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Best Nursing Homes in El Cajon, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 3 nursing homes in El Cajon, CA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in CA
Reviewed by
Jordan Weiss, PhD
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in El Cajon, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in El Cajon, CA.
3 homes
Other senior care options in El Cajon:
Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living

Video Tour: Top-rated Nursing Homes facilities in El Cajon, California.

Watch this Video to see El Cajon's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 3.0/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in El Cajon, CA. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 2.0/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in El Cajon, CA. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 2.5/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in El Cajon, CA. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around El Cajon

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

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

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
The ALM Inspection Grade — our own 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. It is not a government rating. A dash means we do not publish a grade for that facility: either its public record is too thin to be fair, or we hold nothing for it at all.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The California average is: 61.1% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
NH
HOS
SNF
El Cajon
151
Facility 151
CA AVG 148
Rank #93 / 328
94.7%
Facility 94.7%
CA AVG 82.5%
Rank #64 / 289
+15%
3.12
Facility 3.12
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #283 / 289
B-81 / 100 — 2 points below the California average for CMS-certified facilities (83/100) ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ -5%-26%
$33.7k
Facility $33.7k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #234 / 294
47
Facility 47
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #183 / 291
3.6
Facility 3.6
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #75 / 291
2143-
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 60
Rank #207 / 354
William Jenkins
$23.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $23.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $15.7M
Rank #41 / 260
$14.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $14.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #26 / 260
61.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 61.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG 61.1%
Rank #61 / 260
55806
Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
NH
HOS
MC
PC
RC
SNF
El Cajon
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 148
Rank #205 / 328
93.9%
Facility 93.9%
CA AVG 82.5%
Rank #74 / 289
+14%
3.34
Facility 3.34
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #272 / 289
C+75 / 100 — 8 points below the California average for CMS-certified facilities (83/100) ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ -35%-21%
$20.5k
Facility $20.5k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #225 / 294
61
Facility 61
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #228 / 291
3.6
Facility 3.6
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #75 / 291
290-
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 60
Rank #153 / 354
Hunter Moore
$14.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $14.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $15.7M
Rank #121 / 260
$7.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #139 / 260
53.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 53.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG 61.1%
Rank #131 / 260
55064

Rank badges are statewide: each nursing home is ranked against every CA nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 3 analyzed for El Cajon. See how we rank facilities

Nursing Home Explorer

Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center

622 S Anza St, El Cajon, CA 92020
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Exterior view of the facility with fountain and palm trees
Overview of Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center

Perfectly set in the serene neighborhood of El Cajon, CA, Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center is committed to improving seniors’ quality of life with skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. The community strives to meet seniors’ special needs and aspirations with top-notch care and assistance from a team of compassionate and highly trained professionals 24/7. Seniors enjoy a worry-free lifestyle knowing a trusted community has their backs.

Featuring a wide array of incredible amenities, the community encourages residents to interact with their surroundings and live an active lifestyle. Moreover, visiting family and friends can enjoy the refreshing breeze in the community’s beautiful courtyards. Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center goes above and beyond to create a safe place where seniors flourish and live their lives to the fullest.

Phone: (619) 444-1107

Contact Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center

Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center

1391 E Madison Ave, El Cajon, CA 92021
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Exterior view of Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center entrance
Overview of Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center
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Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center in El Cajon, California, provides nursing home, hospice care, memory care, palliative care, respite care, and skilled nursing. Licensed nurses are on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing nursing support. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, while respite care offers a temporary stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

The center has 96 beds and supports short term rehabilitation in an expansive rehab gym, so residents can receive rehabilitation services on site. There is room to get outside, too. Spacious courtyards with a pond and fountain give residents outdoor common areas to use.

Registered dietitians oversee meal planning and presentation, allowing meals to be adjusted to each patient’s needs. Medicare can cover qualifying short term skilled care after a hospital stay, while Medicaid can help eligible residents whose savings may not cover a long stay; private pay allows a family to pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 20 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. A Walk Score of 67 means some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to manage some outings independently. Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center may be a good fit for someone who needs licensed nursing care, memory supervision, or a temporary stay while a family caregiver recovers or travels.

Phone: (619) 444-1107

Contact Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center

Epic Assistance Care Home IV

1061 East Bradley Ave, El Cajon, CA 92021
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Exterior view of a single-story senior care home
Overview of Epic Assistance Care Home IV

Epic Assistance Care Home IV offers nursing home, memory care, and skilled nursing in El Cajon, California. Nursing home and skilled nursing services provide ongoing support for residents who need nursing care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. With 15 beds, the home may suit someone who needs a smaller care setting.

Private rooms give residents a single personal room rather than shared accommodation. The area has a Walk Score of 33, so it is dependent on cars and most errands require a car or a ride. Epic Assistance Care Home IV is administered by Liza Mesdjian and operated by Epic Assistance Care Home.

Phone: (888) 927-9409

Contact Epic Assistance Care Home IV

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
Full methodology →
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
Data source Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in El Cajon, CA

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in California?

Assisted living in California is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does California Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — California Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 3 nursing homes in El Cajon, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in El Cajon, CA?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in El Cajon, CA, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in El Cajon, CA?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.

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