Worst Nursing Homes in Alabama

Alabama is home to approximately 1.8 million seniors, many of whom will eventually require long- or short-term care in a nursing home or rehab center [1]. Alabama’s nursing homes currently house over 20,000 residents scattered among the state’s over 200 residences.

Families often decide to move a loved one to a nursing home for around-the-clock care and supervision. However, when a nursing home fails to staff appropriately or maintain a safe environment for residents, it can lead to more harm than good.

This guide provides information about how Alabama nursing homes are rated, including what goes into annual inspections. It reviews the federal rating system and lists some of the worst nursing homes in Alabama so you and your family can steer clear. We’ll also review what criteria go into the nursing home rating system.

How Alabama Nursing Homes Are Rated

While over 80 percent of Alabama nursing home residents would recommend their facility to someone else, that still leaves almost 20 percent of residents who would not [2].  

In many cases, good nursing homes outweigh the bad ones in Alabama, but that doesn’t make the risk of abuse or neglect any less problematic. Alabama’s nursing homes are rated based on government inspections, resident surveys, and health inspection reports.

Government Inspections

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), conducts annual nursing home inspections. Government inspections review resident care, staff quality, resident interactions, and the overall safety of the nursing home environment. 

Inspections also factor in complaints or previous violations, usually within the last three years. A nursing home that receives numerous quality or safety violations may require more frequent government inspections.

Alabama’s nursing homes are also regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Health Provider Standards. The state is in charge of licensing and certification of nursing homes and health care facilities.

Resident Surveys

CMS also considers resident surveys when determining a nursing home’s rating. Resident surveys come from previous or current nursing home residents who have spent at least 100 days in a long—or short-term facility. Survey questions consider how well the facility meets federal and state standards and determine the average quality.

Other Factors

CMS may consider other factors when determining a nursing home’s overall rating. Other considerations may include health inspections, citations, and pending lawsuits.

List of the Worst Alabama Nursing Homes

CMS uses a five-star rating, which compares nursing homes against the state and national average. A nursing home or rehabilitation center with a five-star rating is considered top-tier, meaning it provides quality care and has good staffing levels based on resident numbers. 

A center with a one-star rating is far lower than the national average regarding health inspections and violations. The worst-rated nursing homes may also have various reports of resident abuse or neglect.

Government Ratings

Here are some of the worst-rated nursing homes in Alabama, according to CMS ratings: [4]

• AHC Millenium, Huntsville, AL
• Arabella Health and Wellness, Selma, AL
• Aspire Physical Recovery Center, Vestavia and Hoover, AL
• River City Center, Decatur, AL
• Wesley Place on Honeysuckle, Dothan, AL
• Oak Knoll Health and Rehabilitation, LLC, Birmingham, AL
• Magnolia Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center, Tuskegee, AL
• NHC Healthcare, Moulton, AL
• Village at Cook Springs Skilled Nursing Facility, Pell City, AL

It’s important to note that this isn’t a complete list of the worst-rated nursing homes in Alabama. Using the CMS compare tool, you can review the overall rating of more nursing homes.

Health Inspection Citations

CMS also conducts frequent health inspections of nursing homes to identify deficiencies related to infection control, resident assessment and care, nutrition and diet, and quality of life and care. 

Here are some of the Alabama nursing homes that have received negative health inspections: [5]

• Burns Nursing Home, Russellville, AL: Failure to implement an infection prevention and control program.
• Eastview Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Birmingham, AL: Failure to timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft.
• Plantation Manor Nursing Home, McCalla, AL: Failure to monitor staff and provide sufficient training.
• Merry Wood Lodge, Elmore, AL: Failure to protect residents from physical, mental, punishment, or neglect.

Facilities are given the chance to resolve specific citations. However, too many citations or failing to fix them could lead to a one-star rating or fines. 

Factors Contributing to Nursing Home Abuse

Numerous factors can contribute to nursing home abuse or neglect, with some of the most common including the following.

