Barron Center
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise compassionate and attentive nursing staff. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 27 Google reviews

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What this means for your family
The Barron Center is highly regarded for its compassionate nursing staff and effective communication with families, making it a strong candidate for those prioritizing clinical care. However, because some reviewers have noted concerns about facility cleanliness and the loss of personal items, we recommend touring the facility in person and asking about their protocols for tracking resident belongings.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
27 reviews on Google“The Barron Center receives polarized feedback, with many families praising the compassionate, attentive nursing staff and the facility's ability to provide high-quality care for complex medical needs. Conversely, some reviewers report significant concerns regarding facility cleanliness, the loss of personal belongings, and inconsistent staffing levels during evening shifts. Families considering this facility should weigh the strong clinical reputation against reports of aging infrastructure and occasional lapses in oversight.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
- Strong communication with families
- Effective care for complex medical conditions
- Robust adult day and social programs
Concerns
- Facility cleanliness and aging infrastructure (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Loss of resident personal belongings (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 27 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
Questions for Your Tour
- 1Given the facility's size of 219 residents, how do you ensure that personal belongings are tracked and kept secure for each individual?
- 2I noticed some mentions of the building's age; what ongoing plans or investments do you have in place to maintain the facility's infrastructure and cleanliness?
- 3With your strong reputation for managing complex medical conditions, what is your protocol for handling urgent medical changes or emergencies during overnight hours?
- 4Your adult day and social programs are highly praised; could you walk me through what a typical week of activities looks like for a new resident?
- 5How do you maintain your high standard of communication with families to ensure we stay updated on our loved one's daily care and well-being?
- 6Since you have a 4-star staffing rating, how do you foster that sense of compassionate, attentive care across such a large resident population?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“My sister-in-law has been a resident at the Barron Center for 3 years. As her Guardian I am responsible for monitoring her well-being. I am so profoundly grateful to the staff for their kind and competent care.”
“The care he got was outstanding. the nurses, and healthcare people right down to the office staff couldn’t have been any better to Phil and his family he was given attention and the hygiene were wonderful.”
“My mother was transferred to the Barron Center. What a difference!! Trained, compassionate care-givers. Yes, it is a state run institution; the wall paper isn't new, the floors are stained; but the care-givers”
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
6
measures
8
measures
3
measures
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
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
Barron Center has significant recurring deficiencies across multiple surveys, particularly in fire safety systems, emergency preparedness, and care planning. The facility shows persistent issues with sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and resident assessment processes appearing repeatedly from 2020 to 2025. Two complaint-triggered deficiencies indicate families have reported concerns about resident safety and abuse reporting procedures, though all violations show correction dates from the provider.
Aug 21, 2025Routine21
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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
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.
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.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Aug 21, 2025Complaint1
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Jan 30, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Jul 21, 2022Routine18
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
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.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish emergency prep training and testing.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
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
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Jan 9, 2020Routine7
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures including evacuation.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Federal Penalties
Fine
May 14, 2025
$8,278
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Barron Center
government
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
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References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
27 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit portlandmaine.gov
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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