Worth Considering
3
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in El Cajon, California
3 of 12 nursing homes in El Cajon (25%) meet our strict criteria. The California statewide average is 29%.
3 recommended · 3 caution · 6 avoid · data
City Average
2.9
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
1,558
across 12 facilities
High Risk Facilities
6
4 Grade F
$131,865 in combined fines
Zero Fines
7
/12
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 3?
The nursing home market in El Cajon, California, is adequate but requires careful consideration, with only 3 of the 12 facilities recommended. Families should note that 6 facilities have accumulated a total of $120,457 in fines, indicating potential concerns with care quality.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 PARKSIDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER (95) — Parkside Health and Wellness Center boasts an impressive Trust Score of 95/100 and holds a prestigious CMS 5★ rating, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care. With an A+ grade and no fines, this facility is dedicated to providing exceptional services in a comfortable 52-bed environment, making it a top choice for nursing care.
- 2 BRADLEY COURT (90) — Bradley Court stands out with a Trust Score of 90/100 and a commendable CMS 5★ rating, indicating its dedication to excellence in resident care. The facility's A grade and zero fines further validate its reputation, making it an ideal option for families seeking reliable and compassionate nursing support in a 56-bed setting.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 3 MAGNOLIA POST ACUTE CARE (80) — Magnolia Post Acute Care is a solid choice for nursing services, with a Trust Score of 80/100 and a CMS 5★ rating. The facility's B+ grade and absence of fines highlight its focus on quality care, accommodating up to 99 residents in a supportive environment tailored to recovery and rehabilitation.
The other 9 El Cajon facilities didn't qualify — 6 carry Grade D or F ratings and 5 have fines totaling $131K.
Recommended
Parkside Health and Wellness Center boasts an impressive Trust Score of 95/100 and holds a prestigious CMS 5★ rating, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care. With an A+ grade and no fines, this facility is dedicated to providing exceptional services in a comfortable 52-bed environment, making it a top choice for nursing care.
Bradley Court stands out with a Trust Score of 90/100 and a commendable CMS 5★ rating, indicating its dedication to excellence in resident care. The facility's A grade and zero fines further validate its reputation, making it an ideal option for families seeking reliable and compassionate nursing support in a 56-bed setting.
Magnolia Post Acute Care is a solid choice for nursing services, with a Trust Score of 80/100 and a CMS 5★ rating. The facility's B+ grade and absence of fines highlight its focus on quality care, accommodating up to 99 residents in a supportive environment tailored to recovery and rehabilitation.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | El Cajon Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.9 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 9?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 4 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 5 Have fines totaling $131,865
- Low-scoring facilities
- 5 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 3 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions El Cajon Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
El Cajon's city average is 2.9 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
5 of 12 El Cajon facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; El Cajon avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
El Cajon facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in El Cajon, CA are recommended?
3 of 12 nursing homes in El Cajon (25%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in El Cajon "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in El Cajon?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.