)

Age 65+

General California resident, Medi-Cal eligible, nursing home risk.

Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

County-managed; waitlists possible.

Benefits

In-home support (4-6 hours/day) Respite care (14 days/year) Meals (~$6/meal) Transportation (8 trips/month) Care management

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

California IHSS

Age 65+

General California resident, Medicaid-eligible or low-income.

Income Limits ~$1,732/month individual, Medi-Cal threshold

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Can hire family as caregivers.

Benefits

Personal care (up to 283 hours/month) Homemaker services Respite (varies)

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

CA MSSP

Age 65+

General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible but community-capable.

Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Available in 38 counties; waitlists common.

Benefits

Case management Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Minor home mods (avg. $500) Adult day care (~$50/day)

Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP)

CA PTP

Age 62+

General California resident, own and live in home, 40% equity.

Income Limits (2025) ~$51,500/year household, adjusted annually

Asset Limits Equity-based; no strict asset cap.

Deferred taxes accrue interest (5% as of 2024); repaid upon sale/death.

Benefits

Property tax deferral (avg. $1,000-$3,000/year, varies by county)

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

CA ALW

Age 65+ or disabled

General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible.

Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Available in 15 counties (e.g., LA, Sacramento); waitlists common.

Benefits

Personal care in ALFs (5-7 hours/day) Medication management Social services

California CARES Program

CA CARES

Age —

General Caregivers of California residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.

Income Limits No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.

Asset Limits Not applicable; need-based.

High demand in urban areas; complements IHSS respite.

Benefits

Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Counseling (4-6 sessions/year) Training (2-3 workshops/year) Supplies (~$200/year)

Who is the owner of Desert Cottages I?

Desert Cottages I is legally operated by Desert Cottages L.l.c, and administered by Elizabeth Hengstler.

Is Desert Cottages I in a walkable area?

Desert Cottages I has a walk score of 37. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

What is the occupancy rate at Desert Cottages I?

Desert Cottages I's occupancy is 100%.

How long has Desert Cottages I been in business?

Desert Cottages I has been operating for approximately 18 years, based on available licensing and registration records.

Are pets allowed at Desert Cottages I?

Yes, Desert Cottages I allows residents to bring their pets.

Who is the administrator of Desert Cottages I?

Elizabeth Hengstler is the administrator of Desert Cottages I.

How many beds does Desert Cottages I have?

Desert Cottages I has 6 beds.

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