Skilled Nursing Stories

After a serious hospitalization, a patient arrived weak, scared and alone. From day one, the entire team came together around her, and within weeks the change was remarkable – not just physically. She shared, “I didn’t just get stronger here—I felt cared for. Your team made me feel like I mattered.” That kind of transformation depends on having the staffing and resources to spend real time with people. Funding cuts threaten those moments of compassion that restore strength, dignity and hope.

Earlier this year, we admitted a patient who had been living independently until a sudden medical event changed everything. Over the next several weeks, our nurses, CNAs, therapists, social workers and dietary team worked with him every single day. Before leaving, he told our team, “You didn’t just help me get better – you gave me my life back.” Stories like this don’t make headlines, but they change families. Cuts to state funding would directly impact our ability to offer this type of care.

Two years ago, I worked with a patient who had been bedridden for five years after a car accident. In just three months, he began taking steps and eventually walked 40 feet with a walker—a powerful milestone, especially since walking his neighborhood had once been one of his favorite activities. He later wrote, “This has changed my life. I am no longer depressed, and my goal now is to walk completely normally and to live in assisted living. I could not have done this without the encouragement, support and help of the therapists and staff who are all unbelievably awesome.”

A family recently expressed their gratitude for the staff at White Blossom Care Center. Following a stroke, their father lost movement on the right side of his body and went into rehab. His children were there daily, witnessing the staff’s care and efficiency. Without proper funding from the state, including funding from programs like WQIP, these stories will become atypical. Eliminating the WQIP program will only exacerbate what is already an untenable situation.

Every day, I see how skilled nursing care changes lives—not just for residents in short-term recovery, but for the long-term care residents and families who rely on us year after year. This story is not unusual in long-term care—but it is exactly why skilled nursing exists. Caring for residents requires experienced staff, time, training, and stability. Programs like WQIP support the workforce and quality initiatives that allow teams to individualize care, especially for residents with dementia and complex needs.

After battling respiratory failure, Sarah spent more than 100 days in the hospital in her mid-40s. When she arrived at Vasona Creek, staff implemented a tailored rehabilitation plan, and after weeks of hard work, she progressed enough to be discharged. Later, she shared, "because of you guys, I can actually live the rest of my life." Her story shows the impact of dedicated caregivers — and why programs like WQIP make it possible to say “Yes” to the most complex patients.

A 68 year old woman came to our San Francisco facility with paralysis, requiring full-time care. Because she only spoke Cantonese, our team also provided culturally and linguistically appropriate care. Through consistent skilled nursing services, her strength, cognition and medical stability improved. This is the kind of care skilled nursing facilities provide. When funding is cut, the consequences are felt by real people — patients and families who depend on us in their most vulnerable moments.

We admitted a resident after a long hospitalization that left him profoundly weak, unable to walk, and unable to complete basic daily tasks without assistance. Over the next several weeks, we watched something incredible happen: he began walking independently down our hallway. His daughter pulled me aside on the day he went home and said “You gave us our dad back. We couldn’t have done this without skilled nursing.” Skilled nursing facilities are lifelines—for residents, for families, and for communities that rely on us to provide care that cannot be delivered anywhere else.

Mr. S was admitted to our facility with complex needs. His recovery required a high level of vigilance to manage multiple risks, including potential rehospitalization, secondary infections and the threat of falls during his rehabilitation journey. Mr. S met all his rehabilitation goals and was successfully discharged home, in great part coordinated by the social services team, which worked tirelessly to find him safe and stable housing. We believe success stories like Mr. S’s are more than just anecdotes; they are reflections of our commitment to high-quality care.

We had a memory care resident admitted to Pacific Coast Post Acute and Outpatient Physical Therapy in Salinas, who was bedbound. When the care team identified issues with her balance, they started taking extra time and care to prep her when she needed to be moved. As they updated her care plan, her recovery was fast. Just a few weeks later, she was going from her wheelchair to the toilet with little help and started walking again. She is now moving more safely and continues to improve feeding herself.

