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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Heritage Care Center

On Medicare Special Focus status, a serious quality warning. Visit in person and ask tough questions before deciding.

5701 Phillips Avenue, Squirrel Hill South · Pittsburgh, PA 15217143 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.8/5

based on 84 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Heritage Care Center Nursing Home in Pittsburgh, PA — Street View
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9/ 10
critical Risk

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 (2/5 stars)
  • Above-median deficiencies (34 vs median 8.0)
  • High staff turnover (69%)
  • High RN turnover (67%)

Bottom 25% in PA · Below recommended RN staffing · Worst in WECARE CENTERS chain · No penalties on record · Special Focus Facility (CMS)

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

This facility is highly regarded for its physical and occupational therapy programs, making it a potential option for short-term rehabilitation. However, families must be vigilant regarding dietary needs and daily care, as multiple reviewers have reported consistent issues with food quality and staffing shortages. We strongly recommend visiting during off-hours to observe the level of attention provided to residents.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

84 reviews on Google
Heritage Care Center presents a stark contrast in experiences, with many reviewers praising the rehabilitation therapy teams and friendly staff, while others report significant concerns regarding food quality, cleanliness, and staffing levels. Recent transitions in ownership have led to reports of declining standards, specifically regarding dietary management and facility maintenance. Families should be aware that while some find the care excellent for short-term rehab, others have encountered serious issues with neglect and communication.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food2.0Staff6.0Clean3.0Activities7.0MedsN/AMemoryN/AComms4.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Highly effective physical and occupational therapy
  • Friendly and courteous nursing staff
  • Secure and efficient visitor check-in process
  • Welcoming atmosphere for rehabilitation patients

Concerns

  • Inadequate or poor quality food service, including lack of diabetic-appropriate meals (mentioned by 7 reviewers)
  • Understaffing leading to slow response times and neglect (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
  • Poor facility cleanliness, including dirty floors and odors (mentioned by 5 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'11(1)'16(2)'18(2)'20(2)'23(3)'25(34)'26(7)

Distribution · 85 analyzed

5
45
4
17
3
4
2
2
1
17

How They Respond to Reviews

17%response rate

This facility rarely responds to reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1We've heard great things about the physical and occupational therapy programs here; could you tell us more about how the rehab team works with residents?
  • 2How does the dining team ensure that specific dietary needs, such as diabetic-friendly meal options, are consistently met for every resident?
  • 3What specific steps is the facility taking to address recent inspection findings and ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and facility maintenance?
  • 4Could you describe the protocol for responding to resident needs during the night or during periods when the facility is at its busiest?
  • 5What is the process for notifying family members immediately in the event of a medical emergency or a change in a resident's condition?
  • 6What kind of daily activities or social events are available to help residents stay engaged and connected with one another?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The PT & OT departments are excellent. They worked me hard but they got results! The nurses are fantastic.

Rehab patient · 2024★★★★★

My mom was there and couldn't get out of bed and she would wait up to an hour for a bedpan and then on another experience she told the aid to take her off the bedpan and the aid looked and told me mom she wasn't on a pan.

Long-term resident's family · 2022☆☆☆☆

The facility could be cleaner (eg floors, bathroom), but it is clean enough (except the floor of the community room) and my mother is kept very clean. I would not hesitate to recommend Heritage.

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★★
Source: 84 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.63hrs
84%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.12hrs
76%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
65%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
71%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Both 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

Medicare Rating
2/ 5
Better Than Avg

6

measures

Worse Than Avg

5

measures

Mixed Results

5

measures

Similar to Avg

1

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility6.6%
Better than Avg
Here
6.6%
US
19.5%
PA
19.9%
Allegheny
15.5%
⚖️

Residents who lost too much weight

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.1%
Worse than Avg
Here
11.1%
US
5.3%
PA
6.4%
Allegheny
6.4%
🩹

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better
This Facility10.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
10.3%
US
4.9%
PA
5.1%
Allegheny
6.6%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility24.6%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
24.6%
US
19.4%
PA
26.0%
Allegheny
25.8%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility91.6%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
91.6%
US
93.4%
PA
87.1%
Allegheny
88.0%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility14.4%
Better than Avg
Here
14.4%
US
15.3%
PA
18.4%
Allegheny
17.8%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility63.6%
Worse than Avg
Here
63.6%
US
81.8%
PA
69.2%
Allegheny
70.5%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility64.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
64.2%
US
79.8%
PA
68.7%
Allegheny
67.1%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.5%
Better than Avg
Here
0.5%
US
1.6%
PA
1.4%
Allegheny
1.5%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

37deficiencies
Well above state avg (10.1)
49 complaint-triggered

Heritage Care Center shows a concerning pattern of repeated nutrition and meal service failures, with families filing numerous complaints about food safety, temperature, and dietary accommodations. The facility has recurring issues with medication management and resident abuse protection that persist across multiple inspections. While all deficiencies are marked as corrected, the high volume of complaint-triggered violations (46 out of 125) suggests ongoing operational problems that warrant careful consideration before placement.

Apr 14, 2026Complaint
2
0628Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

0657Potential for 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.

Feb 25, 2026Complaint
1
0584Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

Nov 21, 2025Routine
35
0806Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

0812Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0880Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0881Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

0883Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

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

0887Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

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.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0585Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

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.

0698Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

0865Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

0868Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

0908Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Environmental Deficiencies

Keep all essential equipment working safely.

0554Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

0558Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

0575Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Post a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all pertinent State agencies and advocacy groups and a statement that the resident may file a complaint with the State Survey Agency.

0576Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.

0580Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

0584Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

0641Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

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.

0693Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0694Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

0759Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

0760Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

0761Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0803Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

0810Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.

0814Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

0324Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0363Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0353Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0761Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

Sep 10, 2025Complaint
1
0627Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.

Aug 18, 2025Complaint
3
0812Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0698Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

0686Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Feb 20, 2025Complaint
3
0812Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0557Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.

0801Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Heritage Care Center

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Wecare Centers

Chain Size

13 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 1.9/5 · Rank 9 of 13 (Worst)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Her Holdco LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Kja Upmc4 LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Grinspan, Aryeh

Owner (parent company)

Korn, Eli

Owner (parent company)

Wielgus, Gedaliah

Owner (parent company)

Key personnel

Grinspan, AryehManaging Control - Governing BodyRichardson, MatthewManaging Control - Governing BodyWielgus, GedaliahManaging Control - Governing BodyGrinspan, AryehOfficer / DirectorWielgus, GedaliahOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

Safer Alternatives Nearby

Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.

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