April Garden Villa of Saratoga
RCFE · Memory Care
A Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) is a non-medical residential care home licensed by California CDSS under Health & Safety Code §1560. Residents receive help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. An RCFE with a Memory Care designation is additionally required by California Title 22 (§87705 and §87706) to provide specialized staff training in dementia care, individualized care plans for residents with cognitive impairment, and appropriate supervision protocols — requirements that go beyond a standard RCFE license.
12226 Plumas Drive · Saratoga, 95070
Quick facts
Quality snapshot
Updated April 26, 2026Compared to 182 California RCFE memory care facilities of similar size, over the last 36 months.
Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. View raw inspection records →
Quality grade· click to show how this was calculated
Severity69thWeighted citations per bed
Repeats100thRepeat deficiencies as share of total
Frequency64thDeficiencies per inspection
Tick mark at 50% = peer median · higher percentile = better facility
Quality grade· click to show how this was calculated
Weighted citations per bed
Repeat deficiencies as share of total
Deficiencies per inspection
Tick mark at 50% = peer median · higher percentile = better facility
April Garden Villa of Saratoga scores B. Better than 78% of comparable California RESIDENTIAL CARE ELDERLY facilities. Severity: 69th percentile. Repeats: top 0%. Frequency: 64th percentile.
Each metric is converted to a 0–100 percentile within the peer set (higher = better). The composite grade averages all four. Peer set: CA / rcfe_memory_care / small beds (182 facilities).
Citation severity over time
↑ worseningWeighted severity score per month · 24 months
Weighted score (24mo)
6
Last citation
Apr 26
Finding distribution
4 total · 36 monthsScope × Severity (CMS A–L)
The rules that apply to this facility
California Title 22 requirements for this facility, with the specific regulation and a suggested question for each.Rules this facility has been cited for are shown first.
What dementia-care training must staff complete?Cited Apr 202422 CCR §87705 / HSC §1569.625
Because this facility markets dementia or Alzheimer's care, state law mandates higher training standards:
- 12 hours initial dementia training — 6 hours before a staff member works independently with residents, 6 more within the first 4 weeks.
- 8 hours annual dementia in-service — required every year thereafter.
- Administrator CE — the administrator must include 8 hours of dementia-specific continuing education in every 2-year recertification cycle.
Training must cover individualized care plans, behavioral expressions, appropriate supervision, and the facility's dementia care philosophy.
Ask on tour: Ask how dementia training records are kept — families may request documentation.
How many staff must be on duty overnight?22 CCR §87415
Based on 5 licensed beds:
One qualified staff member must be on call and physically on premises at all times overnight.
Violation pattern to watch for:A facility that documents a staff member as "on call" but with that person physically off-site — when the law requires on-premises presence — is in violation of this section.
Ask on tour: Ask the facility to walk you through their overnight staffing plan and confirm whether on-call staff are on premises or off-site.
What health conditions can this facility legally accept or refuse?22 CCR §87612–87615
Restricted — allowed with physician order + care plan
- Supplemental oxygen
- Insulin and injectable medications
- Indwelling or intermittent catheters
- Colostomy / ileostomy
- Stage 1 and Stage 2 pressure injuries
- Wound care (non-complex)
- Incontinence
- Contractures
Prohibited — facility must refuse or discharge
- Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injuries
- Feeding tubes (PEG, NG, or J-tube)
- Tracheostomies
- Active MRSA or communicable infections requiring isolation
- 24-hour skilled nursing needs
- Total ADL dependence with inability to communicate needs
A hospice waiver (HSC §1569.73) can allow continued care for residents on hospice who would otherwise fall into a prohibited category.
Ask on tour: Ask whether your loved one's specific care needs are restricted or prohibited, and what the facility's process is if needs change after admission.
What must this facility report to the state — and how fast?22 CCR §87211 / WIC §15630
- ImmediateElopement, fire, epidemic outbreak, or poisoningImmediately
- 2 hoursAbuse with serious bodily injury2-hour phone report + 2-hour written report — to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Adult Protective Services, and law enforcement
- 24 hrsAbuse without serious bodily injuryWithin 24 hours
- Next dayDeath of a residentPhone by next working day; written within 7 days
- Next dayInjury requiring medical treatment beyond first aidPhone by next working day; written within 7 days
- WrittenBankruptcy, foreclosure, eviction, or utility shutoff noticeWritten notice to CDSS and residents — $100/day penalty (max $2,000) for failure
Your enforcement lever:Incidents that aren't reported on time are themselves a separate violation. If you believe a reportable event wasn't filed, you can submit a complaint directly to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
How does CDSS enforce these rules?22 CCR §87755–87777 / HSC §1569.58
- 1Notice of DeficiencyWritten citation with a correction deadline. Facility must submit a Plan of Correction.
