Worst Nursing Homes in Maine

Many assisted living facilities nationwide provide poor services for elderly residents. In Maine, numerous nursing homes also fall short of professional standards, putting patients’ lives at risk. This article will explore some of the most troublesome facilities in the state so you can feel confident about your nursing home placement.  

Our Methodology for Identifying Maine’s Worst Nursing Homes

Several online tools make assessing the quality of medical care for a potential nursing home resident quite simple. The primary method for evaluating individual facilities in Maine is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.

Medicare’s Star Rating System

CMS, a federal government entity, developed a five-star rating system to assess nursing facilities nationwide. Each facility receives an overall rating. This score is based on individual ratings for health inspections, quality measures, and staffing. You can look up CMS data for specific long-term care facilities with the nursing home comparison tool. 

Maine’s Lowest-Rated Assisted Living Facilities: A Detailed Examination

1. Springbrook Center – 27 deficiencies in the last three years is not a positive record, and many of these violations are related to resident rights. Springbrook Center has failed to keep the premises clean, develop comprehensive care plans, protect residents from abuse or neglect, and implement safe pharmaceutical practices [1]. 
2. Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – Several violations have repeated themselves multiple times at Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, including resident rights deficiencies, nutritional support practices, appropriate treatment care, and quality of life failures [2]. 
3. Montello Manor – The administrative and nursing staff at Montello Manor have placed some patients in danger by allowing accident hazards on the premises, employing unlicensed staff, allowing unclean rooms, failing to prevent abuse, and not developing comprehensive care plans and resident assessments [3]. 
4. Russell Park Rehabilitation and Living Center – One report in March 2024 cited seventeen separate deficiencies. These included not notifying patients of insurance coverage, not developing care plans on time, failing to secure all drugs, poor infection control standards, and lack of prevention of abuse and neglect [4]. 
5. Windward Gardens – 62 total deficiencies have been uncovered in the last three years. One report found that the nursing home area was not free of accident hazards, and residents were not receiving appropriate treatment for their needs, resulting in a fine of $7,901 [5]. 
6. Hibbard Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – This institution has failed residents on numerous occasions. Multiple patients have suffered from physical, mental, or sexual abuse. The staff has also failed to provide appropriate pain management, daily living assistance, and respect for the individual rights of each resident [6]. 
7. Woodlawn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center – Standard inspection reports in both 2023 and 2024 revealed a long list of deficiencies. Chief among them were the staff’s inability to control infections, insufficient nursing staff, protection from abuse, a lack of appropriate treatment for patients with significant medical needs, and the presence of accident hazards [7]. 
8. Cummings Health Care Facility – A complaint report in 2022 cited multiple violations, including accident hazards, residents being disallowed from returning to the facility, and incomplete care plans. A $14,251 fine also resulted from an earlier report that included findings of abuse and neglect [8]. 
9. Ledgewood Manor – The primary failings at Ledgewood Manor include poor infection control practices, improperly trained direct care workers and physicians, severe accident hazards that caused injuries, poor resident assessment practices, and low-quality ulcer care [9]. 
10. Waterville Center for Health and Rehab – One complaint report in 2022 found thirteen deficiencies, which resulted in a $30,000 fine and Medicare payment suspension. Multiple resident rights were violated, including the right to a dignified existence, the right to reasonable accommodations, and the right to confidentiality of medical records [10]. 
11. Maplecrest Rehab and Living Center – Maplecrest Rehab and Living Center is guilty of not honoring the resident’s right to choose treatment, failing to maintain a clean environment, failing to observe the performance of each registered nurse, and not treating each resident with dignity and respect [11]. 
12. Marshall Health Care and Rehab – One of the most severe cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation occurred at this facility in 2022, resulting in multiple residents being harmed and a $23,989 fine. The staff has also failed to maintain professional assessment and care plan practices [12]. 
13. Oak Grove Center – Oak Grove Center has a long history of deficiencies, especially in the last three years, with 56 violations and multiple fines. The most serious concerns are accident hazards that place residents in danger and administrative deficiencies [13]. 
14. Sandy River Center – Some residents have suffered from physical, mental, and sexual abuse, exploitation, and neglect, according to a 2022 report on Sandy River Center. This violation also led to a $8,648 fine against the facility. Other failures include resident rights violations, quality of life concerns, and administrative deficiencies [14]. 

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Maine

Knowing the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect could save your loved one’s life. Physical indicators of abuse or neglect may include bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries, pressure ulcers, malnutrition, or poor hygiene. Behavioral changes could also signal an issue and may manifest as fearfulness, agitation, or withdrawal. 

There could also be environmental clues in the nursing home setting, such as unclean premises, missing possessions, dirty linens or laundry, and the presence of tripping hazards. 

Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Maine Nursing Home

If you believe abuse or neglect is affecting your family member, you must take action quickly to hold the facility accountable. 

Document your concerns and be as detailed as possible, using notes, photos, and videos. Report these concerns to the medical director or other administrators at the facility. Contact the long-term care ombudsman program in Maine for assistance. Consider filing an official complaint with the Maine Department of Inspections and Appeals. 

Lastly, pursuing a lawsuit may be necessary, so consult an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. 

What Are the Most Common Forms of Nursing Home Neglect in Maine?

Neglect can manifest in several ways in a nursing home. Improper monitoring, lack of assistance with daily living activities, medication errors, poor nutrition, inappropriate use of restraints, and declining health conditions may all be the result of neglect from a staff member. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Maine?

In Maine, victims of nursing home abuse or neglect have three years from the date of discovery to file a lawsuit against the facility or staff. In wrongful death cases, a family member would have two years from the victim’s death to file a claim. 

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Neglect Case?

Whether you suffered due to less-than-adequate supervision, unsanitary conditions, or other serious deficiencies, a successful lawsuit could lead to compensation for legal damages. 

Economic damages may include lost income, medical expenses, and future medical costs. Non-economic losses may involve emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys for a Free Consultation

The Nursing Home Law Center can help you hold a facility with serious problems accountable. A residential care facility must protect and care for its patients and meet all resident needs. If you have been mistreated or abused, our team can build a strong case to increase your chances of winning compensation.

Call our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to request a free consultation. 

Resources: [1] ProPublica – Springbrook Center, [2] ProPublica – Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation, [3] ProPublica – Montello Manor, [4] ProPublica – Russell Park, [5] ProPublica – Windward Gardens, [6] ProPublica – Hibbard Skilled Nursing, [7] ProPublica – Woodlawn Rehabilitation, [8] ProPublica – Cummings Health Care, [9] ProPublica – Ledgewood Manor, [10] ProPublica – Waterville Center, [11] ProPublica – Maplecrest Rehab, [12] ProPublica – Marshall Health, [13] ProPublica – Oak Grove Center, [14] ProPublica – Sandy River Center