All states › Massachusetts › Dorchester › St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center
321 Centre Street Dorchester, MA 02122 · Suffolk County
All 2 nursing homes in Dorchester, MA (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 225493 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is St Joseph Rehab & Nursing 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 St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Massachusetts average of 3.1.
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 3.70 hours per resident per day at St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center, about the same as the Massachusetts median of 3.72 (US median: 3.72). About 0.93 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.30 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 40.2% of nursing staff left within a year (Massachusetts median 36.1%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
St Joseph Rehab & Nursing 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 Massachusetts'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 19, 2026 and found 4 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 45 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 45 citations at St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center across 5 inspection dates, 3 of them from complaint investigations. 4 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on July 8, 2024. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (15) and pharmacy service (9). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures" (tag F0756, level G, July 8, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 21, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
February 19, 2026 · 4 citations
EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
February 5, 2025 · 13 citations
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
EEnsure 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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EDispose of garbage and refuse properly.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
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.
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 safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
July 8, 2024 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
GEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
February 9, 2024 · 25 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide 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.
GEnsure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
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.
ERespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
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 activities to meet all resident's needs.
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 enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DTry different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
DProvide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
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.
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.
Questions to ask on a tour of St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on July 8, 2024 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 9, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- 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
2 penalties in the last three years, including $82,612 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2024 | Fine | $29,348 |
| Feb 9, 2024 | Fine | $53,264 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near St Joseph Rehab & Nursing 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.
- 1.2 mi
- 2.2 mi
-
2.9 mi
Boston Medical Center Corporation BostonEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 47m 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 St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center › All nursing homes in Dorchester ›
Compare St Joseph Rehab & Nursing Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- The Boston Home · Boston · 5 stars · 1.0 mi
- Laurel Ridge Rehab and Skilled Care Center · Boston · 5 stars · 2.4 mi
- South Cove Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center · Quincy · 5 stars · 4.7 mi
- German Center for Extended Care · Boston · 5 stars · 5.3 mi
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.