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.
How BBB ratings work

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.

Staffing

Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.

ContactElizabeth Hengstler (per BBB, record updated Jul 2026)

Respite Care

Dementia / Memory Care

Since 2022 · 4 years of data 4 citations 32 total visits 9 complaint visits 4 official inspections 6 complaint investigations

Inspection Score

4 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

Latest Inspection March 3, 2026

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.	4	10	This facility has 60% fewer total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (4 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 60% 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.	2	3	This facility has 33% fewer serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 3).↓ 33% better Rank #599 / 1160 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 599th out of 1160 homes in California for # of serious citations. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1160 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 year Average citations per year since 2022.	1	2.5	This facility has 60% fewer citations per year than a typical California assisted living residence (1 vs. CA avg 2.5).↓ 60% better
Citations per inspection Average citations per inspection.	0.1	3.3	This facility has 97% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.1 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 97% better

Inspections & Visits State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total visits Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections.	32	16	This facility has 100% more total visits than a typical California assisted living residence (32 vs. CA avg 16).↑ 100% worse
Complaint visits On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.	9	13	This facility has 31% fewer complaint visits than a typical California assisted living residence (9 vs. CA avg 13).↓ 31% better Rank #809 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 809th 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 171% more other visits than a typical California assisted living residence (19 vs. CA avg 7).↑ 171% worse
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 40% fewer complaint investigations than a typical California assisted living residence (6 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 40% better

Inspection Reports Summary An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.

February 18, 2026 complaint investigation substantiated staff physically abused a resident, resulting in arrest and a $500 civil penalty for the facility.
December 3, 2025 complaint investigation substantiated a personal rights violation for restricting visiting hours by posting signs requiring approval for visits.
August 4, 2025 annual inspection found no deficiencies, with the facility clean and compliant in infection control, medication management, and disaster preparedness.

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

Calculate Travel Distance to Desert Cottages I

Add your location

Compare Assisted Living around Riverside County

The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.


Meridian of Riverside	AL MC	Riverside (Magnolia Center)	232 Facility 232 CA AVG 104 Rank #106 / 1648	No	74 Facility 74 CA AVG 57 Rank #597 / 2087	77 Facility 77 CA AVG 81 Rank #924 / 1399	2	42 Facility 42 CA AVG 13 Rank #1322 / 1388	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1160	2 Facility 2 CA AVG 13 Rank #1305 / 1494	49.1%	-	Riverside Retirement Villa LLC	Semi-Private / 1 Bed / Studio
Savant of Jurupa Valley	AL MC	Riverside (Pedley)	197 Facility 197 CA AVG 104 Rank #175 / 1648	No	60 Facility 60 CA AVG 57 Rank #1048 / 2087	81 Facility 81 CA AVG 81 Rank #824 / 1399	3	86 Facility 86 CA AVG 13 Rank #1379 / 1388	1 Facility 1 CA AVG 3 Rank #412 / 1160	3 Facility 3 CA AVG 13 Rank #1215 / 1494	72.1%	-	Villa De Anza Holdings, LLC	Private / Shared Apartments
Community Care On Palm	AL ADC NH RC SNF	Riverside (Wood Streets)	51 Facility 51 CA AVG 104 Rank #1124 / 1648	No	55 Facility 55 CA AVG 57 Rank #1213 / 2087	-	-	-	-	-	95.1%	-	-	Shared Rooms
Integrated Care Communities	AL HOS MC	Moreno Valley	20 Facility 20 CA AVG 104 Rank #1282 / 1648	No	16 Facility 16 CA AVG 57 Rank #1891 / 2087	91 Facility 91 CA AVG 81 Rank #355 / 1399	5	5 Facility 5 CA AVG 13 Rank #588 / 1388	1 Facility 1 CA AVG 3 Rank #412 / 1160	24 Facility 24 CA AVG 13 Rank #265 / 1494	100.0%	A+	California Drug Consultants, Inc	Private / Semi-Private Rooms
Desert Cottages I	AL HOS MC RESC RC	Indio	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 104 Rank #1321 / 1648	Yes	37 Facility 37 CA AVG 57 Rank #1600 / 2087	85 Facility 85 CA AVG 81 Rank #687 / 1399	4	9 Facility 9 CA AVG 13 Rank #809 / 1388	2 Facility 2 CA AVG 3 Rank #599 / 1160	18 Facility 18 CA AVG 13 Rank #430 / 1494	100.0%	A+	Desert Cottages L.l.c	1 Bed / Semi-Private Room

View all Nearby Homes

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%.

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.

Has Desert Cottages I had any citations?

Desert Cottages I has had 4 reported citations since 2022 according to records from California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

Guides for Better Senior Living

Care Cost Calculator: See Prices in Your Area

Assisted Living Explorer

Don’t Wait Too Long: 7 Red Flag Signs Your Parent Needs Assisted Living Now

The True Cost of Assisted Living in 2025 – And How Families Are Paying For It

Understanding Senior Living Costs: Pricing Models, Discounts & Financial Assistance