KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE
5151 KNUDSEN DRIVE, Bakersfield, CA 93308
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.
Vetting This Facility? Get Answers They Don't Volunteer
Free guide: the exact questions to ask KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE, how to pull the public records (ownership, inspections, penalties), and how to request the info that isn't online — like the medical director.
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Care Quality Indicators
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
How KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE Compares
KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE is a 140-bed for-profit nursing facility in Bakersfield, California. It holds an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the California average of 3.2 stars. Its lowest sub-rating is health inspections at 1 star. Its rate of long-stay antipsychotic medication use (19.7%) is above the California average of 11.6% — a measure worth asking the staff about. With 140 certified beds, it operates near capacity at roughly 95% occupied.
Among the 10 nursing facilities ElderVoice tracks in Bakersfield, the local average is 1.5 stars.
By the numbers vs. California average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 19.7% — worse than the California average of 11.6% (69% higher).
- Falls with major injury: 1.5% — better than the California average of 1.6%.
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 4.7% — worse than the California average of 4.5%.
- Short-stay rehospitalization: 25.4% — worse than the California average of 23.1%.
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated June 5, 2026) measured against California averages across 1164 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE with other nursing homes in Bakersfield.
How is KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE addressing its health inspections rating?
CMS currently rates this category 1 out of 5 stars, so ask what specific improvements are underway and when the next survey update is expected.
What is KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE doing to reduce long-stay antipsychotic medication use?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 19.7% here versus 11.6% across California. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How does KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE maintain staffing when occupancy is high?
The facility reports roughly 95% occupancy across 140 certified beds, so ask how staffing is adjusted during full census periods.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
Where does KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE lag behind other Bakersfield options?
Its 1-star overall rating is below the local average of 1.5 stars across 10 facilities. Ask administrators what differentiates this home despite the rating gap.
What would the first 30 days look like for a new resident at KERN RIVER TRANSITIONAL CARE?
Ask who builds the care plan, how medication changes are communicated, how often families receive updates, and who to call after hours.
The Senior Community Around Bakersfield
Bakersfield sits in Kern County, where adults 65 and older make up about 11.0% of the population — a lower share of seniors than California as a whole (14.3% statewide). The area's median household income is lower than the state average, reflecting a more affordable area.
- Residents 65+
- 97,864 (11.0%)
- Median age
- 31.9 years
- Median household income
- $54,851
- Median home value
- $226,600
Demographics for Kern County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Bakersfield.
Facility Details
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