Pricing ranges from
    $5,036 – 6,043/month

    Parkway Garden Retirement Care Home

    660 Van Houten Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020
    3.7 · 9 reviews
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Caring staff nice grounds pricey

    I placed my mom here and I like that the staff (Marco included) are caring, responsive and basically available 24/7 - her nice private room with a TV and the beautiful grounds mean she's doing well and gets plenty of social interaction. Downsides: food quality is inconsistent, activities and amenities (cable/radio/books/on-demand coffee) are lacking, bathrooms may be shared, there are occasional cleanliness/behavioral issues, and it can be expensive.

    Pricing

    $5,036+/moSemi-privateAssisted Living
    $6,043+/mo1 BedroomAssisted Living

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Coordination with health care providers
    • Medication management

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Transportation

    • Transportation arrangement (medical)
    • Transportation to doctors appointments

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    3.67 · 9 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.9
    • Staff

      3.9
    • Meals

      3.3
    • Amenities

      3.4
    • Value

      1.0

    Pros

    • Good overall care reported by multiple reviewers
    • 24/7 staff presence and assistance
    • Staff described as respectful, responsive, caring, and helpful
    • Clean environment with no bad odor reported by some reviewers
    • Beautiful grounds and access to inside and outside spaces
    • Meal flexibility and some reports of great meals
    • Coffee allowed and designated smoking areas (where noted)
    • Private rooms available with in-room TV in some cases
    • Shower and dining assistance provided
    • Ample social interaction noted by some reviewers
    • Art and aesthetic features praised by at least one reviewer
    • Specific staff member (Marco) mentioned positively

    Cons

    • Lack of organized activities or few activities offered
    • Behavioral issues among residents, including incidents requiring hospitalization
    • Inconsistent food quality — some call it cheap or unhealthy
    • Reports of rude staff and staff yelling at residents
    • Unclean rooms and poor housekeeping reported by some reviewers
    • Inconsistent availability of amenities (no TV cable, radio, books for some)
    • Shared rooms and shared bathrooms for some residents
    • Run-down facility reported by some reviewers
    • Perceived poor management or poorly run operations
    • Conflicting reports on basic services (e.g., coffee availability)
    • Expensive costs noted by one reviewer
    • Staff sometimes ignoring seniors' needs according to some reviews

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the review summaries is mixed, with some reviewers reporting high-quality, attentive care and others describing serious problems with cleanliness, staff behavior, and facility maintenance. A consistent positive thread across several reviews is that staff presence is constant (24/7) and many staff are described as respectful, responsive, caring, and helpful. Several families specifically said their relative is doing well, enjoys social interaction, and benefits from assistance with showers and dining. The property’s grounds and certain aesthetic touches (art) were praised, and private rooms with in-room TVs were highlighted as a plus by multiple reviewers. One staff member (Marco) was singled out positively, which suggests that there are individual caregivers who make a strong, favorable impression on residents and families.

    However, there are multiple, recurring areas of concern that offset those positives. Several reviews report a lack of organized activities and limited programming for residents, which can negatively affect quality of life. Food quality is another divided issue: while some say meals are great and there’s meal flexibility, others describe the food as cheap and unhealthy or simply “not great.” Housekeeping and cleanliness are inconsistent in the reviews — some families report a clean environment without bad odors, while others report unclean rooms and a run-down facility. There are even reports of staff being rude or yelling at residents and, at the extreme, staff ignoring seniors’ needs. These are serious red flags because they speak to potential lapses in training, supervision, or culture.

    Safety and behavioral management also appear as notable concerns. Several reviewers mention behavioral incidents severe enough to require hospitalization, indicating that the facility may face challenges in managing residents with behavioral health needs or severe cognitive impairment. Combined with reports of shared rooms and shared bathrooms for some residents, these safety and privacy concerns are important to weigh for prospective residents who need a higher level of supervision or who are vulnerable to agitation from others.

    Amenities and consistency are additional themes. Some reviewers note helpful features such as coffee, designated smoking areas, and private rooms with TVs, while others say basic amenities like cable TV, radios, and books are not provided and that services like on-demand coffee or tea are unavailable. This inconsistency across reviews suggests variability in room type, package, or possibly changes over time in available services. Cost is mentioned once as “expensive,” and paired with reports of poor care or run-down conditions, that raises concerns about value for money.

    Taken together, the reviews portray a facility with meaningful strengths (dedicated staff members, round-the-clock care, assistance with personal needs, pleasant grounds, and positive outcomes for some residents) but also significant and repeated weaknesses (inconsistent cleanliness, spotty food quality, lack of activities, behavioral incidents, inconsistent amenities, and episodes of poor staff behavior). The mix of strongly positive and strongly negative comments points to substantial variability in resident experience — possibly related to differences in room assignments, staffing shifts, management oversight at different times, or the specific needs and behavior of residents.

    If considering Parkway Garden Retirement Care Home, prospective residents and family members should verify current conditions directly: tour multiple room types, inspect housekeeping routines, ask about activity schedules and participation rates, review menus and meal plans, inquire how behavioral incidents are managed and what clinical supports are available, confirm staffing levels and training, and request references from current families. Also ask for clarity on what amenities are included versus optional and get a written account of policies (smoking areas, coffee availability, visitation, and bathroom arrangements). Given the variability in reviews, an in-person visit and targeted questions will give the most reliable sense of whether the facility’s strengths align with a specific resident’s needs and whether the reported problems have been addressed.

    Location

    Map showing location of Parkway Garden Retirement Care Home

    About Parkway Garden Retirement Care Home

    Parkway Gardens Retirement Care Home is a welcoming and well-established senior living residence located in a convenient area of El Cajon. With a capacity to accommodate up to fifteen residents, this home features a warm, intimate setting ideal for individuals who appreciate a sense of community and personalized support. The facility is equipped to provide a comfortable and secure environment, including features that are accessible for those using wheelchairs or walkers. The setting is further enhanced by a well-maintained yard, offering space for outdoor relaxation and socialization.

