Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

River City Center

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

1350 Fourteenth Avenue Southeast, Decatur, AL 35601|183 beds|Licensed & Active

1/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

4.6/5

based on 133 Google reviews

(256) 355-6911 Directions Website

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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 (1/5 stars)
Above-median deficiencies (6 vs median 3.0)
High staff turnover (56%)

Bottom 25% in AL · Meets national RN staffing standard · Worst in GENESIS HEALTHCARE chain · No penalties on record

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

This facility's therapy department is highly regarded and often cited as a reason for successful discharges. However, families should be aware of recurring complaints regarding communication and basic care standards; we strongly recommend conducting an unannounced visit to observe the environment and staffing levels firsthand.

Google Reviews

133 reviews on Google

“River City Center receives polarized feedback, with many families praising the therapy department and friendly staff, while others report serious concerns regarding basic care and communication. While some visitors highlight clean, modern facilities and attentive nursing, others describe issues with hygiene, inadequate nutrition, and difficulty reaching staff by phone. Families should carefully weigh the positive reports of successful rehabilitation against the recurring complaints about neglect and administrative responsiveness.”

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Highly effective physical and occupational therapy
Friendly and welcoming front-line staff
Clean, modern facility environment
Strong management and leadership

Concerns

Inadequate basic care and hygiene (e.g., diaper changes, food delivery) (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
Difficulty reaching staff by phone or getting calls returned (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Poor food quality or missed meals (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 80 analyzed

⚡14 reviews posted between Jun 17, 2024 – Jun 21, 2024 · 13 were 5-star

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

1Given the facility's size of 183 residents, what is your specific process for ensuring consistent, timely assistance with personal hygiene and daily care tasks for each individual?
2I noticed the therapy department is highly regarded; how do you integrate those rehabilitation services into the daily routine for residents who are not in active therapy sessions?
3Communication is very important to our family; what is the best way to ensure we can reach a staff member or get a timely update regarding our loved one's status?
4Could you walk us through how the dining experience is managed, particularly regarding how you ensure residents receive their meals on time and have any necessary assistance during eating?
5With your current staffing levels, how does the team coordinate to ensure that residents' non-medical needs, such as hydration and comfort checks, are prioritized throughout the day?
6In the event of a medical concern or an emergency, what is your protocol for notifying family members and coordinating care with our loved one's primary physician?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“My mother was at River City Center after having a stroke. She was well cared for by the staff. Mom was able to return home due to the awesome job of the therapy department!”

Rehab patient's family · 2024★★★★★

“Absolutely horrible care facility…there is no care in this place. It is a grossly neglectful place. And they will lie to you about the care given. They do not provide even basic human needs.”

Long-term resident's family · 2024★☆☆☆☆

“The establishment smells like urine throughout, some wings is overwhelming... Very difficult to enter and move through the place, doors are locked at every doorway, you must find someone at every point to let you enter/exit.”

Long-term resident's family · 2025★☆☆☆☆

Source: 133 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026

RN Hours

0.87hrs

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.30hrs

81%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

55%

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

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

Medicare Rating

4/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility2.8%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

2.8%

12.1%

1.4%

Morgan

29.1%

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 Facility24.1%

Worse than Avg

Here

24.1%

19.4%

13.3%

Morgan

20.7%

💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility98.9%

Better than Avg

Here

98.9%

93.4%

91.7%

Morgan

97.3%

💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility99.3%

Better than Avg

Here

99.3%

95.5%

94.8%

Morgan

92.9%

💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility18.5%

Better than Avg

Here

18.5%

19.5%

24.7%

Morgan

23.0%

🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better

This Facility17.6%

Worse than Avg

Here

17.6%

14.4%

12.7%

Morgan

14.3%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility90.8%

Better than Avg

Here

90.8%

79.8%

80.3%

Morgan

76.5%

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility84.2%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

84.2%

81.8%

84.8%

Morgan

82.5%

💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility1.3%

Better than Avg

Here

1.3%

1.6%

2.0%

Morgan

1.5%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

6deficiencies

Well above state avg (3.9)

River City Center shows a mixed inspection record with 19 deficiencies across three surveys, with no complaint-driven investigations. The facility has recurring issues with food service and safety (including food storage, menu planning, and emergency preparedness), plus past problems with resident protection and care planning. All deficiencies have been officially corrected, suggesting the facility addresses identified problems, though the pattern of repeat food service violations warrants attention during your visit.

Apr 29, 2021Routine6 findings

0803Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

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.

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.

0814Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

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.

0809Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.

0623Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

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.

Mar 13, 2019Routine5 findings

0036Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Establish emergency prep training and testing.

0353Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

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

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.

0211Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.

Jul 17, 2018Routine8 findings

0600Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

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.

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.

0637Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition

0222Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0293Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.

0372Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0918Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

River City Center

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Genesis Healthcare

Chain Size

187 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.4/5 · Rank 172 of 188 (Worst)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Genesis Holdings LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Gen Operations I LLC