All states › Connecticut › Shelton › Gardner Heights Health Care Center
172 Rocky Rest Road Shelton, CT 06484 · Greater Bridgeport County
All 4 nursing homes in Shelton, CT (4 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 075368 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Gardner Heights Health Care Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Gardner Heights Health Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Connecticut average of 3.0.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Gardner Heights Health Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Gardner Heights Health Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Connecticut's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on April 27, 2026 and found 5 deficiencies, plus 4 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 31 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 31 citations at Gardner Heights Health Care Center across 5 inspection dates, 7 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 29 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 2 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (10) and resident rights (8). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards" (tag F0812, level F, August 19, 2024). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
April 27, 2026 · 9 citations · includes complaint inspection
EHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
EProvide appropriate foot care.
DHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
DConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
BEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
BEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
May 28, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
August 19, 2024 · 9 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
ETimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
EProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
August 8, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
January 28, 2022 · 10 citations
EHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
DHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DHonor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Questions to ask on a tour of Gardner Heights Health Care Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on April 27, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 1 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 2 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
1 penalty in the last three years.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2024 | Payment Denial | 5 days of payments denied |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Gardner Heights Health Care Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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3.4 mi
Griffin Hospital DerbyEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 45m for patients treated and sent home
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7.0 mi
West Haven VA Medical Center West HavenEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 53m for patients treated and sent home
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7.6 mi
Bridgeport Hospital BridgeportEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 20m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Gardner Heights Health Care Center › All nursing homes in Shelton ›
Compare Gardner Heights Health Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Orange Health Care Center · Orange · 5 stars · 5.2 mi
- Milford Health and Rehabilitation Center · Milford · 5 stars · 6.5 mi
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at the Willows · Woodbridge · 5 stars · 7.0 mi
- The Springs at 3030 Park · Bridgeport · 5 stars · 8.8 mi
Other Apple Rehab nursing homes in Connecticut
- Apple Rehab Avon · Avon · 3 stars
- Apple Rehab Uncasville · Uncasville · 3 stars
- Apple Rehab Watertown · Watertown · 3 stars
- Ledgecrest Health Care Center · Kensington · 3 stars
- Wolcott Hall Nursing Center · Torrington · 3 stars
- Apple Rehab Farmington Valley · Plainville · 2 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 20 Apple Rehab nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.