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Golden Apricot Manor

Mid-size home·Licensed for 10·Whittier, California

Licensed since 1996Licence #197801028
  • Care approvals on fileWheelchair · Dementia · HospiceState licensing record · September 13, 2026
  • Estimated starting rate$4,450 a monthCovelight estimate · likely $3,500–$5,800
  • Home sizeLicensed for 10Mid-size care home · a licensed care home (RCFE)
  • Ways to payAsk the homeMedi-Cal ALW participation not on file
  • Last state visitMay 29, 2026CDSS inspection record

Golden Apricot Manor is a mid-size care home in Whittier — a licensed residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE), the licence category behind “assisted living” and “board and care.” It is licensed for 10 residents since 1996. Bedridden care is not on file.

Built from CDSS public records · September 13, 2026. Every fact below names its source and date.

Quick answers and the state record

A citation does not make a home unsafe, and an empty file does not make a home good.

Quick answers about Golden Apricot Manor

Is Golden Apricot Manor licensed?

The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

How many residents is Golden Apricot Manor licensed for?

10 residents — a mid-size home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Has Golden Apricot Manor been cited?

1 Type A and 0 Type B citation since 1996, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. Those records count 8 state visits over the same years.

Is Golden Apricot Manor still open?

This license was on the CDSS roster as of September 28, 2026.

What does Golden Apricot Manor cost?

$4,450 a month to start is a Covelight estimate, likely $3,500–$5,800. This home’s own rate is not on file. Ask: “What is the all-in monthly rate, and what would push it higher?”

Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 19 homes with 7 to 49 beds and similar homes within 5 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

Among 228 other homes of a similar licensed size across Los Angeles County that publish a starting rate, the middle half runs $4,000 to $6,300 a month, and the middle figure is $5,000 (n = 228 other homes publishing a starting rate).

Each of those is a home’s own published figure, gathered on its own date in September 2026 — not an average of ours, and not a survey. Similar size means small and mid-size homes counted together, and large communities counted on their own, because they are different markets.

A home outside the band is not overcharging or underpricing: a starting rate covers different things in different homes, which is the first thing to ask about.

The price is made in the phone call. Nothing here is a quote, an offer or a discount.

A starting rate is the room and the base care. California homes commonly bill care levels, medication management, supplies, transport and a second person in the room as extras. Many also charge a one-time fee at move-in. Ask for that list in writing before anything is signed.

Only prices a home put out itself count here: its own website, a listing it supplied, or a price a listing site says the home confirmed. Prices a site shows without saying where they came from are left out.

Does Golden Apricot Manor take Medi-Cal?

On Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver: this home is not on the DHCS participation list dated September 23, 2026. Ask the program about current options. The waiver pays for care services, not room and board.

Who holds the license?

The license is held by Serban, Niculina, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Is there a hospital nearby?

Whittier Hospital Medical Center is 2 miles away in a straight line, per the CDPH licensed-hospital list dated September 16, 2026. See licensed care homes near it.

Can Golden Apricot Manor keep a resident on hospice?

Hospice care is approved on this license, covering up to 3 residents, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Golden Apricot Manor license and inspection record

  • Name on the license: “GOLDEN APRICOT MANOR”, per the CDSS roster as of May 25, 2025.
  • License #197801028. The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • Licensed for 10 residents — a mid-size home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • Licensed to Serban, Niculina, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • First licensed in 1996, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • 8 state inspection visits since 1996, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • 1 Type A and 0 Type B citation on file since 1996, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. The same records count 8 state visits in that period.
  • 1 complaint and 4 substantiated allegations on file since 1996, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. One complaint can carry several allegations.
  • The most recent state visit on file is May 29, 2026, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
Type A citationa violation that poses an immediate risk to health, safety or personal rights if it is not correctedType B citationa violation that could become a risk if not corrected, or one involving records, resources or required services

California writes these definitions for every licensed home, not for this one. CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗

See the state’s own record

Can they support the care needed?

California licenses a home for specific kinds of care. The state’s record lists what this home is approved for; the home’s own answers fill in what changes as needs change.

  • Wheelchair / non-ambulatoryApproved · covers up to 10 residents
  • Dementia / memory careApproved by the state
  • Hospice careApproved · covers up to 3 residents
  • BedriddenNot on file · ask the home

State licensing record · September 13, 2026. An approval may cover specific rooms or residents; it does not establish an opening.

Read the state’s own wording
LICENSED TO SERVE TEN NON-AMBULATORY RESIDENTS AGES 60 AND OVER. MAY RETAIN 3 HOSPICE RESIDENTS.

