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Elliot Bayev

Today I called them and asked to take my grandmother home but they said that I don't have the authority to do so because I am not the "next of kin." California law does not automatically give the "next of kin" authority over the patient. Here's a quote from chatgpt: "Being someone's next of kin doesn't automatically/necessarily make you the patient's legal decision maker in a nursing home or medical context. Here's how it typically works in California, (but I can tailor it if you specify a country or state): 1. If the patient has decision-making capacity The patient themselves makes their own medical and care decisions. "Next of kin" has no legal authority unless the patient explicitly grants it (for example, through a healthcare proxy or power of attorney). 2. If the patient lacks decision-making capacity Then, decision-making authority depends on what legal arrangements exist: a. Advance Directive or Health Care Proxy If the patient appointed a health care proxy or power of attorney for health care, that person is the legal decision maker. b. Court-Appointed Guardian or Conservator If a court appointed a guardian, that person has authority over medical decisions. c. No appointed representative If no one has been formally designated, most states use a default surrogate hierarchy, which often includes: Spouse or domestic partner Adult children Parents Adult siblings Other relatives (next of kin) So, next of kin only becomes the decision maker if there's no other legally designated person and the law defaults to them.

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Stan

My family had a deeply distressing experience with Kennedy Care Center in Los Angeles during my grandfather’s stay for short-term rehabilitation following a minor head injury. He was medically stable, ambulatory, and expected to return home quickly. Instead, he remained at the facility for nearly seven weeks, despite repeatedly stating that he wanted to leave and despite my repeated efforts to arrange his discharge. Guidance from California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), including Your Right to Leave, explains that paternalism in long-term care can cross into false imprisonment. A physician’s recommendation is medical advice—not a legal mandate—and patients retain the right to leave at any time, even against medical advice (AMA). At Kennedy, “medical advice” was repeatedly used as leverage to keep my grandfather confined. Rather than respecting his legal right to make decisions about his own care, the administrator questioned why we did not “care about medical advice” and pressured us to keep him at the facility. Throughout his stay, staff were frequently rude and dismissive toward me. More troublingly, my grandfather’s physical condition declined dramatically while in their care. He entered the facility walking independently; by the time he was finally released, he was wheelchair-bound and too weak to stand. Witnessing this decline was heartbreaking. I hold a valid Power of Attorney (POA) for my grandfather, which had previously been accepted without issue by Cedars-Sinai. Although Kennedy copied the POA, staff repeatedly refused to honor it. The facility’s social worker asserted that my father was the “primary decision-maker” solely because he was the closer relative—an assertion with no legal basis. This effectively excluded me from participating in my grandfather’s care despite my lawful authority. Compounding this, staff unilaterally assigned a “responsible party” to make decisions for my grandfather, claiming he lacked capacity—despite conducting no proper assessment or documentation. This action, taken over his objections and without due process, ignored both his stated wishes and my lawful authority as POA. Several incidents were particularly alarming. When I attempted to take my grandfather home AMA, staff refused and threatened to call the police. Later, after his physician formally discharged him—and I was present when the discharge paperwork was completed—Kennedy again refused to release him, falsely claiming that Adult Protective Services had blocked the discharge. APS later confirmed that this claim was untrue. This was not an isolated occurrence. During a prior stay, my grandfather remained at the facility for nearly a month beyond his discharge date. Based on my experience, these prolonged delays appeared driven by administrative or financial considerations rather than patient-centered care. In my opinion, Kennedy Care Center demonstrated a troubling disregard for patient rights, failed to honor a valid Power of Attorney, improperly assigned a “responsible party” without a lawful capacity determination, used intimidation tactics, and presided over a stay during which my grandfather’s health declined significantly. No patient should feel trapped in a facility that is supposed to provide care, dignity, and respect. Because of our experience, I cannot recommend this facility.

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levis

My experience with this facility was very disappointing. Although my grandfather's doctor had cleared him to go home, the staff denied it when I arrived. On another visit, when I simply asked at the front desk whether he had been discharged, the guy erupted in anger, claimed I wasn't the "responsible party," and refused to talk to me. This interaction felt unprofessional, hostile, and unnecessarily secretive. Families who are involved in a resident's care should be treated respectfully and given clear communication--especially when the resident consents to sharing updates. Instead, I left feeling shut out, worried for my grandfather's well-being, and powerless at a time when he depended on us for support. I sincerely hope the facility takes steps to improve communication and treat families with the dignity and transparency they deserve. Response to Kennedy Care Center: Thank you for your response. My concerns are not a misunderstanding but arise from specific interactions in which staff denied that his doctor said he can go home, and subsequently responded with hostile behavior and a refusal to communicate when I made a routine inquiry at the front desk. Families authorized by residents are entitled to respectful and transparent communication, and I trust the facility will take appropriate steps to address this conduct.

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Warrior Princess

Evidently their electricity is out and they are not adequately following up with their patients safety. I am getting multiple calls from my uncle that his room mate is in distress and they can't reach an attendant for help or information about what is happening. I have also tried calling their 24/7 number myself for the past 3 hours with no response nor connection to ANYONE - just terminal hold. If this is indicative of their standard of care, I would not willingly send a relative here ever again.

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Vanessa Quiroz

Heartfelt Thanks to Kennedy Care Center I want to extend my sincere thanks to David, Liz, and the entire team at Kennedy Care Center. My dad spent about a month at this facility, and while he was understandably upset at first, by the time he left, he and the staff had formed a real connection — they were actually sad to see him go. When my father first arrived, I spoke with David and requested that he be moved to a facility closer to me. David assured me he would do what he could and keep me updated. True to his word, they not only kept me informed but were able to transfer my dad closer to home — something I’m incredibly grateful for. Throughout his stay, the staff listened, worked with him patiently, and most importantly, treated him like family. If your loved one needs care, I highly recommend requesting Kennedy Care Center. They truly care — and it shows.