Horizon Health & Subacute Center

«That HORRIBLE HORIZON» is how my 87 year old mother remembers her stay at this facility. On her first day there, following surgery for a ulcerated foot, staff called to notify me that they had «accidentally» removed her skin graft, saying they «didn’t know it was a graft»! This prevented any healing until three weeks later when the surgeon was able to implant another skin graft, requiring an additional surgery.
Horizon staff also neglected my mother by refusing to answer the call light when she had to use the restroom, leaving her in a wheelchair for several hours (without leg supports) resulting in excruciating pain, failing to place the post op shoe on her foot causing her to stand on the wound, abandoning her in a restroom alone for over forty minutes, until a staff member finally responded to her screams for help. On one occasion she telephoned me at 8:3O pm begging for help. I called the nurses station twice and no one answered, finally I called back to another nurses station. When the nurse at that station could not get anyone to answer the phone there, she paged staff for help. Also, the food is horrible and didn’t appear «fresh». I found it necessary to deliver meals for my Mom to eat.
Six weeks after admission, my mother’s condition worsened to the point where the surgeon (who monitored her care weekly after Horizon staff removed the skin graft) classified her as «non ambulatory». I then moved her from Horizon back to her residence at Fairwinds, where she received EXCELLENT treatment from caregivers, a Home Health Nurse and Physical Therapist. Not only did they heal her wounds, she was walking again in three weeks!
The next time that the surgeon examined her, she said she could tell that my Mom was no longer at Horizon, because her body was CLEAN: (
I firmly believe that had my Mother remained at Horizon, she never would have walked again and may have faced the amputation of her foot. I encourage anyone with a loved one there not to discuss any complaints with Admin. Staff. Rather, they should notify Health and Human Services Licensing immediately. Better yet, avoid the place entirely! There is a reason Horizon received a «2» STAR OVERALL RATING from U. S news and World Report — POOR CARE !!!

Had a good experience here. Does not smell bad unlike several other rehabilitation places in Fresno.
The staff was friendly and helpful. The food was not great but it was ok. And Brenda in the beauty shop was outstanding.

My mother has been at Horizon on three separate occasions. The staff are very helpful, the food is decent and the PT department is very good. They have a hair salon — love Brenda, an ice-​cream parlor and they allow pets to visit, plus there are pets that live onsite. I would have given it five stars but we had a few challenges, Nurse Bender (who is in charge of care) was very difficult to deal with as well as Pam one of the supervisors and sometimes it is hard to reach people — they take a long time to answer the phone.

Fairly impressed with the facilities. Sure beats the other rehabilitation center I visited late last year and gave a HORRIBLE review on (in the heart of uppity Danville, CA… You know, the one I posted on 11/7/2013…The one on Diablo Road where I talked about the schmaltzy guy in shiny pants).
This place was clean, didn’t smell at all actually. They staff was very nice too. When we walked in, one of the gals asked where we were headed and we gave her the name and she came back with the room number and directions on how to get there. All without blinking an eye. Nice!
Anyways, we were all very impressed with this place and we’re all relieved and happy that our loved on is in good hands. We won’t have to worry about dirty nastiness like at that OTHER place.
No hesitations about this place at all.

CJW
My mom died at Horizon today.
She told me initially, «I will die here». She was at Horizon about 1 year.
I was her only hope, she begged me twice to get her out of there; once calling me by phone, the second time after getting her phone connection reestablished.
Two other occasions. Mom attempted to get out of her wheel chair and bed to leave with me as I was kissing her good bye.
What I witnessed and found which made me agree to get her out of there:
three (3) times infected with a bacterial infection, reported by staff;
poor hygiene care a filthy patch on her bottom from bed sores raw & bloody (nails, hair, skin care, very poor care); dehydration; inattentiveness/​monitoring of food and water intake.
She was made to appear mentally incompetent due to poor monitoring of her water and food intake.
I did not have power of attorney.
I drove several times a week, over 300 miles per visit to be with her
It was not enough.

By the time I realized that mom was in trouble there and needed to be removed,
the legal system interfered preventing success.
I failed my mother when she needed me most.
Rated % who fail there 0 star.
For the majority short/​long term patients rate 4 stars.
For my mother fatal (one broken hip unattended for months until forced);
Same day as mom’s death, family friend shared who successfully removed their mom from Horizon, nearly fatal (they found their mom hip broken twice, unattended).
She did not deserve to die like that in a place like that. I held her and was with her when she died, crying and guided by 911, because the «nurse» at the desk was too busy. Outside help came to assist my mother before staff.
I was only her first born child who did not have «Power of Attorney».

We were reluctant to place my father in Horizon due to a previous negative rating, but our experience was different. My father was in the subacute wing and he received wonderful care during his stay. The nurses and staff were very attentive, concerned for his progress and seemed to genuinely care. I found the nurses friendly and treated my father with respect and dignity.

I have a family member at Horizon Health and Subacute Center. The staff is very nice and understanding.