The 10 Worst Nursing Homes in Georgia

Compare the Worst Nursing Homes in Georgia

Every year, thousands of seniors, their families, and friends are faced with the difficult decision of choosing a skilled nursing facility, either because someone is recuperating after a hospital visit or for end-of-life care. This is usually an issue that arises suddenly, and the decision makers are not equipped with the right knowledge and information to make a good decision. Not knowing how to decide, they turn to others for recommendations. Word of mouth, along with geography, are constantly cited as the most important factors in choosing a skilled nursing facility. Choosing a facility with such limited information can lead to significant problems. Not all skilled nursing facilities are the same and the people that you trust to recommend a facility may not know enough about the facility and the alternatives to be a competent guide.

Providing the type of care that residents of skilled nursing facilities require is very difficult. The range of issues that are being treated is vast and the needs cover both people recuperating and recovering as well as those facing end-of-life issues. Residents require significant help with basic daily activities as well as supplemental needs like oxygen and 24/7 monitoring.

To help people who are facing this difficult situation, we have compiled a list of the worst Georgia skilled nursing facilities and the the best skilled nursing facilities. (We have also compiled the best and worst nursing homes by city for most cities in the United States, links are shown at the bottom on this page.) The lists are based on data provided by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (“CMS”) and include information gathered from detailed annual inspections, monthly reporting, complaint histories, deficiency reports and much more.

The list below calls out the worst skilled nursing facilities in Georgia. For the most part these facilities should be avoided. All the facilities have issues with cleanliness and safety and a large number of the facilities have been flagged by CMS as locations where abuse has either occurred or is highly likely.

Avoiding these facilities may not always be an option either because of geographic, monetary, or occupancy constraints. However, being in a bad nursing home does not mean that the resident will not improve. If you have a loved one in one of these facilities, we encourage you to visit often and to ask that friends and other family visit too. It is well documented that positive outcomes for skilled nursing residents is highly correlated with the number and diversity of people visiting the resident. Being there, getting to know the staff, showing the staff that the resident has people that care about him or her is critical. There may not always be a better option, but your direct involvement can make a difference.

To see a more detailed analysis of the performance on skilled nursing facilities in Georgia, including staffing, COVID-19 infections, historical occupancy levels and recent trends, look at our detailed analysis page.

Nursing Home	Rating
Heardmont Health and Rehabilitation 1043 LONGSTREET ROAD ELBERTON, GA	515.33 /
Cherokee Center For Nursing and Healing LLC 150 HOSPITAL CIRCLE NW CANTON, GA	430.00
Etowah Landing 809 SOUTH BROAD STREET ROME, GA	362.00
Life Care Ctr of Lawrenceville 210 COLLINS INDUSTRIAL WAY LAWRENCEVILLE, GA	351.83
Nhc Healthcare Rossville 1425 MCFARLAND AVE ROSSVILLE, GA	349.83 /
Legacy Transitional Care and Rehabilitation 460 AUBURN AVENUE N.E. ATLANTA, GA	313.33 Rating Not Available /
Autumn Breeze Health and Rehab 1480 SANDTOWN ROAD SW MARIETTA, GA	291.67 /
Chatuge Regional Nursing Home 386 BELAIRE DRIVE HIAWASSEE, GA	281.00 /
Meadowbrook Health and Rehab 4608 LAWRENCEVILLE HIGHWAY TUCKER, GA	273.00 Rating Not Available
Chestnut Ridge Nsg and Rehab Ctr 125 SAMARITAN DRIVE CUMMING, GA	273.00

Nursing Homes with the warning icon () have been flagged by CMS for abuse.

How We Compile Nursing Home Ratings in Georgia

Every month, we rank all of the skilled nursing facilities in Georgia. These rankings are based on data provided by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid measures ("CMS"), including the CMS 5-Star Rating System and the Health Inspection Scores. The list of the Worst Skilled Nursing Facilities in Georgia is based on the weighted overall health inspection score which is a composite of CMS's three most recent skilled nursing home inspection scores weighted to give the most recent inspection more importance.

The CMS 5-Star Rating System rates skilled nursing facilities from one to five stars, with one star being the lowest and five stars being the highest. The rating system also rates Georgia nursing homes across five different dimensions including overall rating, health inspection rating, quality measures rating, overall staffing rating, and RN staffing rating (RN is an acronym for Registered Nurse).