Our team cared for a patient who was unable to walk. Her recovery was slow and required a full therapy team using patience with compassion and consistency. Slowly, her strength returned and on the day she returned home, the joy on her face said everything. This transformation is only possible with dedicated staff, strong therapy programs and the resources required to deliver this level of care.

We as humans all serve a purpose. Mine is to help those less fortunate in their end-of-life care. Why? Because I’ve listened, learned, lived and experienced the daily struggle of what it is to live with, take care of advocated for, and provided reassurance to those inflicted with life changing situations.

A patient was admitted to Country Hills Post Acute following a stroke and initially required assistance for nearly all daily activities. Through a coordinated rehab program, he worked hard to regain his strength, balance and independence. Today, he is walking independently throughout the facility with a walker and is now independent with his daily activities. His progress reflects both his determination and the dedication of the Country Hills rehab team in helping patients return to meaningful independence.

I am in the industry because it fits my personality type and feeds my soul. As someone who has experienced hard times, I find it fulfilling to turn around and help others in their times of need. Sometimes a smile and a kind word can make all the difference and THAT is my job in this facility; to share my light with everyone I pass in these hallways.

I have worked in a Skilled Nursing Facility for 24 years and have seen patients at the most vulnerable time in their life. The greatest joy is seeing a resident graduate and return home. My mother was transferred to my facility after falling ill and will always be grateful to the amazing team that cared for her. I strongly encourage fair funding.

Following a stroke, my patient started a complicated rehab program at Sunrise Post Acute that included dialysis three days a week - leaving him exhausted.  Our team included an orthotic specialist to help him improve his walking and in time for the Memorial Day weekend, he returned home with his wife and family.

Our team at Linwood Meadows Care Center provides unmatched rehabilitative care and helps residents return home to their families. This can only happen with the proper funding to pay for staffing and critical infrastructure improvements. The WQIP program rewards nursing homes like ours for our quality care and allows us to fund the improvements needed to provide quality care. I urge the legislature and Governor to restore the WQIP program and incentivize excellence in California nursing care!

My journey in skilled nursing began many years ago, long before I knew what direction my life would take. At the time, my mother was a home health nurse caring for a long-term patient. Eventually, I decided to step into home care myself and became his live-in caregiver three days a week while attending school for four years. Caring for him helped me understand why I was drawn to this work. Learning that he passed away after caring for him hit me deeply, but it also clarified something important: My calling was to work with geriatrics. I truly love what I do and I believe wholeheartedly that everyone needs somebody.

I have always been drawn towards the healthcare field. It is not just a profession, it is a field where you are able to help, offer comfort, advocate and educate the ones who need it the most and especially in the times when it is most critical for them. Knowing you can make a meaningful difference in someone's life motivates you even if it is just one individual.

My journey into healthcare is deeply rooted in the values I learned during my service in the Air Force. There, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that quality healthcare has on individuals and families. I saw how access to medical support can change lives, especially during times of crisis. Now, as I navigate my path in the healthcare field, I carry with me the commitment to service that I learned in the military. I strive to be a compassionate advocate for my patients, ensuring they receive the care they deserve, just as I was taught to care for others throughout my life.

I am deeply passionate about healthcare because I have seen firsthand how mobility, dignity, and compassionate systems can fundamentally change a person’s quality of life, especially older adults navigating complex care environments. My career progression reflects a deliberate commitment to leadership, accountability and impact. What motivates me most is the belief that better-designed care models can restore independence, reduce suffering, and give patients a voice in environments where they are often overlooked.

I am a social services director, and I love my profession. I wake up every morning looking forward to being able to help the vulnerable and elderly community. I go home feeling rewarded by my resident’s smiles and their gratitude. My own personal experience with family members who I’ve lost has given me firsthand experience with end of life and hospice services. I’m happy to share my knowledge and experiences with my patients and their families.

I have been working in healthcare for many years and have always been passionate about it because of my brother who is handicapped. Healthcare is more than a profession: It is a commitment to serving others during their most vulnerable moments. Beyond diagnoses and procedures, medicine is about listening and understanding for the patients. Please reinstate funding for SNF's. There are already fewer resources for SNF's and we see the impact first-hand.

