Nursing HomeMedicaid

Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation

Strong Medicare quality ratings; public reviewers often praise engaging activity programs. Still worth an in-person visit.

100 Sunset Street, Granite Falls, NC 28630|120 beds|Licensed & active

4/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

4.2/5

based on 80 Google reviews

(828) 396-2387 Directions Website

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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.

1 Medicare penalty on record

Zero findings in latest survey

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation has a strong overall Medicare rating. Public reviewers frequently mention: engaging activity programs and clean and well-maintained physical environment. Review the component ratings and current source records before deciding.

Google Reviews

80 public Google reviews available

Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation receives highly polarized feedback, with many reviewers praising the facility's appearance, activities, and specific staff members, while others report severe concerns regarding medical neglect and poor communication. Families frequently cite inconsistent care quality, noting that while some staff are compassionate, others appear undertrained or unresponsive to urgent health needs. Prospective families should be aware that experiences vary significantly, with several reports of poor outcomes during rehabilitation stays.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Engaging activity programs
Clean and well-maintained physical environment
Dedicated and compassionate individual staff members
Effective rehabilitation therapy team

Concerns

Poor communication and lack of staff knowledge regarding patient status (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
Understaffing leading to neglect or slow response times (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
Poor quality or inappropriate food service (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Inadequate medical management and neglect of health conditions (mentioned by 4 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 66 analyzed

How They Respond to Reviews

90%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 daily communication regarding a resident's health status?
2With a 120-resident capacity, what specific protocols do you have in place to ensure consistent, timely responses to call lights when the facility is at full occupancy?
3I've heard great things about your rehabilitation team; how do they coordinate with nursing staff to ensure that medical management and physical therapy goals are aligned for my loved one?
4Given that dining is a central part of daily life, could you walk me through how you handle dietary preferences and ensure the quality of meals meets individual nutritional needs?
5What is your process for keeping families updated on changes in a resident's condition, and who would be our primary point of contact for medical updates?
6I see your activity program is highly regarded; what are some of the most popular ways residents interact and socialize throughout the week?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“The nurses and staff are all very nice, and he seems to receive attentive care. The therapy department is caring & provides great services. The food is not good however. I would liken it to prison food honestly.”

Long-term resident's family · 2019★★★★☆

“My mother had a brief stay here in April (24 hours) and she ended up in the hospital for a month. Staff was negligent and refused to listen to multiple family concerns regarding her health declining rapidly.”

Family member · 2025★☆☆☆☆

“Daddy was cared for and felt like the aides, nurses, and therapists were his friends, not just his caregivers. They celebrated his birthday (cards and small gifts) and honored him (and other residents) on Veterans Day.”

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

Source: 66 Google reviews in the current analysis set; Google reports 80 total

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare public data

RN Hours

0.38hrs

51%

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.62hrs

88%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

33%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

31%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Both RN and total nursing hours are below the EveryPlace reference benchmarks. Ask the facility how it staffs each shift for current resident needs.

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

3/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility15.8%

Worse than Avg

Here

15.8%

12.8%

5.9%

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

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility29.2%

Worse than Avg

Here

29.2%

19.5%

21.3%

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility7.2%

Better than Avg

Here

7.2%

15.4%

14.0%

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility99.7%

Better than Avg

Here

99.7%

93.5%

92.0%

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility100.0%

Better than Avg

Here

100.0%

95.5%

94.1%

Residents who lost too much weight

↓ Lower is better

This Facility2.5%

Better than Avg

Here

2.5%

5.2%

7.2%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility97.0%

Better than Avg

Here

97.0%

79.8%

78.1%

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility99.5%

Better than Avg

Here

99.5%

82.0%

80.6%

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility2.5%

Worse than Avg

Here

2.5%

1.6%

1.4%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback

20findings in history

1penalty

Latest survey: 0 · well below NC avg (5.6)

1 complaint-triggered findings

$51,188 in fines

Hickory Falls has concerning patterns of recurring deficiencies across multiple surveys, including repeated issues with resident abuse protection, building safety systems, and electrical/fire safety equipment. A family filed a complaint in 2024 regarding resident protection from abuse, which had already been cited in 2022. While most violations appear corrected, the facility shows persistent problems with fundamental safety systems and care standards that families should carefully evaluate before considering placement.

May 21, 2025Routine6 findings

0842Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0211Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.

0321Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0511Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.

0918Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

May 31, 2024Complaint1 finding

0600Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedResolved (past non-compliance)

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.

Jan 18, 2024Routine7 findings

0161Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

0281Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Install proper backup exit lighting.

0321Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0353Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0521Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

0914Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0918Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

Sep 20, 2022Routine6 findings

0161Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

0372Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0511Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.

0521Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

0923Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

Federal Penalties

Fine

May 31, 2024

$51,188

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Sanstone Health & Rehabilitation

Chain Size

18 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 4.1/5 · Rank 10 of 17

Ownership & Management

Owners

Ardent Health and Rehabilitation Co

Owner · Organization

100%

Sprenger, Christopher

Owner (parent company)

Key personnel

Nelson, JohnManaging Control - Governing BodyTanner, HunterManaging Control - Governing BodySprenger, ChristopherOfficer / DirectorSanstone Management Company, LLCManagerNelson, JohnManager

Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

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

(828) 396-2387

sanstonehealth.com

100 Sunset Street

Granite Falls, NC 28630

Get Directions View on Google Maps

References & Resources

Medicare Care Compare

Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data

Google Maps

Photos, directions & neighborhood info

Google Reviews

80 reviews from families & visitors

Official Website

Visit sanstonehealth.com

Medicare data downloads

Original nursing home datasets

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. Some summaries, interpretations, suggested questions, and pricing research are AI-generated or AI-assisted and may contain errors or omit important context. 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.