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250 Shearer Street Palmer, MA 01069 · Hampden County
CMS certification number 225763 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Palmer Healthcare 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 Palmer Healthcare Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above 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 3.62 hours per resident per day at Palmer Healthcare Center, below the Massachusetts median of 3.72 (US median: 3.72). About 0.54 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.30 hours, 9% below its all-week average. 58% 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.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Palmer Healthcare Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Palmer Healthcare 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 January 6, 2026 and found 2 deficiencies, plus 2 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 14 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 14 citations at Palmer Healthcare Center across 5 inspection dates, 3 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 14 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident rights (4) and nutrition and dietary (3). 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, September 26, 2024). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
January 6, 2026 · 2 citations
DGive the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
December 16, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
September 2, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
September 26, 2024 · 7 citations
FProcure 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 be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
DRegularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
August 10, 2023 · 2 citations
FEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
DPlan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
Questions to ask on a tour of Palmer Healthcare Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on December 16, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Nursing staff turnover was 58% 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
CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Palmer Healthcare 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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0.4 mi
Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Center PalmerEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 34m for patients treated and sent home
- 7.6 mi
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13.4 mi
Johnson Memorial Hospital Stafford SpringsEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 2m 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.
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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.