RIVERSIDE REST HOME

276 COUNTY FARM ROAD, DOVER, NH 03820 (603) 742-1348
Government - County 215 Beds Independent Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
80/100
#25 of 73 in NH
Last Inspection: February 2025

Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.

Overview

Riverside Rest Home in Dover, New Hampshire, has a Trust Grade of B+, which means it is above average and recommended for families considering care for their loved ones. It ranks #25 out of 73 nursing facilities in the state, placing it in the top half, and #2 out of 6 in Strafford County, indicating it is one of the better local options. However, the facility's trend is worsening, with issues increasing from 1 noted in 2024 to 4 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, with a 4 out of 5-star rating and a turnover rate of 0%, much lower than the state average, which suggests that staff are dedicated and familiar with the residents. While there have been no fines, there are some concerning incidents, such as a nurse not ensuring a resident took their medication correctly and expired medications remaining in stock, which raises potential safety risks. Overall, Riverside Rest Home demonstrates several strengths, especially in staffing, but also has areas that need improvement.

Trust Score
B+
80/100
In New Hampshire
#25/73
Top 34%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Getting Worse
1 → 4 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
Turnover data not reported for this facility.
Penalties
✓ Good
No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most New Hampshire facilities.
Skilled Nurses
✓ Good
Each resident gets 66 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of New Hampshire nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
Violations
○ Average
6 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
★★★★☆
4.0
Overall Rating
★★★★☆
4.0
Staff Levels
★★★★☆
4.0
Care Quality
★★★★☆
4.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2024: 1 issues
2025: 4 issues

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

Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.

The Bad

No Significant Concerns Identified

This facility shows no red flags. Among New Hampshire's 100 nursing homes, only 0% achieve this.

The Ugly 6 deficiencies on record

Feb 2025 4 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

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to follow professional standard f...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to follow professional standard for 1 of 7 residents observed for medication administration (Resident identifier is #84). Findings include: [NAME], [NAME] A., and [NAME]. Clinical Nursing Skills & Techniques. 10th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier, 2022, page 602, .Medication Administration: .3. Stay with the patient until the medication is taken. Provide assistance as necessary. Do not leave medication at bedside without a health care provider's order . Observation on 2/12/25 at approximately 7:50 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Unit 5 (Dementia Unit) revealed Staff D (Licensed Practical Nurse) preparing Resident #84's morning medications and putting them in a boost drink at the medication cart. Staff D added chocolate syrup to the drink. Further observation revealed Staff D brought Resident #84's morning medications mixed in a chocolate drink to Resident #84 in the dining room. Staff D then told Resident #84, Drink your chocolate milk, and left the chocolate drink with medications on the dining room table with Resident #84. Staff D left the dining room and Resident #84 was left unattended to take his/her medication. Interview on 2/12/25 at approximately 8:00 a.m. with Staff D confirmed the above observation. Review on 2/12/25 of Resident #84's latest BIMS (Brief Interview for Mental Status) assessment, dated 1/21/25, revealed a score of 2 indicating severe cognitive impairment. Review on 2/12/25 of Resident #84's February 2025's Medication Administration Record revealed the following morning medications that were in Resident #84's drink: Lactulose solution (laxative)15 mls (milliliters), Miralax powder (laxative)17 gm (grams), Sertraline (antidepressant) 75 mg (milligrams), and Acetaminophen (analgesic) 650 mg.
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Deficiency F0761 (Tag F0761)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that expired medications were removed from stock in 1 of 3 medications rooms observed. Findings include: Obser...

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Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that expired medications were removed from stock in 1 of 3 medications rooms observed. Findings include: Observation on 2/11/25 at approximately 9:00 a.m. of the Unit 4 medication room revealed an open bottle of Lantus Insulin with a discard date of 2/7/25 in the medication refrigerator. Interview on 2/11/25 at approximately 9:00 a.m. with Staff A (Registered Nurse) confirmed the above findings. Review on 2/12/25 of the facility policy, titled Care/Cleaning/Storage of Medication Rooms, dated 06/2023 revealed: .3. Maintain medications up until the expiration dates.4. Check for proper storage and expiration dates .
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Laboratory Services (Tag F0770)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

Based on interview and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to follow physician orders for timely laboratory services for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for psychotropic medication side...

