Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise highly effective physical and occupational therapy. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 252 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
This facility is highly regarded for its physical therapy program and dedicated nursing assistants who provide genuine care. However, due to multiple reports of medication management errors and poor food quality, we strongly advise families to be highly involved in monitoring their loved one's daily care and clinical needs.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
252 reviews on Google“Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay receives high praise for its dedicated physical therapy team and specific nursing assistants who are frequently cited by name for their kindness and attentiveness. However, families should be aware of recurring reports regarding inconsistent medication management, occasional lapses in basic hygiene care, and concerns about food quality. While many families report a positive, life-changing experience for their loved ones, there are critical accounts of medical oversight that warrant careful investigation.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Highly effective physical and occupational therapy
- Compassionate and attentive nursing assistants
- Clean and well-maintained facility
- Responsive concierge and administrative staff
Concerns
- Inconsistent or late medication administration (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
- Poor food quality and nutritional planning (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
- Lapses in basic hygiene and personal care (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Understaffing leading to slow response times (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 220 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility responds to some reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed your team is very active in responding to feedback online; how do you use that family input to improve the daily experience for residents?
- 2Given that physical and occupational therapy are such strong highlights here, how do you integrate those sessions into a resident's daily schedule?
- 3Could you walk me through your current process for medication management and how you ensure accuracy and timeliness for each resident?
- 4I understand that nutrition is a key part of health; what steps are you taking to enhance the quality and variety of the meal options provided?
- 5With the current staffing levels, what is the typical response time for a resident who needs assistance with personal care or hygiene throughout the day?
- 6How does your nursing team coordinate with local hospitals or emergency services if a resident experiences a sudden change in health status?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The physical therapy team worked together to make sure I could do as many things as possible independently.”
“My mom received wonderful care at Parkside. In total, she spent almost two months there (two separate stays). We heard horror stories about other facilities, so I was full of anxiety as we navigated the transition from hospital to rehab. I felt relief within minutes of visiting Parkside for the first time.”
“My father was here and developed sepsis and malnutrition. How can a 'skilled nursing facility NOT recognize the signs? Furthermore, he had developed a GI bleed yet they were oblivious!”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Total 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
12
measures
4
measures
1
measures
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
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 needing more daily help over time
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
This facility has a concerning pattern of six complaint-triggered deficiencies, indicating families have filed reports about problems. The most recurring issues involve medication management, dining and nutrition services, and fire safety systems. While all deficiencies show correction dates, problems persist across multiple surveys, with medication and care planning issues appearing repeatedly from 2023 through 2025, suggesting ongoing operational challenges.
Mar 5, 2026Routine8
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Jan 31, 2025Routine8
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.
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.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide rooms that can be unlocked from inside without a key.
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
Have properly sized and located compartments to protect residents from smoke.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.
Jan 31, 2025Complaint1
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Mar 7, 2024Complaint5
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Environmental Deficiencies
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Apr 30, 2023Routine17
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
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.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Michael Feist
7 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.9/5 · Rank 6 of 7
Ownership & Management
Owners
Parkside Holding Company LLC
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Feist, Michael
Owner (parent company)
Jacobowitz, Kalman
Owner (parent company)
Mermelstein, Howard
Owner (parent company)
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
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References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
252 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit parksideellijay.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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