Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise highly compassionate and skilled nursing staff. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 57 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
This facility has shown significant improvement under new management, with many families highlighting the exceptional dedication of the nursing staff and effective rehab services. However, families should be vigilant regarding administrative paperwork and should personally inspect the cleanliness of the specific room assigned to their loved one, as reports on facility hygiene remain inconsistent.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
57 reviews on Google“Avalon Healthcare Bellingham, formerly known as St. Francis, has seen a significant shift in reputation following a change in administration. Recent reviews frequently praise the nursing staff—specifically highlighting individual nurses like Preet—for their compassion and professional care, while older reviews and some critical voices point to persistent issues with facility cleanliness, administrative communication, and occasional lapses in medical oversight.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Highly compassionate and skilled nursing staff
- Effective physical and occupational therapy programs
- Improved leadership and administration under the Avalon name
- Supportive and smooth admissions process
Concerns
- Unsanitary conditions and persistent odors (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Administrative and billing incompetence (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Inconsistent or poor communication regarding medical care (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 60 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed that the facility has been working on leadership improvements; how has this transition impacted the day-to-day communication families receive regarding their loved one's medical care?
- 2Given the importance of a clean and comfortable environment, what is your current protocol for routine housekeeping and managing odors in the resident living areas?
- 3With your focus on physical and occupational therapy, how are these sessions integrated into a resident's daily schedule to ensure they stay active and engaged?
- 4I see that you are very active in responding to feedback online; what is the best way for families to reach out if they have questions or concerns about billing or administrative matters?
- 5Could you walk me through your process for medication management and how you ensure accuracy and consistency for residents with complex needs?
- 6In the event of a medical emergency, what is your protocol for notifying family members and coordinating with local hospitals?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The nursing team is truly outstanding — attentive, professional, and genuinely caring. They go above and beyond to make sure every patient feels comfortable and well looked after.”
“The only downside was the smell of urine in the facility, but unfortunately that is common in many nursing homes. Overall, I was very happy with the care.”
“The director of nursing and admissions coordinator were wonderful, and worked with me to ensure any concerns were listened to and addressed. PT and OT saw my mom almost every day.”
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
11
measures
4
measures
2
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
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 numerous complaints against this facility, with 21 of 57 deficiencies stemming from family reports. Key recurring problems include fire safety system maintenance, resident abuse protection and incident reporting, and pressure ulcer prevention. While all violations show correction dates, the pattern of repeated issues across multiple surveys—particularly with safety systems and abuse response protocols—suggests ongoing operational challenges that warrant careful consideration before placement.
Dec 5, 2025Routine15
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide 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.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure 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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Apr 24, 2025Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Jan 13, 2025Complaint1
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Dec 6, 2024Routine12
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures including evacuation.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
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 care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Sep 3, 2024Complaint3
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Mar 25, 2024Complaint1
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor 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.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Apr 24, 2025
$32,298
Fine
May 31, 2023
$73,726
Payment Denial
May 31, 2023
20-day denial
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Avalon Health Care
15 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.9/5 · Rank 9 of 33
Ownership & Management
Owners
Avalon Holding, INC.
Owner · Organization
Avalon Health Care, INC.
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Hyrum a Kirton Individual Tr
Owner (parent company) · Organization
The Byron a Kirton Individual Tr
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Dangerfield, David
Owner (parent company)
Gonzales, Charles
Owner (parent company)
Hash, Alan
Owner (parent company)
Kirton, Byron
Owner (parent company)
Kirton, Charles
Owner (parent company)
Kirton, Hyrum
Owner (parent company)
Kirton, Spencer
Owner (parent company)
Nelson, Ryan
Owner (parent company)
Woltil, Robert
Owner (parent company)
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
57 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit avalonhealthcare.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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