Map showing the location of THE SEQUOIAS in PORTOLA VALLEY, California
501 PORTOLA ROAD, PORTOLA VALLEY, CA, 94028

Overall Score

CMS Five-Star Quality Rating
5/5Much above averageCMS Five-Star overall rating
  1. Much below average
  2. Below average
  3. Average
  4. Above average
  5. Much above average

Where it ranks

  • CaliforniaAbove 76% of peers1,154 rated homes · average 3.2★
  • San Mateo CountyAbove 62% of peers14 rated homes · average 3.6★
  • United StatesAbove 80% of peers14,574 rated homes · average 3.0★

How the rating is built

  • Health inspectionsStarting point5★+2.2 vs CA avg
  • StaffingCan add or remove a star5★+1.9 vs CA avg
  • Quality measuresCan add or remove a star5★+0.9 vs CA avg

CMS starts from the health inspection stars, then adds or subtracts a star for staffing and for quality measures. Stars are assigned relative to other facilities in the same state.

Ratings & measures

Tap a row to see what it means
Health inspection ratingCMS stars from the last three on-site inspection cycles5★Top 10%CA avg2.8★U.S. avg2.8★
What is health inspection rating?

Stars assigned from the last three standard surveys and every complaint investigation in that window, weighted toward the most recent and the most serious findings. CMS assigns these stars relative to other facilities in the same state.

Why it matters

It carries the most weight in the overall rating and is the only domain based on what trained inspectors saw on site rather than what the facility reported.

Staffing ratingCMS stars from payroll-reported hours and turnover5★Above 89% of peersCA avg3.1★U.S. avg2.9★
What is staffing rating?

Nurse and aide hours per resident day from payroll records CMS collects every quarter, adjusted for how much care residents need, plus staff turnover and weekend coverage.

Why it matters

More hours and lower turnover are the strongest predictors of fewer falls, pressure sores, and avoidable hospital stays.

Quality measures ratingCMS stars from clinical outcomes and resident assessments5★Above 57% of peersCA avg4.1★U.S. avg3.6★
What is quality measures rating?

Clinical outcomes from resident assessments and Medicare claims: falls with injury, pressure ulcers, hospitalizations, antipsychotic use, and more, for both short-stay and long-stay residents.

Why it matters

It shows whether care is working, but part of it comes from the facility’s own assessments, so read it alongside the inspection results.

Total nurse hoursPer resident per day, all nursing staff4.96hrsAbove 84% of peersCA avg4.51Benchmark4.10
What is total nurse hours?

All licensed nurse and aide hours worked, divided by the number of residents, on an average day. Reported from payroll, not self-reported.

Why it matters

Federal research links 4.1 hours a day to fewer avoidable harms. Below about 3 hours, residents wait longer for help with basics like toileting and repositioning.

RN hoursPer resident per day, registered nurses only0.75hrsAbove 78% of peersCA avg0.65Benchmark0.75
What is rn hours?

Registered nurse hours only. RNs assess residents, manage medications, and catch changes in condition; LPNs and aides deliver most hands-on care.

Why it matters

RN coverage is the staffing measure most tied to fewer hospital transfers and infections, and it is where thinly staffed facilities cut first.

Nursing staff turnoverShare of nursing staff who left within a year · lower is better16%Top 3%CA avg38%RN turnover29%
What is nursing staff turnover?

The share of nursing staff who left within the past year, from the same payroll data.

Why it matters

High turnover means residents are cared for by people who do not know them, and it is one of the strongest predictors of inspection problems.

Fines in the last three yearsCivil money penalties imposed by CMS · lower is better$12,703Above only 33% of peersCA avg$26,970Fines · denials1 · 0
What is fines in the last three years?

Civil money penalties CMS imposed after serious or uncorrected deficiencies, and denials of Medicare payment for new admissions.

Why it matters

Penalties follow the worst inspection findings. A recent fine is the clearest sign that inspectors found real harm.

Inspection history

Last three inspection cycles
20citations
3inspection dates
0actual harm (G–I)
0immediate jeopardy (J–L)
Aug 7, 2025most recent

Citations by monthDec 2021 – Aug 2025

  • No actual harm (D–F)
  • Actual harm (G–I)
  • Immediate jeopardy (J–L)
  • $Fine or payment denial

Click a month or a year to filter the findings below. Arrow keys move between months; Esc clears.