- 2Civil PenaltyStarts at $50/day for non-serious; $150/day for serious deficiencies — immediately, with no grace period. Repeats escalate to $150 first day + $50/day, then $1,000 first day + $100/day.
- 3Suspension of AdmissionsFacility cannot accept new residents until violations are corrected.
- 4Temporary Suspension or RevocationEmergency suspension for imminent danger; full revocation after administrative hearing.
- 5Exclusion OrderAdministrator and operator can be barred from all CDSS-licensed facilities — not just this one.
See how these rules have been applied to this specific facility:
View state inspection record and citationsState records
California Dept. of Social Services · Community Care Licensing- License number
- 435294300
- License type
- RESIDENTIAL CARE ELDERLY
- License status
- LICENSED
- License expires
- Not yet indexed
- Licensed beds
- 5
- Operator
- De la Fuente, Valentin
Inspections & citations
4
reports on file
4
total deficiencies
1
dementia-care citations
InspectionApril 15, 2026No deficiencies
Plain-language summary
On April 15, 2026, the state completed its annual inspection of the facility. The inspector reviewed medication storage and labeling, training records, and other documentation, and found no violations.
View full inspector notes
On 4/15/2026, Licensing Program Analyst(LPA) John Calandra arrived at the facility to complete the Annual 1-year required inspection. LPA Calandra was greeted by Thelma Tan, Administrator and explained the purpose of the visit. A review of Centrally stored medications indicated that medications for residents were properly labeled with instructions on dosage and times of day and matched the Centrally Stored Medication records kept at the facility LPA also reviewed training records and other documentation. No deficiencies cited during today's visit. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report provided to facility representative.
InspectionApril 13, 2026Type B2 deficiencies
Plain-language summary
During the annual inspection on April 13, 2026, the facility's physical environment was found to be safe and well-maintained, with proper temperatures, working smoke alarms, and secure storage of hazardous materials. Two violations were cited: four staff members did not have current CPR and First Aid certificates on file, and the facility lacks fire safety clearance for bedridden patients but has a resident listed as bedridden.
View full inspector notes
On 4/13/2026, Licensing Program Analyst(LPA) John Calandra arrived at the facility to conduct the Annual 1-year required inspection. LPA Calandra was greeted by Thelma Tan, Administrator and explained the purpose of the visit. LPA toured the physical plant. This is a 1-story with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining room, garage, backyard, and second building that the Administrator and Licensee live in.(No residents live in the second building) No accessible bodies of water or hazards were observed. All bedrooms had the required furniture and sufficient lighting. The facility's hot water temperature was measured within the required 105-120 degrees Fahrenheit. The facility's smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors were observed to be in working order. The facility's fire extinguisher was observed to be fully charged and last checked in June 2025. The facility had the required 7 days of non perishables and 2 days of perishables. No food was expired. The facility's first aid kit was observed to have all of the required items. All sharp objects, soap, detergents, and poisons were observed to be locked and in-accessible to persons in care. LPA reviewed 5 resident files and 6 staff files. All were observed to be complete except S1, S2, S3 and S4's files were missing active CPR/First Aid certificates. A Type B citation was issued for this deficiency. In addition, during record review, LPA Calandra observed that R1's Ambulatory status is listed as bedridden and the facility does not currently have fire clearance for bedridden patients. A Type B citation was issued for this deficiency. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 This Annual inspection will be completed at a later date. Deficiencies are cited under California Code of Regulations(CCR) Title 22. Failure to correct said deficiencies by the Plan of Correction due date may result in Civil Penalties. An exit interview was conducted. A copy of this report along with Appeal Rights were provided.
Regulation
(a) All facilities shall maintain a fire clearance approved by the city, county, or city and county fire department or district providing fire protection services, or the State Fire Marshal. Prior to accepting or retaining any of the following types of persons, the applicant or licensee shall notify the licensing agency and obtain an appropriate fi…
Inspector finding
Based on record review, R1 is bedridden per their Physician's report and the licensee does not have fire clearance for bedridden persons, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. POC Due Date: 05/13/2026 Plan of Correction 1 2 3 4 Licensee will request fire clearance for bedridden and will submit a plan of correction by the POC due date.
Regulation
(c)The facility shall employ, and the administrator shall schedule, a sufficient number of staff members to do all of the following: (3) Ensure that at least one staff member who has cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and first aid training is on duty and on the premises at all times. This paragraph shall not be construed to require staf…
Inspector finding
Based on record review, none of the Licensee's staff have active CPR/First Aid, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. POC Due Date: 05/13/2026 Plan of Correction 1 2 3 4 Administrator will schedule a CPR/First Aid training course and submit the certificates to the Department by the POC due date.
InspectionApril 23, 2025No deficiencies
Plain-language summary
During a routine annual inspection, inspectors toured the facility and found it met standards: food supplies were adequate, safety equipment including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors worked properly, bathrooms and bedrooms had functioning utilities and necessary supplies, exits were unobstructed, and resident and staff records were complete.
