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Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

All states › Massachusetts › Gardner › Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

59 Eastwood Circle Gardner, MA 01440 · Worcester County

(978) 632-8776

All 2 nursing homes in Gardner, MA (2 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 124 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 225196 · 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 Rehabilitation and Nursing 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 Rehabilitation and Nursing Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Massachusetts average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 32 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 3 out of 5; for long-term residents, 3 out of 5.

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 4.13 hours per resident per day at Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, above the Massachusetts median of 3.72 (US median: 3.72). About 0.62 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.40 hours, 18% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 50.4% of nursing staff left within a year (Massachusetts median 36.1%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.

Nursing care per resident per day 4.13 hours
Above the Massachusetts median of 3.72 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.62 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.40 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 50.4% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 78.9% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds124
Residents per day 107 About 87% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Limited Liability company
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceMay 1970
Legal business nameGARDNER OPERATIONS LLC

Paying for care at Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing 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 2, 2026 and found 9 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 32 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 32 citations at Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center across 4 inspection dates, 1 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 30 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 (9) and resident assessment and care planning (8). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality" (tag F0658, level E, February 2, 2026).

February 2, 2026 · 9 citations

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 9, 2026)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 9, 2026)

DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0554 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 9, 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 (Mar 9, 2026)

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 9, 2026)

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 9, 2026)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 9, 2026)

DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 9, 2026)

BCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · No revisit needed (Mar 9, 2026)

September 9, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 19, 2025)

October 18, 2024 · 15 citations

EEnsure 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 (Nov 27, 2024)

EProcure 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 (Nov 27, 2024)

EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DHonor 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 (Nov 27, 2024)

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 (Nov 27, 2024)

DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0645 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0742 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0756 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0758 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DInform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0847 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

DEducate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0887 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 27, 2024)

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 (Nov 27, 2024)

August 1, 2023 · 7 citations

EProcure 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 8, 2023)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 8, 2023)

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 8, 2023)

DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0690 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 8, 2023)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 8, 2023)

DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0698 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 8, 2023)

DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0883 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 8, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

  1. Weekend staffing is 18% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
  2. Nursing staff turnover was 50.4% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  3. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  4. 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

CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 3/5
August 2026 2/5 2/5 2/5 3/5
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Location

Hospitals near Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

  • 1.3 mi
    Heywood Hospital Gardner
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 3h 12m for patients treated and sent home
  • 11.2 mi
    Healthalliance Hospitals, INC Leominster
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 4h 13m for patients treated and sent home
  • 11.7 mi
    Athol Memorial Hospital Athol
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 54m 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

Wachusett Manor Gardner · 0.3 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 2/5 96 beds · Medicaid
Alliance Health at Baldwinville Baldwinville · 5.1 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 4/5 94 beds · Medicaid
The Highlands Fitchburg · 8.9 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 3/5 168 beds · Medicaid
Fitchburg Healthcare Fitchburg · 9.7 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 2/5 160 beds · Medicaid
Fitchburg Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Fitchburg · 9.8 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 1/5 87 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center ›   All nursing homes in Gardner ›

Compare Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles

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/massachusetts/gardner/gardner-rehabilitation-and-nursing-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.