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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Norwood Healthcare

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

460 Washington Street, Norwood, MA 02062170 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
1.6/5

based on 23 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Norwood Healthcare Nursing Home in Norwood, MA — Street View
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8/ 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 (18 vs median 7.0)
  • High RN turnover (54%)

Bottom 25% in MA · Below recommended RN staffing · Low staff turnover (stable workforce) · Worst in NEXT STEP HEALTHCARE chain · $166,977 in fines · Special Focus Facility (CMS)

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

While the activity department receives some praise, the consistent reports of neglect, poor hygiene, and communication failures are deeply concerning. We strongly advise families to look elsewhere, or if you must consider this facility, conduct an unannounced visit and speak directly with current residents' families about their daily care experience.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

23 reviews on Google
Norwood Healthcare faces severe and recurring criticism regarding neglect, poor communication, and inadequate staffing levels. While a few reviewers noted improvements in the activities department, the overwhelming majority of feedback describes a facility struggling with basic hygiene, patient safety, and professional responsiveness.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food1.0Staff1.0Clean1.0Activities7.0MedsN/AMemory1.0Comms1.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Engaging activities department
  • Compassionate activity directors
  • Effective physical and occupational therapy

Concerns

  • Chronic understaffing and high turnover of agency staff (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
  • Poor communication and unresponsive phone lines (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Neglect regarding basic patient hygiene and nutrition (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Hostile or unprofessional staff behavior (mentioned by 4 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'18(2)'20(1)'22(5)'24(4)'26(2)

Distribution · 25 analyzed

5
2
4
2
3
3
2
0
1
18

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given the recent feedback regarding staffing consistency, how do you ensure that residents receive reliable, personalized care when using agency or temporary staff members?
  • 2I noticed the facility has a very active and well-regarded activities department; could you walk me through a typical daily schedule and how you encourage residents to participate in these programs?
  • 3Communication is very important to our family; what is the official protocol for updating us on changes in care, and who is our primary point of contact if we have urgent questions?
  • 4Regarding the recent state health inspections, what specific steps has the facility taken to improve hygiene protocols and ensure that nutritional needs are consistently met for every resident?
  • 5How do you foster a supportive and professional environment for your staff to ensure that every resident feels treated with dignity and kindness at all times?
  • 6In the event of a medical emergency, what is your internal process for stabilizing a resident and how quickly can we expect to be notified by your clinical team?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

I am very please to say I am impressed with the activities department and staff my sister was there for while and she never got out of bed until the activity director started showing interest to the residents I think she is new there.

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

I found them to be very caring and concerned about the patients. Additionally I found the occupational staff and physical therapy department quite good. Nursing care is kind of hitor miss.

Rehab patient · 2022★★★☆☆

It seemed to me, that if he didn’t have a visitor, he did not get fed or hydrated. He had not been there that long, and IMHO, that was what led to his death.

Family member of former resident · 2022☆☆☆☆
Source: 23 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.84hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.16hrs
77%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
20%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
30%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
2/ 5
Better Than Avg

8

measures

Worse Than Avg

9

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility40.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
40.2%
US
15.4%
MA
21.3%
Norfolk
20.4%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.8%
Better than Avg
Here
2.8%
US
15.3%
MA
16.4%
Norfolk
19.6%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility4.2%
Better than Avg
Here
4.2%
US
14.4%
MA
16.9%
Norfolk
20.0%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility98.7%
Better than Avg
Here
98.7%
US
93.4%
MA
92.4%
Norfolk
87.8%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility18.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
18.0%
US
12.1%
MA
13.7%
Norfolk
7.5%

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 Facility26.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
26.8%
US
19.4%
MA
21.4%
Norfolk
18.5%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility92.5%
Better than Avg
Here
92.5%
US
81.8%
MA
77.6%
Norfolk
65.4%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility91.5%
Better than Avg
Here
91.5%
US
79.7%
MA
77.7%
Norfolk
69.1%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility5.5%
Worse than Avg
Here
5.5%
US
1.6%
MA
1.3%
Norfolk
1.2%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

18deficiencies
6penalties
Well above state avg (8.9)
9 complaint-triggered
$166,977 in fines

Norwood Healthcare has significant ongoing issues, with families filing at least 9 complaint reports leading to federal violations. The facility shows persistent problems across multiple surveys in accident prevention and safety, care planning, and medication management. While the facility claims to have correction dates for deficiencies, the pattern of repeated violations in core care areas—including accident hazards appearing in both complaint and routine inspections—suggests systemic challenges that families should carefully consider when evaluating this facility.

Feb 9, 2026Routine
19
0656Immediate jeopardy · 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.

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.

0865Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

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

0867Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

0868Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

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

0944Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

0030Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

List the names and contact information of those in the facility.

0039Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

0565Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.

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.

0658Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0685Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.

0881Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

0553Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.

0605Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

0756Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

0812Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0628Minimal · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

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

0805Minimal · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Nov 17, 2025Complaint
1
0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Feb 11, 2025Complaint
4
0559Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.

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.

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

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.

Oct 30, 2024Routine
19
0850Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Hire a qualified full-time social worker in a facility with more than 120 beds.

0551Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.

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.

0695Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0699Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.

0761Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0842Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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 · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

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.

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.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

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.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0039Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

0041Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Implement emergency and standby power systems.

0623Minimal · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

0625Minimal · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

May 9, 2024Complaint
2
0689Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedResolved (past non-compliance)

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

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.

Oct 11, 2023Complaint
2
0656Immediate jeopardy · 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.

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.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Feb 9, 2026

$12,740

Fine

Feb 9, 2026

$23,585

Fine

Oct 30, 2024

$56,789

Fine

May 9, 2024

$16,071

Fine

Oct 11, 2023

$13,793

Fine

Jul 21, 2023

$80,324

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Norwood Healthcare

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Next Step Healthcare

Chain Size

14 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 1.9/5 · Rank 8 of 14 (Worst)

Ownership & Management

Key personnel

Dell'anno, DamianOfficer / DirectorStephan, WilliamOfficer / DirectorNext Step Healthcare LLCManagerGowda, SavithaManagerWoolfe, ElisabethManager
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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