ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Elderwood at Amherst has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating a decent performance that is slightly above average among nursing homes. It ranks #162 out of 594 facilities in New York, placing it in the top half, and #13 out of 35 in Erie County, meaning only 12 local options are better. The facility's trend is stable, with three reported issues in both 2023 and 2025. Staffing is rated average with a turnover rate of 42%, close to the state average of 40%. However, the facility has concerning fines totaling $29,842, which is higher than 88% of similar facilities in New York. On a positive note, the facility boasts excellent quality measures, earning 5 out of 5 stars. Unfortunately, there have been significant incidents, including a critical failure to administer CPR to an unresponsive resident who had a full code status, which resulted in their death. Additionally, the facility did not sufficiently screen staff to prevent potential abuse or neglect, raising concerns about resident safety. While there are strengths in quality measures and stability, these serious deficiencies should be carefully considered by families exploring options for their loved ones.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In New York
- #162/594
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Holding Steady
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 42% turnover. Near New York's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $29,842 in fines. Lower than most New York facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 31 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for New York. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ○ Average
- 10 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (42%)
6 points below New York average of 48%
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near New York avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Below median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 10 deficiencies on record
Apr 2025
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0688
(Tag F0688)
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 conducted during a Standard survey completed on 4/18/25, the facility did not...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review conducted during the Standard Survey completed on 4/18/2025, the facility did...
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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
Based on observation, interview, and record review conducted during the Standard survey completed on 4/18/25, the facility did not ensure that drugs and biologicals used in the facility were labeled i...
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Dec 2023
3 deficiencies
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Deficiency F0678
(Tag F0678)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews conducted during an Extended Recertification survey started on [DATE] and completed on [DA...
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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** Based on observation, interview, and record review conducted during a Complaint investigation (Complaint #NY00301447) during an ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review during the Extended survey completed on 12/15/23, the facility did not implement written policies and procedures for screening employees that would prohibit and pr...
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May 2022
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0582
(Tag F0582)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review during the Standard survey conducted from 4/27/22 through 5/3/22, the facility did not prov...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review during a Standard survey conducted from 4/27/22 through 5/3/22 the facility di...
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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
Based on observation, interview, and record review conducted during the Standard survey completed from 4/27/22 through 5/3/22, the facility did not ensure that residents received treatment and care in...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview and record review during the Standard survey conducted from 4/27/22 through 5/3/22, the facility did not promote care for residents in a manner and in an environment th...
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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
- • 42% turnover. Below New York's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s), $29,842 in fines. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 10 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $29,842 in fines. Higher than 94% of New York facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
About This Facility
What is Elderwood At Amherst's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within New York, 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 Elderwood At Amherst Staffed?
CMS rates ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 42%, compared to the New York average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Elderwood At Amherst?
State health inspectors documented 10 deficiencies at ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST during 2022 to 2025. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death) and 9 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 Elderwood At Amherst?
ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST 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 ELDERWOOD, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 92 certified beds and approximately 86 residents (about 93% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in AMHERST, New York.
How Does Elderwood At Amherst Compare to Other New York Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New York, ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (42%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Elderwood At Amherst?
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 Elderwood At Amherst Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST 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 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in New York. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Elderwood At Amherst Stick Around?
ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST has a staff turnover rate of 42%, which is about average for New York 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 Elderwood At Amherst Ever Fined?
ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST has been fined $29,842 across 2 penalty actions. This is below the New York average of $33,377. 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 Elderwood At Amherst on Any Federal Watch List?
ELDERWOOD AT AMHERST 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.