Skilled NursingCMS verified

The Gardens and Guardian

1401 Country Club Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605 · Calcasieu County

5.0CMS overall rating(337) 480-1550 Visit website ↗

Strong

Haven Scout Score

Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates strong.

Photos via google places, facility website.

Availability outlookUsually has openings

Typically 69% full — availability is generally good.

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.

One of Lake Charles's top-rated skilled nursing communities

The Gardens and Guardian is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Lake Charles, LA, with 60 certified beds and an average of about 42 residents per day.

Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall — above the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 5/5 on health inspections, 3/5 on staffing, 2/5 on quality measures.

Staff provide about 5.57 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.39 of them from registered nurses), above the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 68.1%, higher than the ~52% national average. On the safety record, CMS notes 2 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.

Strengths

✓5-star overall CMS rating
✓Strong health-inspection rating
✓Above-average nurse staffing (5.57 hrs/resident/day)
✓No federal fines on record
✓Full sprinkler system
✓Active resident & family council

Things to ask about

•High staff turnover (68.1%)

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: 60
Avg. residents/day: 42
Ownership: For profit - Limited Liability company
Part of a chain: Independent
Continuing care: No
CMS provider #: 195636

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

Request exact pricing for The Gardens and Guardian →

Staffing & care

More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.

Total nurse hrs / resident / day: 5.57; National avg ≈ 3.9
RN hrs / resident / day: 0.39; National avg ≈ 0.75
Nursing staff turnover: 68.1%; 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): 2
Federal fines: None on record
Total penalties: 1
Last standard survey: 2024-07-10
Sprinkler system: Yes
Resident & family council: Resident

What inspectors found

The most recent findings from federal health inspections (14 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.

2025-03-05Severity E — potential for harmFrom a complaintNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

2024-07-10Severity D — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

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.

2024-07-10Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

2024-01-23Severity E — potential for harmFrom a complaintAdministration Deficiencies

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

2024-01-23Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

2024-01-23Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident 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.

2024-01-23Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintPharmacy Service Deficiencies

Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

2024-01-23Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintPharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compar…

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.

Penalty history

Federal fines and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials on record.

Date	Type	Amount
2025-03-05	Payment denial	—

Services & amenities

✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
✓ Occupational therapy
✓ Rehabilitation services
✓ Scheduled transportation
✓ Daily activities & events
✓ Gardens / walking paths
✓ 24-hour staff

Location

1401 Country Club Road, 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.

Google

4.3

40 reviews →

Verified family reviews

No verified family reviews yet for The Gardens and Guardian.

Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.

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Common questions about The Gardens and Guardian

How much does The Gardens and Guardian cost?

The Gardens and Guardian 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 The Gardens and Guardian's Medicare rating?

Medicare (CMS) rates The Gardens and Guardian 5 out of 5 stars overall, including 5/5 for health inspections, 3/5 for staffing, 2/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.

How is the staffing at The Gardens and Guardian?

Staff provide about 5.57 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 68.1% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.

What did inspectors find at The Gardens and Guardian?

The Gardens and Guardian has 14 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2024-07-10). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.

Does The Gardens and Guardian have availability?

Typically 69% full — availability is generally good. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.

What types of care does The Gardens and Guardian offer?

The Gardens and Guardian in Lake Charles, LA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 60 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.

Start with a free shortlist →Take the 2-minute assessment

Your next steps — this week

1
Confirm the fit
Check the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
2
Get exact pricing & availability
Request current rates for The Gardens and Guardian — takes one minute, answered same day.
3
Tour 2–3 communities
Compare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
4
Hold a spot
Most communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.