Best Nursing Homes in Palm Desert, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 4 nursing homes in Palm Desert, CA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in CA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jun 2026
We analyzed These are the facilities in Palm Desert, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Palm Desert, CA.
4 homes
Other senior care options in Palm Desert:

Video Tour: Top-rated Nursing Homes facilities in Palm Desert, California.

Watch this Video to see Palm Desert's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 3.0/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Palm Desert, 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: 2.5/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert

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 to lowest based on our ranking 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 AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
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.
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.
A composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. See the benchmark below for the typical California score; higher is better. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.
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 D or higher — meaning actual harm occurred or residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. 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: 60.4% 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.
The Springs Healthcare Center at the Carlotta
NH
MC
SNF
Palm Desert
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 104
Rank #1,086 / 1,646
69.7%
Facility 69.7%
CA AVG 73.9
Rank #943 / 1,492
-6%3.52 -8%-17%
$0
Facility $0
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #1 / 293
-
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #52 / 290
2.3141-
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 59
Rank #1,973 / 2,058
Well Trevi Carlotta Snf LLC$13.6M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.$6.1M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.44.9%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.555226
ManorCare Health Services-Palm Desert
NH
AL
IL
MC
Palm Desert
145
Facility 145
CA AVG 104
Rank #387 / 1,646
40.0%
Facility 40.0%
CA AVG 73.9
Rank #1,407 / 1,492
-46%
3.71
Facility 3.71
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #197 / 288
-72%-12%
$74.4k
Facility $74.4k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #268 / 293
93
Facility 93
CA AVG 81
Rank #271 / 1,475
121
Facility 121
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #286 / 290
3.3
Facility 3.3
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #75 / 290
358-
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 59
Rank #1,855 / 2,058
Blc Mirage Inn LP
$15.2MFiscal year ending 05/2024
Facility $15.2MFiscal year ending 05/2024
CA AVG $15.4M
Rank #115 / 259
$9.5MFiscal year ending 05/2024
Facility $9.5MFiscal year ending 05/2024
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #98 / 259
62.3%Fiscal year ending 05/2024
Facility 62.3%Fiscal year ending 05/2024
CA AVG 60.4%
Rank #56 / 259
555339

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 4 analyzed for Palm Desert.

Overview of The Springs Healthcare Center at the Carlotta

The Springs Healthcare Center at the Carlotta is a well-regarded 59-bed nursing home in Palm Desert, CA, offering long-term care, rehabilitation, and a wide range of nursing services. The community also promotes a nurturing and inviting environment, ensuring older adults are well-cared for. Social services, therapies, and well-balanced meals are among the exceptional services provided to meet residents’ quality of life. Through personalized care plans, residents also receive the utmost attention and care for their recovery and wellness.

Social events, family visits, and a variety of recreational activities foster engagement and active living. Cozy rooms and lively gathering areas also provide residents with more spaces to rest and connect with friends. Located near the Lakes Country Club and Indian Ridge Country Club, the community ensures residents have a stress-free retirement. As one of the trusted options for senior living in Canada, this nursing home has high standards of care and a clean setting.

Contact The Springs Healthcare Center at the Carlotta

Overview of ManorCare Health Services-Palm Desert

ManorCare Health Services-Palm Desert, situated in the peaceful city of Palm Desert, CA, blends lively living with exceptional care. Offering independent living, skilled nursing, respite care, and rehabilitation, this community is dedicated to improving residents’ quality of life with compassionate, individualized support. The team conducts thorough assessments to tailor care to each resident’s specific needs, fostering a warm and supportive environment. Residents can choose from well-designed, comfortable apartments that provide both relaxation and personal space.

The community features top-tier amenities such as fitness centers and stretching classes to encourage wellness and an active lifestyle. Thoughtfully arranged social areas and engaging activities ensure that every day is filled with meaningful experiences and happiness. Every aspect of ManorCare Health Services-Palm Desert is designed to inspire, uplift, and celebrate the joy of life.

Contact ManorCare Health Services-Palm Desert

The Carlotta

41505 Carlotta Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Overview of The Carlotta
The Springs Healthcare Center at The Carlotta is a skilled nursing facility located in Palm Desert, California. It offers personalized rehabilitation plans and is surrounded by various amenities, including Assisted Living and Independent Living. The facility has received a 5-star overall rating from Medicare.

Contact The Carlotta

The Carlotta

41-505 Carlotta Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Overview of The Carlotta

Well Trevi Carlotta SNF operates The Carlotta, a large 250-bed nursing facility located in Palm Desert, California. The building maintains a lower occupancy rate of about 61 percent, and the average length of stay is just 38 days. This short timeline shows that the daily operation focuses heavily on temporary post-hospital recovery and short-term physical therapy rather than long-term residential housing. For payment, the business handles room and therapy bills through traditional Medicare and standard private pay.

The therapy gym serves as the clinical core of the property, where a 24-hour staff of nurses and aides logs about 3 hours and 31 minutes of direct care per resident each day. This clinical team guides short-term physical rehabilitation routines, while day-to-day amenities include a movie theater, structured activities, and an on-site restaurant area. Outside, the local neighborhood is car-dependent, so visitors will need to drive when traveling to and from the property.

Recent health surveys by government inspectors highlighted compliance issues at the facility regarding care coordination, medication management, and infection control protocols.

Interested representatives can call the main office to see how the administrative team has corrected these inspection findings, request information on current bed availability, or set up a time to walk through the therapy spaces.

Contact The Carlotta

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
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
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
Submit a correction
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert, 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.