Waterman Convalescent Hospital in San Bernardino, CA

Pros

• Waterman Canyon Post Acute is described as a great local rehab that welcomes all, with friendly and helpful staff.
• The staff are described as nothing but great, and Araceli Rodriguez is credited for hiring amazing CNAs.
• Jessica is described as a caring person who takes time to listen and address concerns.
• Tau Milford is praised as an extraordinary, kind, and always helpful person who goes above and beyond.
• Crystal Plascencia is praised as an outstanding CNA who is foundational to the facility.
• The nurses are praised for keeping families informed and making residents as comfortable as possible.
• The director of activities is described as kind and going beyond her duties to help.
• The facility is described as clean, well kept, safe, and staffed by caring professionals.
• Waterman Canyon Post Acute is described as a place where residents recover well and feel like family due to the compassionate staff.
• Tau Milford and Tao (laundry) are highlighted for their exemplary, dedicated, and compassionate service.

Cons

• The facility is dirty and smells strongly of urine, with floors that are not kept clean.
• Rooms are overcrowded, sometimes with three beds in spaces designed for two.
• There are pests present, including a dead roach near a patient's bed, indicating poor sanitation.
• Staff are described as rude and unprofessional, frequently ignoring call lights and patient needs.
• Medications are missed or not given on time, compromising patient care.
• The building is old and in disrepair, posing safety and fire hazards.
• Infection control is lacking, with PPE not consistently used and doors left open during outbreaks.
• Maintenance is poor, with broken equipment and frequent maintenance gaps.
• Some reviews accuse the facility of profit-driven practices over patient care.
• Numerous reports claim the facility is unsanitary and unsafe, with calls for it to be shut down.

Review

Waterman Convalescent Hospital is best suited for families seeking post-acute rehabilitation and daily therapy in a setting where frontline caregivers can drive real recovery, provided there is strong advocacy from loved ones. The strongest cases come from residents who can speak up for their needs or benefit from an involved family member who remains present and engaged. This is not a luxury facility; it is a practical, workhorse post-acute center where meaningful improvement can occur with consistent nursing attention, active therapy, and a family-like staff culture. For seniors who require high-end amenities or private rooms, the appeal will be limited.

Those considering alternatives should focus on residents with high demands for cleanliness, predictable and proactive medical oversight, or complex medical needs that require reliable doctor availability and rigorous infection control. Repeated complaints about odors, dirt, outdated facilities, and inconsistent medication administration are red flags for long-term dementia care, high-risk wound care, or fragile conditions. If visiting schedules matter or if a smooth administrative process is essential, the mixed reviews around management and access suggest that a facility with steadier operations may be preferable. In short, this is a place to weigh recovery potential against substantial operational risk.

On the plus side, the core strength lies in the people who deliver daily care. Frontline CNAs, licensed nurses, and the therapy team frequently earn praise for patience, attentiveness, and tangible progress in mobility and daily functioning. Several residents highlight the dedication of specific staff members and the overall culture of care within the rehab and activities teams, which can make a real difference in motivation and emotional well-being. When therapy is consistent and staff show up with compassion, patients can regain function, or at least maintain hard-won gains, even amid other facility shortcomings. In these cases, the atmosphere can feel familial, which helps residents settle in and trust the care plan.

But the negatives carry serious weight. Reports of persistent filth, strong odors, bed overcrowding, and unsafe layouts point to fundamental quality gaps that routine kindness cannot fully offset. Instances of delayed call-bell responses, inconsistent medication handling, and inadequate supervision raise questions about safety and reliability, especially for vulnerable seniors or those with cognitive impairment. The building's age and the occasional perception of mismanaged infection control or fire-safety concerns reinforce the sense that this is a facility where conditions can fluctuate dramatically by shift or wing. Prospective families must be ready to push for visible, measurable improvements and to closely monitor day-to-day care.

For a practical admission approach, conduct a rigorous pre-screening and create a concrete care plan. Request a tour of the rehab spaces, verify regular physician or wound-care visits, and drill into how medications are ordered, dispensed, and reconciled. Meet the director of nursing or social worker to review safety protocols, room assignments, and cleaning schedules. Given the uneven track record, insist on a formal care plan with milestones and assign a single point of contact who can provide timely updates. In several reviews, staff like Araceli or other DSD leadership have been identified as helpful advocates; use this as a gauge for how accountability is managed.

Ultimately the decision boils down to goals and risk tolerance. Waterman can deliver meaningful recovery for residents who are vocal advocates, or those who can rely on a steady cadre of engaged CNAs and a proactive rehab team to drive progress. The facility's strongest asset - the compassionate, capable frontline staff - can offset some stresses, but not all. For families prioritizing pristine cleanliness, consistent medical oversight, and a modern, safer environment for long-term care, alternatives are warranted. If choosing Waterman, prepare for rigorous involvement: set clear expectations, demand transparent communication, and be ready to pivot quickly if care quality does not meet the required standard. The resident's rehab goals, the family's capacity to supervise, and the willingness to hold the facility to account should dictate the path forward.

This particular area of San Bernardino, California, offers a variety of healthcare options including eye specialists, primary care physicians, and nearby hospitals such as San Bernardino Medical Group and Vantage Oncology. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in the vicinity for convenience in accessing medication. For leisure and entertainment, there are theaters like Regal San Bernardino & RPX, Mountain Grove 16, and cafes like Viva La Boba and Starbucks for social gatherings. The dining scene includes quick service options like In-N-Out Burger and McDonald's as well as sit down restaurants like Serrano Vista Cafe, Rock & Brews, and George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen. Public transportation is easily accessible with the San Bernardino Transit Center nearby. Places of worship like Crosswalk Church and Packinghouse Church cater to various spiritual needs while Leonard Bailey Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. Overall, this part of San Bernardino offers a mix of amenities suitable for senior living with a focus on healthcare services, entertainment options, dining choices, transportation accessibility, religious establishments, and green spaces for relaxation.

Physicians

• San Bernardino Eye Specialists (0.1 miles)
• Palm Imaging Institute (0.2 miles)
• California Eye Specialists (0.3 miles)
• Primary Care Medical Group of Inland Empire (0.6 miles)
• Jo David DDS (0.7 miles)
• Yukom Patient Group (1.8 miles)
• Bolivar Family Medical Clinic (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• San Bernardino Medical Group (0.1 miles)
• Vantage Oncology (0.3 miles)
• Pacific Park Convalescent Center of San Bernardino (2.6 miles)
• Mountain View Surgery Center (5.3 miles)
• Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center (5.5 miles)
• Jerry L Pettis Memorial (5.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Family Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Diamond Collective 20 Cap (1.2 miles)
• Cbc Community Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Don's Drugs (2.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal San Bernardino & RPX (1.9 miles)
• Mountain Grove 16 (5.8 miles)
• Cinemark Renaissance Marketplace and XD (6.9 miles)

Cafes

• Viva La Boba (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (2.1 miles)
• Amapola Rico Taco (2.1 miles)
• Serrano Vista Cafe (3.1 miles)
• Rock & Brews (3.1 miles)
• George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.8 miles)
• Wienerschnitzel (4 miles)

Transportation

• San Bernardino Transit Center (2.4 miles)
• The Colton Diamonds (5.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Crosswalk Church (5.2 miles)
• Packinghouse Church (5.4 miles)
• National Association of Seventh Day Adventist Dentists (5.6 miles)

Parks

• Leonard Bailey Park (6.7 miles)