Gardenview Residential Care

Pros

• Angela, the owner and licensed nurse, is consistently available to answer questions and keep families informed.
• The caregivers are described as fantastic, caring, and loving toward residents.
• Residents are treated with dignity, compassion, and as if they were family members.
• Desert Horizon is a clean, quiet, home-like facility.
• Angela and the staff provide excellent communication and transparency with families.
• The owner often gives personal time to ensure things run smoothly and staff address issues proactively.
• Families feel confident leaving loved ones at Desert Horizon, citing reliable care and detailed communication.
• The facility hosts holiday and special events, making it feel like home.
• Many reviewers wholeheartedly recommend Desert Horizon Residential Care Facility.

Cons

• The exterior landscaping is neglected, giving an unwelcoming first impression.
• Inside, the facility appears deteriorating and understaffed.
• The owner/manager is accused of not cleaning the home and of storing garbage with food in a kitchen cabinet, creating unsanitary and unsafe conditions.
• A medication error occurred when another resident's medication was given to the reviewer's mother, and visitation rights were reportedly restricted afterward.
• The facility is alleged to be used for breeding dogs on the premises, raising safety concerns.
• The quality of food is described as subpar, with reports of an unsanitary kitchen and dog waste in hallways.
• Residents are said to experience fat-shaming when expressing hunger, and advertised activities are not actually provided, creating a depressing atmosphere.
• The head caregiver is claimed to bring her elderly husband to work, potentially impacting care quality.
• One reviewer quotes the owner as expressing a preference for assisted suicide rather than living in the facility, which is profoundly inappropriate.

Review

Desert Horizon Residential Care Facility sits at the center of a wide range of lived experiences shared by families who have entrusted their loved ones to its care. On one end of the spectrum are heartfelt testimonials that paint a picture of a warm, home-like place where Angela, the owner, and her staff are readily available, compassionate, and deeply invested in the well-being of residents. On the other end are troubling, detailed accounts of neglect, safety concerns, and unprofessional conduct that have left families worried about transparency and accountability. Taken together, the voices reveal a facility that can deliver remarkable kindness and attentive nursing while also facing serious questions about operations, safety, and standards of care in certain circumstances.

Several families describe Desert Horizon as a beacon of reliability and personal attention. In December 2023, when the decision was made to move a mother to 24-hour care, Desert Horizon was the only facility that returned calls and spent the time answering every question. The tone of those accounts is consistently positive: the owner is reachable, communicative, and involved in day-to-day happenings; the caregivers are described as fantastic, loving, and responsive to individual needs; and the home is praised for being clean and well maintained. One family notes that the decision to relocate their mom there was "the best decision we ever made," highlighting how Angela's availability to answer questions and provide updates created a sense of security during a stressful transition. Another reviewer emphasizes that the staff treated their mother with dignity and compassion, and that the entire caregiving team went above and beyond to meet her needs.

The praise extends beyond the initial move and covers long stretches of residency as well. Multiple testimonials describe steady, ongoing communication with Angela and other staff, as well as the impression that the staff treat residents like their own family members. A nurse who visited the facility writes that the environment feels like a home rather than a clinical setting, praising the Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations, the small, intimate atmosphere, and the sense that every detail is handled with care. For families, the consistency of kindness - attentive listening, thoughtful problem-solving, and the willingness of the owner to have difficult conversations with families when needed - appears to reinforce trust. The positive pieces emphasize not only individual acts of care but also a broader culture of respect, warmth, and professional competence, with many reviewers noting how Angela's nursing background informs proactive oversight and early recognition of potential issues.

Several accounts center on the value of a licensed nurse who leads the operation. One reviewer, who entered as a nurse themselves, calls Desert Horizon refreshing for how residents are treated "with loving hearts" and commends the owner for stepping into substantive nursing roles, including when difficult decisions must be made with families. The sentiment here is that competent clinical leadership, clear communication, and a willingness to engage in meaningful advance care planning are integral strengths of the facility. The same stories celebrate a home-like environment that remains clean and uncluttered, where staff take pride in hosting gatherings that feel like family celebrations rather than impersonal care routines. Across these narratives, the defining thread is trust built through consistent, compassionate interaction and visible professional competence.

Yet the same facility is the subject of pointed, detailed concerns raised by others. The troubling account outlines a sequence of issues that, if accurate, would raise serious red flags about safety, oversight, and day-to-day management. The reviewer describes neglected exterior landscaping and visible interior deterioration, suggesting understaffing and a lack of consistent maintenance. Allegations extend to unsanitary practices, such as garbage stored near food in the kitchen and a claim that the owner does not clean the home, raising questions about infection control, food safety, and general hygiene. The claim that a medication intended for another resident was given to the reviewer's mother during a Facetime call is one of the most alarming details cited, interpreted as a lapse in medication administration and resident safety.