In addition to the 5-Star Rating System, CMS provides numerical metrics that summarize:

Health Inspection Domain. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys for each nursing home, results from any complaint investigations during the most recent three-year period, and any repeat revisits needed to verify that required corrections have brought the facility back into compliance. CMS calculates a weighted deficiency score based on points assigned to health deficiencies identified in each active provider’s current health inspection survey and the two prior surveys (including revisits), as well as deficiency findings from the most recent three years of complaint investigations. More recent surveys are weighted more heavily than older surveys: the most recent period (cycle 1) is assigned a weighting factor of 1/2, the previous period (cycle 2) has a weighting factor of 1/3, and the second prior survey (cycle 3) has a weighting factor of 1/6. The weighted time period scores are then summed to create the survey score for each facility.
Staffing Domain. Using multiple reporting methods, CMS calculates the amount of time that the nursing staff spends with residents. This is measured across multiple dimensions, one each for three different levels of nursing, including Registered Nurses (“RNs”), Licensed Practical Nurses (“LPNs”), and Certified Nursing Assistants (“CNAs”), plus one metric that totals all contributions. These metrics are expressed in hours per resident per day. CMS also provides state-level and national averages for the metrics to allow for additional comparisons.
Quality Measures Domain. A set of quality measures (QMs) has been developed from MDS-based indicators to describe the quality of care provided in nursing homes. These measures address a broad range of functioning and health status in multiple care areas. The facility rating for the QM domain is based on performance on a subset of 11 (out of 18) of the QMs. Ratings for the QM domain are calculated using the three most recent quarters for which data are available. This time period specification was selected to increase the number of assessments available for calculating the QM rating, increasing the stability of estimates and reducing the number of facilities that do not have enough data to report QM ratings.
Abuse Flag. Abuse is always a concern in skilled nursing facilities. To highlight the issue, CMS has extracted this feature as its own flag. Facilities with an actual abuse event or where the potential for abuse has been shown for the past two years are flagged. The Health Inspection Score is capped at 2-stars for nursing homes that have been flagged for abuse.

Skilled nursing facilities that are new and do not have at least two surveys completed are not rated by CMS. These facilities may have health inspection scores that can be used to evaluate the facility.

One complication in Georgia nursing home inspections is the COVID-19 pandemic. Although inspections should be performed every 12 months, COVID has decreased this frequency. While CMS admits that only in “rare cases” do these inspections increase to 15 months, our analysis suggests that this time frame may be even longer. This report shows that the time between inspections is now just under 500 days (more than sixteen months). There are now hundreds of skilled nursing homes in the United States that have not been inspected in more than 24 months. This list shows the skilled nursing homes with the longest period since being inspected. According to the CMS data, these homes have not been inspected since 2018!

Skilled Nursing Home Abuse in Georgia

Abuse is always going to be an issue with skilled nursing facilities. Skilled nursing facility residents need help with so many basic things and they are suffering, confused, and frustrated. If you are the friend or relative of a nursing home resident, we guarantee that you will be constantly fretting about whether your loved one is receiving proper and timely care. Abuse feels like a violation of your trust, but it happens. CMS actively monitors nursing homes not just for actual abuse but also for indicators that suggest that abuse might be occurring. Homes where abuse has either occurred or might be occurring are flagged. A very high percentage of the worst skilled nursing facilities in Georgia have been flagged for abuse. We have marked these facilities both on the list of the worst skilled nursing facilities and on the detailed page for each of the facilities.

How to Report a Nursing Homes in Georgia

If you run into an issue at a Georgia nursing home, there are a few steps you can take to make sure the issue is reported. First, speak with the immediate staff. If the problem is not solved, speak with a director or administrator, doctor, or any other employee of a high level.

As required by Medicare and Medicaid, reports and complaints must go through a grievance procedure. Per the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a grievance is “an expression of dissatisfaction (other than an organization determination) with any aspect of the operations, activities, or behavior of a Medicare health plan, or its providers, regardless of whether remedial action is requested”. All grievances must be filed in writing or verbally within 60 days of the event prompting the grievance.

To report a Georgia nursing home for quality of care, go through a grievance procedure through your Medicare or Medicaid plan. You can also go through the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care-Quality Improvement Organizations (BFCC-QIO). These groups serve to help with complaints made regarding the quality of care by Medicare providers. You can also choose to go through both Medicare and a BFCC-QIO.

Worst Nursing Homes in the Largest Georgia Cities

All of the following nursing homes have been given a Weighted Health Inspection Score by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Every year, nursing homes in Georgia go through an unannounced inspection performed by independent state examiners. These examiners look at factors such as cleanliness, hazards, and safety to perform the inspection. Points are given to nursing homes based on their deficiency in a certain category. Thus, a higher Weighted All Cycles Score means more problems and lower quality of care.

The list below ranks the homes with the highest (worst) weighted scores. The score is shown next to the facility name. The list also shows the two most recent deficiencies for each of the nursing homes.

