Golden Madera Care Center

    1700 Howard Rd, Madera, CA, 93637
    3.9 · 48 reviews
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    3.0

    Compassionate staff, inconsistent management, safety

    I had a mixed experience. The nurses, CNAs and therapists were compassionate, attentive and excellent for rehab - the place felt clean, home-like and staff were often caring and responsive - but management and communication were inconsistent and there were troubling safety/care lapses (bedsores, missed meds, falls, food and amenity issues, restricted access). I'd recommend it for short-term rehab with close oversight, but I'd be wary of long-term placement without active family involvement.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 12-16 hour nursing
    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
    • Transportation to doctors appointments

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    3.90 · 48 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      3.9
    • Staff

      4.1
    • Meals

      3.1
    • Amenities

      2.2
    • Value

      3.9

    Pros

    • Compassionate, respectful and professional nursing staff
    • Attentive and dedicated CNAs
    • Strong, effective physical and occupational therapy/rehab program
    • Around-the-clock care and safety-focused approach
    • Approachable and involved physicians (in some cases)
    • Personalized, dignified resident care and comforting touches
    • Responsive administration and case management (in some cases)
    • Friendly, family-like small facility atmosphere
    • Convenient location for family visits
    • Kitchen staff helpful and food sometimes satisfying
    • Therapists who get residents walking again and show follow-up
    • Cleanliness cited by multiple reviewers
    • Supportive work culture and recognition of staff hard work (internal)

    Cons

    • Inconsistent quality of care between shifts/periods
    • Long wait times for bathroom/assistance
    • Food quality and menu often inadequate or disliked
    • Serious clinical lapses reported (bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration)
    • Incidents of poor hygiene and maintenance (odors, plugged toilets, holes in linens)
    • Medication mismanagement reported (e.g., incorrect eye drop application)
    • Rude or verbally abusive staff reported (specific charge nurse named)
    • Restricted family access and poor communication in some cases
    • Case manager / power-of-attorney conflicts and control issues
    • Missing or stolen personal items reported
    • Outdated building and nonfunctional room amenities
    • Falls and safety equipment concerns (e.g., no bed rails)
    • Delays in specialty care (no on-site orthopedic surgeon; delayed surgery)
    • Variable responsiveness from administration depending on reviewer
    • COVID outbreak and infection-control concerns cited
    • Reports of facility being shut down or held accountable for unsafe conditions

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but highly polarized: a substantial portion of reviewers praise the staff, rehabilitation program, and some aspects of administration, while a significant number report severe lapses in care, communication breakdowns, and facility maintenance problems. Positive reviews repeatedly highlight compassionate nursing and CNA care, excellent therapists who enable strong recoveries, a safety-focused and personal approach to residents, and an atmosphere that can feel small and family-like. Several reviewers explicitly credit the therapy teams with restoring mobility, following up on x-rays and medications, and delivering individualized plans. When things work well, families describe responsive administration, helpful kitchen staff, comforting bedside attention (even small gestures like night-time treats), and clinicians who are approachable and engaged.

    However, the negative reports raise multiple serious concerns that cannot be ignored. Common themes include inconsistent care quality and staffing changes that result in disorganization: reviewers describe times when their loved ones were well cared for and other times when they experienced long waits for assistance, missed or mishandled treatments, or a decline in routine therapies (for example, not receiving prescribed mechanical soft diets or leg exercises). Several reviewers documented clinically significant problems — stage III bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, urinary infections, and extended delays in orthopedic care due to lack of on-site specialists — which led to hospital or ICU admissions in some cases. There are also multiple accounts of poor hygiene and maintenance (unpleasant odors, throw-up on trays, plugged toilets, holes in blankets), missing personal items, and even allegations of theft. Safety concerns include at least one fall with no bed rails and periods of residents being unsupervised.

    Communication and family access appear highly variable. Some families praise clear updates, accessible nursing staff, and administrators who promptly address concerns. Others recount poor or false information, restricted access to residents, contact-list limitations that prevent questions, and case-management power struggles that left families feeling shut out of decisions. At least one reviewer named a specific charge nurse as verbally abusive, and several reports describe staff culture problems and management failures. There are also mentions of a COVID outbreak and related containment assurances, plus at least one reviewer describing the facility as shut down or held accountable, indicating regulatory or safety interventions may have occurred or been alleged.

    Facility and food issues recur as well: while some reviewers report clean, well-kept rooms and helpful kitchen staff, others describe an outdated building, nonfunctional room amenities, and food that residents could not or would not eat — to the point that families sometimes felt compelled to bring food from home. Several reviewers contrasted excellent rehab and attentive caregivers with poor housekeeping or maintenance on particular shifts. These mixed reports suggest that experience may depend on timing, specific unit or staff on duty, and recent leadership/staffing changes.

    Taken together, the reviews portray a facility capable of providing outstanding, compassionate, and effective rehabilitation and nursing care when staffing, leadership, and processes are functioning well. At the same time, there are repeated and serious reports of lapses in clinical care, safety, hygiene, communication, and management that have harmed residents or eroded family trust. The pattern indicates variability in performance — some families strongly recommend the facility, and others urge caution or avoidance. Prospective families should weigh the strong positives around therapy and certain caregiving staff against documented instances of clinical neglect, maintenance failures, and communication or access restrictions. If considering this facility, it would be prudent to verify current leadership and staffing stability, ask specifically about wound care and specialist availability (orthopedics), observe mealtime and hygiene practices, and clarify policies on family access, power-of-attorney involvement, and incident reporting.

    Location

    Map showing location of Golden Madera Care Center

    About Golden Madera Care Center

    Avalon Health Care – Madera is a senior living community located in Madera, California, designed to meet the varying needs of older adults seeking a supportive and enriching environment. The community offers a comprehensive range of services, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Residents at Avalon Health Care – Madera benefit from thoughtfully planned living spaces and amenities, all tailored to support their wellness, comfort, and independence.

    The culinary experience at Avalon Health Care – Madera is a centerpiece of daily life. Residents enjoy nutritious meals carefully crafted by chefs and meal planners who pay close attention to the balance of vitamins and minerals in every dish. The focus is not only on providing healthy options but also on delivering meals that are flavorful and made with quality ingredients, creating anticipation and enjoyment around each dining experience.

    Avalon Health Care – Madera is known for its vibrant calendar of activities, aiming to engage residents on social, physical, mental, and emotional levels. The dedicated activities team curates programs and events that foster meaningful connections among residents and help build a dynamic community atmosphere. Whether it’s social gatherings, fitness classes, creative arts, or wellness sessions, there are opportunities for everyone to participate, learn, and connect.

    In addition to its programming and amenities, the environment at Avalon Health Care – Madera is enhanced by a culture of friendliness and warmth. Staff members are recognized for their joyful and helpful approach, creating an atmosphere where residents, visitors, and team members feel valued and respected. This spirit of kindness contributes significantly to the welcoming and happy ambiance throughout the community.

    Through its comprehensive services, engaging activities, and commitment to resident well-being, Avalon Health Care – Madera strives to provide a place where seniors can thrive in every aspect of their lives. The dedicated team ensures that each individual receives the support they need while enjoying a sense of independence, community, and belonging.

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