RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury, Connecticut, has earned a Trust Grade of B+, indicating it is above average and recommended for families considering care options. It ranks #38 out of 192 nursing homes in Connecticut, placing it in the top half of facilities in the state, and #5 out of 22 in Naugatuck Valley County, meaning only four local options are rated higher. The facility is improving, with issues decreasing from 8 in 2021 to 4 in 2023. Staffing is a strong point, with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 33%, lower than the state average, suggesting a stable staff who are familiar with residents. Notably, there have been no fines on record, which is a positive indicator, and the facility offers more RN coverage than 78% of Connecticut facilities, ensuring that skilled nurses are available to monitor patient care. However, there have been some concerning incidents, including a serious finding where a resident with dementia and muscle weakness fell due to improper transport and lack of timely care. Additionally, there was a failure to monitor a dialysis access site for a resident, which could lead to complications. Lastly, another finding indicated that a resident was served meals in Styrofoam containers, which detracted from their dining experience, suggesting room for improvement in providing a dignified meal service. Overall, while River Glen Health Care Center has many strengths, families should be aware of these weaknesses as they consider care for their loved ones.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Connecticut
- #38/192
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 33% turnover. Near Connecticut's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Connecticut facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 46 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Connecticut. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 19 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (33%)
15 points below Connecticut average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
13pts below Connecticut avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 19 deficiencies on record
Dec 2023
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, observations, review of facility policy and interviews for two sampled residents (Residents #28...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
PASARR Coordination
(Tag F0644)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, facility documentation review, facility policy review, and interviews for two of four sampled r...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, review of clinical record, facility policy review, and interviews for one of three sampled residents (Resi...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Deficiency F0741
(Tag F0741)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
Based on review of facility documentation, review of facility policy and interviews, the facility failed to have NA staff complete the annual competency course for dementia care. The findings include:...
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Aug 2021
8 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, facility documentation, facility policy and interviews for one of two residents reviewed for al...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of clinical records, interviews, review of facility policy for two of five residents (Residents # 27 and # 28) r...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, facility documentation and interviews for one of two residents reviewed for allegation of abuse...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, review of clinical records, interviews and review of facility policy for one of two residents reviewed fo...
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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 review of the clinical record, interviews and review of facility documentation for one of four residents reviewed for P...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0711
(Tag F0711)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of the clinical record, facility documentation and interviews for one resident (Resident #298) reviewed for Phys...
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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 observations, review of clinical records, interviews and review of facility policy for three of five residents reviewed...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0883
(Tag F0883)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of the clinical record reviews, facility documentation, facility policy, and interviews for four of five Residen...
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Apr 2019
7 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, review of the clinical record, facility documentation, facility policy, and interviews for 2 of 6 resident...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of the clinical record, facility documentation, interviews and review of facility policy for 1 sampled resident ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0676
(Tag F0676)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, review of the clinical record, facility documentation, facility policy, and interviews for 1 resident revi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on clinical record review, review of facility documentation, review of facility policies and procedures and interviews for one of three residents (R #302) reviewed for a change in condition, the...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, review of the clinical record and interviews for 1 of 4 sampled residents reviewed for nutrition (Resident...
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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
Based on clinical record review, facility documentation review, facility policy review and interviews for one of three residents (R #302) reviewed for change in condition, the facility failed to ensur...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0698
(Tag F0698)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on staff interview and review of the clinical record and facility policy for 1 of 1 sampled residents reviewed for dialysi...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "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 Connecticut.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Connecticut facilities.
- • 33% turnover. Below Connecticut's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 19 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
About This Facility
What is River Glen Health's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Connecticut, 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 River Glen Health Staffed?
CMS rates RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 33%, compared to the Connecticut average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at River Glen Health?
State health inspectors documented 19 deficiencies at RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER during 2019 to 2023. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm, 17 with potential for harm, and 1 minor or isolated issues. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates River Glen Health?
RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER 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 CAREONE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 120 certified beds and approximately 109 residents (about 91% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in SOUTHBURY, Connecticut.
How Does River Glen Health Compare to Other Connecticut Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Connecticut, RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (33%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting River Glen Health?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "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?"
Is River Glen Health Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER 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 Connecticut. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at River Glen Health Stick Around?
RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 33%, which is about average for Connecticut nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was River Glen Health Ever Fined?
RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER 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 River Glen Health on Any Federal Watch List?
RIVER GLEN HEALTH CARE CENTER 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.