Los Angeles County, California · Nursing home
Lake Balboa Care Center
4 of 5 overall from CMS
16955 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406
At a glance
- Overall rating 4 of 5 Above the state average of 3.2
- Nurse time per resident, per day 4.95 hours Above the state average of 4.52
- Nursing staff who left in a year 26.7% Below the state average of 36.7%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 30 None at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 91.4% of 50 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Lake Balboa Care Center is a 50-bed nursing home in Van Nuys, California (Los Angeles County). CMS rates it 4 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 4.95 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the California average of 4.52. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 50
- Residents per day (average)
- 45.7
- Certified since
- 1972 (54 yrs)
For profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of The Ensign Group (344 homes)
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Lake Balboa Care Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS counts 17 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Apr 12, 2026 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the California average is 15.6. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 4.13 hours per resident on weekends against 4.95 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- What is the daily private-pay rate, and are Medicaid beds available now?CMS does not publish prices
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 4 of 5 California average 3.2
- Health inspections 3 of 5 California average 2.8
- Staffing 3 of 5 California average 3.3
- Quality measures 5 of 5 California average 4.1
The vertical line marks the California average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 4.95 h California average 4.52
- Nurse aides 2.61 h California average 2.65
- Licensed practical nurses 1.33 h California average 1.20
- Registered nurses 1.01 h California average 0.67
- All staff, weekends 4.13 h California average 4.09
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 12 hours. The vertical line marks the California average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover26.7%
- California average36.7%
- Registered nurse turnover30.0%
- California average38.1%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the California and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Too few residents or stays to report | 10.2% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Too few residents or stays to report | 4.0% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Too few residents or stays to report | 0.8% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Too few residents or stays to report | 7.3% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | Too few residents or stays to report | 0.4% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.6% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 98.6% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Too few residents or stays to report | 9.8% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Too few residents or stays to report | 13.7% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 98.2% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Too few residents or stays to report | 4.3% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Too few residents or stays to report | 10.2% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Too few residents or stays to report | 12.0% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 2.25 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.57 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 99.6% | 94.4% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.5% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 98.3% | 93.2% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 25.4% | 23.0% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 5.5% | 11.2% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 30 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. None was graded as actual harm or immediate jeopardy. 10 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 2026 | 17 | 2 |
| Mar 30, 2025 | 7 | 3 |
| Mar 21, 2024 | 6 | 6 |
California homes averaged 15.6 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (30)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Not require residents to give up Medicare or Medicaid benefits, or pay privately as a condition of admission; and must tell residents what care they do not provide.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
Show 25 more
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
BPotential for minimal harm, pattern
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Environmental · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Complaint investigation · Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Complaint investigation · Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Complaint investigation · Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 18, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)
-
BPotential for minimal harm, pattern
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Environmental · Waiver has been granted (Apr 8, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 10, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Complaint investigation · Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 21, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)
-
BPotential for minimal harm, pattern
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Environmental · Waiver has been granted (Apr 10, 2024)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this home in the past three years.
California homes averaged 0.8 fines and $23,986 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within California
- Size985 of 1161 by certified beds
- California average residents per day87.9
- ChainThe Ensign Group
- Chain average overall rating3.2 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Van Nuys6
- Homes in Los Angeles County369
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Lake Balboa Care Center?
Lake Balboa Care Center has an overall rating of 4 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 3, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 5.
How many beds does Lake Balboa Care Center have?
Lake Balboa Care Center has 50 certified beds. It averages 45.7 residents per day, about 91.4% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Lake Balboa Care Center?
The home reports 4.95 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 1.01 hours from registered nurses. The California average is 4.52 hours and 0.67 hours from registered nurses.
Has Lake Balboa Care Center been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Lake Balboa Care Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 1 of 5 California Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center 201beds 95.2%in use 4.67nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Berkley Post-Acute 125beds 92.2%in use 4.20nurse hours a day
- 2 of 5 Terrace Post Acute 133beds 90.4%in use 3.87nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Los Angeles County
Who to call in California
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in California.
- Long-term care ombudsman Statewide Ombudsman Hotline 1-800-231-4024 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Licensing and Certification district offices The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
California staffing, bed-hold and Medicaid rules · Residents' rights in every state
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 056180. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.