All states › Pennsylvania › Lancaster › Hamilton Arms Center
336 South West End Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 · Lancaster County
All 10 nursing homes in Lancaster, PA (8 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 395224 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Hamilton Arms 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 Hamilton Arms Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Pennsylvania average of 3.0.
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 3.27 hours per resident per day at Hamilton Arms Center, below the Pennsylvania median of 3.64 (US median: 3.72). About 0.48 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.05 hours, 7% below its all-week average. 39.3% of nursing staff left within a year (Pennsylvania median 44.6%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Hamilton Arms Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Hamilton Arms 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 Pennsylvania'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 26, 2025 and found 5 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 23 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 23 citations at Hamilton Arms Center across 7 inspection dates, 5 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on July 20, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (7) and pharmacy service (4). 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 G, July 20, 2026). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 20, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
February 25, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
September 26, 2025 · 5 citations, includes actual harm
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure 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.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
June 5, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
September 6, 2024 · 7 citations
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
July 15, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DPrepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
October 6, 2023 · 6 citations
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.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Questions to ask on a tour of Hamilton Arms Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on July 20, 2026 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 20, 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?
- 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
5 penalties in the last three years, including $36,454 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 2026 | Fine | $14,380 |
| Sep 26, 2025 | Fine | $13,065 |
| Jan 8, 2024 | Fine | $2,659 |
| Jan 2, 2024 | Fine | $2,117 |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Fine | $4,233 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Hamilton Arms Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 1.1 mi
-
1.4 mi
Lancaster General Hospital LancasterEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 3h 29m for patients treated and sent home
-
2.2 mi
Community Hosp of Lancaster LancasterEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 44m 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
More nursing homes near Hamilton Arms Center › All nursing homes in Lancaster ›
Compare Hamilton Arms Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Homestead Village · Lancaster · 5 stars · 1.6 mi
- Trillium Place · Lancaster · 5 stars · 2.3 mi
- Glen at Willow Valley · Lancaster · 5 stars · 3.3 mi
- Lakeside at Willow Valley · Willow Street · 5 stars · 4.5 mi
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.