PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Preferred Care at Absecon has a Trust Grade of C, which means it is average and positioned in the middle of the pack among nursing homes. It ranks #218 out of 344 facilities in New Jersey, indicating it is in the bottom half of state facilities, and #6 out of 10 in Atlantic County, suggesting that only four local options are better. The facility is improving, with the number of issues decreasing from 10 in 2023 to 3 in 2024. Staffing is rated average with a 3/5 star rating and a turnover rate of 45%, which is around the state average, indicating some stability among staff. However, they have concerning fines totaling $39,620, which is higher than 75% of New Jersey facilities, and they provide less RN coverage than 82% of state facilities, which is a potential concern for resident care. Specific incidents noted by inspectors include a failure to implement timely pressure-relieving measures for a resident who developed a serious pressure ulcer, and maintaining cleanliness issues with medication carts and lifts that had hair tangled in their wheels. Additionally, residents reported dissatisfaction with the food quality, as meals were not served at appropriate temperatures and were too repetitive. While there are some strengths, such as the improving trend, families should be aware of these weaknesses when considering this facility for their loved ones.
- Trust Score
- C
- In New Jersey
- #218/344
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 45% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $39,620 in fines. Lower than most New Jersey facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 25 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for New Jersey. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 22 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 New Jersey average (3.3)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near New Jersey avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 22 deficiencies on record
Dec 2024
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0577
(Tag F0577)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to make survey results readily accessible to resi...
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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 review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain kitchen sanitation in a safe and consistent manner to prevent food b...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to maint...
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Sept 2023
7 deficiencies
1 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
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to implement timely pressure reducing measures before and after the identification of a pressure ulcer and failed...
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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
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Complaint#: NJ164242
Based on observation, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to provide a clean and sanitary environment for one of six residents (Resident (R)14) reviewed room disrepa...
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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
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** COMPLAINT# NJ167015
Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to protect a resident...
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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
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, medical record review, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure the staff assessed the resident, not...
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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
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, interviews, record review, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to properly secure indwellin...
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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
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to provide prescribed nutrition interventions to address significant weight loss for one (Resident (R)72) of six...
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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 F0804
(Tag F0804)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to serve food that was palatable, at the appropriate temperature, and nonrepetitive for five (Resident (R)93, R116, R51, R111, a...
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Aug 2023
3 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
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ00166465
Based on observation, interviews, review of the medical record, and other pertinent facility documentati...
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MINOR
(B)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ00166465
Based on observation, interview, and review of facility documentation on 08/16/23 and 08/18/23 it was de...
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MINOR
(B)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ00166465
Based on observation, interview, and review of facility documentation on [DATE], [DATE] and [DATE] it wa...
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Jul 2022
9 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 other facility documentation, it was determined that 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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, review of the medical record and other facility documentation, it was determined that the facil...
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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
Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that a resident was not in possession of smoking supplies for 1 of 1 resident (Resident #88) re...
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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 review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to a.) maintain a urinary catheter drainage bag in a manner to pr...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0698
(Tag F0698)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain a current physician order for dialysis for 1 of 1 resident (Resident #128) reviewed for dialy...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to provide a sanitary environment for residents, staff, and the public by failin...
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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 review and review of other pertinent facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure staff members wore the appropriate personal pr...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Antibiotic Stewardship
(Tag F0881)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview, record review and review of other pertinent facility documentation, it was determined the facility failed to implement antibiotic use protocols to prevent the use of unnecessary an...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to handl...
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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
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • 22 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $39,620 in fines. Higher than 94% of New Jersey facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- • Grade C (50/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Preferred Care At Absecon's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within New Jersey, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Preferred Care At Absecon Staffed?
CMS rates PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 45%, compared to the New Jersey average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Preferred Care At Absecon?
State health inspectors documented 22 deficiencies at PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON during 2022 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm, 19 with potential for harm, and 2 minor or isolated issues. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Preferred Care At Absecon?
PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON 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 PREFERRED CARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 162 certified beds and approximately 149 residents (about 92% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in ABSECON, New Jersey.
How Does Preferred Care At Absecon Compare to Other New Jersey Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New Jersey, PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.3, staff turnover (45%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Preferred Care At Absecon?
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 Preferred Care At Absecon Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON 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 3-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in New Jersey. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Preferred Care At Absecon Stick Around?
PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON has a staff turnover rate of 45%, which is about average for New Jersey 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 Preferred Care At Absecon Ever Fined?
PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON has been fined $39,620 across 1 penalty action. The New Jersey average is $33,475. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Preferred Care At Absecon on Any Federal Watch List?
PREFERRED CARE AT ABSECON 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.