983 - RCFE / DEMENTIA

CDSS record, verbatim · September 13, 2026

As needs change

  • Staying through hospice

    Hospice waiver on file · covers up to 3 — care may continue at the end of life

    Ask: “If hospice is needed, can care continue here until the end?”

    State licensing record · September 13, 2026

  • If memory loss develops

    Dementia-care designation on file

    Ask: “Can we read the dementia care disclosure and discuss how daily support works?”

    State licensing record · September 13, 2026

3 more questions to ask the home
  • Two-person transfers or a lift

    Not on file

    Ask: “If two people or a lift are needed to transfer, can the person stay?”

  • Someone awake overnight

    Not on file

    Ask: “Who is awake overnight, and how do residents ask for help?”

  • Medicines

    Not on file

    Ask: “Who manages the medicines, and what happens when a dose is missed?”

What it costs here

Covelight estimate

$4,450a month to start

Likely $3,500–$5,800

From 19 nearby homes that publish rates · this home’s rate is not on file

Likely monthly total

$4,450a month

Likely $3,500–$5,950

With a shared room and basic help.

An estimate for planning, not a quote. The price is made in the phone call.

See the full cost breakdownRoom, care and fees · how people pay · how this estimate works
Room
Daily care
Sharing the room
  • Starting monthly rate$4,450likely $3,500–$5,800

    Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 19 homes with 7 to 49 beds and similar homes within 5 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

  • Basic help with daily careUsually includedup to $600

    Basic help is usually part of the starting rate. Homes that price care by level start around $600 a month (45 California homes publish a care-level range, seen in September 2026).

  • One-time move-in fee$2,000one time · likely $0–$4,000

    Homes that list a one-time entry or community fee charge a median of $2,000 (134 California listings; middle half $1,000–$4,000). Many homes list none — ask.

Likely monthly totalLikely $3,500–$5,950
$4,450
First monthWith a one-time move-in fee · likely $4,200–$8,950
$6,450
How people payPrivate pay, Medi-Cal waiver, SSI/SSP, veterans, insurance
  • Private payMost residents pay from savings, a home sale or family help. Ask for the rate and what it includes in writing.
  • Medi-Cal Assisted Living WaiverThis home is not on the DHCS participation list dated September 23, 2026. Ask the program about current options. The waiver pays for care services, not room and board.
  • SSI/SSPCalifornia’s 2026 standard is $1,626.07 a month; $1,444.07 of it goes to the home and $182 stays with the resident. Whether this home accepts it is not on file — ask.
  • VeteransVA Aid & Attendance can add to a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s pension. Ask whether residents here have used it.
  • Long-term care insuranceMost policies pay for licensed care homes. Ask what paperwork the home provides for claims.
  • MedicareDoes not pay for room and board in a care home. It can still cover hospice or home-health visits inside one.
If the money runs out, what Medi-Cal covers
Avoid surprises on the billWhat changes the price, and what to ask
  • The care level

    Some homes charge one all-inclusive rate. Others add levels or points as needs grow. Ask how the level is set, who decides, and what the next level costs.

  • What is billed separately

    Medication management, incontinence supplies, transportation and a second person in the room are often extra. Ask for the list in writing.

  • Move-in costs

    A one-time community fee or deposit is common. Ask what it covers and whether any of it comes back if the stay is short.

  • Increases

    California requires at least 90 days’ written notice, with reasons, before a rate rises (Health & Safety Code §1569.655). A change in the resident’s care level is the section’s own exception and can be billed sooner.

  • What is the full monthly cost for the room and care we need, and what does it include?
  • What would the next care level cost, and who decides when it changes?
  • What is billed separately, and is there a one-time fee or deposit at move-in?
  • Is any private-pay period required before another payment program can begin?
How this estimate worksWithin 25% for 7 in 10 homes in testing

Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 19 homes with 7 to 49 beds and similar homes within 5 miles publish, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices. In testing, the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 homes. This home’s own rate is not on file.

19 homes like this within 5 miles publish starting rates mostly between $3,600–$5,550.

  • Only prices a home put out itself count: its own website, a listing it supplied, or a price Seniorly says the home confirmed. Prices a listing site shows without saying where they came from are left out.
  • Nearby homes are the nearest of the same size that publish a rate, widening from 3 to 40 miles until at least 8 do. The estimate starts from what they charge, then adjusts for this home’s size, state care approvals, Medi-Cal waiver participation, years licensed and the area’s prices.
  • Room, care-level, second-person and move-in lines come from what California homes publish on listing sites. Memory care uses Covelight’s researched premium over assisted living.
  • Totals add each line’s figure and combine the lines’ ranges as separate charges, because a home is rarely at the top, or the bottom, of every line at once.
  • We tested this estimate on 1,546 California homes that publish their own starting rate. It was within 10% of the real rate for 3 in 10 homes and within 25% for 7 in 10; the likely range held the real rate for 6 in 10 (September 12, 2026).
  • It cannot see this home’s specials, how it assesses care, or which rooms are open.
Show the 19 nearby homes behind this estimate

Where it is

  • 16875 Sausalito Dr., Whittier, CA 90603Address from the public record · September 13, 2026. Confirm the entrance with the home before visiting.

