REGALCARE AT LOWELL
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
RegalCare at Lowell has received a Trust Grade of F, indicating significant concerns about the facility's quality and care. Ranking #317 out of 338 nursing homes in Massachusetts places it in the bottom half of facilities in the state, and #70 out of 72 in Middlesex County suggests only one local option is better. Unfortunately, the facility is worsening, with issues increasing from 4 in 2024 to 15 in 2025. While staffing is a strength with a 4/5 star rating and a low turnover rate of 13%, indicating that staff are stable and familiar with residents, the facility has concerning fines totaling $106,739, higher than 88% of state facilities. Specific incidents include a critical failure to provide adequate care for a resident with suicidal ideation, resulting in an attempted suicide, and serious lapses in care for a resident with dementia who eloped from the facility and sustained injuries, highlighting significant safety concerns.
- Trust Score
- F
- In Massachusetts
- #317/338
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 13% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 35 points below Massachusetts's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $106,739 in fines. Higher than 64% of Massachusetts facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 41 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Massachusetts. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 44 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Low Staff Turnover (13%) · Staff stability means consistent care
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (13%)
35 points below Massachusetts average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Below Massachusetts average (2.9)
Significant quality concerns identified by CMS
Well above median ($33,413)
Significant penalties indicating serious issues
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 44 deficiencies on record
Mar 2025
15 deficiencies
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Deficiency F0742
(Tag F0742)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide the appropriate treatment and services for one Resident (#7...
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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
Based on observation, interviews, and reviewed records, the facility failed to ensure staff treated residents in a dignified manner to effectively communicate in a language they understand for one Res...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0558
(Tag F0558)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure a call light was within reach for one Resident (#2) out of a total sample of 28 residents.
Findings include:
Reside...
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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
Based on observation, interviews, and reviewed records, the facility failed to implement a communication care plan for one Resident (#2) out of a total sample of 28 Residents.
Findings include:
Resid...
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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 observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to provide treatment and care in accordance with professi...
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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, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure professional standards of practice for the care of a suprapubic urinary catheter (a tube placed through the suprapubic...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0745
(Tag F0745)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide medically related social services to one Resident (#7) out ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0806
(Tag F0806)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide foods that accommodates resident preferences to one Resident (#6) out of a total sample of 28 residents. Specifically...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0865
(Tag F0865)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to develop, implement and maintain a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, which focuses on indicators of outcomes of ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0921)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and policy review the facility failed to provide a safe environment on one of two nursing units....
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
2. Resident #2 was admitted to the facility in January 2023 with diagnoses including hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction effecting right dominant side and weakness. Review of the ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Laboratory Services
(Tag F0770)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record reviews and interviews, the facility failed to ensure they provided laboratory services to meet the needs of its...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0808
(Tag F0808)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, diet manual review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that the [NAME] consistently prepared meals according to the therapeutic diet manual as ordered by the physicia...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews and policy review, the facility failed to maintain a homelike environment on 2 out of 2 reside...
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Apr 2024
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. For Resident #47, the facility failed to provide supervision during meals that included soft bread as indicated in the physic...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0685
(Tag F0685)
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 for one Resident (#48), the facility failed to implement the use of one avail...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0805
(Tag F0805)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to provide food in form to meet the needs of one Reside...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to provide water flushes via an enteral feeding tube in ...
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May 2023
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
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 records reviewed and interviews for three of six sampled residents (Resident #1, #4, and #5) who had Physician's Orders...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
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 records reviewed and interviews, for three of six sampled residents (Residents #3, #4, and #5), whose plans of care ind...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0825
(Tag F0825)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on records reviewed and interviews for four of six sampled residents (Residents #1, #3, #4, and #5), who had Physician's O...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0826
(Tag F0826)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on records reviewed and interviews for four of six sampled residents (Residents #1, #3, #4, and #5), who each had Physicia...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on records reviewed and interviews for five of six sampled residents (Resident #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5), who although their Physician's Orders indicated they were to receive PT services, but not ...
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Mar 2023
2 deficiencies
2 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0655
(Tag F0655)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on records reviewed and interviews, for one of three sampled residents (Resident #1), who had dementia, with a history of wandering and exit seeking, but whose nursing admission assessment relat...
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SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on records reviewed, interviews, and observations, for one of three sampled residents, (Resident #1), had dementia, with a history of wandering and exit seeking behaviors, the Facility failed to...
