facebook tracking Care One at Lowell, Lowell MA: CMS Ratings & Inspections
Skip to content

Care One at Lowell

All states › Massachusetts › Lowell › Care One at Lowell

19 Varnum Street Lowell, MA 01850 · Middlesex County

(978) 454-5644

All 7 nursing homes in Lowell, MA (6 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 160 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 225224 · 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 Care One at Lowell 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 Care One at Lowell as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the Massachusetts average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 20 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time.

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 3.77 hours per resident per day at Care One at Lowell, about the same as the Massachusetts median of 3.72 (US median: 3.72). About 0.27 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.36 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 20.7% of nursing staff left within a year (Massachusetts median 36.1%). That is lower than most homes in Massachusetts, a sign of a steadier team.

Nursing care per resident per day 3.77 hours
About the Massachusetts median Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.27 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.36 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 20.7% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 12.5% 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 beds160
Residents per day 154 About 96% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Limited Liability company
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceDecember 1974
Part of a chainCareone
Legal business name19 VARNUM STREET OPERATING COMPANY, LLC

Paying for care at Care One at Lowell: Medicare and Medicaid

Care One at Lowell 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 May 14, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 20 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 20 citations at Care One at Lowell across 4 inspection dates, 1 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 18 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 2 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (7) and quality of life and care (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits" (tag F0712, level E, May 21, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

May 14, 2026 · 3 citations

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 (Jun 8, 2026)

DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2026)

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 (Jun 8, 2026)

May 21, 2025 · 9 citations

EEnsure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0712 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)

ESafeguard 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 (Jun 27, 2025)

DHonor 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 27, 2025)

DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0637 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0693 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)

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 (Jun 27, 2025)

DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0759 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)

DKeep signed and dated reports of x-rays and other diagnostic services in the residents record.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0779 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)

CProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0628 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)

July 9, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

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 (Aug 5, 2024)

June 27, 2024 · 7 citations

DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0604 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 4, 2024)

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 (Aug 4, 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 (Aug 4, 2024)

DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0699 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 4, 2024)

DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0790 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 4, 2024)

DProvide 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 (Aug 4, 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 (Aug 4, 2024)

Questions to ask on a tour of Care One at Lowell

  1. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on July 9, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  2. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  3. 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 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5
August 2026 3/5 3/5 4/5 4/5
Add this rating badge to your websiteFree. Shows Care One at Lowell's Medicare star rating and updates itself.

Size and colour

Preview

Care One at Lowell Medicare star rating badge

Paste it where the badge should appear: in WordPress, a Custom HTML block or a footer widget; on other sites, any spot that accepts HTML. The badge updates itself when CMS publishes new ratings.

Examples, sizes and help on the badge page ›

Location

Hospitals near Care One at Lowell

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

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

Vantage at Lowell Lowell · 1.6 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 115 beds · Medicaid
Regalcare at Lowell Lowell · 2.0 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 90 beds · Medicaid
Fairhaven Healthcare Center Lowell · 2.4 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 169 beds · Medicaid
D'Youville Senior Care Lowell · 3.3 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 208 beds · Medicaid
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Lowell · 3.4 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 2/5 123 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Care One at Lowell ›   All nursing homes in Lowell ›

Compare Care One at Lowell with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles

Other Careone nursing homes in Massachusetts

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 37 Careone 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.

Compare

https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/massachusetts/lowell/care-one-at-lowell/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.