I applied for employment in the healthcare setting as a janitor and I never imagined a "job" would turn into a lifelong calling. Providing and maintaining a clean and safe environment for the vulnerable patients gives me a sense of purpose that focuses on compassion, dignity and respect. Our vendor pricing continues to go up, so cutting off workforce and quality care funding is an added challenge. Please reconsider the cuts to WQIP.

Working in skilled nursing has been one of the most meaningful decisions of my career. I’ve come to deeply appreciate the dedicated people who care for our residents every day and my purpose has become supporting the team that supports them. The WQIP funds are essential to maintaining the staffing levels and quality of care that our residents deserve. Our facility meets these high standards, but the upcoming cuts put our ability to provide that care at real risk. Restoring these funds isn’t just a budget decision—it directly affects our residents, our caregivers and the future stability of skilled nursing throughout California.

As an experienced Social Services Director, I provide families with resources such as home health services and equipment that gives them a higher chance of succeeding once home. Every department in our facility, from nursing to janitorial to activities, plays a vital role for our residents. Patients deserve to be living in conditions that we would want our loved ones to be living in. By taking money away from Skilled Nursing Facilities, you’re not just hurting the staff or company, you are hurting the patients. I strongly urge you to restore and support Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Working in skilled nursing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. These individuals have given so much to our communities and I want to ensure they are given every opportunity to return home safely and continue making a meaningful impact. Without fair funding, our patients will be greatly impacted. It is crucial we provide them with the best possible experience in our skilled nursing facilities.

A 30-year-old patient received thorough rehabilitation safely and was able to walk out of the facility and return home, resuming his life with independence. Stories like his highlight the importance of fair funding: it gives patients not just care, but opportunity. It determines whether patients receive the time, care and resources they need to truly recover.

While visiting family, one of our patients suffered a stroke and lost the ability to walk. Progress was slow, but he learned how to sit, then how to stand, then how to take steps, then how to move with purpose. And then came a moment I will never forget. The day he discharged, he didn’t leave in a wheelchair; he walked out of our facility, independently. This is what skilled nursing therapy does. It takes someone at their most vulnerable and gives them a path back to independence. It directly impacts whether stories like this continue to happen.

Working at Skilled Nursing Facilities taught me compassion, responsibility, and how to care for people beyond just their needs. It shaped how I see healthcare and more importantly how to connect with others. As a maintenance director we aim to upkeep our facility like a home, an environment that is a safe place for our residents and employees. I urge the legislature to please restore funding for skilled nursing care.

Skilled nursing care made an impact on my life, especially with my neurological disorder diagnosis. It was the care I needed to change my life. I can see myself getting better and better thanks to the nursing and therapy team here The job that nurses do is unreplaceable and indescribable. We all rely on them to get better.

One of our stroke patients used to require a feeding tube and full assistance with all tasks. Thanks to access to comprehensive skilled nursing care and a dedicated interdisciplinary team, he began to fight his way back and today, he can enjoy a regular diet. Being a Director of Rehabilitation in La Jolla, I have witnessed both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit every day. Without fair and adequate funding, we could not provide the level of skilled care and rehabilitation that transforms lives. Investing in skilled nursing means investing in recovery, in families and in the dignity every person deserves.

I have found my passion in nursing and long-term care, where I can focus on improving resident outcomes, safety, and overall quality of care. I have seen firsthand how essential this level of care is in protecting our most vulnerable populations. Supporting and strengthening this sector matters because the residents we serve deserve consistent, compassionate and high-quality care every day.

From the moment I walked into the Landmark Medical Center, I felt a true sense of belonging; working with adults living with serious mental illness showed me how much compassion, patience and understanding this population needs, especially in the face of ongoing stigma. Fair funding for California’s skilled nursing facilities is critical because the care we provide is both complex and essential. Without adequate funding, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain the staffing, programs and services that directly impact resident safety and quality of life.

One of the patients at Lemon Grove Care recently shared he had forgotten his own birthday and felt deeply saddened that such an important day had passed unnoticed. Without hesitation — and without being asked — one of our caregivers went home and baked a beautiful, delicious cake completely from scratch. The following day, the caregiver planned and executed a surprise birthday celebration. It was a powerful reminder of what it means to go above and beyond for those we serve. Her compassion, initiative, and dedication turned an ordinary day into a meaningful, lasting memory.

