JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
The Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Center has received an excellent Trust Grade of A, indicating it is highly recommended and performs well among nursing homes. Ranked #15 of 266 facilities in Kentucky, it stands in the top half, and as the #1 option out of 7 in Hopkins County, it is the best local choice for families. The facility is improving, with reported issues decreasing from 2 in 2019 to none in 2024, and it boasts a strong staffing rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a turnover rate of 42%, which is better than the state average. There are no fines recorded, indicating a solid compliance history, and the center has more registered nurse coverage than 89% of Kentucky facilities, ensuring quality care. However, recent inspections revealed some concerns, such as improper food safety practices and issues with dignity and respect during resident care that families should consider when making their decision.
- Trust Score
- A
- In Kentucky
- #15/266
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 42% turnover. Near Kentucky's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Kentucky facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 84 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Kentucky nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 5 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
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5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (42%)
6 points below Kentucky average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Kentucky avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 5 deficiencies on record
Aug 2019
2 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 observation, interview and review of the facility's policy and procedure, it was determined the facility failed to ensu...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and review of the facility's policy and procedure, it was determined the facility failed to ensu...
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May 2018
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure the services provided or arranged by the facility met professional standards...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure appropriate and proper incontinent care was performed, related to glove chan...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, record review and review of the facility policy, it was determined, the facility failed to store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional st...
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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 A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Kentucky.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Kentucky facilities.
- • Only 5 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Kentucky, 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 Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen Staffed?
CMS rates JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 42%, compared to the Kentucky average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen?
State health inspectors documented 5 deficiencies at JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN during 2018 to 2019. These included: 5 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen?
JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 156 certified beds and approximately 81 residents (about 52% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in HANSON, Kentucky.
How Does Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen Compare to Other Kentucky Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Kentucky, JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (42%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen?
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 Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN 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 Kentucky. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen Stick Around?
JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN has a staff turnover rate of 42%, which is about average for Kentucky 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 Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen Ever Fined?
JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN 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 Joseph Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Cen on Any Federal Watch List?
JOSEPH EDDIE BALLARD WESTERN KENTUCKY VETERANS CEN 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.