Orangewood Manor

Cons

• It is a terrible place.
• The son went there in August 2021 and immediately got bed bug bites all over his back.
• The son developed MRSA and had to be hospitalized.
• When the reviewer attempted to return him there after taking him out on a pass, the place was unattended by staff.
• The washer and dryer were not working.
• The reviewer would give it zero stars.

Review

This experience left a lasting impression of a place that felt disastrously mismanaged and uncaring. From the moment the situation began to unfold, it was clear that there were serious problems with cleanliness, safety, and oversight. The memories of what happened there are still vivid, and they paint a picture of a facility that failed at the most basic duties of care and safety.

The trouble started in August 2021, when my son was brought to this place. Almost immediately, he developed bed bug bites all over his back. The bites were painful and alarming, and they served as a grim sign that the level of sanitation and pest control was not up to what a guardian would expect in any care setting. It was not just an uncomfortable nuisance; it set off a chain of concerns about exposure to unhygienic conditions and the risk of further complications.

What happened next was even more troubling. The problem with the environment may have contributed to a serious medical issue: my son developed MRSA, a bacterial infection that required hospital treatment. Seeing a medical complication arise that required hospitalization was frightening, and it underscored how a lack of proper facility maintenance and infection control can have real, severe health consequences. The experience shifted from frustration with a substandard environment to fear for my son's health and well-being.

There was also a troubling lapse in safety and supervision. After taking him out on a pass, I attempted to return him to the facility, only to find the place unattended by staff. The absence of staff supervision in a setting where a medical and residential custody situation is involved suggested a dangerous vulnerability. It raised immediate concerns about what other issues might be happening unnoticed and what might happen if a medical or safety emergency occurred and there was no one present to respond.

Another practical and distressing detail came up during this time: I was told that the washer and dryer were not working. In a setting where residents live, change clothes, and manage personal care needs, functioning laundry facilities are essential. Hearing that the laundry equipment was out of service added to the sense of neglect and poor management. It made daily routines more difficult and likely contributed to questions about overall cleanliness and maintenance.

Taken together, the experience painted a picture of a facility that seemed to lack sufficient staffing, proper maintenance, and effective infection control. The combination of bed bugs, a return-on-site absence of staff, and broken laundry facilities created an environment that felt unsafe and unreliable. It was hard to feel confident that a place with such gaps could provide the kind of steady, compassionate care that families expect and deserve.

If I could rate it, I would give zero stars. The experience left me with deep concerns about the level of care, safety, and accountability at the facility. It's hard to overstate how unsettling it was to witness health issues arise, to see that basic services were unavailable, and to sense that staff presence and oversight were severely lacking. The overall impression was one of neglect rather than support, and that distinction makes all the difference when trust, safety, and welfare are on the line.

Ultimately, this experience serves as a stark reminder of how crucial proper staffing, rigorous cleanliness, reliable laundry facilities, and proactive infection control are in any care setting. When those elements fail, the risk to residents - especially when medical issues can escalate - becomes far too real. It's a clear signal that improvements in supervision, maintenance, and patient care protocols are not just desirable but essential for the safety and dignity of those who rely on such facilities.

This part of El Cajon, California is a convenient and accessible area for senior living. With several pharmacies within a short distance, accessing medication and healthcare services is made easy. There are also a variety of cafes and restaurants nearby for dining out or grabbing a cup of coffee with friends. The presence of physicians' offices ensures that medical care is readily available. Places of worship are also close by for those seeking spiritual support, while parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, hospitals are in close proximity for any medical emergencies, and transportation options make it easy to get around the area. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking to live comfortably in El Cajon.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Sharp Grossmont Hospital Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• The Simple Coffee House (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Kung Fu Tea (10.1 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (10.2 miles)

Physicians

• Fereshteh Jahanpanah Medical Clinic (1.1 miles)
• Dr Dominguez And Dr Ancona-Young Office (1.7 miles)
• Elahe Toulouie, MD (3.1 miles)
• Pushpanjalie Wijeratne, MD (3.1 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Vandever Medical Offices (7.9 miles)
• NBHC Eastlake (8.6 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Viewridge Medical Offices 2 (9.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Mal Al Sham (1.2 miles)
• Brigantine Seafood Restaurants (1.9 miles)
• Saray Restaurant (2 miles)
• Black Bear Diner El Cajon (2 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.2 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (2.7 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• El Camino Grace Church (1.2 miles)
• Skyline Church (2.6 miles)
• Foothills Christian Church (2.7 miles)
• Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Cathollc Church (6.4 miles)
• Corpus Christi Church (8.5 miles)

Parks

• Mount Helix Park (1.3 miles)
• Shadow Hill Park (4.3 miles)
• Town Center Community Park (4.9 miles)
• Civita Park (10.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Sharp Grossmont Hospital Brier Patch (2.3 miles)
• Stanford Court Nursing (4 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center/Kaiser Foundation Hospital (7.6 miles)
• Sharp Soc (9.9 miles)

Transportation

• Grossmont Transit Center (2.7 miles)
• Montgomery Field Airport (MYF) (10.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Mission Valley 2 (10.7 miles)