My mother-in-law was admitted to Kings Harbor Multicare Center three separate times over the course…read moreof nearly 10 years because of complications from congestive heart failure. While her first two stays had their challenges, nothing could have prepared our family for what happened during her final admission.
The quality of care appears to deteriorate the higher up in the building patients were placed.There were many days when patients sat lined up in wheelchairs along the hallway for hours with little interaction, stimulation, or engagement. My mother-in-law was still mentally aware enough to express how much she hated sitting there, staring at a wall, waiting for someone to acknowledge her.
One of my greatest concerns was the lack of basic nursing care. We were told she needed to be repositioned every four hours to prevent pressure ulcers. Despite those instructions, she developed severe bedsores that became so painful she cried every time staff cleaned them. Family members visited every single day for at least four hours and never once witnessed anyone repositioning her. More often than not, my daughter repositioned her, herself because she couldn't bear to see how uncomfortable she was.
Her water pitcher was often filled only once each day, leaving her with warm water for hours. There were multiple occasions when she called us on her cell phone from her room because no one would answer her call light. We then had to call the front desk to get someone to check on her. Our family handled all of her laundry ourselves. Every week we brought her clothes home, washed them, and returned them. Yet one week we arrived to discover every piece of her clothing had disappeared. Nearly eight months after her passing, no one has ever explained what happened to her belongings.
Perhaps the most upsetting experience involved the financial department. When her insurance benefits were exhausted, we fully understood there would be financial responsibility for her continued stay. What we did not expect was for staff to approach my mother-in-law directly and have her sign paperwork involving her pension and Social Security benefits instead of discussing those matters with our family. By that point in her illness, her cognitive status fluctuated because her failing heart was no longer providing adequate oxygenated blood to her brain. The facility documented those cognitive changes in her medical record. Despite this, financial documents were presented directly to her while we, the family members who visited every single day, were never contacted beforehand. When we confronted the finance office, hoping for an explanation, the interaction only made matters worse. Mike spoke to me with a tone and level of disrespect that left me in tears. He insisted my mother-in-law was mentally competent to handle her own affairs, repeatedly stating that because I did not have power of attorney, I had no right to question what had occurred. We were never provided copies of the documents she signed, nor were we even allowed to review them. As a result, the facility gained access to her income while she still owned a home and had financial obligations outside of the nursing facility. My mother-in-law entered Kings Harbor for one reason, to rebuild her strength through physical therapy so she could hopefully undergo heart surgery and return home. Instead, we watched a vibrant, intelligent, independent woman steadily decline while under their care. At 80 years old, she was anything but a typical nursing home resident. She loved following current events, discussing politics, listening to music, watching sports, and engaging in meaningful conversations. She still had a passion for life.
Rather than helping her maintain the independence she still possessed, it seemed that the focus became managing her decline instead of maximizing her quality of life.
Not every employee lacked compassion. The Physical Therapy department, especially Yelly, genuinely seemed invested in helping my mother-in-law regain strength. There was also an aide named Terrie whose kindness and compassion stood out during an incredibly difficult time. Their humanity is something I will always remember and appreciate.
After she passed away in January 2026 while still a resident of Kings Harbor, I began receiving bills at our home demanding payment of her outstanding balance. Receiving collection notices while grieving her loss felt insensitive, inappropriate. Based on everything my family witnessed and experienced, I cannot recommend Kings Harbor Multicare Center.