View full inspector notes
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) David Marrufo conducted an unannounced Required 1 Year visit and met with Administrator (ADM) Thelma Tan. During visit, LPA Marrufo toured the facility inside and out. LPA toured the kitchen area and observed there to be a perishable food supply of at least two days and a non-perishable food supply of at least seven days. LPA observed the facility first aid kit and found it to be complete. LPA tested the smoke detector system and the carbon monoxide detector and found them to function properly when tested. LPA toured the outside area of the facility and found the exits to be clear of obstructions. LPA toured three out of three resident bathrooms. Each bathroom had working lights and available soap and paper towels. The water temperatures in the bathroom sinks ranged from 105 F to 109 F. LPA toured five out of five resident bedrooms. Each bedroom had available bedding and clothing storage areas as well as working lights. LPA reviewed three out of three resident records, including Centrally Stored Medication and Destruction Records, and 3 staff records and found them to be complete. This report was reviewed with ADM Thelma Tan and a copy of this report was provided.
InspectionApril 3, 2024Type B2 deficiencies
Inspector: Maria Partoza
Plain-language summary
A routine annual inspection was conducted on April 3, 2024, and found the facility in good physical condition with appropriate furniture, safety equipment, grab bars, clean kitchen, and secure storage of medications and hazardous items. The facility had incomplete staff training records—two staff members were missing medical training documentation and one was missing health screening and TB clearance records—and had not completed disaster preparedness training since May 2023; the administrator stated some records were damaged in heavy rain and committed to submitting the missing documentation by April 15, 2024.
View full inspector notes
On 4/3/2024 at 10:00 a.m. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Maria (Mita) Partoza conducted an unannounced annual required inspection. LPA met with Thelma Tan, Administrator (ADM) and stated the purpose of the visit. At 10:20 LPA conducted the records review first and then LPA toured the facility inside and outside including the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living room area. Bedrooms were observed with appropriate furniture and in good repair. Bathrooms are equipped with grab bars and nonskid floor mats. Facility is equipped with comfortable lighting. Facility temperature was maintained at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water temperature is maintained at 107.7 to 118.7 degree Fahrenheit. Hygiene items, toiletries, and linens were available to the residents. Centrally stored medications, sharp objects, and toxins were locked and inaccessible to the residents. Kitchen area was observed clean and sanitary. LPA observed 2 days’ worth of perishables and 7 days’ worth of nonperishable food. Facility is equipped with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Hallways and passageways were free of obstruction. Centrally stored medications were reviewed with medication log were inspected and reviewed. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Staff records were reviewed and observed the following; 3 out of 3 staff record has personnel record, criminal record statement, and current first aid certificate. 2 out of 3 staff records were missing the medical training record, 1 out of 3 staff record is missing the health screening and TB clearance. ADM stated some of the records were damaged during the heavy rain and will have the records completed. Resident records have the following admission agreement, medical assessment with TB test information, updated needs and services plan, and personal rights. The facility does not have disaster preparedness training on record to meet the overall health, safety and care needs of persons in care. ADM stated that the facility last administered disaster training was from May of 2023. The following forms to be updated and submitted to CCL by 4/15/2024 LIC 500 Personnel Record LIC 610E Emergency Disaster Plan Limited Liability Insurance Advisory notes were given and deficiencies are issued during today's visit per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22. An exit interview was conducted with administrator Thelma Tan. A copy of the signed report and appeals rights were provided.
Regulation
(b) A facility shall provide training on the plan to each staff member upon hire and annually thereafter. The training shall include staff responsibilities during an emergency or disaster.
Inspector finding
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 2 out of 3 staff. ADM did not provide training to 2 out of 3 staff since 2017. ADM did not have the most current training on file for 2 out of 3 staff which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. POC Due Date: 05/13/2024 Plan of Correction 1 2 3 4 ADM stated that a training will be provided per title 22 and the number of hours willl be on their training sheet and wil…
Regulation
(c) Licensees who accept and retain residents with dementia shall be responsible for ensuring the following: (3) In addition to the on-the-job training requirements in Section 87411(d), staff who provide direct care to residents with dementia shall receive the following training as appropriate for the job assigned and as evidenced by safe and effe…
Inspector finding
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above ADM did not conduct, fire and earthquake drills at least once every three months, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. POC Due Date: 05/13/2024 Plan of Correction 1 2 3 4 ADM stated that she will conduct disaster training to ensure the safety of residents and staff. ADM will provide the proof of training to LPA on or before the due date of 5/13/2024.
Federal summary
CMS Care CompareNot a CMS-certified facility
California RCFEs (residential care facilities for the elderly) are licensed by the state, not by CMS. CMS data only applies to skilled nursing facilities or to CCRCs that operate a licensed SNF wing.
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