ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Rockaway Care Center has a trust grade of D, which indicates below-average performance and raises some concerns about care quality. It ranks #438 out of 594 nursing homes in New York, placing it in the bottom half of facilities statewide, and #47 out of 57 in Queens County, meaning only a few local options are worse. Unfortunately, the facility is worsening, with issues increasing from 5 in 2021 to 7 in 2023. Staffing appears to be a strength, with a turnover rate of 26%, significantly lower than the state average, and good RN coverage that exceeds 75% of New York facilities. However, the facility has incurred $135,193 in fines, which is concerning and suggests ongoing compliance issues. Specific incidents include a resident being restrained without proper assessment and failure to report an abuse allegation within the required timeframe, which could pose risks to residents' safety and well-being. Overall, while staffing is a positive aspect, the facility has significant weaknesses that families should consider.
- Trust Score
- D
- In New York
- #438/594
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 26% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 22 points below New York's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $135,193 in fines. Higher than 62% of New York facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 41 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for New York. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 12 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Low Staff Turnover (26%) · Staff stability means consistent care
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (26%)
22 points below New York average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Below New York average (3.1)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
Well above median ($33,413)
Significant penalties indicating serious issues
The Ugly 12 deficiencies on record
Jul 2023
7 deficiencies
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 observations, interview, and record review conducted during the Recertification Survey from 7/19/2023 to 7/27/2023, the...
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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
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews and record review conducted during the Recertification and Complaint Survey (NY00303837) from 07/19/2023 to ...
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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 F0700
(Tag F0700)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interviews conducted during the Recertification and Abbreviated (NY0029797) survey, the...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review, and interviews conducted during the Recertification survey from 07/19/2023 to 7/27/2023, t...
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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 observations, record review, and interviews conducted during the Recertification Survey from 7/19/2023 to 7/27/2023, the facility did not ensure safe food storage was practiced. This was evid...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0849
(Tag F0849)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interviews conducted during the recertification survey from 7/19/2023 to 7/27/2023, the...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview conducted during the Recertification survey from 07/19/2023 to 07/27/2023, the facility did n...
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Jul 2021
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0558
(Tag F0558)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and interview during the Recertification survey, the facility did not ensure that residents...
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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 record review and interview during the Recertification survey, the facility failed to ensure Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on staff interview and record review conducted during a the Recertification survey, the facility did not ensure that perso...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record reviews and interviews during the recertification survey, the facility failed to ensure a resident...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interview during the recertification survey, the facility failed to ensure infection co...
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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
- • 26% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 22 points below New York's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • 12 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • $135,193 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in New York. Major compliance failures.
- • Grade D (48/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Rockaway's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered below average nationally. Within New York, 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 Rockaway Staffed?
CMS rates ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 26%, compared to the New York average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Rockaway?
State health inspectors documented 12 deficiencies at ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER during 2021 to 2023. These included: 12 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Rockaway?
ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 228 certified beds and approximately 203 residents (about 89% occupancy), it is a large facility located in FAR ROCKAWAY, New York.
How Does Rockaway Compare to Other New York Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New York, ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (26%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Rockaway?
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 Rockaway Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER 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 New York. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Rockaway Stick Around?
Staff at ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 26%, the facility is 20 percentage points below the New York 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.
Was Rockaway Ever Fined?
ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER has been fined $135,193 across 1 penalty action. This is 3.9x the New York average of $34,431. 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 Rockaway on Any Federal Watch List?
ROCKAWAY CARE CENTER 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.