Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Worcester, Massachusetts
2 of 16 nursing homes in Worcester (13%) meet our strict criteria. The Massachusetts statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 10 caution · 4 avoid · data
City Average
3.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
2,096
across 16 facilities
High Risk Facilities
4
4 Grade F
$440,869 in combined fines
Zero Fines
6
/16
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Worcester, Massachusetts, is adequate but has room for improvement, with only 12% of the 16 facilities recommended. Families should be aware of the presence of four facilities in the avoid tier, which together have accumulated fines of $341,085.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 1 KNOLLWOOD NURSING CENTER (85) — Knollwood Nursing Center boasts an impressive 5★ CMS rating and a strong Trust Score of 85/100, reflecting exceptional care and services. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community-focused healthcare, ensuring residents receive personalized attention in a warm environment. With no fines and a Grade B+, it stands out as a top choice for nursing care in Worcester.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 2 NOTRE DAME LONG TERM CARE CENTER (78) — Notre Dame Long Term Care Center is a commendable 4★ facility with a Trust Score of 78/100, providing quality care in a supportive environment. As a non-profit organization, it prioritizes community involvement and patient well-being, making it an excellent option for families seeking compassionate long-term care. The facility's Grade B and zero fines further highlight its commitment to excellence.
The other 14 Worcester facilities didn't qualify — 4 carry Grade D or F ratings and 10 have fines totaling $440K.
Recommended
Knollwood Nursing Center boasts an impressive 5★ CMS rating and a strong Trust Score of 85/100, reflecting exceptional care and services. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community-focused healthcare, ensuring residents receive personalized attention in a warm environment. With no fines and a Grade B+, it stands out as a top choice for nursing care in Worcester.
Notre Dame Long Term Care Center is a commendable 4★ facility with a Trust Score of 78/100, providing quality care in a supportive environment. As a non-profit organization, it prioritizes community involvement and patient well-being, making it an excellent option for families seeking compassionate long-term care. The facility's Grade B and zero fines further highlight its commitment to excellence.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Hidden Gem
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Worcester Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 14?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 4 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 10 Have fines totaling $440,869
- Low-scoring facilities
- 8 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 10 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Worcester Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Worcester's city average is 3.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
10 of 16 Worcester facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Worcester avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Worcester 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 Worcester, MA are recommended?
2 of 16 nursing homes in Worcester (12%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Worcester "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 Worcester?
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.