All states › New Jersey › Manahawkin › Southern Ocean Center
1361 Route 72 West Manahawkin, NJ 08050 · Ocean County
All 2 nursing homes in Manahawkin, NJ (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 315332 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Southern Ocean 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 Southern Ocean Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the New Jersey average of 3.5.
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 3.51 hours per resident per day at Southern Ocean Center, below the New Jersey median of 3.67 (US median: 3.72). About 0.67 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.15 hours, 10% below its all-week average. 34% of nursing staff left within a year (New Jersey median 38.1%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Southern Ocean Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Southern Ocean 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 New Jersey'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 September 8, 2025 and found 3 deficiencies, plus 2 from complaint inspections in the same period. 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 Southern Ocean Center across 6 inspection dates, 5 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 32 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were infection control (7) and resident assessment and care planning (6). 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 8, 2025). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
March 3, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
September 8, 2025 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
June 6, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
May 2, 2024 · 6 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
October 5, 2023 · 2 citations
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
April 6, 2022 · 17 citations
FEnsure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
EHonor 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.
EProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
EProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
EPerform COVID19 testing on residents and staff.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
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.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DEnsure staff are vaccinated for COVID-19
Questions to ask on a tour of Southern Ocean Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on September 8, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- There were 2 infection-control citations. Who leads infection prevention, and what is the current outbreak policy?
- 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 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Southern Ocean 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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2.1 mi
Southern Ocean Medical Center ManahawkinEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 43m for patients treated and sent home
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18.5 mi
Community Medical Center Toms RiverEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 3h 0m for patients treated and sent home
- 21.8 mi
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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Other Genesis Healthcare nursing homes in New Jersey
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- Jersey Shore Center · Eatontown · 4 stars
- Cranbury Center · Monroe Township · 3 stars
- Arbor Glen Center · Cedar Grove · 3 stars
- Lopatcong Center · Phillipsburg · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 183 Genesis Healthcare 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.