Aspire Physical Recovery Center at Cahaba River
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 250 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (8 vs median 3.0)
- High staff turnover (70%)
- High RN turnover (61%)
Bottom 25% in AL · Meets national RN staffing standard · Above recommended total nurse staffing · Worst in NHS MANAGEMENT chain · $16,801 in fines
What this means for your family
This facility features a highly skilled therapy team and several standout CNAs who provide exceptional, compassionate care. However, the facility suffers from systemic communication issues and inconsistent response times, particularly on weekends. We strongly advise families to visit frequently, especially during off-hours, and to clarify all billing and insurance coverage in writing before admission.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
250 reviews on Google“Aspire Physical Recovery Center at Cahaba River receives highly polarized reviews, with many families praising the dedicated nursing and CNA staff for providing compassionate, family-like care during rehabilitation. However, a significant number of reviewers report serious concerns regarding neglect, slow response times to call lights, and poor communication from management. While the therapy department is frequently highlighted as a strength, the facility's inconsistent care standards and billing transparency issues remain major points of contention for families.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Highly attentive and compassionate CNA staff
- Effective and professional physical/occupational therapy teams
- Clean and well-maintained facility environment
- Strong, personalized care from specific nurses
Concerns
- Slow or non-existent response to call lights (mentioned by 7 reviewers)
- Poor communication and lack of responsiveness from management (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
- Inconsistent care and neglect (e.g., hygiene, feeding) (mentioned by 8 reviewers)
- Billing and insurance transparency issues (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 224 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed that the facility is very active in responding to online feedback; how does that same level of responsiveness translate to communication with families regarding daily updates or concerns?
- 2Given the high praise for your therapy teams, how do you ensure that the physical and occupational therapy goals are integrated into the resident's overall daily care plan?
- 3We understand that call light response times can be a challenge in many facilities; what specific protocols or technology do you use to ensure residents receive timely assistance when they need it?
- 4How does your nursing team coordinate with families to ensure consistent hygiene and nutritional support, especially for residents who may need extra assistance during meal times?
- 5With the recent focus on improving health inspection outcomes, what specific changes or training initiatives has the leadership team implemented to enhance the quality of care?
- 6What does a typical day look like in terms of social engagement and activities for residents who are balancing a recovery program with their daily routine?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The therapy department is awesome! Everything else is utter caos and very scary if you have chronic health issues. The staff is very skilled at diversion techniques, they are in and out without doing anything except an empty promise to be back.”
“My mother 82 was a patient there for 7 days for rehab and it was the worst experience that she ever experience in her life... My mom was not able to move around without someone helping and assisting her when she rung her bell for help it took the nurse 30 minutes before someone came into her room.”
“I truly regret not reading the reviews before allowing my mother, who has Alzheimer’s, to be admitted to this facility. The communication was abysmal; whether in person or over the phone, no one could ever provide a straight answer.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026This facility meets the national staffing benchmarks. Higher staffing is linked to fewer falls and better day-to-day care.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
7
measures
5
measures
5
measures
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Families have filed complaints triggering 8 deficiencies in recent inspections, indicating ongoing concerns about resident rights, care planning, and food safety. The facility shows persistent problems across fire safety systems, dietary services, and resident rights over three surveys from 2018-2024. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of repeated violations in fire safety and nutrition suggests families should carefully evaluate the facility's ability to maintain consistent standards.
Jan 12, 2024Complaint8
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor 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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Jan 12, 2024Routine3
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Sep 19, 2019Routine11
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure 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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Aug 16, 2018Routine9
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Jan 12, 2024
$16,801
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Aspire Physical Recovery Center at Cahaba River
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Nhs Management
43 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.8/5 · Rank 38 of 43 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Owners
James Norman Estes Jr Tr
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Jennifer E Agee Family Dynasty Tr no 2
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Jennifer Lee Estes Tr 031093
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Estes, James
Owner (parent company)
Northport Holding Operations, LLC
Owner · Organization
James N Estes Jr Family Dynasty Tr no 2
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
250 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit aspirephysicalrecovery.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
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