Worst Nursing Homes in Arizona
While there are many highly rated long-term care facilities in the Grand Canyon state, the care quality varies significantly among different nursing homes. Data from the federal government shows that many AZ facilities fail to treat residents with respect, which makes them more vulnerable to serious abuse.
If your loved one has been mistreated in a nursing home, you have legal options. The Nursing Home Law Center can help you get justice against nursing home employees, administrators, and organizations that fail to treat residents with the care they deserve.
How Many Arizona Nursing Homes Fail to Meet Standards?
Nursing homes that take government insurance are required to report their staffing and infection rates to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS also conducts inspections, gives citations, and levies fines against underperforming facilities.
CMS uses a five-star rating system to identify the best and worst nursing homes. There are 142 nursing homes registered with CMS in this state [1]. Of those, 52 have a 1-star or 2-star rating, meaning that 36% are underperforming [2].
Common Violations Found in Arizona Nursing Homes
- Medication Errors – Staff must ensure that residents receive the correct medications, and they should not provide more medication than is strictly necessary.
- Resident Rights Violations – Refusing to let a patient leave, not letting family visit, or ignoring a resident’s decision to stop certain treatments are all violations.
- Inadequate Staffing – While the ideal staff-to-resident ratio may vary based on patient needs, a 1:4 ratio is generally ideal [3].
- Poor Hygiene – Failure to change bedding every day, not cleaning surfaces, or refusing to let residents bathe themselves are all violations.
- Abuse – This includes verbal, physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse.
How We Identify the Worst Nursing Homes in Arizona
Both state and federal agencies inspect and report on nursing homes. This list of the lowest-rated nursing homes was compiled using the CMS Quality Rating, the Arizona Department of Health Services Inspection Reports, and the list of Federal Special Focus Facilities (SFF).
Special Focus Facilities have a history of citations or patient abuse. The government closely monitors them until conditions improve and will regularly report on care measures, like infection protocols and resident rights.
Arizona’s Worst Nursing Homes
- Allegiant Healthcare of Mesa – There have been 33 violations here since 2019, and it was ordered to pay over $8,400 in fines in 2023 when a resident suffered injuries of unknown origin under their care [4].
- Archie Hendricks Senior Skilled Nursing Facility – The facility did not adequately respond to allegations of abuse [5].
- Arizona State Veteran Home – Individuals here were denied safe, properly stored food [6].
- Christian Care Nursing Center – Residents were exposed to fall hazards which could lead to serious injuries [7].
- Desert Cove Nursing Center – Some individuals did not get life-saving dialysis services as needed [8].
- Desert Peak Care Center – In 2023, it was given a payment suspension and required to pay $87,200 in fines when an individual with schizoaffective disorder assaulted another resident in their care [9].
- Dr. Guy Gorman Senior Care Home – This is a Special Focus Facility candidate due to allegations of abuse [10].
- Haven of Cottonwood – This Special Focus Facility Candidate failed to report and investigate alleged abuse [11].
- Haven of Globe – Haven of Globe has been accused of violating individuals’ rights and exposing them to abuse [12].
- Haven of Lakeside – Individuals with incontinence were not given appropriate care to protect their dignity [13].
- Haven of Sedona – The nursing home had an unacceptable level of medication errors [14].
- Haven of Show Low – Staff here could not meet basic quality standards and violated resident rights [15].
- Haven of Sierra Vista – Some individuals did not receive the necessary help to perform activities of daily living [16].
- Life Care Center of Tucson – There have been multiple abuse allegations at Life Care Center [17].
- Mountain View Care Center – It is a Special Focus Facility candidate because it has failed to respond to abuse allegations [18].
- Mountain View Manor – In 2023, it was fined $11,450 for 11 serious citations, including failing to prevent pressure sores or provide staff training on dementia care [19].
- Oasis Pavilion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – The facility has been accused of abuse several times in the past few years [20].
- Palm Valley Post Acute – It is a Special Focus Facility Candidate due to its 53 deficiencies in the last four years, including violations for resident abuse and exploitation [21].
- Phoenix Mountain Post Acute – This facility was cited in 2024 for an inappropriate relationship between a resident and a staff member [22].
- Rim Country Health & Retirement Community – In one instance, a nursing assistant hit a resident with dementia and screamed at her [23].