    The care home places a strong emphasis on supporting residents with their daily living activities. Compassionate staff are available to assist with a range of needs, ensuring every resident receives the help required to maintain their dignity and independence. Residents benefit from comprehensive services such as delicious, nutritionally balanced meals served three times daily, with snacks available to meet additional dietary needs or preferences. Special dietary requirements are accommodated, making the home suitable for individuals with specific health considerations, including those who are incontinent.

    Within Parkway Gardens Retirement Care Home, laundry and housekeeping are performed daily, ensuring that residents enjoy a clean, fresh, and organized living environment without worry or hassle. The team also manages medication schedules, providing peace of mind to both residents and their families by ensuring that medications are administered accurately and on time. Each resident’s care plan is regularly reviewed and tailored, acknowledging that individual needs may change over time.

    The living spaces at Parkway Gardens offer both private and shared room options to suit the preferences and requirements of each resident. The home boasts thoughtfully furnished rooms, including inviting private quarters as well as well-appointed shared accommodations. Communal areas like the comfortable sitting room provide opportunities for residents to gather, socialize, and participate in various activities, while private spaces offer a retreat for those desiring quiet time or personal relaxation. The overall atmosphere at Parkway Gardens Retirement Care Home is one of respect, care, and attentiveness, making it a trusted choice for seniors seeking a supportive and engaging residential care home.

    People often ask...

    State of California Inspection Reports

    22

    Inspections

    1

    Type A Citations

    4

    Type B Citations

    6

    Years of reports

    06 Dec 2024
    Found compliance with licensing regulations after an unannounced annual visit. Safety, adequate staffing, up-to-date care plans, proper medication administration, nutritious meals, regular activities, infection control, and emergency procedures were in place.
    26 Sept 2024
    Identified that an uncleared adult worked as a caregiver at this site without required background checks. Found no evidence of neglect, failure to meet residents' needs, medication mismanagement, or language-barrier issues affecting care.
    • § 1569.17(b)(1)
    29 Feb 2024
    Investigated allegation that staff mismanaged residents' medication. Found evidence of a January 2024 dosage increase and a February 2024 discrepancy, with staff, outside sources, and a resident stating the dosage was correct by February 20, 2024.
    29 Feb 2024
    Found staff mismanaged residents' medication by not following the prescribed dosage per medical records during a specific period. Confirmed the issue was corrected by February 20, 2024.
    07 Feb 2024
    Found that no admission agreement or hospice agreement was signed for the resident, and the POA denied assistance when hospitalization occurred. Found insufficient evidence to prove the allegation that staff neglect resulted in hospitalization or that staff did not meet the resident's needs.
    07 Feb 2024
    Investigated allegations of mismanaged medications; interviews indicated extra doses were given for anxiety, but by February 2, 2024, medications were administered per prescription.
    07 Feb 2024
    Investigated allegations of staff neglect resulting in hospitalization and not meeting a resident's needs; found unsubstantiated due to lack of sufficient evidence.
    • § 80075(b)
    19 Dec 2023
    Found an unannounced visit identified one technical violation and two technical advisories. Overall, safety systems, medication handling, and resident care were in order, residents were treated with dignity, and the site did not have a secured perimeter.
    19 Dec 2023
    Confirmed substantial compliance with regulations during inspection visit.
    07 Dec 2023
    Found insufficient evidence that lack of supervision led to sexual touching by an unknown individual; witnesses described the events vaguely and could not identify the person. Therefore the allegation was unsubstantiated.
    07 Dec 2023
    Found insufficient evidence to support an allegation of lack of supervision resulting in sexual abuse.
    • § 80075(5)(b)
    01 Aug 2023
    Found that a 3-day eviction notice to encourage a doctor visit was issued to a resident and later rescinded, a 60-day notice to vacate was issued, and the 3-day notice was not approved.
    01 Aug 2023
    Investigated complaint allegation of eviction notices issued to a resident, finding the allegation to be substantiated.
    06 Jun 2022
    Identified a deficiency noting that a resident moved in on March 13, 2022, but the admission agreement was not signed until March 30, 2022. Conducted an exit interview with the house manager.
    06 Jun 2022
    Confirmed deficiency in admission agreement execution timeline.
    • § 87224(b)
    26 May 2022
    Investigated; found that a resident who moved in was hospitalized and later returned after staff attempted to reach an agreement on admission terms and payment. The investigation determined that staff did not refuse the resident's return, and the resident signed an admission agreement and remained in the home until death.
    26 May 2022
    Investigated allegation that a resident was refused re-entry due to non-payment after a hospital visit; found insufficient evidence to prove the alleged violation occurred.
    • §
    16 Dec 2021
    Verified that COVID-19 mitigation and infection-control measures were in place, including a central entry with screening, routine symptom checks for staff, residents, and visitors, a visitor sign-in policy, posted policies and hygiene reminders, staff wearing face coverings, readily available hand hygiene stations, a designated visitation area, emergency contact information posted, and adequate cleaning supplies; no deficiencies were identified. An exit interview was conducted.
    16 Dec 2021
    Confirmed compliance with infection control practices and COVID-19 prevention measures during the visit.
    17 Aug 2021
    Identified an AWOL incident where a resident left for a doctor’s appointment on August 12, 2021 and has not returned, requiring further review. No deficiencies were cited.
    17 Aug 2021
    Confirmed an Absence Without Leave (AWOL) incident and conducted a Case Management inspection following a report.
    26 Nov 2019
    Confirmed compliance with regulations and requirements during a facility inspection.

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