The Terraces of Los Gatos

Although this place's overall score is not a highlight, it received a slightly more favorable grade in the area of inspections. We awarded it a grade of B- for that area, which is not bad. These inspection scores weigh several factors, including deficiencies, substantiated complaints and federal fines. You can learn more about each of these items by reviewing copies of nursing homes' inspection reports. Although this nursing home had a few deficiencies on its government inspection report, none were major deficiencies based on CMS' scale. Finally, CMS cited this nursing home for possible abuse or neglect. Hopefully, its performance improves in the future, but until then we simply can't recommend this facility.

We awarded this facility a respectable grade in the area of nursing as well, with a grade of B-. Our nursing score is mostly tied to a nursing home's level of nurse staffing. This nursing home provides 0.5 hours of nursing care per resident per day. This is a much lower figure than we are used to seeing. Finally, our nursing ratings also factor in quality-based metrics, such as preventing major falls. Despite not having the most impressive total nursing hours per resident, this facility performed admirably in the area of preventing major falls. This is typically a good indicator that a facility has sufficient quality controls in place. Many falls can be avoided if a nursing home provides enough nurses aids to assist its patients.

This nursing home received its next best category grade in the area of short-term care. We gave this facility a grade of B- in this area, which is a reasonably acceptable grade. In calculating these short-term care scores, we assess the facility's skilled nursing services, including those performed by registered nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and other types of therapists. Our purpose is to devise a tool for comparing the rehabilitation services of nursing homes. Unfortunately, we found that this nursing home provided fewer registered nurse and physical therapist hours per resident than most other facilities. Lastly, we assessed the number of residents who were able to return to the community from this nursing home. We found that 6.2 percent of this facility's patients returned home. At most facilities, closer to half of their patients are able to return home so this figure is below average.

The final category we graded was long-term care. For that category, we awarded this nursing home a C. In determining these long-term care ratings, we assess the nursing home's ability to maintain its permanent residents' health and quality of life. On top of considering the volume of care provided by nurses aids and other staff, we analyzed the number of residents vaccinated against pneumonia. Fortunately, this nursing home administered the vaccine to 100 percent of its patients, which is a very respectable percentage. Lastly, this facility was also able to limit hospitalizations. Indeed, it had less than one hospitalization per one thousand long-term resident days, which is an impressively low figure.