Desert Cottage is a residential care home for the elderly (RCFE) in Indio, Riverside County, California — state license #336413271, licensed for 6 residents, listed as licensed in the CDSS record we retrieved August 2, 2026. It appears on the DHCS Assisted Living Waiver participant list checked August 9, 2026, so Medi-Cal may help pay for care services here. California has 31 dated inspection and complaint documents on file for this home going back to 2022, the most recent dated March 3, 2026 — published below in full, verbatim and unscored.
No photo of this home is on file — we show real, attributed images only, never a stock photo of someone else’s building.
Since 2022, the state has visited this home 32 times and filed 31 documents. The most recent is a facility evaluation report, dated March 3, 2026.
The state's published file for this home includes 6 documents with transcribed findings, dated October 7, 2024 to December 3, 2025. 6 of the 6 carry the state's recorded outcome word: “Substantiated” (1), “Unfounded” (1), “Unsubstantiated” (4). 6 include the transcribed allegation the state investigated, word for word.
Summary composed by computer from the 6 documents below — every count derives from them, and the documents themselves are the state's records, verbatim. We never grade, score, or color a record.
What the state’s words mean
Mar 3, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Feb 20, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Feb 18, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Feb 18, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Jan 14, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Jan 14, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Dec 17, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Dec 3, 2025Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff are restraining residents Staff are providing THC drinks/Protein powder to residents without a Physicians order Residents are charged for services not rendered Residents moved to other facilities without consent Residents are left unattended Staff put up bed rails without physicians orders
This is an amended complaint investigation report of the original report that was delivered on 05-21-2025. This amended report is created due to being longer than the original report. Licensing Program Analysts (LPA) Seo Jeon and Janira Arreola conducted an unannounced visit to deliver amended complaint investigation report that was delivered on 05-21-2025 and met with Elizabeth Hengstler, Licensee. LPA informed them of the purpose of the visit. Throughout the investigation, LPA conducted resident and staff interviews, reviewed files and records, and obtained supporting documentation to aid in determining the findings of the noted allegations. On December 3, 2024, Community Care Licensing (CCLD) received a complaint report with the following allegations. Continued on LIC9099-C..... Unsubstantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Dec 3, 2025 · control 18-AS-20241203155436
Nov 26, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 30, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 24, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 16, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 10, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 3, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Sep 26, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Sep 19, 2025Unfounded
Allegation investigated: Staff denied resident visitors Due to staff neglect, resident had multiple unexplained bruises Staff overmedicated resident Staff did not notify authorized representative of incidents Staff increased medication without authorization
On 09/19/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Janette Romero conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to deliver an amended version of the original report regarding the allegations listed above. LPA met with Licensee, Elizabeth Hengstler who was informed of the purpose of the visit. The alleged victim has been identified as Resident 1 (R1). Licensee Hengstler reported R1 never resided in this facility. LPA contacted R1’s responsible person who confirmed R1 never resided in this facility. LPA reviewed R1’s admission agreement signed and dated 08/30/2023, noting the agreement is with a different facility located at a different address. Therefore, the allegations noted above are unfounded. Unfounded means the allegations are false, could not have happened and/or are without a reasonable basis. The Department has opened a complaint at the facility R1 resided at to investigate the allegations. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and Confidential Names list (LICthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Sep 19, 2025 · control 18-AS-20230922152416
Sep 16, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Sep 8, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Sep 4, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Aug 30, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Aug 27, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Aug 21, 2025Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff are chemically restraining residents in care. Staff are physically restraining residents in care. Food services are inadequate.
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Yolanda Delgado conducted a subsequent complaint visit to deliver final findings for the above allegations. During today’s visit, LPA Yolanda Delgado met with Elizabeth Hengstler and explained the reason for the visit. On 4/11/2024, the Riverside Adult and Senior Regional Office (RO) received a complaint regarding allegations of staff are chemically restraining residents in care, it is alleged that staff are giving THC drinks to keep residents sedated, staff are physical restraining residents in care, it is alleged that staff are placing weighted vests on residents to keep them immobile, at bedtime to keep them in bed and side rails are attached to aid in restraining, food services are inadequate, it is alleged that staff give residents protein drinks without doctors’ orders. (Continued on Page 2) Unsubstantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 21, 2025 · control 18-AS-20240411143908
Aug 21, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Aug 4, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Jul 8, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
May 21, 2025Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff are restraining residents Staff are proving THC drinks/Protein powder to residents without a Physicians order Staff are restricting visiting hours Residents are charged for services not rendered Residents moved to other facilities without consent Residents are left unattended Staff put up bed rails without physicians orders
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Seo Jeon conducted an unannounced visit for additional investigation and met with Destiny Villalta, Administrator. LPA informed them of the purpose of the visit. Throughout the investigation, LPA conducted resident and staff interviews, reviewed files, and records, and obtained supporting documentation to aid in determining the findings of the noted allegations. On December 3, 2024, Community Care Licensing (CCLD) received a complaint report with the following allegations. It was alleged staff are restraining residents. LPA toured interior and exterior of the facility. LPA did not observe anything used to physically restrain residents. LPA interviewed (3) three residents, but no one confirmed they had experienced any form of restraint. LPA interviewed two (2) staff members, but both denied using any form of restraints on residents. Continued on LIC9099-C Unsubstantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, May 21, 2025 · control 18-AS-20241203155436
Jan 9, 2025Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Resident sustained an unwitnessed fall resulting in a fracture.
