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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Skilled Nursing Facility at North Hill (the)

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise high-quality, varied dining options. Still worth an in-person visit.

865 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 0249272 bedsLicensed & Active
4/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.3/5

based on 38 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Skilled Nursing Facility at North Hill (the) Nursing Home in Needham, MA — Street View
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What this means for your family

North Hill offers an exceptional lifestyle for independent seniors with high-quality dining and social engagement. However, if you are considering the skilled nursing or rehab units, be sure to ask specific questions about staffing ratios and the facility's policy on private aides, as multiple families have noted that supplemental care may be required to meet basic needs.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

38 reviews on Google
North Hill is a highly regarded continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that receives consistent praise from independent living residents for its vibrant social atmosphere, high-quality dining, and extensive amenities. However, the skilled nursing and rehab facility, Pines Edge, faces significant criticism regarding staffing levels, responsiveness, and the adequacy of care provided to residents with higher medical needs. While many families report excellent rehab outcomes, others express frustration with administrative communication and the necessity of hiring private aides to supplement facility care.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food9.0Staff6.0Clean9.0Activities10.0MedsN/AMemory4.0Comms4.0Value3.0

Strengths

  • High-quality, varied dining options
  • Extensive social and fitness activities
  • Well-maintained, modern facilities
  • Strong physical and occupational therapy programs

Concerns

  • Inadequate staffing levels in skilled nursing/enhanced living (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Poor administrative responsiveness and communication (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • High cost of entry and monthly fees (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2345.0'15(1)5.04.0'21(4)3.43.7'23(6)4.55.0'25(11)4.8'26(4)

Distribution · 40 analyzed

5
33
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
6

How They Respond to Reviews

83%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given the high volume of social and fitness activities offered, how do you ensure residents with different mobility levels are able to participate fully?
  • 2I noticed your staffing rating is quite high; could you explain how your team manages daily care coverage to ensure consistent support for residents?
  • 3We value clear communication; what is the standard process for keeping family members updated on changes in a resident's health or care plan?
  • 4Regarding the skilled nursing component, what protocols are in place to handle urgent medical needs or emergencies during evening and weekend hours?
  • 5We see that you actively engage with online feedback; how do you use that input to make tangible improvements to the resident experience?
  • 6With the variety of dining options available, how do you accommodate specific nutritional needs or personal preferences for residents?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

He also said something you never hear from places like this: “the food is delicious, it’s first class here”. So grateful to the kind, compassionate and supportive staff there.

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

The staff, service, physical therapy, and food were all outstanding. What truly stood out was the responsiveness and level of care from everyone—always prompt, professional, and compassionate.

Rehab patient · 2025★★★★★

Beautiful looking, terrible care. Be prepared to pay for private aides to provide the basic care that North Hill does not.

Memory care family member · 2023☆☆☆☆
Source: 38 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
1.57hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
7.43hrs
OK
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
24%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
30%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

This facility meets the national staffing benchmarks. Higher staffing is linked to fewer falls and better day-to-day care.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

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

Medicare Rating
3/ 5
Better Than Avg

11

measures

Worse Than Avg

5

measures

Mixed Results

1

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility28.1%
Worse than Avg
Here
28.1%
US
14.4%
MA
16.9%
Norfolk
19.2%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.5%
Better than Avg
Here
0.5%
US
12.1%
MA
13.7%
Norfolk
8.1%

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

🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility28.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
28.4%
US
15.3%
MA
16.4%
Norfolk
18.8%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility99.5%
Better than Avg
Here
99.5%
US
93.4%
MA
92.4%
Norfolk
87.8%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.8%
Better than Avg
Here
11.8%
US
19.4%
MA
21.4%
Norfolk
19.0%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility12.0%
Better than Avg
Here
12.0%
US
19.5%
MA
19.4%
Norfolk
15.2%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility98.8%
Better than Avg
Here
98.8%
US
81.8%
MA
77.6%
Norfolk
65.3%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
79.8%
MA
77.7%
Norfolk
68.8%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.4%
Better than Avg
Here
0.4%
US
1.6%
MA
1.3%
Norfolk
1.4%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

3deficiencies
1penalties
Well below state avg (8.9)
2 complaint-triggered
$16,153 in fines

Families filed complaints that led to recent deficiencies regarding treatment quality and accident prevention, though the facility corrected these issues. The facility shows recurring problems with care planning, fire safety protocols, and infection control across multiple surveys, but all deficiencies have been addressed with correction dates. While the pattern suggests ongoing operational challenges, the facility's responsiveness to corrections may indicate improving oversight and quality management.

Jul 18, 2025Routine
3
0605Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

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.

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.

Jan 15, 2025Complaint
2
0684Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

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.

Jul 11, 2024Routine
4
0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0883Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

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.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

May 18, 2023Routine
5
0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0607Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

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

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.

0636Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Jan 15, 2025

$16,153

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Skilled Nursing Facility at North Hill (the)

Organization Type

nonprofit

Ownership & Management

Key personnel

Barth, SuzanneOfficer / DirectorCorsini, RussellOfficer / DirectorCreed, SarahOfficer / DirectorDavis, RichardOfficer / DirectorDowney, SusanOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

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