Worst Nursing Homes in NYC

There are over 600 nursing homes in New York State, with a high percentage in New York City. Surprisingly, many of these nursing homes have low ratings, which means they may have received citations from the federal government, or numerous residents have reported the center for poor care.

This in-depth guide will review how NY facilities are rated, including nursing homes and rehab centers. It also includes a list of the worst facilities in NY based on various quality measures. 

Finally, we’ll leave you and your family with tips on choosing the best nursing care or rehab facilities.

How Nursing Center Homes Are Rated

Understanding how nursing homes are rated can help your family choose the best residence for your loved one. The United State’s nursing homes are rated using a combination of government inspections, resident surveys, and rating systems.

Government Inspections

Nursing homes are regulated at both the state and federal levels. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) govern the federal level. The CMS rates certified nursing homes utilizing a five-star rating system for health inspections, quality, and staffing.

At the state level, New York City nursing homes are regulated by the New York State Department of Health and the Nursing Homes and ICF/IID Surveillance. These government inspections include a mix of various ratings, including health inspections and an overall rating.

Resident Surveys

Through CMS, the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) uses resident surveys to understand individual resident experiences better. CMS contacts previous rehabilitation and nursing patients, asking them to complete an assessment of their experience. This information then goes into the center’s rating.

Other Factors

Other factors are considered when rating a nursing home or rehabilitation center. NY ratings are based on health inspection reports and citations. For example, a nursing home may receive a lower rating if it fails health inspections because it does not have a fire sprinkler system. 

List of the Worst Nursing Homes in NYC

State and federal rehabilitation and nursing center ratings make it easier to identify the best (and worst) nursing homes in New York. 

Government Ratings

CMS uses a Five-Star Quality Rating System to help family members choose the best nursing home or rehabilitation center for their loved one. A one-star indicates that a nursing home or rehab center offers much lower than average care, whereas a five-star means the center provides a standard of care that exceeds expectations and average care.

Based on this system, these are some of the lowest-rated New York nursing homes:

• Brooklyn Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Brooklyn, NY
• Brooklyn Center for Rehab and Residential Health Care, Brooklyn, NY
• Palm Gardens Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Brooklyn, NY
• The Riverside, New York, NY
• The Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Brooklyn, NY
• Verrazano Nursing and Post-Acute Center, Staten Island, NY
• Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, New York, NY
• New Vanderbilt Rehabilitation and Care Center, Inc., Staten Island, NY
• Richmond Center for Rehab and Specialty Healthcare, Staten Island, NY
• Rego Park Nursing Home, Flushing, NY

Health Inspection Citations

The CMS also conducts health inspections, which evaluate a facility’s compliance with Medicare and Medicaid health-related regulations. Here are some of the nursing homes in New York City with citations:

• Brooklyn Center for Rehab and Residential Health Care, Brooklyn, NY
• The Riverside, New York, NY
• The Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Brooklyn, NY
• Verrazano Nursing and Post-Acute Center, Staten Island, NY
• Richmond Center for Rehab and Specialty Healthcare, Staten Island, NY
• Brooklyn United Methodist Church Home, Brooklyn, NY
• Brooklyn-Queens Nursing Home, Brooklyn, NY
• Golden Gate Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Staten Island, NY
• Isabella Geriatric Center Inc., New York, NY

Lawsuits

Reviewing prior lawsuits, families can learn a lot about potential New York nursing homes.

Here are a few of the most well-known NY lawsuits against rehabilitation and nursing homes.

• Twelve affiliated skilled nursing and rehabilitation center facilities (Grand Rehabilitation)  were ordered to pay $21.3 million for fraud [1].
• The New York State Attorney General sued a large rehabilitation center brand for financial fraud, covering 38 facilities throughout NY [2].
• The state of New York sued a group of four nursing home locations in NY for neglect, humiliation, or improper treatment of a corpse following death [3].

Nursing home lawsuits are filed for many reasons, including abuse or neglect. Following lawsuit information can help determine a home’s safety and care quality.