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Janira Arreola conducted an unannounced visit to deliver investigation findings for the above listed allegation. LPA met with Licensee, Elizabeth Hengstler, who was informed of the purpose of the visit. The investigation consisted of Department conducted record reviews and interviews. The records reviewed include monthly care plans for Resident 1 (R1), the admission agreement for R1, the needs and service plan for R1, medical records for R1 and the facility Program Plan. Interviews were conducted with 3 residents, one of which was the victim, 2 family members of R1, the Ombudsman, 3 facility staff members and the facility Administrator. Substantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jan 9, 2025 · control 18-AS-20220330113756
Oct 7, 2024Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff did not provide comfortable accommodations to resident in care
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sara Martinez conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to initiate the complaint investigation regarding the allegation above. LPA conducted a tour of the facility, staff and resident interviews, and requested pertinent documents related to the investigation. Regarding the allegation "Staff did not provide comfortable accommodations to resident in care", it was reported the facility did not have comfortable accommodations and the room temperature was very hot for Resident One (R1). LPA conducted interviews with three (3) residents who denied the facility being hot and uncomfortable. During the visit, LPA observed the thermostat set at 83 degrees Fahrenheit. LPA observed all six (6) residents wearing cardigans or having a blanket covering them during the visit. Interview with Resident Two (R2) revealed the temperature in the facility is comfortable. Interview with R1 reported their room was always hot and staff had provided a fan to help accommodatethe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Oct 7, 2024 · control 18-AS-20240930104506
Aug 21, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Year-by-year trend
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Is Desert Cottage licensed?
Yes — Desert Cottage is a licensed residential care home for the elderly (RCFE) in Indio (Riverside County): California license #336413271, shown as licensed in the CDSS state record checked August 2, 2026, licensed for 6 residents. State records list 31 inspection and complaint documents since 2022; the most recent, a facility evaluation report dated March 3, 2026, appears in the inspection record on this page.
Can Desert Cottage care for dementia, hospice, bedridden, or non-ambulatory residents?
From the CDSS license record, checked August 2, 2026.
The CDSS license record checked August 2, 2026 lists Desert Cottage with clearances for wheelchair / non-ambulatory, dementia / memory care, and hospice care; it does not list bedridden. A clearance that is not on file is not a “no” — it may simply be unrecorded, so if your family needs one of these, ask the home directly and confirm its current scope on a tour.
From the California state record. Some approvals are bed- or room-specific — always confirm current scope with the facility.
What the state record says, word for word
Verbatim, from the CDSS license record6 NON-AMBULATORY. HOSPICE WAIVER FOR 4.
How much does Desert Cottage cost?
California's public licensing record does not include Desert Cottage's monthly price, so we never show or estimate one for a specific home. As county-level context only, assisted living in Riverside County typically runs $3,500–$5,500/mo and small board-and-care homes $3,000–$5,000/mo (market research compiled June 2026 — ranges, not quotes; California's 2026 SSI/SSP board-and-care payment standard is $1,626.07/month, of which $1,444.07 is the room-and-board portion paid to the home). Ask the home for its own rate sheet and what the base rate includes — or use the cost section at the top of this page.
Does Desert Cottage accept Medi-Cal or the Assisted Living Waiver?
Yes — Medi-Cal can help pay for care at Desert Cottage through California's Assisted Living Waiver (ALW): the home appears on the Department of Health Care Services participant list checked August 9, 2026. The waiver pays for assisted-living care services — not room and board — for eligible Medi-Cal members, and each home takes a limited number of waiver residents, so ask the home about a current ALW opening.
Medi-Cal / ALW homes in Riverside County →Assisted living on Medi-Cal in California →See the DHCS list →
6 of 6 beds occupied (100%) when the state visited on December 3, 2025. Availability changes constantly — confirm a current opening with the home.
What do state inspections show for Desert Cottage?
Verbatim from CDSS complaint-investigation reports — the state's own words, never summarized by us. Record checked August 2, 2026.
The CDSS state record checked August 2, 2026 lists 32 state visits and 31 dated documents since 2022 for Desert Cottage; 6 complaint-investigation narratives are transcribed verbatim below. The most recent, dated December 3, 2025, records an allegation the state marked “Unsubstantiated”. Open any entry to read the state's full finding, word for word.
Most licensed homes receive some findings over 36 months; what matters is what was found and whether it was corrected. Counts here are shown compared with homes of similar size, and the state's own words appear in full below.
2025
2024
Transcribed from CDSS complaint-investigation reports · record checked August 2, 2026.
What the state has logged
California has logged 32 state visits for this home as of August 2, 2026. These are the home's own counts, straight from that record — shown beside the statewide median for small board-and-care homes (6 or fewer beds), computed across all 5,773 licensed homes of that size, because larger and longer-licensed homes naturally accumulate more visits and reports. They are facts, not a grade — a citation may be minor and since corrected, and an “unsubstantiated” complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing.
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