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University Care Center is a skilled nursing and short-term rehab facility in San Diego that draws strongly polarized reviews. Many reviewers praise the physical, occupational, and speech therapy teams and describe nursing staff as attentive and caring, while a smaller but serious set of reviews raise concerns about staffing levels, slow response times, and facility upkeep. The community holds a CMS Five-Star Overall and Quality Measures rating.
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
University Care Center is a senior living community in San Diego, California offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Outdoor Patio and Gardening Club. Families rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 118 reviews.
University Care Center is a skilled nursing home in San Diego focused on the safety, wellness, and healing of its patients. The facility provides 24/7 personalized healthcare services and everyday living support, with licensed nurses available around the clock as part of a patient-centered care approach.
Residents live in private, spacious rooms within a state-of-the-art facility. The community has been recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Five-Star Overall and Quality Measures facility, a rating based on health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
Rehabilitation is a key focus, with an expansive, state-of-the-art rehab gym where patients work with licensed therapy experts to support recovery, including cases such as post-surgery rehab. The nursing staff, medical team, physical therapy, social services, and housekeeping departments are described as attentive and accommodating to patients and their families.
The community offers amenities and activities intended to make the facility feel like home, including beautiful courtyards and a lobby where patients and family can visit and rest. Eldergrow, an on-site gardening program, gives residents a therapeutic connection to nature through twice-monthly sessions led by trained educators to support physical, cognitive, and spiritual health.
Meals are prepared fresh, neatly presented, and covered for each service. University Care Center is conveniently located a few miles from several award-winning hospitals and has easy access to major freeways, making it accessible for visiting family members.
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Help Me Choose4.1overall · 183 ratings combined
4.3★ on Google (118) · 3.7★ on Yelp (65) · Yelp page ↗
Ruth Starghill (RS)
Jun 2026
Besides the OT/PT staff everything else is unpleasant about this facility.<br>It is very run down. Pictures DONT match what it currently looks like.<br>Staff doesn’t come when patient presses button for help.<br>Very loud and noisy during the day but staff doesn’t check on patients often.<br>Everyone that works here seems uninterested or burnt out.<br>Highly suggest you tour before bringing your loved ones here.
Bicycle Touring Explorer
Jun 2026
Some staff in this place can be rude and I wish I never was a new year
Cathy Nunez
Jun 2026
PLEASE BELIEVE THE 1 STAR REVIEWS!!! My mother recently fell and needed additional physical therapy after her hospital stay. Her case manager recommended this place and she was transported by ambulance. As soon as we walked in we could smell the stench of dust and must mixed in with patients "accidents". The fake plants and the front lobby are filled with dust and right away we could see this place does not keep up with their maintenance. The room she was given has old very worn down furniture, holes in the walls and dark spots that look like mold. Right away we decided our mother was not going to spend one night there and we took her out immediately! The charge nurse was nice but what she was stating about the facility and how great it was does not reflect what we saw and experienced. As we were walking down the hall the staff had a male patient right outside his room in a wheelchair and seemed to be completely naked and was getting changed. We kept walking and tried not to look but we were embarrassed for him. It feels this place is where people are "dumped" at that have no other choice or family to care for them. It really sadden us just thinking about all the patients there and how they must feel and absolutely no way in hell we were leaving our mother there. The nurse mentioned it is a 5 star facility and I am not trying to be mean but our experience was anything but the 5 star that she mentioned. I honestly think the 5 star reviews are made up. But dont just take my word for it, if your loved one is needing to go to this type of facility PLEASE PLEASE go do a tour for yourself and you will see the negative reviews are not made up.
norm hicks
May 2026
Everyone treated me with the utmost respect Once the Dr.s figured out the right combination of medicine that would work the best for me,it was fine. The food could be a little better on some aspects but overall it was fine
Alexandra B.
Apr 2026
This is the worst place—my loved one died after getting an infection here and going into septic shock
14 inspection visits in the last three years, 66 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Aug 29, 2025
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jul 17, 2025
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jul 17, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Meet requirements for operating features, such as evacuation plans, fire drills, smoking regulations, draperies, decorations and the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jul 17, 2025
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jul 17, 2025
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jul 17, 2025
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jul 17, 2025
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 4, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 22, 2025
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 22, 2025
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 13, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 13, 2024
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jul 26, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jul 12, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 19, 2023
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 19, 2023
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 24, 2023
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 24, 2023
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 26, 2023
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Aug 31, 2023
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Have power receptacles that are properly grounded.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Use approved construction type or materials.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 20, 2023
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2023
Ensure that smoke control systems are tested and documented in accordance with established engineering principles.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Use approved construction type or materials.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Provide primary/alternate means for communication.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 8, 2019
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 12, 2019
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 12, 2019
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Sep 12, 2019
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
University Care Center offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
University Care Center is located at 5602 University Ave in San Diego, California.
University Care Center is a skilled nursing and short-term rehab facility in San Diego that draws strongly polarized reviews. Many reviewers praise the physical, occupational, and speech therapy teams and describe nursing staff as attentive and caring, while a smaller but serious set of reviews raise concerns about staffing levels, slow response times, and facility upkeep. The community holds a CMS Five-Star Overall and Quality Measures rating.
University Care Center had 14 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 66 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with University Care Center and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.
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