Opening the neighborhood map…

The state record

California inspects every licensed home and publishes what it found. Here are the dated documents and the state’s own words, beside what is typical for homes this size.

Since 2021, the state has filed 6 documents for this home, and its records count 8 visits since 1996. The most recent is a facility evaluation report, dated May 29, 2026.

On file since
2021
State visits
8
Most recent visit
May 29, 2026

Beside homes the same size

  • Type A citations1typical 0
  • Type B citations0typical 0
  • Substantiated allegations4typical 0
  • Total complaints1typical 1

“Typical” is the statewide median across the 327 licensed mid-size homes (7–15 beds) in the state record — larger, longer-licensed homes accumulate more visits and reports, so compare like with like. One complaint can contain several allegations. Counts cover this licence since 1996.

Year by year
YearVisitsDocumentsSubstantiated202611020251102024110202311020221102021110

The last 36 months — 3 of 6 documents

20261 state visit · 1 document
May 29, 2026Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Erik Zaragoza conducted an unannounced Required 1-year visit using the full Care Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) Tools. LPA met with JoAnna De Castro, administrator for the facility, and explained the purpose of the visit. The following 12 (CARE) tool domains were observed and reviewed: Infection Control, Physical Plant/Environment Safety, Operational Requirements, Staffing, Personnel Records/Staff Training, Resident Rights/Information, Resident Records/Incident Reports, Food Service, Planned Activities, Incident Medical and Dental, Disaster Preparedness, and Residents with Special Health Needs. Infection Control: · Infection control plan is on file. Physical Plant/Environment Safety: · The facility is a single-story home located in a residential neighborhood. The facility consists of ten (10) resident bedrooms, two (2) staff bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, a living room, a detached garage that contains the facility washer and dryer, and six (6) bathrooms all of which had hot water temperatures ranging between 105 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit. LPA toured seven (7) resident bedrooms including checking their water temperature, which all fell within the required range of 105 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The facility was observed to be in good repair and its signal systems were observed to be operable. Fully charged fire extinguishers are kept on the premises. Operational Requirements: · Fire clearance was approved by LA County Fire Department for a capacity of ten (10) non-ambulatory residents, and a hospice waiver approved for three (3) residents. · Care and supervision to meet the clients’ needs was observed. Staffing: · Three (3) full-time staff members provide care and supervision to the clients. Personnel Records/Staff Training: · Three (3) staff files were reviewed for criminal background clearance and training. · All Three (3) staff records have a health screening with a Tuberculosis clearance, First Aid/CPR trainings that are active, and required annual trainings. · Administrator’s certificate expires on 3/21/2027. Resident Rights/Information: · Physician orders were reviewed for Four (4) resident files. · Medications were also reviewed for Four (4) residents. Resident Records/Incident Reports: · Six (6) resident files were reviewed containing admission agreements, Physician's Report, medical/functional assessments, Needs and Services Plans, TB clearance, Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan, personal rights, medical consent, and medication records were reviewed. Food Service: · The kitchen was inspected and has sufficient supply of 2-day perishable & 7-day non-perishable food. Kitchen, food preparation area, and storage areas were observed to be clean and sanitary. Incident Medical and Dental: · All residents have are assisted with medication management by staff. Disaster Preparedness: · Emergency and Disaster Plan (LIC610E) was reviewed. · The last emergency and disaster drill was conducted on 5/10/2026. Planned Activities: · Sufficient Space is provided to accommodate both indoor and outdoor activities. · Sufficient equipment and supplies are provided to meet the requirements of the activity program. Residents with Special Health Care Needs · There is an adequate number of staff to support each resident’s physical, social, emotional, safety and health care needs as identified in his/her appraisal. Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, and California Health and Safety Code, no deficiencies were observed during the visit. Exit interview held and a copy of the report along with appeal rights were provided.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, May 29, 2026
20251 state visit · 1 document
