Nursing HomeMedicaid Needs closer review

Bel Aire Center

Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.

35 Bel-Aire Drive, Newport, VT 05855|58 beds|Licensed & active

2/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

4.3/5

based on 23 Google reviews

(802) 334-2878 Directions Website

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6flags

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Public Medicare Flags to Review

These current public-data fields deserve follow-up with the facility and the official Medicare record. They are not a clinical risk score or a substitute for an in-person assessment.

Low overall rating (2/5 stars)
Low health inspection rating (2/5 stars)
2 Medicare penalties on record
Above-median findings in the latest survey (13 vs median 7)
Staff turnover reported at 67%
RN turnover reported at 55%

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

This facility has areas of concern that warrant careful consideration. The latest standard survey recorded 13 findings, above the VT average of 10.3. We recommend asking the administrator directly: "How are you addressing recent staffing shortfalls?" These are not reasons to panic, but they are reasons to ask tough questions and visit in person.

Google Reviews

26 public Google reviews available

Bel Aire Center receives high praise for its compassionate nursing staff and effective rehabilitation services, with many families noting a warm, home-like environment. However, recent reviews from 2024 and 2025 highlight serious, distressing concerns regarding end-of-life care, specifically involving the administration of pain medication and communication during bereavement. While long-term care and rehab experiences are often positive, the recent decline in quality of care for dying residents is a critical issue for families to consider.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
Effective physical and occupational therapy
Clean and well-maintained facility
Personalized dietary accommodations

Concerns

Inconsistent or withheld pain medication for end-of-life patients (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Poor communication and lack of support during bereavement (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 26 analyzed

How They Respond to Reviews

87%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

1I noticed your team is very active in responding to online feedback; how do you use that family input to improve the daily experience for residents?
2Given that your therapy department is highly praised, how do you integrate those physical and occupational therapy sessions into a resident's daily routine?
3Could you walk me through your protocols for pain management and how you ensure residents receive timely relief, especially for those with complex comfort needs?
4When a resident is nearing the end of their life, what specific support systems and communication channels do you have in place to guide and comfort their family during that transition?
5With 10 recent state violations noted, what specific steps has the leadership team taken over the past year to improve your internal oversight and compliance processes?
6How do you ensure consistent communication between the nursing staff and families, particularly when there are changes in a resident's health status or care plan?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“The nursing staff is wonderful as we. Great job to everyone oa Bel-Aire.”

Rehab patient's spouse · 2022★★★★★

“She was offered foods she preferred even if they were not listed on the menu for the day.”

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★★★

“Tracy however I wouldn’t let near anyone in my family ever again not even my worst enemy. We spent every night fighting with her about getting his pain medications to make him comfortable for his last few days”

Memory care family member · 2025★★☆☆☆

Source: 26 Google reviews in the current analysis set

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare public data

RN Hours

0.88hrs

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.92hrs

96%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

67%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

55%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below the EveryPlace reference benchmark, though RN coverage meets its reference level. Ask how aides are staffed for daily tasks such as bathing and mobility.

Reference benchmarks (0.75 RN and 4.1 total nursing hours per resident/day) are comparison targets, not current federal minimum requirements.

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating

4/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility7.0%

Better than Avg

Here

7.0%

15.5%

20.0%

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility7.4%

Better than Avg

Here

7.4%

15.3%

18.9%

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility29.6%

Worse than Avg

Here

29.6%

19.4%

27.5%

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility16.8%

Worse than Avg

Here

16.8%

12.1%

11.0%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better

This Facility10.1%

Worse than Avg

Here

10.1%

4.9%

5.8%

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility14.7%

Better than Avg

Here

14.7%

19.5%

16.5%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility94.8%

Better than Avg

Here

94.8%

79.8%

78.5%

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility90.9%

Better than Avg

Here

90.9%

81.8%

83.9%

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility1.0%

Better than Avg

Here

1.0%

1.6%

1.7%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback

36findings in history

2penalties

Latest survey: 13 · above VT avg (10.3)

12 complaint-triggered findings

$121,650 in fines

Families have filed multiple complaints triggering 9 deficiency reports, indicating concerning patterns requiring investigation. The facility shows recurring problems with accident prevention and safety supervision, medication management, and care planning across multiple surveys from 2022-2025. While most issues show correction dates, the persistence of safety and medication concerns across years, combined with recent complaints about physical restraint use and abuse reporting, suggests ongoing operational challenges that warrant careful evaluation during any visit.

Apr 1, 2026Complaint3 findings

0726Actual harm · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

0657Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Oct 17, 2025Complaint2 findings

0689Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0604Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

Sep 2, 2025Complaint1 finding

0760Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Jul 17, 2025Routine8 findings

0761Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0883Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0697Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

0887Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0013Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.

0030Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

List the names and contact information of those in the facility.

0039Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

Jul 17, 2025Complaint2 findings

0689Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0725Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Aug 12, 2024Complaint3 findings

0609Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Apr 1, 2026

$207,900

Fine

Jul 17, 2025

$79,073

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Bel Aire Center

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Genesis Healthcare

Chain Size

187 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.4/5 · Rank 49 of 188

Ownership & Management

Owners

Genesis Vt Holdings LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Gen Operations I LLC