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Other Senior care options in El Cajon:

Best Nursing Homes in El Cajon, CA

Reviewed by
Last updated
Jun 2026
We analyzed
4 homes in El Cajon, CA

Sources: CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and California Department of Health, Office of Aging and Long Term Care.

Other Senior care options in El Cajon:

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

Watch this Video to see El Cajon's Top-rated Senior Communities

Compare Nursing Homes around El Cajon

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

3 facilities compared · CMS & CA Dept. of Health data

Click column headers to sort
Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center
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).

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.

IL

Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.

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.

El Cajon
151
Facility 151
CA AVG 103
Rank #340 / 1658
94.8%
Facility 94.8%
CA AVG 84.7%
Rank #188 / 1409
+12%
3.47
Facility 3.47
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #289 / 346
-5%-18%
$33.7k
Facility $33.7k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #279 / 353
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #221 / 353
3.3
Facility 3.3
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #85 / 353
2147
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 57
Rank #1089 / 2093
William Jenkins
$31.4M
Facility $31.4M
CA AVG $17.0M
Rank #53 / 346
$14.5M
Facility $14.5M
CA AVG $7.0M
Rank #31 / 346
46.3%
Facility 46.3%
CA AVG 45.2%
Rank #203 / 346
55806
Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center
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).

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.

El Cajon (East Madison Avenue)
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 103
Rank #802 / 1658
92.2%
Facility 92.2%
CA AVG 84.7%
Rank #245 / 1409
+9%
3.33
Facility 3.33
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #319 / 346
-35%-21%
$11.4k
Facility $11.4k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #239 / 353
63
Facility 63
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #271 / 353
3.3
Facility 3.3
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #85 / 353
189
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #831 / 2093
Hunter Moore
$19.3M
Facility $19.3M
CA AVG $17.0M
Rank #147 / 346
$8.6M
Facility $8.6M
CA AVG $7.0M
Rank #171 / 346
44.6%
Facility 44.6%
CA AVG 45.2%
Rank #217 / 346
55064
Epic Assistance Care Home IV
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).

CH

Care Homes

El Cajon
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 103
Rank #1298 / 1658
93.3%
Facility 93.3%
CA AVG 84.7%
Rank #219 / 1409
+10%
3.45
Facility 3.45
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #308 / 346
-56%-18%
$0
Facility $0
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #1 / 353
103
Facility 103
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #335 / 353
6.1
Facility 6.1
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #297 / 353
-14
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 57
Rank #1680 / 2093
Gordon Lane Healthcare LLC
$33.7M
Facility $33.7M
CA AVG $17.0M
Rank #33 / 346
$9.4M
Facility $9.4M
CA AVG $7.0M
Rank #141 / 346
27.8%
Facility 27.8%
CA AVG 45.2%
Rank #339 / 346
555797
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.

Contact Villa Las Palmas Healthcare Center

Overview of Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center

An assisted living-inspired skilled nursing and rehabilitation home in El Cajon, Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center, delivered with an assisted living services approach.  The nursing home is committed to providing its residents with a safe, well-balanced, and healing journey through the exceptional care delivered by its patient-friendly staff. Cottonwood Canyon can be trusted as a facility that cares for every senior’s needs.

Cottonwood Canyon’s services and amenities include activities and programs that promote a continuum of growth and meaningful experiences that boost their recovery period. These include 24/7 nursing supervision and care,  weekly housekeeping and laundry, outings and activities, daily delicious and nutritious meals, and specialized programs.

Contact Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center

Overview of Epic Assistance Care Home IV

Providing care for over 15 years, Epic Assistance Care Home IV is an esteemed community in East Bradley Avenue, El Cajon, CA, that offers assisted living. Here, residents with dementia also receive specialized care from an experienced and well-trained team available 24/7. The community also handles the housekeeping and linen services for a worry-free retirement.

Enjoy your later years with fun activities and engaging programs tailored to leisure and wellness. Have hassle-free dining with healthy and delicious meals served daily to cater to dietary needs and preferences. Medical support, medication management, and incontinence care are also provided to meet residents’ healthcare needs. The community is ideal for those who need assistance in their daily activities with its dedicated and genuine care offered at an affordable cost.

Contact Epic Assistance Care Home IV

Overview of Good Samaritan Retirement Home

Good Samaritan Retirement Home is a 110-bed assisted living and memory care community with specialized dementia care, rehabilitation services, respite stays, and a core assisted living program in El Cajon, California. Operated by the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Chaldean Sisters) under administrator Susan Sorensen, the community serves San Diego County. It’s been licensed since 2000 by the California Department of Social Services as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly.

Across four official inspections since 2021, the facility has recorded zero citations, against a California average of 10, and only 2 complaints compared to a statewide norm of 14. No fines exist in the latest inspection in September 2025, placing the inspection score at 83 out of 100 against California’s benchmark of 70.

The memory care program is staffed 24/7 with dementia caregiving staff and a licensed nurse providing 8 hours of dementia-specific coverage daily. The community has four hospice waivers, allowing end-of-life care coordination on-site. Rounding out the care model are a fall prevention program, outdoor garden spaces, and a mobile physician.

With a consistently clean regulatory record, Good Samaritan Retirement Home is best for older adults in San Diego County requiring long-term assisted living or memory care in a faith-based community.

Contact Good Samaritan Retirement Home

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
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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 4 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.