Serious Discharge and Resident Rights Concerns I am sharing this experience so that residents and families can make informed decisions. During one admission, the treating physician confirmed that I had been discharged. Nevertheless, staff refused to release me, claiming no discharge had occurred—directly contradicting the physician. Staff also told me I could not leave Against Medical Advice (AMA) without the consent of a “responsible party,” and that discharge could not occur because it might be unsafe without a doctor’s approval. At no point was I provided with any court order, guardianship documentation, or other legal authority requiring me to remain in the facility. This situation occurred more than once. During a later phone inquiry, staff repeated the same explanation, suggesting this may reflect a broader practice rather than an isolated misunderstanding. Facilities may advise, warn, and document risk—but they do not have the authority to detain a competent adult without a court order. A belief that discharge is unsafe does not, by itself, create legal authority to hold a resident. Just as a resident cannot remain indefinitely without payment solely because he believes leaving is unsafe, a facility also cannot prevent a competent resident from leaving for that same reason. Only a court can make a legal determination of incapacity and remove an individual’s decision-making rights. Clinical opinions or internal policies do not substitute for legal authority and do not permit a facility to override a resident’s decision to leave. Under federal resident rights (42 C.F.R. § 483.10), competent residents retain the right to make their own decisions, including the right to leave. Staff may advise against discharge and explain potential risks, but they cannot override that decision without a legal basis. In addition, I observed other concerning aspects of care, including inconsistent cleanliness, delayed response times, and limited therapy services. Residents deserve transparency, respect, and lawful treatment. If these rights are not being respected, families should consider contacting a long-term care ombudsman or a consumer advocacy group.

This is the kind of place that won’t let the patient out as long as Medicare covers his stay and then kick him to the curb once his coverage ends. They don’t care about patients at all.

Imagine if a patient has a family but then a nursing home assigns a single person to make all of the choices regarding medical treatment, care, admissions and even finances. And after that, the rest of the family is prohibited from receiving updates or participating in the patients care unless that individual consents. Doesn’t that sound ridiculous? Because here the patients spouse was assigned as the ‘responsible party’, while the rest of the family i.e. siblings, children and grandchildren were completely excluded and their insights were disregarded.

Everyone from the gentlemen who greets me and the charge nurse has been helpful. The charge nurse always lets me know what is going on either my sister and some of the issues that have been going on. David and Jonathan from admissions have been very helpful

My family had a deeply distressing experience with Kennedy Care Center during my grandfather’s stay for short-term rehabilitation following a minor head injury. He was medically stable, ambulatory, and expected to return home quickly. Instead, he remained at the facility for nearly seven weeks despite repeatedly stating that he wanted to leave and despite my repeated efforts to arrange his discharge. Guidance from California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), including its publication “Your Right to Leave,” explains that a physician’s recommendation is not legally binding. Nursing home residents generally retain the right to leave a facility at any time, even if doing so is against medical advice (AMA). The guide also warns that overly paternalistic practices in a nursing home can result in false imprisonment. At Kennedy Care Center, “medical advice” was repeatedly used as leverage to keep my grandfather at the facility. Rather than respecting his right to make decisions about his own care, the administrator questioned why we did not “care about medical advice” and pressured us to keep him there. I hold Power of Attorney for my grandfather and had previously used this document without issue at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to coordinate his discharge and arrange transportation home. At Kennedy Care Center, however, staff repeatedly refused to honor the same POA despite copying the document. A social worker claimed that my father was the “primary decision-maker” solely because he was the closer relative—an assertion with no legal basis. This effectively excluded me from participating in my grandfather’s care despite my lawful authority. Staff also unilaterally designated a “responsible party” to make decisions for my grandfather, asserting that he “lacked capacity” without conducting a proper assessment. In doing so, they deprived him of his right to participate in decisions regarding his own care without due process of law. Throughout his stay, staff were frequently dismissive toward me. More concerning was my grandfather’s physical decline while in their care. He entered the facility walking independently; by the time he was finally released, he was wheelchair-bound and too weak to stand. Watching this deterioration was heartbreaking. Several incidents were especially troubling. When I attempted to take my grandfather home AMA, staff refused and threatened to call the police. Later, after his physician formally discharged him—and I was present when the discharge paperwork was completed—the facility again refused to release him, claiming that Adult Protective Services had restricted the discharge. APS later confirmed that no such restriction existed. This was not an isolated issue. During a prior stay, my grandfather remained at the facility for nearly a month beyond his discharge date. From my perspective, these prolonged delays appeared to be driven by administrative or financial considerations rather than patient-centered care. In my experience, Kennedy Care Center showed a troubling disregard for patient rights, failed to recognize a valid Power of Attorney, assigned a “responsible party” without a lawful capacity determination, and delayed discharge even after a physician cleared him to leave. No patient should feel trapped in a facility that is supposed to provide care, dignity, and respect. Because of our experience, I cannot recommend this facility.