Jun 30, 2025Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Erik Zaragoza conducted an unannounced Required 1-year visit using the full Care Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) Tools. LPA met with Joanna De Castro, Administrator for the facility, and explained the purpose of the visit. There are nine (9) residents residing within the home. The following 12 (CARE) tool domains were observed and reviewed: Infection Control, Physical Plant/Environment Safety, Operational Requirements, Staffing, Personnel Records/Staff Training, Resident Rights/Information, Resident Records/Incident Reports, Food Service, Planned Activities, Incident Medical and Dental, Disaster Preparedness, and Residents with Special Health Needs. Infection Control: · Infection control plan is on file. Physical Plant/Environment Safety: · The facility is a single-story home located in a residential neighborhood. It is licensed for a capacity of ten (10) residents over the age of sixty (60), all ten (10) of whom may be non-ambulatory, three (3) may be receiving hospice services. The facility consists of a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, ten (10) resident bedrooms, nine (nine) resident bathrooms, most of which measured between 105 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit, however bedrooms #2 and #3 had hot water temperature readings of 124 Degrees Fahrenheit and 127 Degrees Fahrenheit, administrator adjusted the hot water temperature and they both measured 114 Degrees Fahrenheit afterwards. Facility was observed to be in good repair. ·The interior and exterior physical plant was inspected. Exit doors are free of any obstruction. The facility has multiple fully charged fire extinguishers kept in the facility. Operational Requirements: · The Program Design was reviewed. · Fire clearance was approved by LA County Fire Department for a capacity of ten (10) residents over the age of sixty (60), all of whom may be non-ambulatory, and a hospice waiver for three (3) residents. · There is one (1) resident identified as bedridden according to their physician’s report, which exceeds their approved fire clearance. Administrator’s fire inspection was denied and has attempted to contact the city’s buildings and planning department to obtain an occupancy code to provide the fire department, however the administrator has not yet been able to obtain this yet. Last contact with the city was on 1/27/2025. · Care and supervision to meet the clients’ needs was observed. Staffing: · Four (4) full-time staff members provide care and supervision to the clients. Personnel Records/Staff Training: · Four (4) staff files were reviewed for criminal background clearance and training. · All Four (4) staff records reviewed have a health screening with a Tuberculosis clearance. · One (1) staff still requires to obtain their first aid/CPR training. · The administrator’s certificate expires on 3/21/2027. Resident Rights/Information: · Physician orders were reviewed for six (6) resident files. · Medications were also reviewed for six (6) residents. Resident Records/Incident Reports: · Nine (9) resident files were reviewed containing admission agreements, Physician's Report, medical/functional assessments, Needs and Services Plans, TB clearance, Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan, personal rights, medical consent, and medication records were reviewed. · Two (2) residents did not have a pre admission appraisal conducted before being admitted into the facility. Administrator completed the appraisals during the annual inspection. Food Service: · The kitchen was inspected and has sufficient supply of 2-day perishable & 7-day non-perishable food. Kitchen, food preparation area, and storage areas were observed to be clean and sanitary. Incident Medical and Dental: · All residents have an Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan on file. · Staff training was on file. Disaster Preparedness: · Emergency and Disaster Plan (LIC610E) was posted in the facility. · The last emergency and disaster drill was conducted on 6/30/2025. Planned Activities: · Sufficient Space is provided to accommodate both indoor and outdoor activities. · Sufficient equipment and supplies are provided to meet the requirements of the activity program. Residents with Special Health Care Needs · There is an adequate number of staff to support each resident’s physical, social, emotional, safety and health care needs as identified in his/her appraisal. Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, and California Health and Safety Code, the deficiencies observed during the visit is documented on the LIC809D pages. Exit interview held and a copy of the report along with appeal rights will be provided by email.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jun 30, 2025
20241 state visit · 1 document
Jun 7, 2024Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analysts (LPA) Erik Zaragoza conducted an unannounced Required 1 year visit using the full Care Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) Tools. LPA explained the purpose of the visit to Verna Chisholm, caregiver for the home, and was granted entrance to the facility. Administrator and Joanna De Castro arrived shortly thereafter. There are six (6) residents currently living in the facility. The following 12 (CARE) tool domains were observed and reviewed: Infection Control, Physical Plant/Environment Safety, Operational Requirements, Staffing, Personnel Records/Staff Training, Resident Rights/Information, Resident Records/Incident Reports, Food Service, Planned Activities, Incident Medical and Dental, Disaster Preparedness, and Residents with Special Health Needs. Infection Control: · Infection control plan is on file. Physical Plant/Environment Safety: · The facility is a single-story home located in a residential neighborhood. It is licensed for a capacity of six (6) non-ambulatory residents, and is also approved for a hospice waiver for three (3) residents, however there are two (2) residents residing in the home that are identified as bedridden in their physician’s report which violates their fire clearance. The facility consists of a living room, a dining room, ten (10) resident rooms, multiple residents bathrooms which LPA measured and most reached the required range of 105 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit except for the bathroom in bedroom #3 which does not have operational hot water. Additionally, there