- Sandstone Estates Rehab Center – Deficiencies include abuse, pressure sores, and medication errors [24].
- Sandstone of Tuscon Rehab Centre –Since 2021, it has been cited for 51 violations, including violating patient rights, abusing residents, and not performing proper assessments during their stay [25].
- Santa Rosa Care Center – Violations include failing to provide a home-like environment, not providing adequate nutrition, and failing to investigate allegations of abuse [26].
- Silverwood Post Acute – There have been multiple abuse allegations and violations of resident rights [27].
- The Rehabilitation Center at the Palazzo – The center did not give appropriate care to mentally ill patients or prevent infections [28].
- Villa Maria Post Acute and Rehabilitation – Individuals here were not provided a reasonable quality of life [29].
- Winslow Campus of Care – In 2023, it was required to pay $33,000 in penalties, including a $21,548 fine for resident-on-resident abuse [30].
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
While data on citations and violations can uncover the worst facilities in the state, any facility may harbor abuse. It’s crucial that family members visit their loved one and see the facility for themselves. Be alert for any signs of potential abuse, including behavioral changes and physical symptoms.
Physical Indicators of Abuse or Neglect
- Unexplained bruises
- Bed sores
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Repeated infections
Behavioral Changes That May Signal a Problem
- Withdrawal
- Fearfulness
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Depression
- Refusal to comment on their experience at the nursing home
Environmental Clues in the Nursing Home
- Inadequate staffing
- Poor staff responsiveness
- Dirty bedding
- Lack of supplies
- Unlabeled medication
- Smell of feces or urine
- Fall hazards
- Cluttered hallways
What to Do if You Suspect Neglect or Abuse in an Arizona Nursing Home?
If you suspect abuse, you must act quickly by gathering evidence, making reports, and contacting an experienced attorney.
Document Your Concerns: Gather Evidence
Gather videos and photos of the facility to share with investigators. Keep a journal of your observations, including dates, times, and locations. Ask your loved one to share their story and collect medical records.
Report to the Facility’s Administration
Every nursing home must have an administrator who handles resident complaints. After you have collected evidence, email them with your findings and request an investigation. Provide videos, photos, and testimony from your loved one.
Contact Arizona’s Adult Protective Services (APS)
Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates elder abuse and neglect. You can contact them at (877) 767-2385 or file a complaint online through their complaint portal.
When making a report, you will be asked questions about the vulnerable adult, their status, what happened, and any evidence you may have. APS will then assign the case to an investigator, who will reach out with more information.
File a Complaint with the Arizona Department of Health Services
The Department of Health Services is responsible for investigating potential violations at healthcare facilities. You can file your complaint online or call them at (602) 542-1025 for help.
Seek Legal Counsel: Protecting Your Loved One’s Rights
A nursing home abuse attorney can assist you in understanding your rights and guide you through the legal process. We will handle communications with third parties on your behalf, review inspections and nursing home ratings, and speak with experts who can provide their unbiased testimony.
How Our Law Firm Can Help Victims of Nursing Home Neglect in Arizona
Our firm is highly adept at handling nursing home abuse cases in the Southwest. We will thoroughly investigate your case, including examining Medicare quality ratings and citations to determine whether the nursing home has a track record of abuse.
We will negotiate with the nursing home’s insurance agency and guide you through the legal process, including filing lawsuits and representing you in court. Based on the available evidence, our team will push for maximum compensation, ensuring that you and your family can heal in comfort.
Contact Our Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Your elderly loved one deserves quality care that is free from abuse. If you or your family member has been mistreated, you deserve justice. Call us at (800) 926-7565 or use our online contact form to speak to an experienced AZ nursing home abuse attorney.
References: [1] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [2] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [3] Fathom, [4] ProPublica, [5] ProPublica, [6] ProPublica, [7] ProPublica, [8] ProPublica, [9] ProPublica, [10] ProPublica, [11] ProPublica, [12] ProPublica, [13] ProPublica, [14] ProPublica, [15] ProPublica, [16] ProPublica, [17] ProPublica, [18] ProPublica, [19] ProPublica, [20] ProPublica, [21] ProPublica, [22] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [23] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [24] ProPublica, [25] ProPublica, [26] ProPublica, [27] ProPublica, [28] ProPublica, [29] ProPublica, [30] ProPublica