Big Elm Retirement and Nursing Centers
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise compassionate and attentive nursing staff. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 22 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
While the facility has a strong reputation for short-term rehabilitation, the recent reports of inconsistent hygiene and unprofessional staff behavior are concerning. We strongly recommend conducting an unannounced visit, specifically checking the cleanliness of resident rooms and observing staff interactions, before making a decision.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
22 reviews on Google“Big Elm Retirement and Nursing Centers receives polarized feedback, with some families praising the compassionate rehab and nursing staff, while others report serious concerns regarding hygiene, staff behavior, and administrative communication. While several reviewers highlight excellent care during short-term rehabilitation, multiple reports of neglect, theft, and poor facility cleanliness suggest significant inconsistencies in the quality of care provided.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
- Effective short-term rehabilitation services
- Supportive and helpful administrative staff
- Personalized attention during recovery
Concerns
- Poor hygiene and lack of cleanliness in resident rooms (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Staff negligence or unprofessional behavior (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Inconsistent communication from administration (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 22 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed your team is very active in responding to feedback online; how do you use that family input to improve the daily experience for residents?
- 2With the current focus on enhancing the environment, what is your specific process for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in resident rooms on a daily basis?
- 3Since your staffing ratings are strong, how do you ensure that the nursing team maintains that high level of personalized attention throughout the entire week?
- 4What steps are you taking to improve the dining experience and variety of food options for residents who have specific nutritional needs?
- 5How does your administration ensure consistent and proactive communication with families regarding changes in a resident’s health or care plan?
- 6In the event of a medical emergency, what is the exact protocol for stabilizing a resident and communicating with their family members?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The support staff, (Santricia + Krista) literally held my hand every step of the way. All of the nurses and aides were so nice and kind and attentive.”
“Although many employees are very loving and caring, communication from the administration and directors regarding patient needs is terrible. The turnover in staff due to poor management and lack of care for employees greatly undermines the patient care.”
“His room smell like urine because his roommate apparently couldn't make it to the bathroom. His bed sheets were hardly ever changed.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026RN hours are below the national benchmark. RNs handle complex medical needs and medication, so ask about coverage during your visit.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
7
measures
9
measures
1
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents who got a urinary tract infection
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
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
One family filed a complaint that led to findings about abuse and neglect prevention policies, though this was corrected. The facility has recurring issues with fire safety systems, resident rights protections, and electrical systems that persist across multiple surveys from 2023 to 2025. While all violations have correction plans, the pattern of repeated deficiencies in critical safety areas warrants careful consideration during your visit.
Aug 28, 2025Routine4
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
Jul 11, 2024Routine13
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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
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
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
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.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.
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.
Mar 29, 2023Routine14
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Administration Deficiencies
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
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.
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.
Construction Deficiencies
Satisfy building requirements after a repair, renovation, modification, or change of user/occupancy.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
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.
Oct 29, 2021Routine1
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Big Elm Retirement and Nursing Centers
for profit
Ownership & Management
Owners
Gatewood, Thomas
Owner
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
22 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit bigelmnursing.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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