245 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
106 beds • Est. 2015 (11 years) • Get directions
8 serious state citations and 3 verified complaints have been recorded since 2022 across 17 inspections. The most significant recent finding, from a June 2025 complaint investigation, confirmed that a staff member in the dementia wing pushed a resident into their bed, handled residents roughly during care, and made dismissive remarks toward them; the facility terminated that employee following an internal investigation. A separate substantiated complaint involved a resident who sustained fractured ribs and a wrist injury while in care, with the medical director failing to order an x-ray despite staff reporting worsening symptoms and the resident expressing pain throughout the day. A May 2025 case management visit resulted in a citation after investigators found staff were hiding a cognitively impaired memory care resident's medications in food without the required authorization under state regulations governing incidental medical care.
The Kensington Sierra Madre is a 106-bed assisted living and memory care community nestled in the foothill city of Sierra Madre, near Pasadena. Since 2015, it has built a reputation for high-end care with a particular emphasis on dementia expertise — it's a Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Designated Community, following Teepa Snow's innovative methods for dementia care.
The facility offers assisted living, memory care, couples care, and rehabilitation services, with regular community events and caregiver support groups.
Positive Approach to Care designated community
This is a PAC-designated facility, trained in Teepa Snow's dementia care methodology. PAC focuses on meeting people where they are rather than forcing compliance. If your loved one has memory issues, this designation signals genuine expertise — not just marketing.
Couples care is a rare and valuable option
The Kensington explicitly offers care for couples where one partner needs more support than the other. Most facilities don't accommodate mixed-need couples, forcing painful separations.
Active community engagement beyond the walls
Monthly caregiver support groups, educational webinars with neurologists, and open community events suggest this isn't an isolated facility. They're investing in the broader caregiving community, which reflects well on their values.
Sierra Madre is a charming small-town setting
Sierra Madre is a quiet, walkable foothill community with a genuine small-town feel — a stark contrast to the busy commercial corridors where many large facilities are located. The setting itself is a quality-of-life factor.
Premium positioning means premium pricing
Everything about The Kensington — the location, the PAC designation, the amenities — signals high-end. Check the pricing section carefully and understand the full cost structure including care level surcharges.
106 beds is a large operation
Despite the boutique branding, this is a substantial community. Ask about neighborhood sizes within the facility, staffing ratios by shift, and how they maintain a personal feel at this scale.
Limited public information on specific amenities
The website is polished but focused on marketing rather than specifics. Request a detailed services list, floor plans, and a sample activity calendar when you schedule a tour.
Pricing is estimated, please contact the facility to confirm.
245 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Get directionsLicense data from the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. View full state record
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