Excellent rehab facility. I can not praise Brandon and the staff enough. They helped in every step, from insurance appeals to a very complex treatment plan, with a thorough team-approach. Thank you for caring for our beloved senior with such dedication, follow-through and care.

Today I called them and asked to take my grandmother home but they said that I don’t have the authority to do so because I am not the “next of kin.” California law does not automatically give the “next of kin” authority over the patient. Here’s a quote from chatgpt: “Being someone’s next of kin doesn’t automatically/necessarily make you the patient’s legal decision maker in a nursing home or medical context. Here’s how it typically works in California, (but I can tailor it if you specify a country or state): 1. If the patient has decision-making capacity The patient themselves makes their own medical and care decisions. “Next of kin” has no legal authority unless the patient explicitly grants it (for example, through a healthcare proxy or power of attorney). 2. If the patient lacks decision-making capacity Then, decision-making authority depends on what legal arrangements exist: a. Advance Directive or Health Care Proxy If the patient appointed a health care proxy or power of attorney for health care, that person is the legal decision maker. b. Court-Appointed Guardian or Conservator If a court appointed a guardian, that person has authority over medical decisions. c. No appointed representative If no one has been formally designated, most states use a default surrogate hierarchy, which often includes: Spouse or domestic partner Adult children Parents Adult siblings Other relatives (next of kin) So, next of kin only becomes the decision maker if there’s no other legally designated person and the law defaults to them.

Very clean. Staff is very friendly.

I’m have been at Kennedy care center for over 1month and it has been the best care I have gotten !! very grateful for the assistance and care All staff has provided truly grateful I will recommend this place to anybody that need physical therapy

My experience with this facility was very disappointing. Although my grandfather’s doctor had cleared him to go home, the staff denied it when I arrived. On another visit, when I simply asked at the front desk whether he had been discharged, the guy erupted in anger, claimed I wasn’t the “responsible party,” and refused to talk to me. This interaction felt unprofessional, hostile, and unnecessarily secretive. Families who are involved in a resident’s care should be treated respectfully and given clear communication–especially when the resident consents to sharing updates. Instead, I left feeling shut out, worried for my grandfather’s well-being, and powerless at a time when he depended on us for support. I sincerely hope the facility takes steps to improve communication and treat families with the dignity and transparency they deserve. Response to Kennedy Care Center: Thank you for your response. My concerns are not a misunderstanding but arise from specific interactions in which staff denied that his doctor said he can go home, and subsequently responded with hostile behavior and a refusal to communicate when I made a routine inquiry at the front desk. Families authorized by residents are entitled to respectful and transparent communication, and I trust the facility will take appropriate steps to address this conduct.

Evidently their electricity is out and they are not adequately following up with their patients safety. I am getting multiple calls from my uncle that his room mate is in distress and they can’t reach an attendant for help or information about what is happening. I have also tried calling their 24/7 number myself for the past 3 hours with no response nor connection to ANYONE – just terminal hold. If this is indicative of their standard of care, I would not willingly send a relative here ever again.

