COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Cottage of the Shoals in Tuscumbia, Alabama, has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating it is slightly above average, but still has room for improvement. It ranks #94 out of 223 facilities in Alabama, placing it in the top half, but is the last of three options in Colbert County. The facility's performance is worsening, with issues increasing from 1 in 2019 to 3 in 2021. Staffing is a significant concern with a rating of 1 out of 5 stars and a 66% turnover rate, which is higher than the state average of 48%. While there are no fines on record, which is a positive sign, there have been concerning incidents such as failure to provide complete medical records to a resident's representative and lapses in hand hygiene practices during medication administration, highlighting areas needing attention. On the plus side, the facility provides more RN coverage than 95% of Alabama facilities, which can help catch potential issues.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Alabama
- #94/223
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 66% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Alabama facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 45 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Alabama. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 5 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Near Alabama average (2.9)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
20pts above Alabama avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
18 points above Alabama average of 48%
The Ugly 5 deficiencies on record
Aug 2021
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0573
(Tag F0573)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews, medical record review and a review of a facility policy titled, .Authorization for Release of Information, ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews, medical record review and a review of a facility policy titled, .Authorization for Release of Information, ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, medical record review and a review of facility policies titled, IC203 Hand Hygiene, Fingerstick Glucose M...
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May 2019
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews, record review and review of a facility policy titled, Hand Hygiene, the facility failed to ens...
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Aug 2018
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure an allegation of physical abuse was reported to the State Agency within two hours.
This affected one of two abuse records reviewed ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Why is there high staff turnover? How do you retain staff?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Alabama facilities.
- • Only 5 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
- • 66% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Cottage Of The Shoals's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Alabama, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Cottage Of The Shoals Staffed?
CMS rates COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 66%, which is 20 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 84%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Cottage Of The Shoals?
State health inspectors documented 5 deficiencies at COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS during 2018 to 2021. These included: 5 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Cottage Of The Shoals?
COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by GENESIS HEALTHCARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 103 certified beds and approximately 85 residents (about 83% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in TUSCUMBIA, Alabama.
How Does Cottage Of The Shoals Compare to Other Alabama Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Alabama, COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (66%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Cottage Of The Shoals?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "How do you ensure continuity of care given staff turnover, and what is your staff retention strategy?" "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate and the below-average staffing rating.
Is Cottage Of The Shoals Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Alabama. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Cottage Of The Shoals Stick Around?
Staff turnover at COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS is high. At 66%, the facility is 20 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 84%. RNs handle complex medical decisions and coordinate care — frequent RN changes can directly impact care quality. High turnover means new staff may not know residents' individual needs, medications, or preferences. It can also be disorienting for residents, especially those with dementia who rely on familiar faces. Families should ask: What is causing the turnover? What retention programs are in place? How do you ensure care continuity during staff transitions?
Was Cottage Of The Shoals Ever Fined?
COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Cottage Of The Shoals on Any Federal Watch List?
COTTAGE OF THE SHOALS is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.