Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Buffalo, New York
2 of 8 nursing homes in Buffalo (25%) meet our strict criteria. The New York statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 1 caution · 5 avoid · data
City Average
2.5
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
1,518
across 8 facilities
High Risk Facilities
5
5 Grade F
$391,474 in combined fines
Zero Fines
3
/8
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Buffalo, New York, is adequate but has room for improvement, with only 25% of the 8 facilities recommended. Families should be aware that while ST CATHERINE LABOURE HEALTH CARE CENTER stands out with a 5-star rating, 5 facilities collectively face $371,827 in fines, indicating potential concerns.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 ST CATHERINE LABOURE HEALTH CARE CENTER (90) — St. Catherine Laboure Health Care Center is a top-tier 5★ facility with an impressive Trust Score of 90/100 and an A grade. As a non-profit organization, it is deeply committed to the community, providing compassionate care in a welcoming environment while maintaining a perfect record with $0 fines.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 2 TERRACE VIEW LONG TERM CARE FACILITY (75) — Terrace View Long Term Care Facility boasts a respectable 4★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 75/100. With a focus on quality care and no federal fines, this county-owned facility offers a solid choice for long-term care, accommodating a larger community while maintaining a grade B standard.
The other 6 Buffalo facilities didn't qualify — 5 carry Grade D or F ratings and 5 have fines totaling $391K.
Recommended
St. Catherine Laboure Health Care Center is a top-tier 5★ facility with an impressive Trust Score of 90/100 and an A grade. As a non-profit organization, it is deeply committed to the community, providing compassionate care in a welcoming environment while maintaining a perfect record with $0 fines.
Terrace View Long Term Care Facility boasts a respectable 4★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 75/100. With a focus on quality care and no federal fines, this county-owned facility offers a solid choice for long-term care, accommodating a larger community while maintaining a grade B standard.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Buffalo Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.5 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 6?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 5 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 5 Have fines totaling $391,474
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Buffalo Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Buffalo's city average is 2.5 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
5 of 8 Buffalo facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Buffalo avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Buffalo facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Buffalo, NY are recommended?
2 of 8 nursing homes in Buffalo (25%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Buffalo "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Buffalo?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.