A patient came to our facility after being hospitalized for a stroke with severe left sided weakness. Upon his first few days with us, he appeared very sad and frustrated. He was evaluated by PT and OT and he required complete total assist for all ADL’s and mobility. Through the thorough guidance of his therapists and much hard work, he started to make incredible progress and was eventually able to walk out of the facility, himself.

I have been a skilled nursing worker for over 10 years because of the compassion and care that our patient's deserve. Fair funding for California skilled nursing care is imperative to continue offering dignity and care to sick, frail and highly vulnerable population.

Fair funding for California’s skilled nursing facilities is critical because these facilities sit at the center of care for older adults, people with disabilities and medically complex patients — who depend on public funding (especially Medi-Cal). When funding falls short, the consequences ripple across the entire healthcare system.

I chose to work in a skilled nursing facility because I wanted to do work that truly matters — work where you can see the impact you’re making in real time. There have been moments that stay with me —seeing a patient, who was once unable to walk, take their first steps again, or simply sitting with someone who needs comfort and reassurance. Fair funding helps make all that possible. It supports the staff who show up day after day with compassion, and it ensures that facilities like ours can continue to provide the level of care that families trust us with.

I have the privilege of caring for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. I’ve seen firsthand how the right care, at the right time, can restore independence, improve outcomes and provide comfort to both patients and their families. Fair and adequate funding is not just about numbers — it directly impacts staffing, resources and the ability to provide safe, compassionate and effective care. When facilities are properly supported, patients receive the attention and services they truly need. Our patients deserve access to high-quality skilled nursing care, and as healthcare workers, we need the support to continue providing it.

We are operating in one of the most challenging environments —between the state’s budget deficit, cuts to Medicaid, the elimination of WQIP and the uncertainty of a new Medi-Cal rate design. These aren’t abstract policy changes to us; they show up in real time, in our buildings, impacting our ability to care for patients. Every day, my team and I work to balance quality care with limited resources. Funding directly impacts our ability to maintain consistent staffing levels, invest in training and development, retain experienced caregivers and continue improving quality outcomes. Without adequate and sustainable funding, it becomes harder to meet the growing needs of the patients we serve.

As a Director of Nursing, I see every day how essential our work is to patient recovery and quality of life. We care for some of California’s most medically complex and vulnerable individuals—patients who require skilled clinical care, compassion, and consistency that cannot be provided elsewhere. Fair and adequate funding allows us to maintain safe staffing levels, invest in training, and deliver the high-quality care our patients deserve. When funding is inadequate, it directly impacts our ability to recruit and retain nurses and support staff, which ultimately affects patient outcomes. Protecting Medi-Cal funding and supporting fair rates is critical to ensuring this level of care remains available for Californians who depend on it.

In my role as a Social Services Director, I advocate daily for residents and their families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. We help navigate complex medical, emotional and financial situations while ensuring residents’ rights, dignity, and care needs are protected. Fair Medi-Cal funding is critical to sustaining the interdisciplinary teams that support safe discharges, mental health services, family communication and long-term care planning. Continued investment in fair and stable funding ensures we can meet the growing needs of our aging population and continue providing compassionate, person-centered care.

Funding cuts directly affect our ability to make improvements and impacts our ability to provide wage and benefit enhancements to our staff. Stagnant wages will eventually result in attracting fewer staff to provide care and services to our residents. Restore WQIP funding and support our patients and caregivers.

As an Activity Director, I don’t just provide activities — I create purpose, connection, and dignity for every resident I serve. Through meaningful engagement, I support their emotional, cognitive, and social well-being, ensuring they feel seen, valued, and truly cared for every day. Without proper funding, these life-changing services are at risk. Skilled nursing facilities are not just healthcare environments — they are home. Our patients deserve more than basic care; they deserve opportunities to live with purpose, joy, and human connection.