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Based on interview and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to follow physician orders for timely laboratory services for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for psychotropic medication side effects in a final sample of 31 residents (Resident identifiers is #143). Findings include: Review on 2/12/25 of Resident 143's active physician's orders, dated 2/5/25, revealed the following: -LFT (Liver Function Test) and CBC (Complete Blood Count) with differential on 2/6/25. Interview on 2/12/25 at 12:30 p.m. with Staff H (Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)) confirmed the above orders were placed on 2/5/25 for Resident #143. Interview on 2/12/25 at 1:02 p.m. with Staff O (Assistant Director of Nursing) confirmed that Resident #143's labs had not been obtained. Interview further revealed that the [Company name omitted] comes every Tuesday and Thursday and there were 2 missed opportunities for the blood work to be obtained. Review on 2/12/25 of the facility's policy, Laboratory Services, revised on 12/27/2023, revealed .Blood draws are scheduled twice weekly, every Tuesday and Thursday and as needed for stat labs .Obtain a Physician Order for appropriate Lab Studies. Order transcription into the electronic health record under orders. Notify unit clear via email of labs as ordered by physician. The Unit Clerk enters the order information into [Company name omitted] portal. Unit Clerk writes on unit calendar the date lab to be drawn .
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 record review, it was determined that the facility failed to implement the facility's infection control policies contact precautions for 2 residents reviewed for t...

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Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to implement the facility's infection control policies contact precautions for 2 residents reviewed for transmission based precautions in a final sample of 31 residents (Resident identifiers are #13 and #113). Findings include: Resident #113 Observation on 2/11/25 at approximately 8:35 a.m. revealed Staff E (Unit Aide) entering Resident #113's room with a face mask and gloves on. Further observation revealed Staff E left the resident's room with a face mask and gloves on. Interview on 2/11/25 at approximately 8:35 a.m. with Staff E revealed that he/she did not know that Resident #113 was on contact precautions. Interview on 2/11/25 at approximately 8:55 a.m. with Staff A (Registered Nurse) revealed that Resident #113 was on contact precautions for norovirus. Staff A confirmed that Staff E should wear a gown along with gloves and mask prior to entering a room with contact precautions. Observation on 2/11/25 at approximately 12:15 p.m. revealed Staff K (Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)) delivered Resident #113's lunch tray to his/her room wearing a mask and gloves. Staff K was not wearing a gown. Observation on 2/12/25 at approximately 8:00 a.m. of Resident #113's room revealed Staff L (LNA) putting blankets on Resident #113's bed and hanging up clothing with a mask and gloves. Staff L was not wearing a gown. Observation on 2/12/25 at approximately 8:30 a.m. revealed Staff M (LNA) entering Resident #113's room with his/her breakfast tray wearing only a mask. Staff M was not wearing gloves or a gown. Interview on 2/12/25 at approximately 2:15 p.m. with Staff I (Infection Preventionist) confirmed that Resident #113 was on contact precautionsObservation on 2/11/25 at approximately 12:00 p.m. in the hallway on Unit 4 revealed a face mask placed on a railing. Interview on 2/11/25 at approximately 12:00 p.m. with Staff A revealed that he/she was unsure if the face masked was used or not.Resident #13 Observation on 2/11/25 at 12:24 p.m. of Resident #13's room revealed signage on the door of the room stating Contact Precaution .Gowns, [NAME] gown upon entry into the room or cubicle . Further observation revealed Staff B (LNA) entering Resident #13's room wearing gloves, a surgical mask, and no gown. Interview on 2/11/25 at approximately 12:26 p.m. with Staff B revealed that he/she was not aware that he/she needed to don gown prior to entering the resident's room with contact precautions to deliver food. Interview on 2/12/25 at 1:00 p.m. with Staff I revealed that he/she reports that the facility is in outbreak for suspected Norovirus or gastrointestinal illness. Interview further revealed that the facility followed the CDC guidelines for infection control and precautions and that the facility had modified the CDC guidance for their facility. Review on 2/12/25 of the Facility Policy/Procedure Titled: Procedures for Airborne, Contact, and Droplet Isolation. (Modified from CDC Guidelines) Contact Precautions .Wear a gown when entering resident area if you anticipate that you will have substantial contact with the resident, resident items, or environmental surfaces or if the resident is incontinent. Review on 2/12/25 of Key Infection Control Recommendations for the Control of Norovirus Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/media/pdfs/Norovirus-ControlRecomm-508.pdf revealed the following: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) If norovirus infection is suspected, adherence to PPE use according to Contact and Standard Precautions is recommended for individuals entering the patient care area (i.e., gowns and gloves upon entry).
Jan 2024 1 deficiency
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 record review, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure resident medications ha...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure resident medications had accurate labeling to facilitate the safe administration of medications in 1 of 4 medication carts and medications not discarded after expiration in 1 of 3 medication rooms observed (Unit 2: left medication cart; Unit 4: medication room) (Resident Identifiers are #27 and #32). Findings include: Unit 2: left medication cart Observation on 1/9/24 at 9:45 a.m. of Unit 2: left medication cart revealed 2 plastic medication cups with prepoured medications stacked together without resident and medication identifiers. Interview on 1/9/24 at 9:45 a.m. with Staff A (Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)) confirmed the above findings and revealed the medications were for Resident #27 and Resident #32. Staff A revealed they routinely prepour medications. Review of [NAME], [NAME] A., and [NAME] Fundamentals of Nursing. 7th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier, 2009. Chapter 35 Page 719, revealed .7.d. Prepare medication for one client at a time . Unit 4: Medication Room Observation on 1/9/24 at 10:03 a.m. of the medication room revealed a Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative vial labeled with an open date of 11/21 in the refrigerator. Interview on 1/9/24 at approximately 10:03 a.m. with Staff C (Registered Nurse) and Staff B (LPN) confirmed the above findings. Review on 1/9/24 of the manufacturer's instructions for Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative revealed .Vials in use for more than 30 days should be discarded .
Dec 2022 1 deficiency
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Deficiency F0658 (Tag F0658)

