Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing
400 Groton Road · Ayer, MA · 01432 · 9787721704
123 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Stern Consultants
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- 7 citations involved actual harm to residents.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
1 abuse-related citation at the actual-harm level
Inspectors cited failures in the abuse-prevention rules (F600–F610) that resulted in actual harm to a resident.
If someone you love was harmed at a facility with findings like these, you have options — read this.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 2 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.58 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.81 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.16 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 58% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 3 · $72,804 |
Inspection citations (80 in the current record)
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Resident Rights
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
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.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Resident Rights
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
-
Potential for harm · E March 13, 2025
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
-
Potential for harm · E March 13, 2025
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
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.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
-
Potential for harm · E March 13, 2025
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Infection Control
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Infection Control
-
Potential for harm · D March 13, 2025
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Infection Control
-
No harm found · C March 13, 2025
Have an agreement with at least one or more hospitals certified by Medicare or Medicaid to make sure residents can be moved quickly to the hospital when they need medical care.
Corrected March 25, 2025 · Administration
-
Potential for harm · D January 2, 2025 · found via complaint
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected January 20, 2025 · Resident Rights
-
Potential for harm · D January 2, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected January 20, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
Potential for harm · D January 2, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected January 20, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
-
Potential for harm · D June 5, 2024 · found via complaint
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected June 17, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
Potential for harm · E June 5, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Corrected June 21, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
-
Potential for harm · E June 5, 2024 · found via complaint
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Corrected June 17, 2024 · Administration
-
Actual harm · G March 5, 2024
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected March 22, 2024 · Resident Rights
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| March 5, 2024 | Fine | $53,264 |
| September 27, 2023 | Fine | $9,770 |
| July 5, 2023 | Fine | $9,770 |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
No approved reviews yet. If your family has experience with this facility, yours could be the review that helps the next family decide.
Sign in to share your family's experience — reviews are moderated and never affect the Safety Score.
Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 225421 · certified since July 1, 1990. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.