The negative review also details visits where the daughter with power of attorney faced barriers to access, including what the reviewer describes as attempts by the owner to restrict visitation, ultimately requiring police involvement to gain entry. The account paints a picture of a facility where transparency and accountability may be compromised, particularly around the handling of a resident's well-being and the ability of family members to observe care in person. In addition, the reviewer accuses the facility of broader operational concerns, including the breeding of dogs on the premises, the presence of dog waste in common areas, and questions about whether the home's stated priorities align with the needs of elderly residents.

Food quality and activity programming are another focus of concern. The reviewer asserts that the kitchen is unsanitary and that the advertised provisions - such as the presence of a nutritionist on staff - do not reflect what is observed in daily practice, with food being prepared by caregivers rather than a nutrition professional. They also allege that activities promised by the facility, including spa days, family nights, and crafts, do not materialize, leaving residents confined to their rooms and contributing to a sense of a depressed atmosphere. A further red flag is raised by a claim that the head caregiver brings her elderly husband to work, a scenario the reviewer views as compromising the standard of care.

Perhaps most distressing in the negative narrative is a moment that centers on a personal, ethically charged interaction. The reviewer recounts a conversation in which the owner suggested she would "prefer assistance with suicide" rather than the resident continuing to live in the facility, a comment the reviewer found inappropriate and distressing given the resident's hospice status and the family's need for sensitivity and support. Taken together, these details contribute to a perception that the facility - at least in this account - lacks the kind of respectful professional boundaries and transparent, compassionate leadership that families expect in such delicate circumstances.

On balance, these reviews present Desert Horizon as a care facility capable of delivering exceptional kindness and clinical competence, especially when leadership is engaged, communicative, and present. They also present a contrasting picture of significant concerns that would prompt prudent families to seek thorough, independent verification: checking for consistent 24-hour staffing, reviewing sanitation and food safety practices, confirming the presence and enforcement of meaningful activities, and ensuring transparent visitation policies and open channels for family oversight. The differences in experience underscore the importance of direct, up-front conversations with administrators, site visits that include observation of routines and meals, and a clear, documented plan for care that addresses both medical and emotional needs.

In the end, Desert Horizon Residential Care Facility emerges as a place that can feel like a home and a haven to some families while sounding alarms for others. For families considering Desert Horizon, the stories suggest a careful, balanced approach: seek direct, ongoing communication with the owner and staff, tour the facility at different times of day to witness staffing levels in action, verify the qualifications of the caregiving team, and request a clear, written overview of policies on visitation, medication administration, meal preparation, and activity programming. The overarching message from these experiences is not a single verdict but a call for vigilance, accountability, and compassionate, patient-centered care that remains consistent across all shifts and all residents.

This part of Victorville, California, offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. The proximity to several parks such as Liberty Park and Mesa Linda Park provides opportunities for outdoor activities and social gatherings. Nearby pharmacies like Sav-On Drugs and CVS Pharmacy ensure easy access to necessary medications and healthcare supplies. A selection of restaurants including Castanedas Mexican Food and Thai Dawn Bistro offer convenient dining options. Top-notch medical care is available at Desert City Dialysis Of Victorville and Kaiser Permanente. Additionally, the presence of multiple cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks make it easy for seniors to enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal with friends. With reliable transportation services from Enterprise Rent-A-Car nearby, getting around the area is convenient and accessible. Overall, this neighborhood in Victorville provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with a focus on convenience, healthcare, and leisure activities.

Parks

• Liberty Park (0.6 miles)
• Mesa Linda Park (1.1 miles)
• Sunset Ridge Park (1.8 miles)
• Hook Community Park (2.9 miles)
• Brentwood Park (3.1 miles)
• Doris Davies Park (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Sav-On Drugs (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Husam Abukhiran (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Vista Care Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Castanedas Mexican Food (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Thai Dawn Bistro (1.5 miles)
• El Tio Pepe Mexican Restaurant (1.6 miles)
• El Pollo Loco (1.6 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (1.7 miles)
• Johnny Carino's (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• Desert City Dialysis Of Victorville (1.2 miles)
• Roeske Richmond MD (1.8 miles)
• Ching Andrea MD (1.8 miles)
• Jesse A Dovich MD (1.8 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente (3.2 miles)
• Retina Consultants (3.2 miles)
• Kelly Ahmed (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Global Urgent Care of Victorville (2.1 miles)
• DVMG. Mammography (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.3 miles)