Donalson Care Center
Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.
based on 50 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
Donalson Care Center is frequently praised for its compassionate hospice care and effective physical therapy, making it a strong contender for those needs. However, due to recurring reports of medication errors and unprofessional administrative conduct, we strongly advise families to maintain active, daily involvement in their loved one's care and to keep a detailed log of all medications administered.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
50 reviews on Google“Donalson Care Center receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the facility for its compassionate end-of-life care, effective physical therapy, and clean environment. However, a recurring subset of reviewers reports serious concerns regarding administrative responsiveness, inconsistent medication management, and instances of unprofessional or dismissive staff behavior.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Compassionate end-of-life/hospice care
- Effective physical therapy services
- Clean and well-maintained facility
- Friendly and attentive nursing staff
Concerns
- Inconsistent or poor medication management (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Unprofessional or dismissive administrative/supervisory staff (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
- Inadequate or inconsistent physical therapy engagement (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 54 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1Given the facility's focus on compassionate end-of-life care, how do you ensure that same level of personalized attention is extended to residents requiring daily medication management?
- 2I noticed the facility has a 2-star CMS staffing rating; what specific steps are you taking to ensure there is consistent, high-quality support for residents throughout all shifts?
- 3How does your administrative team work to maintain open communication with families, and what is your process for addressing concerns when they arise?
- 4Since physical therapy is a noted strength here, how do you ensure that residents remain consistently engaged and motivated in their therapy sessions?
- 5Could you walk me through your protocols for medication administration and how you verify that dosages are accurate and delivered on schedule?
- 6What does a typical social calendar look like for a resident, and how do you encourage participation to ensure everyone feels connected to the community?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The overnight teams that came to the bedside and changed gowns and bedding as well as helping with comfort were skilled and very helpful. The Hospice program provided attentive and supportive end of life help for our family and dad.”
“My 83 year old Mom was in Donaldson after breaking her hip. Mom was there for over three months and the care she received from the nurses was wonderful. Physical therapy worked with her at least two times a day until she was up and walking again.”
“One of the nurses gave our dad a pain pill which knocked him out for a day and a half and she was not even supposed to give it to him. The same nurse even chased a family member out of the building yelling at him.”
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
7
measures
6
measures
4
measures
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents who lost too much weight
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
Donalson Care Center has significant recurring issues, with one complaint-triggered incident in March 2025 involving failure to report suspected abuse. The facility consistently struggles with care planning and assessments, emergency preparedness, and infection control across all three surveys from 2019 to 2025, suggesting systemic problems that persist despite corrections. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of repeat violations in core care areas raises concerns about sustainable improvements.
Mar 12, 2025Routine19
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
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
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.
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
Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures including evacuation.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures for sheltering.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures for volunteers.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Create arrangements with other facilities to receive patients.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Provide family notifications of emergency plan.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish emergency prep training and testing.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Mar 12, 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.
Jun 30, 2021Routine8
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
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 care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Jul 15, 2019Routine10
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
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Administration Deficiencies
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
Administration Deficiencies
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
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.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Donalson Care Center
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Huntsville Hospital Health System
3 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.7/5 · Rank 1 of 3 (Best)
Ownership & Management
Owners
The Health Care Authority of the City of Huntsville
Owner · 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
50 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit hhlincolnhealth.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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