See every facility — official ratings, family reviews, no referral fees.
Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Independence Rehab and Nursing

Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.

600 W Cheltenham Avenue, Olney-Oak Lane · Philadelphia, PA 19126255 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.8/5

based on 154 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Independence Rehab and Nursing Nursing Home in Philadelphia, PA — Street View
Street View

Watch Independence Rehab and Nursing

Get an email when new inspections, ratings, or penalties are published for this facility.

We’ll only email you about this — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

4/ 10
moderate Risk

Quality Concerns Identified

Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.

  • Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
  • Above-median deficiencies (20 vs median 8.0)
  • High staff turnover (61%)

Bottom 25% in PA · Critically understaffed (RN) · Worst in AMERICAN HEALTH FOUNDATION chain · $428,246 in fines

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

This facility has shown significant improvement under new management, with many families praising the current staff's warmth and the cleaner environment. However, you should specifically inquire about their meal service and weekend administrative availability, as these remain recurring points of frustration for some families.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

154 reviews on Google
Independence Rehab and Nursing (also referred to as Cheltenham Nursing & Rehabilitation Center) has seen a significant shift in sentiment following a change in management in late 2024. Recent reviewers frequently praise the facility's cleanliness, improved atmosphere, and attentive staff, while older reviews and some recent critical voices highlight persistent issues with food quality, weekend staffing, and occasional lapses in basic maintenance.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food3.0Staff8.0Clean7.0Activities9.0MedsN/AMemoryN/AComms6.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Warm, welcoming, and attentive nursing staff
  • Clean, odor-free facility environment
  • Effective social work and transition support
  • Positive impact of recent management changes

Concerns

  • Poor food quality (burnt, hard, or inadequate alternatives) (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Lack of management or administrative presence on weekends (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • General cleanliness issues (soiled items, odors, or maintenance) (mentioned by 4 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'14(1)'17(21)'20(1)'22(1)'24(19)'26(17)

Distribution · 143 analyzed

5
93
4
16
3
8
2
4
1
22

How They Respond to Reviews

100%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed the facility has undergone some recent management changes; how have these shifts impacted the daily care and overall culture for residents?
  • 2We appreciate that you are active in responding to feedback online; how do you utilize that family input to improve the dining experience, specifically regarding food quality and meal variety?
  • 3Given the facility's size, what steps are taken to ensure consistent cleanliness and maintenance in resident rooms throughout the week?
  • 4Since we know weekends can sometimes feel quieter, what kind of administrative or management support is available on-site to assist families during those times?
  • 5With 255 residents, how does your nursing team ensure that personalized care plans are closely monitored and that medical needs are addressed promptly, especially during overnight hours?
  • 6What does a typical day look like for a resident in terms of social engagement and activities, and how do you encourage participation for those who might be more hesitant?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

From the moment my mother was admitted to Independence Rehab and Nursing, we felt cared for like family. The staff went above and beyond not just with her medical needs, but with genuine kindness and encouragement every step of the way.

Memory care family member · 2025★★★★★

New ownership has been very involved in the care for the facility and making sure the residents are active and cared for, very impressive

Visitor · 2026★★★★★

So my father has been here for a month. He has been treated pretty good but there is a constant problem with the food. It’s almost always burnt or too hard for even a non-senior 2 eat.

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★☆☆
Source: 154 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.25hrs
33%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.36hrs
82%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
62%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
0%
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 · 16 measures

Medicare Rating
1/ 5
Better Than Avg

11

measures

Worse Than Avg

4

measures

Mixed Results

1

measures

Long-Stay Residents
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.2%
Better than Avg
Here
0.2%
US
12.1%
PA
8.3%
Montgomery
25.0%

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

↓ Lower is better
This Facility10.4%
Better than Avg
Here
10.4%
US
19.4%
PA
26.0%
Montgomery
19.3%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility3.1%
Better than Avg
Here
3.1%
US
15.3%
PA
18.4%
Montgomery
10.3%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility4.2%
Better than Avg
Here
4.2%
US
14.4%
PA
17.6%
Montgomery
8.8%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility86.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
86.8%
US
93.4%
PA
87.1%
Montgomery
90.0%
💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility91.5%
Worse than Avg
Here
91.5%
US
95.5%
PA
93.5%
Montgomery
92.8%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility15.5%
Worse than Avg
Here
15.5%
US
81.8%
PA
69.2%
Montgomery
73.1%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility23.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
23.4%
US
79.7%
PA
68.7%
Montgomery
71.7%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
1.6%
PA
1.4%
Montgomery
1.3%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

24deficiencies
5penalties
Well above state avg (10.1)
36 complaint-triggered
$428,246 in fines

Families have repeatedly filed complaints that led to 34 deficiencies including serious issues with resident protection, accident prevention, and medication safety. Recurring problems span accident hazards, abuse and neglect prevention, appropriate treatment and care, medication management, and infection control. While most issues show correction dates, some recent deficiencies remain without correction plans, and the pattern of complaint-driven violations suggests ongoing care concerns that families should investigate thoroughly during visits.

Mar 11, 2026Complaint
1
0689Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Feb 26, 2026Complaint
2
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.

0689Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Feb 18, 2026Complaint
2
0803Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0609Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Jan 21, 2026Complaint
4
0600Actual harm · 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.

0684Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

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.

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.

Dec 4, 2025Complaint
1
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.

Dec 3, 2025Routine
26
0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0521Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Services Deficiencies

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

0646Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Notify the appropriate authorities when residents with MD or ID services has a significant change in condition.

0656Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0686Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

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.

0730Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.

0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

0835Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

0838Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.

0918Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

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

0923Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

0211Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

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

0223Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.

0355Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.

0363Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

0374Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.

0911Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.

0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0554Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

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

0583Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

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.

0839Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Employ staff that are licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with state laws.

0925Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Environmental Deficiencies

Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Dec 19, 2024

$143,549

Fine

Mar 28, 2024

$60,372

Fine

Jan 18, 2024

$131,437

Fine

Oct 23, 2023

$7,796

Fine

Oct 23, 2023

$7,797

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Independence Rehab and Nursing

Organization Type

nonprofit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

American Health Foundation

Chain Size

6 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.5/5 · Rank 5 of 6 (Worst)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Undisclosed

Ownership Data Not Available · Organization

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.

Call