Worst Nursing Homes in Arkansas

Finding the right place for a loved one can be tough, especially when it comes to choosing a nursing home. You want a center where they’ll be safe, cared for, and treated with respect. But what if the facility you choose falls short in every way?

In The Natural State, some nursing homes have been flagged for serious issues—things like poor resident care, low ratings, and repeated complaints. It’s not just about a bad meal or a grumpy nurse. We’re talking about problems that can affect the well-being of residents.

These are the places you need to know about, and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about here. From low ratings to health violations, let’s take a closer look at the worst homes in AR so you can avoid them and protect your loved ones.

How a Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Center is Rated

When it comes to picking a facility for a loved one, understanding how nursing homes are rated is key. Ratings help families make informed choices, giving them a glimpse into how well—or how poorly—a facility operates. Ratings usually come from government inspections, resident surveys, and a few other factors that show the overall picture.

Government Inspections

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plays a huge role in these ratings. They send out inspectors to check on nursing homes and look at everything from cleanliness to how well residents are cared for.

If a facility is found lacking in areas, it might end up with a low rating, sometimes even a dreaded one-star rating. Inspections are crucial because they help keep nursing homes accountable.

Resident Surveys

It’s not just about what the inspectors see. Resident surveys are another important piece of the puzzle. Resident surveys ask the people who live in the facility (and their families) about their experiences. Are the staff friendly? Does the nursing home feel safe? Their answers can impact the overall rating.

Other Factors

On top of government inspections and surveys, other things also matter. Health inspection reports, any citations a facility has received, and the quality measures they use can all affect the rating.

For example, if a facility has a history of complaints or serious health violations, it will receive a lower rating. When you’re checking out nursing homes, it’s important to look at the whole picture to ensure your loved one ends up in a safe, caring place.

List of the Worst Arkansas Nursing Homes

Choosing the right nursing home is tough, especially when there are some facilities you really need to avoid. Several nursing homes in The Natural State have received some of the worst ratings. This list comes from Nursing Home Abuse Advocate: [1]

• Arlington Cove Healthcare
• Brighton Ridge
• Pennington Mannor LLC
• Bear Creek Healthcare
• The Springs Jonesboro
• The Springs of Barrow
• Legacy Health and Rehabilitation
• Happy Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation

These facilities have faced significant issues, whether it’s poor resident care, problems with Medicaid Services, or failing to meet basic standards. Make sure to keep them off your list when considering short or long-term care options for your loved ones.

Government Ratings

When it comes to short and long-term care, some facilities really stand out, but not for the right reasons. This isn’t just about some five nursing homes but a whole list of places that received the lowest overall ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. [2] These include:

• Ashley Rehabilitation and Health Care Center
• Oak Ridge Health and Rehabilitation
• The Springs of Pinnacle Mountain
• Autumn Hill
• Paris Health and Rehabilitation Center
• Trinity Village Medical Center
• Crestpark Stuttgart, LLC
• The Springs Jonesboro
• St Andrews Healthcare
• The Springs Magnolia

Health Inspection Citations

According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, these facilities have a history of serious health violations: [3] 

• Alcoa Pines Health and Rehabilitation
• Green Acres Nursing Home
• Lakewood Health and Rehab
• Dermott City Nursing Home
• Care Manor Nursing and Rehab
• Amberwood Health and Rehabilitation
• Methodist Health and Rehab
• Gosnell Health and Rehab
• Arkansas State Veterans Home at North Little
• Oak Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation

Lawsuits

Several lawsuits have been filed against nursing homes in this state. For example, the Hillview Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center was ordered to pay $15.7 million after a resident, Zelma Grissom, died due to neglect—including bedsores that led to sepsis. [4]

Another case involved Greenbrier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where the family of Martha Bull was awarded $5.2 million after the facility failed to provide necessary medical care, which led to her death. These cases show the serious consequences of neglect in short and long-term care facilities. [5]

Factors Contributing to Nursing Home Abuse

Several factors often play a role in nursing home abuse by creating environments where residents don’t get the care they deserve. Understanding these issues can help families be more aware and make better choices for their family members.

Understaffing

One of the biggest problems in many nursing homes is understaffing. When there aren’t enough registered nurses or caregivers on hand, it’s nearly impossible to provide the level of care that residents need.

This often leads to neglect, where important things like feeding, bathing, or basic medical attention might be missed. It’s a tough situation, especially for facilities with long-term care patients.

Inadequate Training

Another issue is inadequate training. When the staff isn’t properly trained, they may not know how to handle certain situations or care for residents with specific needs. This lack of knowledge can lead to mistakes that could have been avoided.

Financial Pressures

Financial pressures are also a big part of the problem, especially in nursing homes with tight budgets. These financial constraints can result in cutting corners—whether it’s with staff wages, quality measures, or basic services. This financial strain often shows up in the form of a one-star rating or multiple complaints.

Corporate Ownership

Lastly, corporate ownership can sometimes be a drawback. Large companies that own multiple nursing homes might focus more on profits than on quality care. This can lead to cost-cutting measures that negatively impact residents.

Families should be aware of this when choosing a facility for their loved ones. The Natural State has the Ombudsman Program to help families and provide a way to address concerns and complaints.

Call an Arkansas Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

If you or a family member has faced issues with a nursing home in Arkansas, make sure to get up and take action quickly. The Nursing Home Law Center is here to support you. With experience in handling cases against these facilities, we know how to hold these places accountable.

Whether it’s poor care, neglect, complaints against a facility, or worse, we’re ready to help. Call us now at (800) 926-7565 for a free consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help your family get the justice you deserve.

Resources: [1] NHAA, [2] Medicare, [3] Medicare, [4] Arkansas Online, [5] About Lawsuits