Factors Contributing to Poor Quality of Nursing Homes

U.S. News & World Report reports that the country’s best nursing homes have the best resident outcomes, sufficient staffing levels, and frequently pass inspection results. Any NY rehabilitation or nursing center that doesn’t meet these basic expectations may receive a lower overall rating.

Here are a few of the most significant factors contributing to poor quality care in a center for rehabilitation.

Understaffing

Understaffing can lead to negligent rehabilitation and nursing care. The federal government requires a minimum of 3.48 nursing hours per resident daily for all nursing home residents [4]. Some patients may need even more than that. Injuries are significantly more likely to occur when patients don’t receive the required nursing care or supervision.

Inadequate Training

Inadequate staff training can lead to neglect or malpractice. Nursing home facilities must hire qualified staff with clean backgrounds and provide sufficient training based on their employment duties. When a rehabilitation and nursing facility doesn’t properly train its staff, it may be liable when injury or death occurs.

Financial Pressures

Company financial pressures can lead to poor nursing or rehabilitation care quality. Nursing homes that aim to increase profits may be understaffed, which could lead to patient neglect or injury. 

Other harmful attempts to increase profits could include ignoring building maintenance or repair needs, reducing the quality of food or healthcare, and decreasing security measures in the nursing home or center for rehabilitation.

Corporate Ownership

Nursing homes can be structured as corporate or privately owned. While each structure has pros and cons, corporate-owned facilities may be more profit-influenced. Additionally, depending on the corporation’s size, it can sometimes be more difficult for larger companies to maintain a higher quality standard across all facilities.

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Deciding to move a loved one to a nursing center is a big decision. Due diligence and ample research are essential to protecting your loved one from neglect or abuse.

Use these tips to guide you in choosing the right NY nursing center.

Research and Inspection

Whether you’re seeking a nursing or rehabilitation center, research is vital in choosing the right NY facility. Give your family sufficient time to check ratings and read other patient and family reviews.

Most nursing homes also allow interested families to visit and tour the center. In-person visits enable you to learn more about the rehab center, including how other members appear and the quality of the community services. They also allow you to review the staffing situation, including how compassionate or friendly the caregivers are.

Reviewing the specific community services your loved one needs is also a good idea. For example, some rehabilitation and nursing care homes are focused on shorter-term rehab care, whereas others may better accommodate persons with memory care needs.

Ask Questions

Moving a loved one to a nursing center is a big step, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make a list of questions for the staff and administrators about the rehabilitation center. It’s okay to discuss money, but be sure to also inquire about food options, entertainment, emergency services, and available community services.

Trust Your Instincts

Finally, always trust your instincts when choosing a rehabilitation and nursing center. You know better than anyone what it takes to ensure your loved one is properly cared for, so you’ll have the best judgment when choosing the right one. The good news is that many nursing homes or centers in New York offer rehabilitation options.

Contact a NYC Nursing Home Lawyer

A NYC nursing home abuse lawyer can also be a good resource when choosing a skilled nursing facility for your loved one. The Nursing Home Law Center is committed to serving victims and their families. Our attorneys offer a unique perspective on NY facilities. We offer a free consultation and are always willing to answer your questions.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a New York City Nursing Home Lawyer

Families place much trust in rehabilitation and nursing facilities to care for their loved ones as they would. When resident care doesn’t meet expectations, and a loved one becomes injured in the process, you may have legal rights available. A lawsuit recovers the compensation you and your family need while alerting others to a negligent home.

Whether your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, our legal team is here to help serve justice. While many nursing homes in New York City are located in New York City, our law firm extends its services throughout the state. 

Whether you have questions about a rehabilitation and nursing center in Rochester or Buffalo, NY, our team is ready to help. We’re well-versed in many NY locations for rehabilitation facilities throughout Hudson, Rochester, Buffalo, Brighton, or the Bronx.

Contact the Nursing Home Law Center today at (800) 926-7565 for a free consultation about NY care centers. You can also fill out our online form and have a lawyer contact you.

Resources: [1] The United States Attorney’s Office, [2] Center for Medicare Advocacy, [3] ABC7NY, [4] Federal Register