Overall sentiment across the reviews of Excell Health Care Center is predominantly positive with strong and recurring praise for cleanliness, rehab services, and the caring nature of much of the staff, but there are noteworthy and serious negative reports that introduce significant variability in experiences.
Facility and environment: Multiple reviews consistently describe Excell as a clean, well-maintained, and bright facility. Commenters mention airy hallways, sunlit rooms, large rooms, open-air patios and a pleasant courtyard. Floors and public areas are described as shiny and free of the stereotypical "old nursing home" smell. The physical environment is frequently cited as a contributor to a comfortable stay and to patient morale.
Clinical care and rehabilitation: One of the strongest themes is praise for therapy and clinical care. The therapy department receives repeated high marks for helping patients regain strength, confidence, and functional ability. Specific clinicians, including an occupational therapist and named nurses and CNAs, are singled out for thoughtful, patient, and persistent care. Many reviewers report measurable improvements after rehabilitation (including postoperative recovery), effective pain control, and successful wound and bedsore treatment. Top-quality medical equipment and proactive medical approaches are also mentioned as positives.
Nursing and frontline staff: The majority of reviews highlight caring, compassionate, and responsive nursing and frontline staff. Numerous individual staff members (nurses, CNAs, admissions coordinators, laundry staff, administrators) are praised by name for going above and beyond, being personable, and providing reassurance to families. Several reviews characterize staff interactions as treating residents like family and note good teamwork and strong interpersonal skills. Admissions support that helps families navigate Medicare and Medi-Cal is repeatedly described as valuable and money-saving.
Dining and nutrition: Dining receives mixed but specific attention. The presence of an in-house nutritionist and cafe-style dining rooms are positives. Some reviewers praise the food and accommodating staff who adjust meals to preferences; holiday meals and celebrations are remembered fondly. However, food quality is inconsistent in the reviews: a notable portion of commenters say the food was not to their loved one’s liking or could be improved.
Activities and community life: Activities are a clear strength for many residents. Live music, bingo, prayer meetings, singalongs, and active holiday programming contribute to a sense of community. Reviewers describe these events as memorable and a valuable part of the resident experience.
Administration and responsiveness: Management and administrative staff receive mixed commentary. Several reviewers call management professional, responsive, and open to feedback; they praise admissions staff and administrators who helped resolve Medi-Cal issues. Conversely, there are multiple reports of administrative failures or unsatisfactory handling of issues: unresolved complaints, billing threats, and even reports filed with oversight agencies. Some reviewers describe aggressive or coercive behavior around discharge and billing that they judged unethical and potentially unlawful.
Serious safety and ethics concerns: While many experiences were positive, a subset of reviews describe critical failures that raise safety and legal concerns. Reports include lack of medical monitoring, unsafe discharge procedures, miscommunication about a patient’s condition that nearly led to death, neglect of basic needs (diapers not changed), and threats around billing or discharge tied to coverage disputes. Family members in these cases reported escalating the matter to the Ombudsman, state health departments, and other regulators. These serious allegations contrast sharply with the many positive experiences and suggest variability in the consistency of care and administration.
Other recurrent issues: Several practical concerns were noted across reviews. Missing personal belongings (clothes, jewelry, special shoes) were reported and in some cases remained unresolved. A number of respondents mentioned poor phone manners or rude staff interactions, particularly when family members live far away. Finally, parking shortages were cited as a visitor inconvenience.
Patterns and overall impression: The most frequent and strongest positives are cleanliness, a pleasant physical environment, a robust therapy/recovery program, and numerous caring, skilled staff who make residents and families feel supported. However, a meaningful minority of reviews report serious lapses in medical oversight, administrative handling, and resident dignity or safety. The pattern suggests that while Excell Health Care Center can and often does deliver high-quality clinical rehabilitation and compassionate frontline care, there are important inconsistencies in procedures and administrative practices that have, in some cases, resulted in harmful outcomes or deeply dissatisfied family members.
Recommendations for prospective families: Consider Excell especially for rehabilitation needs and wound care based on multiple positive reports about therapy outcomes and clinical competence. When evaluating placement, ask specific questions about discharge protocols, continuity of nursing coverage, how belongings are tracked, and how the facility resolves billing or insurance disputes. Request the names and roles of the primary clinical and therapy staff who will manage care, and document expectations about monitoring and basic care routines. Given the mix of reviews, direct observation, references from recent families, and clear written agreements about discharge and billing practices are advisable before placement.
