DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ
675 24TH AVENUE, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Based on 2026 CMS Data
Official Government Ratings
Health Inspections
Frequency & severity of deficiencies
Staffing Levels
Nurse hours per resident per day
Quality Measures
Clinical outcomes & care quality
Resident Council Active
Active councils indicate resident empowerment and facility transparency.
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Care Quality Indicators
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
How DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ Compares
DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ is a 92-bed for-profit nursing facility in Santa Cruz, California. It holds an overall CMS rating of 4 out of 5 stars, above the California average of 3.2 stars. Its strongest area is quality measures, rated 5 stars. Its rate of high-risk residents with pressure ulcers (0.5%) is below the California average of 4.3%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 92 certified beds, it operates near capacity at roughly 92% occupied.
Among the 3 nursing facilities ElderVoice tracks in Santa Cruz, the local average is 3.0 stars.
By the numbers vs. California average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 15.8% — worse than the California average of 12.1% (30% higher).
- Falls with major injury: 3.0% — worse than the California average of 1.6% (83% higher).
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 0.5% — better than the California average of 4.3% (87% lower).
- Short-stay rehospitalization: 12.7% — better than the California average of 22.9% (45% lower).
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated September 9, 2026) measured against California averages across 1165 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ with other nursing homes in Santa Cruz.
What keeps DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ's staffing levels rating strong?
This category is rated 4 out of 5 stars. Ask for concrete staffing, training, or care-process examples behind the score.
What is DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ doing to reduce long-stay antipsychotic medication use?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 15.8% here versus 12.1% across California. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What is DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ doing to reduce falls with major injury?
Falls with major injury is 3.0% here versus 1.6% across California. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How does DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ maintain staffing when occupancy is high?
The facility reports roughly 92% occupancy across 92 certified beds, so ask how staffing is adjusted during full census periods.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
What explains DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER - SANTA CRUZ's rating advantage in Santa Cruz?
Its 4-star overall rating is above the local average of 3.0 stars across 3 facilities. Ask which practices families can observe during a tour.
The Senior Community Around Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz sits in Santa Cruz County, where adults 65 and older make up about 16.4% of the population — a higher share of seniors than California as a whole (14.3% statewide). The area's median household income is higher than the state average, reflecting a higher cost of living.
- Residents 65+
- 44,913 (16.4%)
- Median age
- 38.2 years
- Median household income
- $89,986
- Median home value
- $787,000
Demographics for Santa Cruz County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Santa Cruz.
Facility Details
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