The Gardens and Guardian
Scout 81Lake Charles, LA · 60 beds
5.0CMS rating
Skilled NursingUsually has openings
One of Lake Charles's top-rated skilled nursing communities.
Est. $6,920–$8,140/mo
View full evaluation →Skilled NursingCMS verified
Lake Charles Care Center
2701 Ernest Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 · Calcasieu County
Since 1980, Lake Charles Care Center has set the standard for senior living and commitment to maintaining the highest quality of care.
69
GoodHaven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates good.
Photos via google places, facility website.
Availability outlookModerate availability
Typically 71% full — openings are usually available.
Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.
Our evaluation
An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.
A highly rated skilled nursing and rehab community in Lake Charles
Lake Charles Care Center is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Lake Charles, LA, with 182 certified beds and an average of about 130 residents per day.
Medicare rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall — above the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 4/5 on health inspections, 3/5 on staffing, 2/5 on quality measures.
Staff provide about 3.63 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.12 of them from registered nurses), below the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 57.7%, higher than the ~52% national average. On the safety record, CMS notes 5 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.
Strengths
- ✓Strong health-inspection rating
- ✓No federal fines on record
- ✓Full sprinkler system
- ✓Active resident & family council
Things to ask about
- •Below-average nurse staffing (3.63 hrs/resident/day)
Best for: Families who want a highly rated, well-staffed setting in Lake Charles for 24/7 skilled nursing or post-hospital rehabilitation.
At a glance
- Certified beds
- 182
- Avg. residents/day
- 130
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Part of a chain
- Independent
- Continuing care
- No
- CMS provider #
- 195413
Federal quality ratings
From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.
Overall rating
Health inspections
Staffing
Quality measures
Pricing & cost
We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.
| Level of care | Monthly cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nursing | $6,920–$8,140/mo (median $7,340) | Local market estimate |
2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Lake Charles prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs
Staffing & care
More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.
- Total nurse hrs / resident / day
- 3.63
- National avg ≈ 3.9
- RN hrs / resident / day
- 0.12
- National avg ≈ 0.75
- Nursing staff turnover
- 57.7%
- National avg ≈ 52%
Safety & inspection record
Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.
- Health deficiencies (last survey)
- 5
- Federal fines
- None on record
- Total penalties
- 0
- Last standard survey
- 2025-05-14
- Sprinkler system
- Yes
- Resident & family council
- Resident
What inspectors found
The most recent findings from federal health inspections (11 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.
2025-05-14Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
2025-05-14Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
2025-05-14Severity E — potential for harmEnvironmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
2025-05-14Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
2025-05-14Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
2024-05-08Severity F — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
2024-05-08Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
2024-05-08Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.
Services & amenities
- ✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
- ✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
- ✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
- ✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
Location
2701 Ernest Street, Lake Charles, LA
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Reviews & reputation
We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.
Verified family reviews
No verified family reviews yet for Lake Charles Care Center.
Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.
Talk to an advisor about this communityCommon questions about Lake Charles Care Center
How much does Lake Charles Care Center cost?
Lake Charles Care Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Lake Charles, LA area typically runs $6,920–$8,140 per month (median $7,340, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.
What is Lake Charles Care Center's Medicare rating?
Medicare (CMS) rates Lake Charles Care Center 4 out of 5 stars overall, including 4/5 for health inspections, 3/5 for staffing, 2/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.
How is the staffing at Lake Charles Care Center?
Staff provide about 3.63 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 57.7% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.
What did inspectors find at Lake Charles Care Center?
Lake Charles Care Center has 11 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2025-05-14). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.
Does Lake Charles Care Center have availability?
Typically 71% full — openings are usually available. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.
What types of care does Lake Charles Care Center offer?
Lake Charles Care Center in Lake Charles, LA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 182 beds.
The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you
Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.
- Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Lake Charles.
- The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
- Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.
Your next steps — this week
- 1Confirm the fitCheck the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
- 2Get exact pricing & availabilityRequest current rates for Lake Charles Care Center — takes one minute, answered same day.
- 3Tour 2–3 communitiesCompare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
- 4Hold a spotMost communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.
Data sources:CMS verifiedGoogleOfficial website
Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.
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