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Feb 2023
18 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
Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to provide a dignified existence for 1 Resident (#14) out of a total sample of 22 Residents.
Findings include:
Review of the fa...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0578
(Tag F0578)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to follow 1 Resident's (#33) Guardianship and [NAME] treatment plan o...
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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 interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to notify the physician of a significant weight loss f...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0604
(Tag F0604)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to complete a restraint assessment for one Resident (#14) out of a sample of 22 Residents.
Findings include:
Review of the faci...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to accurately complete a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessmen...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to revise the plan of care for 1 Resident (#3) out of a total sample of 22 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure...
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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, record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that staff provided care and treatment according to acceptable standards of clinical practice for 1 Res...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to implement a care plan to prevent falls, and thoroughly investigate ...
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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, record reviewed, policy review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure nursing implemented the facil...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0726
(Tag F0726)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interviews for one of 22 sampled residents (Resident #54), whose physician's orders included a change in his/her pantoprazole tablet (medication used to treat acid reflux) t...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Drug Regimen Review
(Tag F0756)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, and record review, the facility failed to 1) review pharmacy recommendations within a timely manner for 2 Re...
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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 record review, and interview the facility failed to maintain a complete and accurate medical record for two Residents (...
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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 record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that its staff implemented it's policy to of...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 8.) For Resident #3 the facility failed to ensure that nursing implemented a physician's order for compression stockings.
Reside...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure that Residents residing on 2 of 2 Units were fr...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Grievances
(Tag F0585)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
2.) For Resident #60 the facility failed to implement the grievance policy to ensure the prompt resolution of all grievances.
Review of the facility policy titled Grievance, dated as revised 3/22, in...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Administration
(Tag F0835)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure it was administered in a manner that enabled the facility to use its resources effectively to attain the highest practicable physica...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0868
(Tag F0868)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation and interview the facility failed to ensure they maintained a Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee that consisted of the required members.
Findings include:...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • 13% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 35 points below Massachusetts's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s), 2 harm violation(s), $106,739 in fines. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 44 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $106,739 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in Massachusetts. Major compliance failures.
- • Grade F (8/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Regalcare At Lowell's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns REGALCARE AT LOWELL an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is considered much below average nationally. Within Massachusetts, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. A rating at this level reflects concerns identified through health inspections, staffing assessments, or quality measures that families should carefully consider.
How is Regalcare At Lowell Staffed?
CMS rates REGALCARE AT LOWELL's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 13%, compared to the Massachusetts average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Regalcare At Lowell?
State health inspectors documented 44 deficiencies at REGALCARE AT LOWELL during 2023 to 2025. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death), 2 that caused actual resident harm, and 41 with potential for harm. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.
Who Owns and Operates Regalcare At Lowell?
REGALCARE AT LOWELL 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 REGALCARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 90 certified beds and approximately 55 residents (about 61% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in LOWELL, Massachusetts.
How Does Regalcare At Lowell Compare to Other Massachusetts Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts, REGALCARE AT LOWELL's overall rating (1 stars) is below the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (13%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (1 stars) is much below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Regalcare At Lowell?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "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 facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations.
Is Regalcare At Lowell Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, REGALCARE AT LOWELL has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 1 Immediate Jeopardy citation (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 1-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Regalcare At Lowell Stick Around?
Staff at REGALCARE AT LOWELL tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 13%, the facility is 32 percentage points below the Massachusetts average of 46%. Low turnover is a positive sign. It means caregivers have time to learn each resident's needs, medications, and personal preferences. Consistent staff also notice subtle changes in a resident's condition more quickly. Registered Nurse turnover is also low at 12%, meaning experienced RNs are available to handle complex medical needs.
Was Regalcare At Lowell Ever Fined?
REGALCARE AT LOWELL has been fined $106,739 across 2 penalty actions. This is 3.1x the Massachusetts average of $34,146. Fines at this level are uncommon and typically indicate a pattern of serious deficiencies, repeated violations, or failure to correct problems promptly. CMS reserves penalties of this magnitude for facilities that pose significant, documented risk to resident health or safety. Families should request specific documentation of what issues led to these fines and what systemic changes have been implemented.
Is Regalcare At Lowell on Any Federal Watch List?
REGALCARE AT LOWELL 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.