All states › Missouri › Aurora › Ascend at Aurora
1700 South Hudson Avenue Aurora, MO 65605 · Lawrence County
CMS certification number 265182 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Ascend at Aurora 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 Ascend at Aurora as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Missouri average of 2.6.
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 3.34 hours per resident per day at Ascend at Aurora, about the same as the Missouri median of 3.37 (US median: 3.72). About 0.40 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.15 hours, 6% below its all-week average. 59.6% of nursing staff left within a year (Missouri median 56.8%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Ascend at Aurora: Medicare and Medicaid
Ascend at Aurora 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 Missouri'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 April 12, 2024 and found 15 deficiencies, plus 12 from complaint inspections in the same period. CMS notes that this home's most recent inspection was more than two years ago. In total, inspectors issued 54 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 54 citations at Ascend at Aurora across 10 inspection dates, 14 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on April 12, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (15) and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody" (tag F0600, level J, April 12, 2024). 7 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 27, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
July 23, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
July 10, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
March 18, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
December 9, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
July 18, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
October 22, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
April 12, 2024 · 17 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
JEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
FHave a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
FImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
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.
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
ETry 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.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
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.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DEnsure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
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.
May 11, 2022 · 18 citations
FMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
EProvide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
ETry 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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
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 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.
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.
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 that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DProvide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
DEnsure staff are vaccinated for COVID-19
August 19, 2019 · 7 citations
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
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.
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 treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of Ascend at Aurora
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on April 12, 2024 under the rule on freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on July 23, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- Ownership changed in the last 12 months. What has changed for residents and staff since then?
- The home averages about 54% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
- The last standard inspection was more than two years ago. Can I see any recent complaint inspection results?
- 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
1 penalty in the last three years, including $46,940 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 2024 | Fine | $46,940 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Ascend at Aurora
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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0.8 mi
St Johns Hospital - Aurora AuroraEmergency roomMedian ER visit 2h 9m for patients treated and sent home
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12.4 mi
Cox Monett Hospital MonettEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 31m for patients treated and sent home
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21.5 mi
St Johns Hospital - Cassville CassvilleEmergency roomMedian ER visit 1h 41m 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
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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.