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 it was determined that the facility failed to follow physician's orders for 1 ...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review it was determined that the facility failed to follow physician's orders for 1 out of 1 resident observed for tube feeding during medication administration. (Resident identifier is #125) Findings Include: Standard: [NAME], [NAME] A., and [NAME]. Fundamentals of Nursing. 7th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier, 2009. Page 336- Physicians' Orders The physician is responsible for directing medical treatment. Nurses follow physician's orders unless they believe the orders are in error or harm clients. Therefore you need to assess all orders, and if you find one to be erroneous or harmful, further clarification from the physician is necessary . Review on 12/15/22 at 10:40 a.m. of Resident #125 medication administration record revealed the following order One 8 ounce container of Jevity 1.5 [ feeding formula] with 200 ml [milliliter] of H2O [water] flush before and after each bolus feed via PEG [Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy] tube at 0500 [5:00 a.m.], 1100 [11:00 a.m.], 1600 [4:00 p.m.], and 2200 [10:00 p.m.] . Observation on 12/15/22 at 10:40 a.m. of Resident #125's gastrostomy tube feeding administration with Staff A (Registered Nurse) revealed that Staff A administered the Jevity 1.5 formula via the Resident #125's gastrostomy tube without administering the 200 ml water flush. Interview on 12/15/22 at 10:40 a.m. with Staff A confirmed the above findings. Review on 12/15/22 at 12:30 p.m. of the facility policy titled General Care and Maintenance of Gastrostomy Tubes dated 06/19/2018. Care during feedings: .4. Flush tube with ordered amount of water before and after each feeding and medication administration and/or every 4 hours during a continuous feeding.
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

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

Strengths
  • • Grade B+ (80/100). Above average facility, better than most options in New Hampshire.
  • • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
  • • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most New Hampshire facilities.
Concerns
  • • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
Bottom line: Generally positive indicators. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.

About This Facility

What is Riverside Rest Home's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns RIVERSIDE REST HOME an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within New Hampshire, 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 Riverside Rest Home Staffed?

CMS rates RIVERSIDE REST HOME's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes.

What Have Inspectors Found at Riverside Rest Home?

State health inspectors documented 6 deficiencies at RIVERSIDE REST HOME during 2022 to 2025. These included: 6 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Riverside Rest Home?

RIVERSIDE REST HOME 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 215 certified beds and approximately 159 residents (about 74% occupancy), it is a large facility located in DOVER, New Hampshire.

How Does Riverside Rest Home Compare to Other New Hampshire Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New Hampshire, RIVERSIDE REST HOME's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.0 and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Riverside Rest Home?

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 Riverside Rest Home Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, RIVERSIDE REST HOME 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 New Hampshire. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.

Do Nurses at Riverside Rest Home Stick Around?

RIVERSIDE REST HOME has not reported staff turnover data to CMS. Staff turnover matters because consistent caregivers learn residents' individual needs, medications, and preferences. When staff frequently change, this institutional knowledge is lost. Families should ask the facility directly about their staff retention rates and average employee tenure.

Was Riverside Rest Home Ever Fined?

RIVERSIDE REST HOME 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 Riverside Rest Home on Any Federal Watch List?

RIVERSIDE REST HOME 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.