Finding a Safe Nursing Home: Insights from ProPublica’s Database

By Samanda Dorger

There were over 1.25 million nursing home residents in the U.S. in 2024 and 14,827 certified nursing facilities, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

At a recent congressional hearing, there was a general consensus that proposed $880 billion cuts to Medicaid could jeopardize the care of vulnerable populations, including seniors and disabled people, according to industry publication Skilled Nursing News.

If you’re trying to advocate for an aging parent, how do you find the right facility?

One database of over 90,000 nursing home inspection reports at Propublica.org provides a window into some of the worst nursing home violations around the country, and the scope of their impact.

– Some facilities failed to protect residents from abuse, such as physical, mental and sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect.

– The most serious violations present immediate jeopardy to resident health and safety, meaning residents affected are at risk of serious injury, harm, impairment or death.

– Violations include failure to honor a resident’s right to refuse to participate in experimental research.

Here are some of the findings by ProPublica:

These states had the most nursing homes with at least one serious deficiency over three years:

Texas: 53%

Rhode Island: 48%

New Mexico: 47%

Minnesota: 44%

Kansas: 42%

North Carolina: 42%

South Carolina: 42%

Delaware: 41%

And these states had the highest average value per fine given to a nursing home over 3 years:

D.C.: $50,000

Vermont: $43,000

Delaware: $41,000

Illinois: $39,000

Washington: $37,000

The nursing homes with the steepest fines were flagged by the government for having a history of serious quality issues.

The most fines went to one nursing home in Sarasota, Fla., which was fined a total of $1.13 million in a 3-year period, with 41 total deficiencies, including two infection-related deficiencies. Nursing staff turnover was over 71% over 12 months.

Another facility in Maple Shade, N.J.. was fined a total of $1.12 million in a 3-year period, with 57 total deficiencies, including four infection-related deficiencies. Nursing staff turnover was 72% over 12 months.

And a facility in Syracuse, N.Y., was fined a total of $1.07 million in a 3-year period, with 96 total deficiencies, including three infection-related deficiencies. Nursing staff turnover was 67.8% over 12 months.

Learn more, or search nursing homes by state or individually at ProPublica.

Source: ProPublica’s Nursing Home Inspect, updated November 2024, uses data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Information on deficiencies comes from a home’s last three inspection cycles, or roughly three years in total.