Heartfelt Thanks to Kennedy Care Center I want to extend my sincere thanks to David, Liz, and the entire team at Kennedy Care Center. My dad spent about a month at this facility, and while he was understandably upset at first, by the time he left, he and the staff had formed a real connection — they were actually sad to see him go. When my father first arrived, I spoke with David and requested that he be moved to a facility closer to me. David assured me he would do what he could and keep me updated. True to his word, they not only kept me informed but were able to transfer my dad closer to home — something I’m incredibly grateful for. Throughout his stay, the staff listened, worked with him patiently, and most importantly, treated him like family. If your loved one needs care, I highly recommend requesting Kennedy Care Center. They truly care — and it shows.

Clean place and pleasant staff

We are very pleased to have our babushka ( 102) at this facility! They are taking care of her ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kennedy care center is very friendly and clean and the staff’s very helpful the patient looks very happy and taken care of my mother is there for a long time now and I don’t have to worry about her well being because she is in good health there. Thank you very much Kennedy Care Center. Annette Spears

All staff are so nice and helpful to our rehab patient and very knowledgeable. The food feels like home and TV channels plentiful. Very professional medical and PT/OT staff, and it’s so wonderful to have a dedicated nurse the patient gets to know and feel comfortable relying on.

Today is Saturday and I was not able to get to any receptionist to check on the patient. 👀

It’s an older building and it seems they’re sometimes short handed, but the facility is well maintained and the staff are all excellent. An elderly family member had to be discharged to a nursing facility short-term after hospitalization, I’m glad we chose Kennedy Care Center.

The Staff at this location are very friendly and warm!!

Yesterday was the first time I visited my loved one at the Kennedy Care center and I was quite happy with the facilities and the treatment that my mother was receiving. She was in good spirits and they seem to be taken very good care of her. The physical rehab she’s been receiving has made a huge difference in her confidence to get back some of the physical attributes that she lost. Thank you Kennedy Care center.

Improving the cna Hopefully they will stay same

Ok, who’s paying these people for their reviews. My review is not paid for and straight to the point. My brother has been at this location for 2 months now. I flew into LA from WA state to investigate this property. Here is my assessment. I think the facility has both positive and negative attributes. On the positive side, the staff is overall friendly unless you have a different point of view from them. The staff worked to keep the rooms clean. (While i was there) My brother has a good room and roommate. They tried to move him to a different room at the back of the facility. I steadfastly disagreed and brought in a Dr’s note to back me up. That turned into a semi-heated discussion. But fortunately they canceled the move, and we were able to move forward. I have a full medical POA and requested in writing his medical files at the beginning of the week I was there. I haven’t received that information as of yet or a good reason why. I requested information about contacting the parent company PACS in Utah for explanation. I was refused that information as well. Although I am not experienced with nursing care facilities, this was quite an eye-opening experience for me. The parent company is not accessible unless thru facility personnel. No direct contact. My question is, WHY? The company is getting paid. Why can’t I address my concerns with upper level management. My last bit of advice… if you have a loved one in a nursing care facility and you have the means. Hire a private nursing aid. That’s what I did, and in my opinion, it is worth every penny. That way, you can have a second set of eyes on your loved one. If not, at least try to stop by and check in on your loved one so you can advocate for them. Take lots of pictures and document anything that may seem questionable. If your loved one needs PT and is on Medicare. Standard PT is only available 3 days a week for 40 minutes per session. There again, private PT care might be considered if the patient needs additional therapy. Please, whatever facility you may be at, pay close attention to the surroundings and care of the patients, it can make a difference. And a final note if the patient has any valuables ie… watch, wallet, jewelry, etc. Take them out of the facility ASAP. My brother had his 5 month old iWatch disappear while he was there. I am still waiting for reimbursement from the parent company PACS. My brother can answer phone calls on his watch but not his phone. I lost a valuable form of communication with my brother. Not a good situation 😕