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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Orono Commons

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

117 Bennoch Rd, Orono · Orono, ME 0447380 bedsLicensed & Active
2/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.0/5

based on 97 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Orono Commons Nursing Home in Orono, ME — Street View
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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 (2/5 stars)
  • Above-median deficiencies (14 vs median 12.0)
  • High staff turnover (58%)

Below average in ME · Meets national RN staffing standard · $10,358 in fines

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

While many families report excellent rehab outcomes and compassionate care, there is a recurring pattern of serious neglect and poor communication, particularly regarding weekend and night shifts. We strongly advise you to visit during off-hours and ask specific questions about their staffing ratios and how they handle medication management and call-bell response times.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

97 reviews on Google
Orono Commons receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the compassionate, attentive nursing staff and successful rehabilitation outcomes. However, a significant number of reviewers report serious concerns regarding neglect, poor communication, understaffing, and inconsistent hygiene standards. Families should be aware that experiences appear to vary greatly depending on the specific wing and shift.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food4.0Staff6.0Clean6.0Activities8.0Meds3.0Memory6.0Comms3.0Value2.0

Strengths

  • Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
  • Effective physical and occupational therapy
  • Clean and well-maintained facility environment
  • Strong support for long-term and dementia care residents

Concerns

  • Severe understaffing and slow response times to call buttons (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
  • Poor communication and difficulty reaching staff by phone (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Negligent care, including medication errors and hygiene issues (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
  • Inconsistent quality and timing of meals (mentioned by 3 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'16(2)'19(3)'21(9)'23(19)'25(25)'26(9)

Distribution · 104 analyzed

5
66
4
11
3
0
2
6
1
21

How They Respond to Reviews

63%response rate

This facility responds to some reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1It's great to see how much the management engages with feedback from the community; how does the team currently use resident and family input to improve daily operations?
  • 2With the focus on long-term and dementia care, what specific daily activities or social programs are in place to keep residents engaged?
  • 3How does the nursing team ensure that medication administration is consistently accurate and that call buttons are answered promptly, even during busy shifts?
  • 4Could you tell me more about the dining experience, specifically regarding how meal timing and nutritional variety are managed for the residents?
  • 5What is the protocol for communicating important medical updates or changes in care status to family members to ensure we stay closely connected?
  • 6In the event of a medical emergency after hours, what is the process for notifying the family and coordinating with outside physicians?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The staff has not only provided excellent care for my brother, but helped me to develop my skills as his caregiver.

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

The staff never read all of my discharge plans, therefore the care given was negligent and resulted in further complications. They messed up my meds on several occasions.

Rehab patient · 2023☆☆☆☆

I would push call button because at that time needed help to go potty . It would be 45 min

Rehab patient · 2019☆☆☆☆
Source: 97 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
1.30hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.57hrs
87%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
56%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
35%
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
3/ 5
Better Than Avg

6

measures

Worse Than Avg

11

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility67.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
67.3%
US
93.4%
ME
91.4%
Penobscot
95.5%
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility28.5%
Worse than Avg
Here
28.5%
US
15.5%
ME
20.6%
Penobscot
20.9%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility27.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
27.8%
US
15.3%
ME
26.9%
Penobscot
23.9%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility26.6%
Worse than Avg
Here
26.6%
US
14.4%
ME
25.3%
Penobscot
21.6%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility30.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
30.3%
US
19.4%
ME
29.2%
Penobscot
28.5%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility10.4%
Better than Avg
Here
10.4%
US
12.1%
ME
11.2%
Penobscot
19.9%

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

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility23.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
23.8%
US
79.8%
ME
74.5%
Penobscot
77.0%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility37.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
37.9%
US
81.8%
ME
71.7%
Penobscot
78.2%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.7%
Worse than Avg
Here
2.7%
US
1.6%
ME
1.3%
Penobscot
1.4%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

14deficiencies
1penalties
Above state avg (11.3)
18 complaint-triggered
$10,358 in fines

Orono Commons has experienced recurring problems across multiple areas, with families filing 20 complaint-triggered deficiencies over 53 total violations. The facility has struggled repeatedly with nursing staffing levels, appropriate treatment and care delivery, and protecting residents from abuse and neglect. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of recurring issues in core care areas suggests ongoing operational challenges that warrant careful evaluation during any visit.

Jan 13, 2026Complaint
1
0684Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

Dec 9, 2025Complaint
3
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.

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.

May 7, 2025Routine
7
0725Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

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.

0578Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

0644Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0161Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

0371Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have properly sized and located compartments to protect residents from smoke.

May 7, 2025Complaint
5
0697Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0655Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

0684Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

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.

0804Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

May 22, 2024Routine
17
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.

0111Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Satisfy building requirements after a repair, renovation, modification, or change of user/occupancy.

0561Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.

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.

0699Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0711Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.

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.

0947Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.

0223Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0362Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.

0353Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler 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.

0655Minimal · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

0730Minimal · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

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

0732Minimal · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Post nurse staffing information every day.

May 22, 2024Complaint
7
0550Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

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

0684Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0725Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

0802Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.

0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

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.

0686Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

Federal Penalties

Fine

May 7, 2025

$10,358

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Orono Commons

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Genesis Healthcare

Chain Size

187 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.4/5 · Rank 82 of 188

Ownership & Management

Owners

Genesis Healthcare of Maine LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Gen Operations I LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Gen Operations II LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Genesis Healthcare INC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Genesis Healthcare LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Genesis Holdings LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Sun Healthcare Group INC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Whitman, Arnold

Owner (parent company)

Key personnel

Berg, MichaelOfficer / DirectorBridgeford, LauraOfficer / DirectorMendelson, AviOfficer / DirectorPazara, ChelseaManagerYntema, LaurieManager
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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