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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.
Higher than the California average: 72.8%Desert Cottages I is legally operated by Desert Cottages L.l.c, and administrated by Elizabeth Hengstler.
Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.
In California, the Department of Social Services (for assisted living facilities) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.
A composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. The score below shows how many points this facility sits above or below the typical California assisted living residence score (the benchmark); higher is better.
4 points above the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)
Rank #688 / 1401 in California Inspection Score — State benchmarked This home is ranked 688th out of 1401 homes in California. Shows this facility's inspection score compared to the California average among 1401 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Inspection score: 85 out of 100. Letter grade B. 4 points above the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)
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.
Citations
| 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)
Violations 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 #600 / 1164 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 600th out of 1164 homes in California. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1164 comparable communities in the ranking pool. |
|
Moderate citations (Type B)
Violations 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
| 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 #814 / 1397 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 814th out of 1397 homes in California. Shows this facility's # of complaint visits compared to the California average among 1397 comparable communities in the ranking pool. |
|
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 |
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: 1 Bed / Semi-Private Room
Building Type: Single-story
Transportation Services
Parking Available
Housekeeping Services
Recreational Activities
2.6 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Indio's city center to Desert Cottages I's address, calculated via Google Maps.
Add your location
Desert Cottages I is located in Indio, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
| CalOaks Senior Living |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Riverside (La Sierra) | 74
Facility
74
CA AVG
103
Rank
#968 / 1657 | No |
56
Facility
56
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1180 / 2092 | 59
Facility
59
CA AVG
81
Rank
#1301 / 1401 | 4 | 30
Facility
30
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1261 / 1397 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
3
Rank
#953 / 1164 | 12
Facility
12
CA AVG
13
Rank
#569 / 1487 |
70.3%
Facility
70.3%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#838 / 1368 | - | Caloaks Care Group, Inc. | Private / Shared Rooms |
| Community Care On Palm |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
ADC Adult Day Care Structured weekday daytime programming for seniors who live at home but need supervision, health monitoring, or social engagement. More affordable than full residential care and a key resource for working family caregivers.
NC Nursing Care
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
RC Respite Care Short-term temporary care — days to weeks — to give family caregivers a break. Full care provided during the stay. Often used after hospitalization or to trial a facility before a permanent placement decision.
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care). | Riverside (Wood Streets) | 51
Facility
51
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1131 / 1657 | No |
55
Facility
55
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1215 / 2092 | - | - | - | - | - |
97.1%
Facility
97.1%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#165 / 1368 | - | - | Shared Rooms |
| Integrated Care Communities |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
HC Home Care Professional care delivered in the person's own home — from companionship and errands to skilled nursing and therapy. Allows seniors to age in place. Medicare covers skilled home health when medically necessary.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Moreno Valley | 20
Facility
20
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1291 / 1657 | No |
16
Facility
16
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1896 / 2092 | 91
Facility
91
CA AVG
81
Rank
#355 / 1401 | 5 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
13
Rank
#592 / 1397 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
3
Rank
#413 / 1164 | 24
Facility
24
CA AVG
13
Rank
#262 / 1487 |
100.0%
Facility
100.0%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#1 / 1368 | A+ | California Drug Consultants, Inc. | Private / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Desert Cottages I |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
HC Home Care Professional care delivered in the person's own home — from companionship and errands to skilled nursing and therapy. Allows seniors to age in place. Medicare covers skilled home health when medically necessary.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk.
RC Respite Care Short-term temporary care — days to weeks — to give family caregivers a break. Full care provided during the stay. Often used after hospitalization or to trial a facility before a permanent placement decision.
RC Respite Care Short-term temporary care — days to weeks — to give family caregivers a break. Full care provided during the stay. Often used after hospitalization or to trial a facility before a permanent placement decision. | Indio | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1330 / 1657 | Yes |
37
Facility
37
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1605 / 2092 | 85
Facility
85
CA AVG
81
Rank
#688 / 1401 | 4 | 9
Facility
9
CA AVG
13
Rank
#814 / 1397 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
3
Rank
#600 / 1164 | 18
Facility
18
CA AVG
13
Rank
#428 / 1487 |
83.3%
Facility
83.3%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#423 / 1368 | A+ | Desert Cottages L.l.c | 1 Bed / Semi-Private Room |
| Allbrite Care Inc. |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
RC Respite Care Short-term temporary care — days to weeks — to give family caregivers a break. Full care provided during the stay. Often used after hospitalization or to trial a facility before a permanent placement decision. | Desert Hot Springs (Garnet) | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1330 / 1657 | No |
0
Facility
0
CA AVG
57
Rank
#2070 / 2092 | - | - | - | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1 / 1164 | - | - | - | - | 1 Bed / Semi-Private Room |
Desert Cottages I is in the Indio neighborhood of Indio.
The legal owner and operator of Desert Cottages I is Desert Cottages L.l.c.
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.
Desert Cottages I's occupancy is 83%.
Elizabeth Hengstler is the administrator of Desert Cottages I.
Desert Cottages I has 6 beds.
Desert Cottages I has had 5 recently reported deficiencies.
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