Santa Monica Health Care Center sits in a brick building tucked behind jacaranda trees, right across the street from Saint John's Health Center, so it's easy to find and not flashy from the road, and once you step inside, there's this clean, tasteful lobby with polished light wood floors, blue throw rugs, swag curtains, and artwork on the walls, and the place opens out onto a gorgeous and big central patio where residents and guests can relax under the old tree lit up by outdoor lights at night. Residents get a mix of outdoor patios, gardens, and comfortable indoor spaces, plus there's parking for both residents and guests, and guests can step in during mealtimes. The rooms are average in size, with wood floors and green bedspreads that match the privacy curtains, and some rooms face the patio while others face the street, and each room comes with things like private bathrooms, cable TV, a kitchenette, telephones, and high-speed internet, along with different options such as semi-private rooms available.
The center provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation around the clock, so there are nurses and licensed professionals on hand every day, and you'll see help offered for everything from bathing and dressing to wound care, pain management, and giving out medicine. There's a team led by Linda Recto and Belinda Torres since November 2024, and the staff really knows the residents and their families, keeping a close eye on well-being and making sure people feel at home and watched over, especially those with walkers, wheelchairs, or folks who are bedridden, and there's also Memory Care for those with Alzheimer's or dementia. Services run the range, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, restorative nursing, psychological care, and help for those who've had surgeries. There's a dedicated COVID unit, infection-control routines, and lots of different languages spoken, including English, Tagalog, and Spanish.
Amenities at Santa Monica Health Care Center include a little multipurpose room overlooking the patio for activities and meals, comfortable chairs and settees, an arts room, a library, a wellness room, fitness programs, scheduled outings, a movie theater, spa, and walking paths. Meals are cooked by a professional chef who prepares 1 to 2 meals per day and offers all-day dining, with special diets for things like diabetes or allergies, all supervised by a registered dietitian, and housekeeping and laundry services help keep things tidy. The center makes sure there's a range of activities like bingo, movies, exercise, game nights, resident-run clubs, and outings to keep social connections alive, plus help with dressing, bathing, eating, medication, and transfers. There's always a 24-hour call system and emergency alert service. Folks can participate in community events, enjoy outdoor spaces, join in fitness classes, or find a quiet spot in the garden.
There are 59 certified beds, and Medicaid as well as Medicare are accepted, with financial policies explained up front. Santa Monica Health Care Center is a for-profit partnership affiliated with Mariner Health Care, and the facility is inspected by CMS with public reports detailing deficiencies as required, plus they have resident rights and protections clearly stated. Its focus is on both short-term recovery and long-term residency, so everything's arranged to support wellness, comfort, safety, and daily living no matter what a person's needs might be.
