Clifton Heights
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 103 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.
- Special Focus Facility (under heightened CMS scrutiny)
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (18 vs median 2.0)
Bottom 25% in KY · Below recommended RN staffing · Worst in JOURNEY HEALTHCARE chain · $369,780 in fines · Special Focus Facility (CMS)
What this means for your family
While the facility's specialized recovery program receives praise, the long-term nursing care side has a consistent history of severe neglect and communication failures. If you are considering this facility, do not rely on website photos; perform an unannounced visit to check for cleanliness and observe staff responsiveness to call lights.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
103 reviews on Google“Clifton Heights presents a highly polarized environment where experiences depend heavily on whether a resident is in the specialized Lotus recovery program or long-term nursing care. While many recovery program participants praise the supportive staff and effective programming, long-term care families consistently report severe neglect, including poor hygiene, unresponsiveness to call lights, and facility maintenance issues like pests and broken equipment. The facility frequently claims to be under 'new management,' yet recurring complaints about communication, cleanliness, and basic patient care suggest systemic instability.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Effective Lotus addiction recovery program
- Dedicated wound care nursing
- Physical therapy and rehab outcomes
- Recent cosmetic building updates
Concerns
- Chronic unresponsiveness to phone calls and call lights (mentioned by 12 reviewers)
- Poor hygiene and cleanliness (urine odors, pests, mold) (mentioned by 10 reviewers)
- Medication management errors and delays (mentioned by 7 reviewers)
- Inadequate staffing levels and unprofessional conduct (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 115 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed the facility has recently undergone some cosmetic updates; could you walk me through the current plan for maintaining the building's cleanliness and addressing any environmental concerns?
- 2With the facility's specialized focus on wound care and physical therapy, how do you ensure that medication management and daily care needs are met consistently for residents with complex health requirements?
- 3Many families prioritize clear communication; what is the standard protocol for staff to respond to call lights and family inquiries to ensure we stay updated on our loved one's status?
- 4Given the active Lotus addiction recovery program on-site, how do you manage the daily environment to ensure it remains comfortable and supportive for all residents?
- 5I see that you actively engage with online feedback; how does the leadership team use that input to improve staffing consistency and the overall quality of care?
- 6What does a typical day look like for residents in terms of social activities and dining, and how do you ensure that staff are available to assist those who need extra help during these times?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The wound nurse takes her job very serious at Clifton Oaks. She goes above and beyond in her duties as wound nurse.”
“My aunt came here for rehab recently and had a wonderful stay. She had a private room on the short term rehab hall and it was very clean and spacious.”
“This place is horrible my family member is currently there and the CNA’s and Nurses are horrible. I have a family member there and they sent me a picture of a resident with maggots in their wound due to lack of care.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
8
measures
5
measures
4
measures
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
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
Clifton Heights has a concerning pattern of 16 complaint-triggered deficiencies, indicating families have filed reports about care issues. The most recurring problems involve resident protection from abuse and neglect, medication management, and care planning. While the facility has corrected all cited deficiencies, the high number of family complaints—including recent ones in 2023 and 2025—suggests ongoing operational challenges that warrant careful consideration before placement.
Dec 4, 2025Complaint2
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Dec 4, 2025Routine7
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Meet Health Care Facilities Code mechanical requirements.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
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
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Nov 22, 2025Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Administration Deficiencies
Provide timely, approved x-ray services, or have an agreement with an approved provider to obtain them.
Aug 11, 2023Complaint9
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Administration Deficiencies
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Administration Deficiencies
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Jun 11, 2023Routine16
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
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.
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
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Services Deficiencies
Have a properly installed and maintained dumbwaiter or escalator.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
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 care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services.
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.
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
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Jun 11, 2023Complaint3
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
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.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Clifton Heights
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Journey Healthcare
34 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 1.7/5 · Rank 15 of 19 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Owners
Journey Cz of Ky LLC
Owner · Organization
Journey Cz Ky Healthcare Holdings LLC
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
103 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit journey-hc.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
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