HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good option, though not without its issues. It ranks #88 out of 338 facilities in Massachusetts, placing it in the top half, and #13 out of 50 in Worcester County, meaning only 12 local facilities are better. The facility is experiencing a worsening trend, increasing from 4 issues in 2023 to 5 in 2025, which raises some concerns. Staffing is a weak point with a rating of 2 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 47%, higher than the state average, suggesting staff may not be as stable. On a positive note, there are no fines on record, which is a good sign, and RN coverage is better than 81% of Massachusetts facilities, indicating that registered nurses are available to catch potential issues that other staff might miss. However, there are specific incidents of concern, such as a resident not receiving medication as prescribed, which can lead to severe pain management issues. Additionally, there were instances where medications were not properly handled, like a nurse uncertain about the expiration of a medication vial and food being found in medication carts. These findings highlight areas where the facility needs to improve in order to ensure better care for its residents.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Massachusetts
- #88/338
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 47% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Massachusetts facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 57 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Massachusetts. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 13 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Near Massachusetts avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
The Ugly 13 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0604
(Tag F0604)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to provide an environment free from physical restraints ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0646
(Tag F0646)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews and records reviewed, the facility failed to notify the state mental health authority for resident review after a significant change in the mental health condition of one Resident ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide care and services as required for an indwelli...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0740
(Tag F0740)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide Behavioral Health Care and services to attain or maintain the highest practicable mental and psychosocial well-being, in accordanc...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview, and record review, the facility failed to accurately code three Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessments relative to medications administered to the Resident during the Assessment observ...
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Dec 2023
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that staff stored, labeled, and dated food used for resident consumption, in accordance with professional standards fo...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record and policy review, the facility failed to adhere to infection control standards and implement the facility policy relative to Contact Precautions (actions imple...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that one Resident (#161) out of a total sample of 14 residents was free from significant medication errors.
Specifical...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 5. On 12/14/23 at 3:11 P.M., the surveyor observed Medication Cart #3 on the Wachusett Unit with Nurse #7. In the cart was a Lid...
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May 2022
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, document review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that staff maintained safe food storage, monitor food temperatures at meals and maintain hand hygiene during meal se...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0694
(Tag F0694)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure staff:
1. implemented physician orders to flush a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC- long catheter inserted ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. Resident #57 was admitted to the facility in June of 2021 with diagnoses including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COP...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview the facility failed to post nurse staffing data in a clear, readable format ,in a prominent place, readily accessible to residents and visitors on a daily basis.
On...
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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
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Massachusetts facilities.
- • 13 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Massachusetts, 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 Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Staffed?
CMS rates HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 47%, compared to the Massachusetts average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center?
State health inspectors documented 13 deficiencies at HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER during 2022 to 2025. These included: 11 with potential for harm and 2 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center?
HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 123 certified beds and approximately 112 residents (about 91% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in HOLDEN, Massachusetts.
How Does Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Compare to Other Massachusetts Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts, HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (47%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "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 below-average staffing rating.
Is Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING 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 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Stick Around?
HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 47%, which is about average for Massachusetts 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 Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Ever Fined?
HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING 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 Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center on Any Federal Watch List?
HOLDEN REHABILITATION & NURSING 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.