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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Optima Care Fountains

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

505 County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ 07094334 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.1/5

based on 147 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Optima Care Fountains Nursing Home in Secaucus, NJ — Street View
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3/ 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 (18 vs median 7)

Bottom 25% in NJ · Below recommended RN staffing · Worst in OPTIMA CARE chain · $60,823 in fines

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

While the facility is praised for its cleanliness and friendly front-desk staff, the recurring reports of neglect and poor communication are significant red flags. If you choose this facility, it is highly recommended that you visit frequently and maintain active oversight of your loved one's care, as multiple families noted that consistent presence is required to ensure basic needs are met.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

147 reviews on Google
Optima Care Fountains receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the facility for its cleanliness, friendly front-desk staff, and dedicated nursing care. However, a significant number of reviewers report serious concerns regarding neglect, poor communication, and inconsistent medical oversight, particularly during off-hours and weekends. Families considering this facility should be aware that experiences vary widely, with some finding it a compassionate environment while others describe it as understaffed and unresponsive.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food3.0Staff6.0Clean8.0Activities7.0Meds2.0Memory4.0Comms3.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Clean, well-maintained facility
  • Friendly and welcoming front desk staff
  • Attentive and compassionate nursing/CNA staff
  • Efficient check-in and visitor management system

Concerns

  • Understaffing leading to neglect and slow response times (mentioned by 8 reviewers)
  • Poor communication and difficulty reaching staff by phone (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
  • Inconsistent quality and dietary management of food (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Lack of proper hygiene and patient care oversight (mentioned by 5 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'16(3)'19(4)'21(10)'23(27)'25(51)'26(12)

Distribution · 152 analyzed

5
104
4
17
3
4
2
3
1
24

How They Respond to Reviews

3%response rate

This facility rarely responds to reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given that the facility has a large capacity of 334 residents, what specific protocols are in place to ensure that communication remains consistent and that families can easily reach a staff member when they have questions?
  • 2I noticed that medication management is a high priority for our family; could you walk me through your current process for ensuring accuracy and timely administration for residents?
  • 3We understand that dining is a key part of daily life; how do you manage dietary needs and ensure that meal quality remains consistent across such a large facility?
  • 4With recent feedback regarding response times, could you explain how your nursing and CNA teams are structured to ensure that residents receive timely assistance when they need it most?
  • 5How does your team ensure that consistent hygiene and personal care oversight are maintained throughout the day, especially during shift changes?
  • 6What does a typical daily activity schedule look like for residents, and how do you ensure that those in memory care are engaged and supported?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The team at Optima Care really did go above and beyond for my father, and got him back to walking and talking w/ his tracheostomy within a month.

Long-term resident's family · 2023★★★★★

The majority of the aides are excellent at what they do and really care for their charges. They treat them with care and dignity.

Long-term resident's family · 2016☆☆☆☆

My grandfather needed to go to a rehabilitation center after his hospital stay, so we had came across this place. Not even 2 days he spent in this sad excuse of an establishment and he was sent right back to the hospital in even worse condition than he had arrived.

Rehab patient family member · 2025☆☆☆☆
Source: 147 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.50hrs
67%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.90hrs
95%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
37%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
29%
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

6

measures

Worse Than Avg

9

measures

Mixed Results

1

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility5.9%
Better than Avg
Here
5.9%
US
19.4%
NJ
15.7%
Hudson
10.8%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility3.7%
Better than Avg
Here
3.7%
US
12.1%
NJ
11.7%
Hudson
9.4%

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 Facility23.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
23.0%
US
19.5%
NJ
18.9%
Hudson
15.1%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility7.7%
Better than Avg
Here
7.7%
US
15.3%
NJ
9.1%
Hudson
11.4%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility89.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
89.3%
US
93.4%
NJ
93.0%
Hudson
95.0%
🩹

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better
This Facility9.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
9.9%
US
4.9%
NJ
5.7%
Hudson
5.8%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility35.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
35.4%
US
79.8%
NJ
80.1%
Hudson
79.2%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility52.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
52.9%
US
81.8%
NJ
78.7%
Hudson
81.6%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility4.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
4.0%
US
1.6%
NJ
1.2%
Hudson
2.0%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

14deficiencies
2penalties
Well above state avg (8.5)
13 complaint-triggered
$60,823 in fines

Families have filed 14 complaint-triggered deficiencies at this facility, indicating ongoing care concerns that prompted family reports. The most recurring issues involve medication management, accident prevention and safety hazards, and medical record keeping problems. While the facility has corrected each deficiency when cited, the pattern shows repeated violations across multiple areas including a serious safety hazard citation as recently as January 2025.

Feb 19, 2026Routine
12
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.

0558Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

0569Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Notify each resident of certain balances and convey resident funds upon discharge, eviction, or death.

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.

0607Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

0640Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

0641Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0755Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

0919Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Environmental Deficiencies

Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.

0924Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Environmental Deficiencies

Put firmly secured handrails on each side of hallways.

Jul 22, 2025Complaint
2
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.

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.

Jan 30, 2025Complaint
3
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.

0755Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

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.

Oct 17, 2024Complaint
7
0610Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

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.

0600Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0609Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

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

0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

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.

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.

Oct 17, 2024Routine
11
0697Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

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.

0847Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Inform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.

0848Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Provide a neutral and fair arbitration process and agree to arbitrator and venue.

0625Potential for harm · 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.

0865Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

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

0867Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

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

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.

0583Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

0686Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Oct 17, 2023Complaint
1
0842Minimal · 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.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Jan 30, 2025

$17,345

Fine

Oct 17, 2024

$34,138

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Optima Care Fountains

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Optima Care

Chain Size

8 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 7 of 8 (Worst)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Optima Care Riverview Investment, LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Mendel, Eric

Owner (parent company)

100%

Key personnel

Mendel, EricManagerRinn, SethManagerEmm Healthcare Group LLCAdp of the SnfEmpro Staffing LLCAdp of the SnfShiftster LLCAdp of the Snf
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

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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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