Desert Cottages III
Assisted Living, Hospice Care, Memory Care, Residential Care & Respite Care · Indio, CA
Desert Cottages III
Assisted Living, Hospice Care, Memory Care, Residential Care & Respite Care · Indio, CA
Peacefully set in the quiet neighborhood of Pettirosso St, Indio, CA, Desert Cottages III, is an idyllic retreat that focuses on dementia and Alzheimer’s care. The community strives to provide a safe place for up to six residents with its cozy and quaint setting. A compassionate and highly skilled team attends to residents’ special needs 24/7 to ensure their comfort and safety. With over 30 years of experience, residents are guaranteed to receive the utmost care they deserve.
Promoting belongingness and an active lifestyle, the community conducts enriching activities and stimulating programs for residents’ leisure and wellness. Handicap accessible amenities are also provided for residents’ safety. The community is ideal for those seeking to enhance their cognition with its specialized care and purposely designed amenities.
6-bed community Rank #1321 / 1648Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 1321st out of 1648 homes in California for Bed Count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other California facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.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.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A smaller, more intimate setting that may offer a quieter environment and closer staff-resident interactions.
11 years in operation Rank #614 / 1494Years in operation — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 614th out of 1494 homes in California for Years In Operation. Shows how long this facility has been in operation compared to other California facilities. Longer operating histories may benefit residents, families, and staff.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.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A community with a solid operating history and experience delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score: 19 / 100 Rank #1852 / 2087Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 1852nd out of 2087 homes in California for Walk Score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across California facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.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.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
About this community
Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly
IssuanceAugust 4, 2014
CountyRiverside
Desert Cottages III is legally operated by Desert Cottages, LLC, and administered by Elizabeth Hengstler.
Inspection History
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.
Since 2022 · 4 years of data
0 citations
11 total visits
2 complaint visits
3 official inspections
2 complaint investigations
Inspection Score
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.This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.
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.This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.
14 points above the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)
Rank #108 / 1399 in California Inspection Score — State benchmarked This home is ranked 108th out of 1399 homes in California for Inspection Score. Shows this facility's inspection score compared to the California average among 1399 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. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score. Inspection score: 95 out of 100. Letter grade A. 14 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
0 Worse
No metrics in this bucket.
6 Better
Metrics better than California average:
• Total citations (100% below)
• Total visits (31% below)
• Complaint visits (85% below)
• Other visits (14% below)
• Official inspections (25% below)
• Complaint investigations (80% below)
• Total citations (100% below)
• Total visits (31% below)
• Complaint visits (85% below)
• Other visits (14% below)
• Official inspections (25% below)
• Complaint investigations (80% below)
Latest Inspection
October 30, 2025
Citations
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total citations
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
| 0 | 10 | This facility has 100% fewer total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (0 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 100% better |
Inspections & Visits
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total visits
Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections.
| 11 | 16 | This facility has 31% fewer total visits than a typical California assisted living residence (11 vs. CA avg 16).↓ 31% better |
|
Complaint visits
On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.
| 2 | 13 | This facility has 85% fewer complaint visits than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 13).↓ 85% better Rank #324 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 324th 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.
| 6 | 7 | This facility has 14% fewer other visits than a typical California assisted living residence (6 vs. CA avg 7).↓ 14% better |
|
Official inspections
Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.
| 3 | 4 | This facility has 25% fewer official inspections than a typical California assisted living residence (3 vs. CA avg 4).↓ 25% better |
|
Complaint investigations
On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.
| 2 | 10 | This facility has 80% fewer complaint investigations than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 80% better |
Inspection Reports Summary
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
- The most recent inspection on October 30, 2025 found no immediate health or safety concerns and no deficiencies.
- A 2022 infection control inspection noted one deficiency for missing paper towels in bathrooms, replaced by cloth towels, with a Technical Assistance Advisory issued.
- Complaint investigation on April 17, 2024 found no evidence to support allegations and determined the complaint unfounded.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: 1 Bed / Semi-Private
Building Type: Single-story
Transportation Services
Parking Available
Housekeeping Services
Recreational Activities
Places of interest near Desert Cottages III
2.4 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Indio's city center to Desert Cottages III's address, calculated via Google Maps.
Calculate Travel Distance to Desert Cottages III
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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 III | AL HOS MC RESC RC | Indio | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
104
Rank
#1321 / 1648 | Yes |
19
Facility
19
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1852 / 2087 | 95
Facility
95
CA AVG
81
Rank
#108 / 1399 | 3 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
13
Rank
#324 / 1388 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1 / 1160 | 11
Facility
11
CA AVG
13
Rank
#614 / 1494 | 0 | - | Desert Cottages, LLC | 1 Bed / Semi-Private |
Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in California
Desert Cottages III is located in Indio, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Cottages III
Who is the owner of Desert Cottages III?
Desert Cottages III is legally operated by Desert Cottages, LLC, and administered by Elizabeth Hengstler.
Is Desert Cottages III in a walkable area?
Desert Cottages III has a walk score of 19. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
What is the occupancy rate at Desert Cottages III?
Desert Cottages III's occupancy is 0.0%.
Who is the administrator of Desert Cottages III?
Elizabeth Hengstler is the administrator of Desert Cottages III.
How many beds does Desert Cottages III have?
Desert Cottages III has 6 beds.
Has Desert Cottages III had any citations?
Desert Cottages III has no reported citations since 2022 according to records from California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
Are there photos of Desert Cottages III?
Yes — there are 3 photos of Desert Cottages III in the photo gallery on this page.
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