Aug 7, 20255 citationsCycle 1worst E · no actual harm
  1. F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Aug 29, 2025
  2. F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Nutrition and DietaryE · patternCorrected Aug 29, 2025
  3. F881Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.Infection ControlD · isolatedCorrected Aug 29, 2025
  4. F582Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Aug 29, 2025
  5. F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Aug 29, 2025
May 24, 20249 citationsCycle 2worst F · no actual harm
  1. F758Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  2. F761Ensure 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, compartments for controlled drugs.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  3. F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Nutrition and DietaryF · widespreadCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  4. F851Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.AdministrationD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  5. Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  6. F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  7. F726Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.Nursing and Physician ServicesD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  8. F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
  9. F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Jul 1, 2024
Dec 30, 20216 citationsCycle 3worst E · no actual harm
  1. F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admittedResident Assessment and Care PlanningE · patternCorrected Jan 27, 2022
  2. F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningE · patternCorrected Jan 27, 2022
  3. F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Jan 27, 2022
  4. F761Ensure 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, compartments for controlled drugs.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Jan 27, 2022
  5. F814Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.Nutrition and DietaryE · patternCorrected Jan 27, 2022
  6. F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Infection ControlE · patternCorrected Jan 27, 2022

Staffing

From quarterly payroll reports

Hours per resident per day

  • All nursing staffRNs, LPNs and aides combined4.96hrsAbove 84% of peers+0.45 vs CA avg
  • Registered nursesRN hours only0.75hrsAbove 78% of peers+0.10 vs CA avg
  • Licensed practical nursesLPN hours1.39hrs
  • Nurse aidesCNA hours2.82hrs
  • Weekend nursingAll staff on Saturdays and Sundays4.64hrs
  • California average
  • Research benchmark (4.10 total, 0.75 RN)

Turnover & capacity

  • Nursing staff turnoverShare who left within a year · lower is better16%Top 3%CA avg 38%
  • RN turnoverRegistered nurses only29%Not ranked by CMS
  • Administrators who leftIn the past year
  • Occupancy43 certified beds · ~32 residents a day73%Above only 10% of peersCA avg 88%

Fines & penalties

Roughly the past three years

Enforcement summary

  • $12,703In fines
  • 1Fine
  • 0Payment denials
  • $26,970CA avg in fines
Above only 33% of peersFewer fines than 33% of rated homes in California

Actions on record

  1. Oct 30, 2023Civil money penalty$12,703

Ownership

As filed with CMS

Structure

Ownership type
Non profit - Corporation
Chain
Independent
Certification
Medicare
Location type
Urban
Ownership change
None in the last 12 months

People and entities on file

Direct owners (5%+)
  • Sequoia Living INC
Indirect owners (5%+)
  • Sarah McVey
Operational or managerial control
  • Can Chen
  • Sarah McVey
Corporate directors
  • Valerie Agostino
  • Richard Corriea
  • Steven Herman
  • Carl Howie
  • Holly Ito
  • David Jamison
  • Marianne Lim
  • Patricia Lynn
  • +4 more
Corporate officers
  • Sarah McVey
  • Charles Shoemake
Managing employees
  • Martha Atwood
  • Suzanne Wasley-Fairley

Person Organization

Sources & notes

Public data, updated quarterly

Data sources

  • CMS Care Compare · Provider InformationStar ratings, staffing hours, turnover, penalties and flags · processed February 2026.
  • CMS Health CitationsEvery deficiency from the last three inspection cycles, with scope, severity and inspection cycle.
  • CMS Penalties and Ownership filesCivil money penalties, payment denials, and the owners and managers on file.

Notes

  • CMS Certification Number 055466 · 501 PORTOLA ROAD, PORTOLA VALLEY, CA, 94028.
  • Percentiles compare this facility with every rated nursing home in California and San Mateo County. Turnover and fines are inverted so a high percentile is always good.
  • This is an informational summary of public data, not medical, legal, or placement advice. Facilities cannot pay to change it; a facility that believes a record is wrong can dispute it with CMS.

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