RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Riverbend of South Natick has a Trust Grade of C, which means it is average and positioned in the middle of the pack among nursing homes, but not particularly impressive. In Massachusetts, it ranks #243 out of 338 facilities, placing it in the bottom half, and #45 out of 72 in Middlesex County, indicating that only a few local options are better. Unfortunately, the facility is currently worsening, with issues increasing from 6 in 2023 to 11 in 2024. Staffing is a concern here, receiving only 1 out of 5 stars, with a turnover rate of 49%, which is higher than the state average. While there have been no fines, which is a positive sign, the facility has faced significant issues including improper infection control practices and a high medication error rate of 18.52%, meaning that staff did not administer medications correctly for several residents. Additionally, there was a failure to notify a physician about a resident's significant weight loss, which could impact their care. Overall, while there are strengths such as the absence of fines, the facility has notable weaknesses that should be carefully considered by families.
- Trust Score
- C
- In Massachusetts
- #243/338
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 49% 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 45 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Massachusetts. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 23 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Below Massachusetts average (2.9)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
Near Massachusetts avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 23 deficiencies on record
Jun 2024
11 deficiencies
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
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to notify the Physician of a significant change in condition for one Resident (#3) out of a total sample of 13 Residents.
Specifically, the 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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review and interview the facility failed to ensure one Resident (#27) was free from a potential res...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0645
(Tag F0645)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on policy, record review and interview, the facility failed to refer one Resident (#17) out of a total sample of 13 residents, for a Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR- a federal ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review and policy review, the facility failed to ensure the plan of care was revised for...
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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
Based on record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to recognize and address nutritional needs timely when weight loss of greater than 10% was identified for one Resident (#3), o...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on review and interview, the facility failed to provide evidence that the services of a Registered Nurse (RN) were used for at least eight consecutive hours a day, seven days a week.
Specificall...
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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
Based on observation, record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that the medication error rate was not five percent (5%) or greater when Nurse #1 made four errors out ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that the facility residents were free of significant medication errors for one Resident (#4) out of five reside...
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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 and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that infection control standards of practice were followed by Nurse #1 to prevent the spread of infections during the m...
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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
Based on interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to offer the Pneumococcal Vaccination as recommended for three Residents (#5, 10, and #18) out of five applicable Residents, i...
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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 Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for one Resident (#27) out of a total sample of 13 residents.
Specifically, for Residen...
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Jan 2023
6 deficiencies
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 interview, the facility failed to ensure that its staff accurately executed advance directives (a wri...
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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, and record review, the facility failed to provide appropriate care and services for the care of a urinary catheter (a tube placed through the urethra into the bladder ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review, and staff interview, the facility and its staff failed to ensure that each Resident's medication regimen was modified in conjunction with residents, their families, and/or repr...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Dental Services
(Tag F0791)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure routine dental services were provided for one Resident (#24) out of a sample of 12 residents.
Findings include:
Resid...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review, observation, and interview, the facility and its staff failed to ensure that the medication pass had an error rate of less than 5%. One of two nurses observed failed to adminis...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, policy review, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure its staff implemented appropria...
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Dec 2019
6 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to provide a comfortable environment for two residents (#29 and #8) and ...
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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, interview, and record review, the facility failed to develop a care plan for skin protection for one resident (#19) out of a total sample of 12 residents.
Findings include:
Resi...
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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, interview and record review, the facility failed to meet professional standards of quality related to administration of an extended release (ER) medication for one resident (#12)...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to provide the necessary services to maintain grooming for two residents (#7 and #28) out of a total sample of 12 residents.
Findi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide ongoing activities of preference for one resident (#29), out of a total sample of 12 residents.
Findings include:
Re...
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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 and interview, the facility failed to ensure expired glucometer (meter used to test blood sugar levels) tes...
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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.
- • 23 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • Grade C (50/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Riverbend Of South Natick's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered 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 Riverbend Of South Natick Staffed?
CMS rates RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 49%, compared to the Massachusetts average of 46%. RN turnover specifically is 77%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Riverbend Of South Natick?
State health inspectors documented 23 deficiencies at RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK during 2019 to 2024. These included: 22 with potential for harm and 1 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Riverbend Of South Natick?
RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK 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 REHABILITATION ASSOCIATES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 55 certified beds and approximately 27 residents (about 49% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in S NATICK, Massachusetts.
How Does Riverbend Of South Natick Compare to Other Massachusetts Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts, RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (49%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Riverbend Of South Natick?
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 Riverbend Of South Natick Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK 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 2-star overall rating and ranks #100 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 Riverbend Of South Natick Stick Around?
RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK has a staff turnover rate of 49%, 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 Riverbend Of South Natick Ever Fined?
RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK 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 Riverbend Of South Natick on Any Federal Watch List?
RIVERBEND OF SOUTH NATICK 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.