facebook tracking Gardner Heights Health Care Center, Shelton CT: CMS Ratings
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Gardner Heights Health Care Center

All states › Connecticut › Shelton › Gardner Heights Health Care Center

172 Rocky Rest Road Shelton, CT 06484 · Greater Bridgeport County

(203) 929-1481

All 4 nursing homes in Shelton, CT (4 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 124 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 075368 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

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. Inspectors issued 31 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 1 penalty in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 2 out of 5; for long-term residents, 4 out of 5. Those results differ a lot, so ask about the unit your family member would be on.

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

Nursing care per resident per day — hours Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours — per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care — hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover — Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover — Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left — Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds124
Residents per day 113 About 91% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceJanuary 1992
Part of a chainApple Rehab
Legal business nameGARDNER HEIGHTS HEALTH CARE CENTER

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

EProvide appropriate foot care.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0687 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0578 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0600 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0838 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

BEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0641 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

BEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2026)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 17, 2025)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

ETimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

EProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0692 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0686 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0688 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 30, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 19, 2024)

DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0607 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 19, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0578 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0585 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0600 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0610 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0686 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 11, 2022)

Questions to ask on a tour of Gardner Heights Health Care Center

  1. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on April 27, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  2. CMS rates staffing 1 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
  3. 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?
  4. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  5. 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.

DateTypeAmount or length
Aug 8, 2024 Payment Denial 5 days of payments denied

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
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.

  • 3.4 mi
    Griffin Hospital Derby
    Emergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 45m for patients treated and sent home
  • 7.0 mi
    West Haven VA Medical Center West Haven
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 3h 53m for patients treated and sent home
  • 7.6 mi
    Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport
    Emergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5
    Median 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

Masonicare at Bishop Wicke Health & Rehabilitation Shelton · 0.3 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 120 beds · Medicaid
Hewitt Health & Rehabilitation Center Shelton · 1.8 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 1/5 206 beds · Medicaid
Apple Rehab Shelton Lakes Shelton · 2.2 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 1/5 106 beds · Medicaid
Lord Chamberlain Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Stratford · 2.7 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 5/5 60 beds
Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Stratford · 2.7 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 190 beds · Medicaid

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

Other Apple Rehab nursing homes in Connecticut

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.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/connecticut/shelton/gardner-heights-health-care-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.