Understaffing

Staffing levels directly contribute to resident safety and quality of care. CMS requires staffing levels to match residency rates; the home may be subject to citations when they don’t. Failing to hire or schedule enough staff can put residents at risk of injury. Falls, medication errors, and lack of food quality are possible when a nursing home doesn’t appropriately staff the facility.

Inadequate Training

The quality of staffing also factors into nursing home abuse. Many nursing home residents rely on generalized assistance and specialized care. Staff not adequately trained in medication administration, mobility assistance, or food preparation or handling can put the patient at risk. Patients are also at an increased risk of serious falls when staff aren’t trained properly.

Financial Pressures

Some nursing homes may be under financial pressure, which could lead to cutting staffing levels or failing to maintain long-term care centers. Skipping maintenance or repairs, cutting patient resources, or reducing staffing levels are steps a long-term care facility may take to meet financial pressures.

Corporate Ownership

Corporate-owned long-term care centers may be under even more pressure to control costs, which could lead to a decline in the quality of resident care. Extensive research shows that investor-owned, for-profit nursing homes provide residents with a lower quality of care than the national average for non-profit homes [3].

Due to lower staffing levels and more public deficiencies, long-term and short-term residents of corporate-owned facilities may be at a higher risk of serious injury. Numerous studies also show that corporate-owned nursing homes are more likely to prioritize profits, have fewer registered nurses, and receive lower federal Medicare and Medicaid ratings [3]. 

These deficiencies can lead to resident pressure ulcers, medication errors, or a lack of access to prompt healthcare.

Protecting Nursing Home Residents

Choosing an Alabama nursing home that meets or exceeds your family’s standards can be challenging. Here are a few tips to choose the best long- or short-term residence for your loved one.

Research and Inspection

Research and inspection can provide you and your family insight into a nursing center’s overall quality. Review previous patient surveys, facility reviews, and government ratings. Consider any health citations the facility may have, especially safety-related ones.

Make sure you and your family also schedule an inspection of any Alabama centers you’re considering. A walk-through allows you to learn more about the residence’s day-to-day operations. 

Be aware of the overall quality of the building, including the resident’s rooms and common spaces. Look for specific amenities to keep your loved one free of harm, like fall bars or call buttons. Talk with the staff and other residents to get an even better idea of the home’s overall quality.

Ask Questions

Make a list of questions to ask the nursing home staff and administration to help guide your decision. Here are a few essential questions to consider asking:

• What is your staff-to-resident percentage?
• What is your current CMS quality rating?
• Has the facility received any violations or citations within the last three years?
• Is the facility accredited? By who?
• Who is in charge of the facility? Who makes policy decisions?
• Does the facility accept short-term or long-term patients? Both?
• How many residents suffer falls under your care?
• How do you handle a patient’s special care needs?
• What are your hiring and training policies?
• How are medications managed and administered?
• What practices are in place to prevent falls?
• How do you prevent patients from common injuries, like pressure ulcers?

Trust Your Instincts

Research and reviews can give you and your family the information you need to make an informed decision. However, your instincts are also fundamental. Take note of your facility visits and interactions with staff to determine if it’s the right home for your family member.

Contact an Alabama Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

You want the best care for your elderly family member, and the Nursing Home Law Center is here to help. Our legal team is well-versed in Alabama’s nursing homes. We’re here to help guide your decision using state and federal reviews and overall ratings. Our mission is to protect Alabama residents and their families from the negligence of the state’s worst nursing homes.

Call an Alabama Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Now!

If your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you must contact a lawyer today. Alabama law allows patients and their family members to seek compensation following abuse or negligence. A lawsuit also highlights a problematic nursing home, aiming to serve justice and initiate change.

Whether your elderly family member suffered injuries due to a medication error, understaffing, or improper training, our legal team is here to help guide you through the legal process.

For a free consultation, contact the Nursing Home Law Center at (800) 926-7565. You can also use our online form to contact our legal team.

Resources: [1] SeniorLiving, [2] Alabama Nursing Home Association, [3] Center for Medicare Advocacy, [4] Medicare, [5] CMS