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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Rockaway Care Center

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

353 Beach 48th Street, Far Rockaway · Far Rockaway, NY 11691228 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.7/5

based on 92 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Rockaway Care Center Nursing Home in Far Rockaway, NY — Street View
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5/ 10
high 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)
  • Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
  • Above-median deficiencies (14 vs median 6.0)
  • High RN turnover (52%)

Bottom 25% in NY · Below recommended RN staffing · $135,193 in fines

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

While the recreation and therapy departments are frequently praised for their dedication, the facility suffers from recurring reports of neglect and poor hygiene. We strongly advise families to conduct unannounced visits at different times of the day and specifically monitor the cleanliness of the resident's room and their personal care needs.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

92 reviews on Google
Rockaway Care Center receives highly polarized reviews, with some families praising the facility as clean and attentive, while others report severe neglect and unprofessional behavior. Common criticisms include long wait times for assistance, poor food quality, and persistent issues with broken elevators. Families should be aware that experiences appear to vary significantly depending on the specific staff members involved.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food2.0Staff5.0Clean5.0Activities9.0Meds2.0Memory5.0Comms4.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Professional and caring recreation staff
  • Clean and well-maintained lobby areas
  • Helpful and welcoming front desk receptionists
  • Effective physical therapy department

Concerns

  • Neglect and hygiene issues (soiled bedding, delayed assistance with toileting) (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
  • Rude, impatient, or unprofessional staff behavior (mentioned by 7 reviewers)
  • Persistent elevator malfunctions causing long wait times (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Poor food quality and inadequate portion sizes (mentioned by 3 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'17(5)'19(3)'21(5)'23(7)'25(39)'26(6)

Distribution · 94 analyzed

5
50
4
15
3
1
2
4
1
24

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1We've heard wonderful things about your recreation team; could you tell us more about the daily activities and social events available for residents?
  • 2How does the nursing team ensure that residents receive timely assistance with personal care and hygiene throughout the day?
  • 3With the recent focus on improving care standards, what specific steps is the facility taking to enhance medication management and communication with families?
  • 4Can you describe the process for managing medical emergencies and how the clinical staff handles physician updates?
  • 5We noticed the lobby is very well-maintained; how does the facility approach cleanliness and upkeep in the resident living areas and private rooms?
  • 6What improvements have been made recently regarding the dining experience, specifically in terms of food variety and portion sizes?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The recreation staff is AMAZING! They go above and beyond for the residents.

Former patient · 2022☆☆☆☆

The lobby area was immaculate as was the entranceway into the facility. Upon arrival the next day, the Front Desk Staff attending the Desk in the morning were the same as those the night before.

Family member · 2024★★★★★

I was left sitting in a feces filled diaper for three hours. The staff doesn't care about the patients comfort. Being left in a dirty diaper for hours is the norm.

Resident · 2025☆☆☆☆
Source: 92 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.75hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.35hrs
82%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
41%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
61%
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

5

measures

Worse Than Avg

8

measures

Mixed Results

4

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility83.7%
Worse than Avg
Here
83.7%
US
93.4%
NY
91.3%
Queens
92.9%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility18.8%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
18.8%
US
12.1%
NY
18.9%
Queens
28.4%

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

🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility5.7%
Better than Avg
Here
5.7%
US
14.4%
NY
14.8%
Queens
12.5%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.3%
Better than Avg
Here
11.3%
US
19.4%
NY
20.2%
Queens
14.5%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility6.9%
Better than Avg
Here
6.9%
US
15.3%
NY
13.8%
Queens
11.3%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility13.9%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
13.9%
US
19.5%
NY
13.3%
Queens
11.4%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility32.1%
Worse than Avg
Here
32.1%
US
81.8%
NY
77.0%
Queens
73.6%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility62.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
62.4%
US
79.7%
NY
78.8%
Queens
79.6%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility3.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
3.2%
US
1.6%
NY
1.2%
Queens
1.0%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

17deficiencies
1penalties
Well above state avg (7.6)
12 complaint-triggered
$135,193 in fines

Families have filed multiple complaints triggering nine deficiencies, indicating ongoing concerns about care planning, physical restraint use, and safety monitoring. The facility shows recurring problems with care planning development, infection control, and building safety issues across multiple surveys from 2019 to 2025. While most deficiencies have correction dates, recent complaints suggest persistent quality issues that warrant careful consideration during any visit.

Dec 11, 2025Complaint
1
0689Actual 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.

Dec 10, 2025Routine
14
0756Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

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.

0161Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

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.

0730Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

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

0759Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

0814Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

0838Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.

0880Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0908Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Environmental Deficiencies

Keep all essential equipment working safely.

0557Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0692Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0865Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

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

Dec 10, 2025Complaint
3
0604Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

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.

Apr 25, 2025Complaint
6
0742Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

0742Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

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.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

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.

Jul 27, 2023Routine
11
0161Potential for harm · Pattern

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

0225Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have stairways and smokeproof enclosures used as exits that meet safety requirements.

0353Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0915Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper power supply for life support equipment.

0325Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have properly installed hallway dispensers for alcohol-based hand rub.

0911Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.

0604Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

0806Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

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.

0849Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Jul 27, 2023Complaint
2
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.

0700Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Apr 25, 2025

$135,193

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Rockaway Care Center

Organization Type

for profit

Ownership & Management

Owners

Melnicke, Michael

Owner

100%

Key personnel

Sterling National Bank5% or Greater Mortgage InterestJaffa, RosalieW-2 Managing EmployeeSirkis, AvromOfficer / DirectorSirkis, AvromManager
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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