Worst Nursing Homes in Atlanta

Legacy Transitional Care and Rehabilitation (313.333)

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. (2024-06-30)
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted (2024-06-30)

Pruitthealth - Virginia Park (197.333)

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate. (2024-02-09)
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged. (2024-02-09)

Pruitthealth - Brookhaven (195)

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate. (2024-07-19)
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. (2024-07-19)

Fulton Center For Rehabilitation LLC (168.833)

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2023-12-03)
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. (2023-12-03)

Golden Villa (157.167)

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2024-05-29)
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2024-05-02)

Sandy Springs Center For Nursing and Healing LLC (149.5)

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. (2023-06-19)
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. (2023-06-19)

Buckhead Center For Nursing and Healing (136.333)

Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money. (2024-09-03)
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2024-09-03)

Nurse Care of Buckhead (134.667)

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. (2024-09-16)
Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs. (2024-09-15)

Westminster Commons (129.667)

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-10-22)
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2024-03-04)

Pruitthealth - West Atlanta (117.333)

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-07-03)
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate. (2024-07-03)

Worst Nursing Homes in Augusta

Augusta Center For Health and Rehabilitation, LLC (95.667)

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. (2024-07-08)
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-07-08)

Harrington Park Health and Rehabilitation (78)

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. (2023-11-28)
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2023-04-24)

Lakepoint Augusta, LLC (76.667)

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being. (2023-09-28)
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2023-09-28)

Pruitthealth - Richmond, LLC (56.667)

Have properly sized and located compartments to protect residents from smoke. (2024-06-13)
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. (2024-06-13)

Mainegeneral Rehab and Long Term Care - Gray Birch (50.667)

Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. (2024-09-13)
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-09-13)

Pruitthealth - Augusta (48)

Have corridors or aisles that are unobstructed and are at least 8 feet in width. (2024-03-27)
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. (2024-03-27)

Augusta Health and Rehabilitation (46.667)

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2024-07-19)
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2024-01-18)

Harborview Health Center of Augusta (26.667)

Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. (2024-05-27)
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. (2024-05-27)

Azalea Health Center By Harborview (18.667)

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. (2023-05-22)
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2023-05-22)

Pruitthealth - Augusta Hills (15)

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (2023-09-15)
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. (2023-07-30)

Worst Nursing Homes in Savannah

Hardin County Nh (259)

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-04-10)
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. (2024-04-10)

Abundant Acres Care and Rehab (241.667)

Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. (2024-08-15)
Provide hallway or ground-level exits in all residents' rooms. (2024-08-15)

Laverna Manor Health and Rehabilitation (237)

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. (2024-05-31)
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. (2024-05-31)

Savannah Post Acute LLC (94.667)

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2024-06-10)
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate. (2024-05-27)

Thunderbolt Care Center LLC (88)

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. (2023-05-18)
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. (2023-05-18)

Pruitthealth - Savannah (70.667)

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2024-03-28)
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. (2024-03-14)

Riverview Health and Rehab Ctr (36)

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2022-10-23)
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. (2022-10-23)

Harbert Hills Academy N H (30)

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. (2023-11-29)
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2023-11-29)

Abercorn Rehabilitation Center (18)

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2023-07-09)
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. (2023-07-09)

Candler Skilled Nursing Unit (15.333)

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. (2024-01-15)
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (2024-01-15)

Worst Nursing Homes in Columbus

Vineyard Court Nursing Center (246)

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-07-05)
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2024-02-23)

Majestic Care of Columbus LLC (240.5)

PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities (2024-09-02)
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. (2024-09-02)

Columbus Healthcare Center (215.167)

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. (2024-10-15)
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (2024-09-17)

Scioto Rehabilitation and Care Center (201.667)

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-10-05)
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-06-24)

Bella Terrace Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (191)

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. (2024-08-20)
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (2024-07-03)

The Laurels of Gahanna (182.667)

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-10-24)
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2024-10-24)

Eastland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (164.333)

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months. (2024-05-08)
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2024-05-08)

Arlington Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (152.5)

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. (2024-08-16)
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2024-06-14)

Magnolia Manor of Columbus Nursing Center - West (138.167)

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2024-10-10)
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2024-10-10)

Capital City Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Ce (135.333)

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-08-19)
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2024-07-24)

Worst Nursing Homes in Gainesville

Park Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (316.333)

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action. (2023-10-02)
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. (2023-10-02)

Gainesville Convalescent Center (218.5)

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. (2024-09-18)
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube. (2024-09-18)

Parklands Care Center and Rehab (165.833)

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. (2024-08-16)
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. (2023-09-12)

Renaissance Care Center (110)

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. (2024-03-30)
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2024-03-30)

Terrace Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (93.667)

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2024-11-07)
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (2024-11-07)

River Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center (86.5)

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. (2024-01-29)
Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2024-01-29)

Gainesville Health and Rehab Center (79.333)

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2023-06-06)
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. (2023-04-11)

Gainesville Health and Rehabilitation (73.333)

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. (2024-02-05)
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2024-02-05)

Lake Manassas Health and Rehabilitation Center (68.667)

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate. (2024-07-31)
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. (2024-07-31)

Plaza Health and Rehab (57.667)

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2024-07-20)
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2024-07-20)

Worst Skilled Nursing Homes in Other States

See the worst skilled nursing homes in other states: