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Paula's Guest Home

Small home·Licensed for 6·Whittier, California

Licensed since 2007Licence #197607106
(562) 943-3333From the state roster · September 13, 2026Plan a visit
  • Care approvals on fileWheelchair · HospiceState licensing record · September 13, 2026
  • Estimated starting rate$4,250 a monthCovelight estimate · likely $3,500–$5,250
  • Home sizeLicensed for 6Small care home · a licensed care home (RCFE)
  • Ways to payAsk the homeMedi-Cal ALW participation not on file
  • Last state visitSeptember 25, 2025CDSS inspection record

Paula's Guest Home is a small 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 6 residents since 2007. Dementia care and bedridden care are 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 Paula's Guest Home

Is Paula's Guest Home licensed?

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

How many residents is Paula's Guest Home licensed for?

6 residents — a small home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Has Paula's Guest Home been cited?

0 Type A and 0 Type B citations since 2007, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. Those records count 4 state visits over the same years.

Is Paula's Guest Home still open?

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

What does Paula's Guest Home cost?

$4,250 a month to start is a Covelight estimate, likely $3,500–$5,250. 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 15 small 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 Paula's Guest Home 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 Chona M. Cruz, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Is there a hospital nearby?

Whittier Hospital Medical Center is 1.4 miles away in a straight line, per the CDPH licensed-hospital list dated September 16, 2026. See licensed care homes near it.

Can Paula's Guest Home keep a resident on hospice?

Hospice care is approved on this license, covering up to 5 residents, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.

Paula's Guest Home license and inspection record

  • Name on the license: “PAULA'S GUEST HOME, INC.”, per the CDSS roster as of May 25, 2025.
  • License #197607106. The state lists this license as “Licensed,” per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • Licensed for 6 residents — a small home, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • Licensed to Chona M. Cruz, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • First licensed in 2007, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • 4 state inspection visits since 2007, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • 0 Type A and 0 Type B citations on file since 2007, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026. The same records count 4 state visits in that period.
  • 0 complaints and 0 substantiated allegations on file since 2007, per CDSS records as of September 13, 2026.
  • The most recent state visit on file is September 25, 2025, 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 6 residents
  • Dementia / memory careNot on file · ask the home
  • Hospice careApproved · covers up to 5 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 6 NON-AMBULATORY RESIDENTS AGES 60 AND OVER. MAY RETAIN 5 HOSPICE RESIDENTS.

935 - ELDERLY

CDSS record, verbatim · September 13, 2026

As needs change

  • Staying through hospice

    Hospice waiver on file · covers up to 5 — 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

4 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?”

  • If memory loss develops

    Dementia-care designation not on file

    Ask: “If memory loss develops, what would change — and when would a move be needed?”

What it costs here

Covelight estimate

$4,250a month to start

Likely $3,500–$5,250

From 15 nearby homes that publish rates · this home’s rate is not on file

Likely monthly total

$4,250a month

Likely $3,500–$5,450

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

Memory care is not priced here: a dementia-care designation is not on file for this home. Ask the home.

  • Starting monthly rate$4,250likely $3,500–$5,250

    Covelight’s estimate starts from the rates 15 small 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–$5,450
$4,250
First monthWith a one-time move-in fee · likely $4,100–$8,600
$6,250
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 15 small 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.

15 homes like this within 5 miles publish starting rates mostly between $3,700–$5,350.

  • 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 15 nearby homes behind this estimate

Where it is

  • 16439 Prudencia Drive, 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 2022, the state has filed 4 documents for this home, and its records count 4 visits since 2007. The most recent is a facility evaluation report, dated September 25, 2025.

On file since
2022
State visits
4
Most recent visit
September 25, 2025

Beside homes the same size

  • Type A citations0typical 0
  • Type B citations0typical 0
  • Substantiated allegations0typical 0
  • Total complaints0typical 0

“Typical” is the statewide median across the 6,808 licensed small board-and-care homes (6 or fewer 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 2007.

Year by year
YearVisitsDocumentsSubstantiated2025110202411020231102022110

The last 36 months — 2 of 4 documents

The full record on the state’s site →
20251 state visit · 1 document
Sep 25, 2025Facility evaluation reportReport on file

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Erik Zaragoza and Gabriela Castro conducted an unannounced Required 1-year visit using the full Care Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) Tools. LPA met with Ernie Balud, caregiver for the facility, and explained the purpose of the visit. Administrator Chona Cruz 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) residents, all six (6) of whom may be non-ambulatory and a hospice waiver approved for five (5) residents. The facility consists of a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, two (2) staff rooms, four (4) resident bedrooms, a backyard with shaded area, and two bathrooms of which Restroom #1 had a hot water temperature reading of 105.5 Degrees Fahrenheit, and Restroom #2 which had a hot water temperature reading of 105.4 Degrees Fahrenheit. There were chemicals and cleaning solutions kept unsecured in an unlocked cabinet in the dining room, and they were relocated to the laundry room. 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 a fully charged fire extinguisher kept in the facility. Operational Requirements: · The Program Design was reviewed. · Care and supervision to meet the clients’ needs was observed. Staffing: · Eight (8) 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. · All Five (5) staff records reviewed have a health screening with a Tuberculosis clearance, and five (5) staff have First Aid/CPR trainings that are active. · The administrator’s certificate expires on 1/24/2027. Resident Rights/Information: · Physician orders were reviewed for five (5) resident files. · Medications were also reviewed for five (5) residents. Resident Records/Incident Reports: · Five (5) 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 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 9/25/2025. 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 deficiency observed during the visit is documented on the LIC809D page. Exit interview held and a copy of the report was provided.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Sep 25, 2025
20241 state visit · 1 document
Aug 26, 2024Facility 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 Mila De La Cruz, caregiver for the facility, and explained the purpose of the visit. Administrator Chona Cruz arrived shortly thereafter. There are five (5) non-ambulatory 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 practices were observed. · 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, as well as a hospice waiver approved for five (5) residents. The facility consists of a kitchen, dining room, living room, four (4) resident bedrooms, a backyard area complete with multiple shaded areas, and two (2) resident bathrooms of which Restroom #1 (R1) had a hot water temperature reading of 108.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and Restroom #2 measured at 107.7 degrees Fahrenheit, and two (2) staff bedrooms. 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 two (2) fully charged fire extinguishers in the facility. · Water temperature readings for one of the bathrooms in the home did not fall within the required range 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, as well as a hospice waiver approved for five (5) residents. · 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 staff records reviewed have health a health screening with a Tuberculosis clearance, and all staff have First Aid/CPR trainings that are active. · The administrator’s certificate expires on 6/28/2025. Resident Rights/Information: · Physician orders were reviewed for five (5) resident files. · Medications were also reviewed for five (5) residents. Resident Records/Incident Reports: · Five (5) 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 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. · The last emergency and disaster drill was conducted on 7/19/2024. 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: · There are three (3) residents who receive services from home health agencies, and the facility has the agreement with the home health agencies documented and on file. · 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 was provided.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 26, 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.
Open CDSS facility search ↗Report a record errorOperate this home? Respond or correct, free →

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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