All states › Delaware › Milford › Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
21 W Clarke Avenue Milford, DE 19963 · Sussex County
All 3 nursing homes in Milford, DE (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 085058 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation 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 Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Delaware average of 3.2.
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 staff spend about 4.06 hours per resident per day at Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, about the same as the Delaware median of 3.98 (US median: 3.72). About 0.73 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.65 hours, 10% below its all-week average. 63.6% of nursing staff left within a year (Delaware median 40%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation 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 Delaware'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 February 11, 2026 and found 7 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 67 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 67 citations at Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center across 5 inspection dates, 23 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on January 28, 2025 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (17) and resident rights (16). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors" (tag F0760, level K, January 28, 2025). 4 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
February 11, 2026 · 7 citations
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
August 11, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
DProvide or obtain dental services for each resident.
January 28, 2025 · 39 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
KEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
GProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
DHonor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
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.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DNot transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
DNotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
DPermit a resident to return to the nursing home after hospitalization or therapeutic leave that exceeds bed-hold policy.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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 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.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DObtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
DObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
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.
DProvide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
DProvide or obtain dental services for each resident.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DDevelop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
DEnsure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.
DConduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
DInclude as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
DProvide training in compliance and ethics.
DEnsure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
DProvide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
July 9, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DPlan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
DProvide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
April 11, 2024 · 17 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
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.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
BHonor 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.
Questions to ask on a tour of Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on January 28, 2025 under the rule on pharmacy service. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on February 11, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Nursing staff turnover was 63.6% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- 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
3 penalties in the last three years, including $144,544 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 11, 2026 | Fine | $17,345 |
| Jan 28, 2025 | Fine | $114,368 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | Fine | $12,831 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation 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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2.6 mi
Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus MilfordEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 4h 12m for patients treated and sent home
- 14.4 mi
- 17.3 mi
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 Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center › All nursing homes in Milford ›
Compare Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Milford Center · Milford · 3 stars · 0.4 mi
Other Nationwide Healthcare Services nursing homes in Delaware
- Regency Healthcare & Rehab Center · Wilmington · 2 stars
- Regal Heights Healthcare & Rehab Center · Hockessin · 1 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 7 Nationwide Healthcare Services 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.