Northwestern Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 44 Google reviews
Watch Northwestern Center
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.
Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (2/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (13 vs median 8.0)
- High staff turnover (57%)
- High RN turnover (75%)
Bottom 25% in OH · Below recommended RN staffing · Below chain average · $83,945 in fines
What this means for your family
While some families report positive experiences with the therapy team, the recurring reports of severe understaffing and medication errors are significant red flags. If you are considering this facility, we strongly recommend requesting a tour during the evening or weekend shifts to observe staffing levels firsthand and asking management directly about their current status with government funding and VA contracts.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
44 reviews on Google“Northwestern Center presents a highly polarized experience for families, with some praising the therapy and administrative staff while others report severe neglect and systemic understaffing. Multiple reviewers cite critical failures in basic care, including hygiene, medication management, and responsiveness to call lights, particularly during evening and weekend shifts. Families should be aware of significant concerns regarding patient safety and facility management that have led to reported loss of government contracts.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Effective physical and occupational therapy teams
- Some highly professional and caring individual nurses
- Accessible and responsive administrative leadership in specific cases
Concerns
- Severe understaffing leading to delayed care and call light neglect (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
- Poor medication management and administration errors (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
- Unsanitary conditions and persistent odors (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Lack of basic personal hygiene assistance for residents (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 48 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
Questions for Your Tour
- 1We've heard great things about your physical and occupational therapy teams; how do you coordinate their care with the nursing staff?
- 2What specific steps are being taken to ensure call lights are answered promptly and that residents receive timely assistance with personal hygiene?
- 3Can you walk us through your protocols for medication administration to ensure accuracy and prevent errors?
- 4How do you manage the cleaning schedule and air quality to ensure the facility remains fresh and sanitary for all residents?
- 5What kind of daily activities or social events are planned to keep residents engaged and active throughout the week?
- 6In the event of a medical emergency after hours, what is the immediate process for notifying the family and providing care?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“This place is severely understaffed. 1 nurse to 40 patients- unacceptable. My husband was there thru the VA for a vacation respite for me. His Parkinson’s medicine was given 5 hrs late 4 days in a row & food was cold.”
“My father was in this place for a few years, to me his health only declined here, he ended up becoming tube feed while he was at this facility... I moved my father into a new facility and within two months his diet was able to be upgraded to puréed food and he is no longer tube feed”
“My father in law just got moved here a week ago. He has dementia and multiple medical problems. This morning we find out that no one had bothered to help him brush his teeth in the whole week. No one had hooked up his C-PAP machine for his apnea.”
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 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 on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents on antipsychotic medication
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
Northwestern Center has significant concerns with families filing complaints that led to 15 deficiency citations, including serious issues with abuse prevention, medication management, and safety supervision. The facility shows recurring problems with infection control, resident care quality, and safety hazards across multiple surveys, though all violations have documented correction dates.
Aug 27, 2025Complaint3
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
Aug 27, 2025Routine19
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Administration Deficiencies
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate foot care.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Notify each resident of certain balances and convey resident funds upon discharge, eviction, or death.
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
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Administration Deficiencies
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Administration Deficiencies
Have an agreement with at least one or more hospitals certified by Medicare or Medicaid to make sure residents can be moved quickly to the hospital when they need medical care.
Dec 9, 2024Complaint4
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Sep 24, 2024Complaint1
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Aug 26, 2024Complaint5
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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 appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 7, 2024Complaint1
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Aug 27, 2025
$105,000
Fine
Aug 26, 2024
$26,813
Fine
May 7, 2024
$57,132
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Northwestern Center
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Communicare Health
122 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.8/5 · Rank 79 of 121
Ownership & Management
Owners
Second Option Op Co LLC
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
44 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit communicarehealth.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. 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.
Berea Center
< 1 miNursing Home · Berea, OH
O'neill Healthcare Middleburg Heights
1.5 miNursing Home · Middleburg Heights, OH
O'neill Healthcare North Olmsted
2.9 miNursing Home · North Olmsted, OH
Health Center at the Renaissance
3.2 miNursing Home · Olmsted Twp, OH
Westpark Healthcare Campus
4.8 miNursing Home · Cleveland, OH
North Royalton Post Acute
6.0 miNursing Home · Parma, OH