For caregivers and healthcare staff, funding cuts can mean less caregivers, heavier workloads and reduced support resources. This can lead to burnout, moral distress and decreased morale for the very people that care for our patients. Restore WQIP. Our patients deserve fair funding.

As a single mother trying to provide for my four children, I quickly identified a passion for the elderly and understood they deserve to live the rest of their lives in a peaceful, safe and secure environment. But this requires funds to recruit, employ and retain staff. We should invest in this caring lifeline for the most vulnerable adults. Please bring back needed funding to keep us open.

Town & Country is an important part of our patient’s lives, often caring for multiple generations of family members over the last 50 years. Because we are a non-profit, our patients and caregivers are our number one priority. Without WQIP funding, our facility loses the resources needed to maintain strong staffing levels and quality care. Families need to know that their loved ones are in a facility that meets high staffing and safety standards.

Further funding cuts and failing to restore WQIP will significantly impede our ability to provide quality care to our patients.

With WQIP funds, Vienna Nursing and Rehab Centers was able to hire and retain more staff. Without these funds, our ability to provide quality care is greatly impacted. We need legislators to restore WQIP funding.

WQIP funding was designed to offset rising labor costs, incentivize workforce retention and reward measurable quality performance. The elimination of this funding will negatively impact nursing patients across California. Without WQIP, we face increased financial pressure at a time of escalating wage inflation, higher regulatory compliance costs and growing intensity of care among residents. The reduction in funding undermines workforce stability and threatens the sustainability of high-quality resident care in our facilities.

Funding cuts to Skilled Nursing Facilities would reduce staffing and services and decrease access to quality care for patients. Families would be faced with increased stress, costs and time burdens as they compensate for reduced care and fewer placement options. Caregivers have the potential of experiencing heavier workloads, burnout and turnover, which would further strain any SNFs.

Most of our funding at the Manning Gardens Care Center comes from Medi-Cal. Without the WQIP funding, we will not be able to continue operating. We haven’t been able to recover financially due to the immense impacts of COVID-19. Losing this funding could be the final nail in the coffin.

Cuts to funding limits our ability to invest at a high level in our workforce through a reduction in wages, benefits and investment in the work environment. Reduction in our workforce investments will inevitably lead to higher turnover and lower morale, which directly impacts the quality of patient care that we provide.

I have worked as an RN with seniors and Medi-Cal patients for many decades. The bottom line is that costs continue to go up (labor, supplies, medications, etc.) and reimbursement has not kept up. Programs such as WQIP have allowed many organizations to supplement losses in revenue so they can continue to care for the underserved. With the current elimination of WQIP and lack of rate increases, the future for patients on Medi-Cal looks bleak.

As an occupational therapist that has worked at Skilled Nursing Facilities all across the state of California, we see what a difference it makes in quality of care when SNFs are reimbursed properly. I urge the state legislature to support Skilled Nursing Patients by restoring WQIP funding.

My father had a hip replacement at a Skilled Nursing Facility and that was made possible because of Medi-Cal and Medi-Care funding. He now walks normal after therapy and he is now 82-years young. I urge the legislature to please restore WQIP and help patients like my father get the care they deserve.

I started my career in skilled nursing as a nurse aide, which inspired me to go to nursing school and obtain my MSN. I now support several skilled nursing facilities in NorCal, teaching and training the next generation of caregivers and nurses. Please support our patients, their families and the healthcare team that cares for them. Please restore WQIP funding for skilled nursing facilities.

As a Registered Nurse for over 50 years, I know the need and the importance of quality care and the support needed from the legislature so we can give patients the care they require. The legislature must restore funding for Skilled Nursing Facilities so we can continue to provide the care the patients deserve.

Not restoring WQIP funding for Skilled Nursing Facilities will take a tremendous toll on our ability to keep our best caregivers. As a nursing home administrator for Parkside Health and Wellness Center in El Cajon, I urge legislators to please restore WQIP funding.

Continued lack of funding for skilled nursing care will cause staff burnout and working overtime to compensate for staff members who have departed. As an executive director for Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation in Turlock, I have seen caregivers give their all. I urge the legislature and the Governor to restore WQIP funding.