was observable mold found on the ceiling of the residents’ shower room. The facility also has a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, a backyard area which contains a shed for tools, and a detached garage that contains the facility’s laundry machines and emergency food supplies, along with the facility’s chemicals and cleaning supplies. Knives and sharp objects are kept locked in the a locked cabinet in the kitchen. The facility was observed to be in good repair. ·The interior and exterior physical plant was inspected. Exit doors are free of any obstruction. The facility has one (1) fully charged fire extinguisher located in the kitchen of the facility. There were no sharp objects that were left accessible to residents. · One (1) of the restrooms toured did not reach the required hot water temperature reading of 105 - 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Operational Requirements: · The Program Design was reviewed. · Fire clearance was approved by LA County Fire Department for a capacity of six (6) non-ambulatory residents, and is also approved for a hospice waiver for three (3) residents · Care and supervision to meet the clients’ needs was observed. Staffing: · Twenty-two (22) full-time staff members provide care and supervision to the clients. Personnel Records/Staff Training: · Five (5) staff files were reviewed for criminal background clearance and training. · Personnel records have health/TB screenings, certifications, and 1st Aid/CPR training. · Administrator’s certificate expires on 3/21/2025. Resident Rights/Information: · Physician orders were reviewed for six (6) resident files. · Medications were also reviewed for six (6) residents. Resident Records/Incident Reports: · Six (6) resident files were reviewed containing admission agreements, Physician's Report, medical/functional assessments, Needs and Services Plans, TB clearance, Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan, personal rights, medical consent, and medication records were reviewed. · Three (3) residents diagnosed with Dementia did not have their physician’s report or appraisal updated within the past twelve (12) months as required by Title 22 regulations. Food Service: · The kitchen was inspected and has sufficient supply of 2-day perishable & 7-day non-perishable food. Kitchen, food preparation area, and storage areas were observed to be clean and sanitary. Incident Medical and Dental: · All residents have an Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan on file. · Staff training was on file. Disaster Preparedness: · Emergency and Disaster Plan was publicly posted and found within the facility. · An emergency and disaster drill was last conducted on 5/30/2024. Planned Activities: · Sufficient Space is provided to accommodate both indoor and outdoor activities. · Sufficient equipment and supplies are provided to meet the requirements of the activity program. Residents with Special Health Care Needs: · The facility has a non-ambulatory fire clearance for each room that will be used to accommodate residents with a dementia diagnosis. · There was no documentation on file for four (4) out of five (5) staff members that they have conducted their required annual retraining related to Dementia Care, Hospice Care, Postural Supports, and Restricted Health Conditions. · There is an adequate number of staff to support each resident’s physical, social, emotional, safety and health care needs as identified in his/her appraisal. Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, and California Health and Safety Code, the deficiencies observed during the visit are documented on the LIC809Ds. Exit interview held and a copy of the report along with appeal rights were provided.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jun 7, 2024
What the state’s words mean
Substantiatedthe state found the allegation more likely true than notUnsubstantiatedthere was not enough evidence to prove a violation occurred — not a finding of wrongdoingUnfoundedthe evidence showed the allegation was false, could not have happened, or had no reasonable basisType A citationa violation that poses an immediate risk to health, safety or personal rights if it is not correctedType B citationa violation that could become a risk if not corrected, or one involving records, resources or required services

CDSS citation definitions (PDF) ↗ · CDSS complaint outcomes ↗

An “unsubstantiated” complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing — it means the state investigated and could not confirm the allegation. Outcome words are the state’s own; we never grade, score, or color a record, and we publish no reviews — the state’s dated documents and the questions below stand in their place.

Life here

Rooms, meals, the rhythm of a day, faith and language, pets and house rules — as the home describes them. Tap any detail for its source and date; nothing here is graded.

The home has not described daily life anywhere we have reviewed yet — that is the case for most small homes, and it says nothing about the home. These questions fill in the picture; keep the ones that matter to you.

Before you call

Ask every home the same questions — the state’s record does not answer these. Keep the ones that matter and they travel with your saved homes.

  1. What is included in the monthly rate, and what costs extra?
  2. Who is awake overnight, and how do residents ask for help?
  3. Which rooms does the non-ambulatory approval cover, and what transfer support is provided?
  4. What could change whether someone can stay here?
  5. Can we see a bedroom and share a meal during a visit?

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