PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Pioneer Therapy and Living in Melbourne, Arkansas has a Trust Grade of B+, which means it is recommended and performs above average compared to other facilities. It ranks #28 out of 218 in the state, placing it in the top half, and is the best option among the two facilities in Izard County. The facility's trend is improving, as it reduced its issues from 8 in 2023 to just 2 in 2024. Staffing is rated average with a 3-star score, but the turnover rate is concerning at 62%, higher than the state average of 50%. While the facility has no fines, indicating compliance with regulations, there are notable weaknesses, including a failure to maintain proper waste disposal and pest control, which led to the presence of roaches in food storage areas. Additionally, hand hygiene practices were not consistently followed by staff when preparing food for residents. Overall, while there are significant strengths, such as a strong overall star rating and no fines, families should be aware of these specific incidents that reflect areas needing attention.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Arkansas
- #28/218
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 62% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Arkansas facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 20 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Arkansas. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
16pts above Arkansas avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
14 points above Arkansas average of 48%
The Ugly 15 deficiencies on record
Oct 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to revise the care plan interventions to include behavioral-emotional health for 1 (Resident #43) sampled resident.
The finding...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to follow proper hand hygiene while preparing food for the 76 residents who received food from the facility kitchen.
The findin...
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Oct 2023
8 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Assessments
(Tag F0636)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a Minimum Data Set [MDS] assessment was coded correctly for 1 (#124) sampled residents who was prescribed antipsychotic medications....
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident with a facility acquired deep tissue...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure the 74 residents living at the facility were p...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. On 10/23/2023 @ 12:32 PM, surveyor noticed resident #22 in dining area eating. He had stubble on face and his nails were &fra...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure the medication error rate did not exceed 5%. This failed policy had the potential to effect 74 Residents according to t...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0865
(Tag F0865)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program [QAPI] Committee implemented appropriate plans of action to prevent repeat...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure that hands were sanitized or washed between donning and doffing of gloves and to properly replace a piston syringe. Thi...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0925
(Tag F0925)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview the facility failed to provide effective pest control for the facility on a regular basis. This had the potential to affect all 74 residents listed on the Resident M...
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Aug 2022
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure physician orders were followed for use of antibacterial soap during a pressure ulcer dressing change to prevent the pot...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the opening between the clean and dirty side of the laundry room had negative air pressure from the clean side to the d...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure waste was properly contained in dumpsters and covered with lids to reduce the potential of insect and/or rodent infesta...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0925
(Tag F0925)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure an effective pest control program was in place to keep the facility free of insects/pests to prevent the potential spre...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Deficiency F0577
(Tag F0577)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents, resident representatives/family and visitors had the right to examine the results of all surveys of the faci...
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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
- • Grade B+ (80/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Arkansas.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Arkansas facilities.
- • 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • 62% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Pioneer Therapy And Living's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Arkansas, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Pioneer Therapy And Living Staffed?
CMS rates PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 62%, which is 16 percentage points above the Arkansas average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 60%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Pioneer Therapy And Living?
State health inspectors documented 15 deficiencies at PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING during 2022 to 2024. These included: 14 with potential for harm and 1 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Pioneer Therapy And Living?
PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING 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 ANTHONY & BRYAN ADAMS, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 86 certified beds and approximately 69 residents (about 80% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in MELBOURNE, Arkansas.
How Does Pioneer Therapy And Living Compare to Other Arkansas Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Arkansas, PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.2, staff turnover (62%) 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 Pioneer Therapy And Living?
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 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?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate.
Is Pioneer Therapy And Living Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Arkansas. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Pioneer Therapy And Living Stick Around?
Staff turnover at PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING is high. At 62%, the facility is 16 percentage points above the Arkansas average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 60%. 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 Pioneer Therapy And Living Ever Fined?
PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING 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 Pioneer Therapy And Living on Any Federal Watch List?
PIONEER THERAPY AND LIVING 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.