Worst Nursing Homes in Philadelphia

The right nursing home can make all the difference in a vulnerable person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. While many facilities successfully provide high-quality care, others repeatedly fall short.

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Worst Nursing Homes in Philadelphia

Medicare’s nursing home Five-Star Quality Rating System is designed to help families and patients easily compare the quality of care across nursing homes. Each facility receives a rating from one to five stars. A five-star rating reflects care that is well above average, while a one-star rating signals care that falls far below average.

In addition to a single overall rating, three individual star rating categories evaluate specific areas of a nursing home’s performance:

The health inspections rating is based on the results of state inspections and complaints.
The staffing rating reflects the quantity, quality, and credentials of staff members at the facility.
The quality measures rating assesses resident outcomes and care standards.

Nursing Homes With an Overall One-Star in Philadelphia

There are 34 nursing homes in Philadelphia with an overall one-star Medicare rating:

Abigail House for Nursing & Rehabilitation
Accela Rehab and Care Center at Somerton
Accela Rehab and Care Center at Springfield
Aristacare at Cherry Hill
Aristacare at East Falls
Aristacare at Meadow Springs
Aventura at Prospect
Bryn Mawr Extended Care Center
Care Pavilion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Cathedral Village
Chapel Manor
Cheltenham Nursing and Rehab Center
Complete Care at Harston Hall LLC
Edenbrook of Yeadon
Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Graduate Post Acute
Harborview Rehabilitation and Care Center at Lansdale
Hopkins Center
Horsham Center for Jewish Life
Inglis House
King of Prussia Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Majestic Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Maplewood Nursing and Rehab Center
Meadowview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
The Palace Rehabilitation and Care Center
Premier Cadbury of Cherry Hill
RiverFront Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Riverview Estates Rehab and Senior Living Center
Roosevelt Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Silver Lake Healthcare Center
Springfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Towne Manor East
Wallingford Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

One-Star for Health Inspections in Philadelphia

Medicare’s health inspections rating reflects how well nursing homes meet federal care and safety standards. These standards include medication management, protection from abuse, and food preparation. The rating is based on the facility’s three most recent health inspections, as well as complaints received over the past three years.

In Philadelphia, 25 nursing home facilities have a one-star rating for health inspections:

Accela Rehab and Care Center at Springfield
Aristacare at East Falls
Aventura at Prospect
Bryn Mawr Extended Care Center
Care Pavilion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Cathedral Village
Chapel Manor
Cheltenham Nursing and Rehab Center
Complete Care at Harston Hall LLC
Edenbrook of Yeadon
Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Graduate Post Acute
Harborview Rehabilitation and Care Center at Lansdale
Hopkins Center
Horsham Center for Jewish Life
King of Prussia Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Majestic Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Maplewood Nursing and Rehab Center
Roosevelt Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Silver Lake Healthcare Center
Springfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Towne Manor East
Wallingford Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Wyndmoor Hills Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

One-Star for Staffing in Philadelphia

Medicare’s staffing rating measures whether a nursing home has sufficient qualified staff to meet the needs of its residents. It examines the average number of care hours provided per resident each day and considers the types of staff available, including Registered Nurses and Certified Nurse Aides. Staff turnover also affects the rating.

There are 10 nursing home facilities in Philadelphia with a one-star rating for staffing:

Accela Rehab and Care Center at Somerton
Aristacare at East Falls
Aristacare at Meadow Springs
Aventura at Prospect
Barclay Friends
Cathedral Village
Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Immaculate Mary Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare
Simpson House Inc
Waverly Heights

One-Star for Quality Measures in Philadelphia

Medicare’s quality measures rating also assesses how effectively a nursing home delivers care in key areas, including managing pain, preventing weight loss, administering vaccinations, and preventing abuse. It’s based on two sets of data: one for short-stay residents recovering from illness or hospitalization and another for long-stay residents who need ongoing care.

Seven nursing home facilities in Philadelphia have a one-star quality measure rating:

Aristacare at East Falls
Aristacare at Meadow Springs
Centennial Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Cheltenham Nursing and Rehab Center
Germantown Home
Inglis House
Meadowview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Legal Actions and Settlements for Nursing Homes in Philadelphia

Below you’ll find examples of legal actions taken against facilities for nursing home neglect and abuse.

Willow Terrace

Over the past three years, Willow Terrace in Philadelphia has received 34 complaints that have resulted in citations. It also received 24 health citations in its most recent health inspections, which is significantly higher than Pennsylvania’s average of 10.

The facility has been the target of numerous nursing home lawsuits. For example, in 2013, the jury awarded nearly $2.8 million in total damages for a wrongful death lawsuit against Willow Terrace. The victim, a Willow Terrace resident, died of severe end-stage sacral decubitus ulcer, sepsis, failure to thrive, and metabolic encephalopathy. According to the lawsuit, the victim often endured entire shifts without being turned or repositioned, and the facility’s understaffing likely contributed to his death.

Cathedral Village

Cathedral Village in Philadelphia has received three federal fines over the last three years:

$32,526 in September 2024
$175,513 in May 2024
$11,450 in April 2023

In April 2018, a resident of Cathedral Village died after falling and suffering a serious head injury. The victim had been left in the facility’s lobby, and staff failed to discover his body until several hours after his death. A nurse who worked at the facility pleaded guilty to neglect after being charged with failing to provide care to the patient. The victim’s family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Cathedral Village.

Cheltenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Cheltenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and its parent company, American Health Foundation, Inc., under the False Claims Act. The lawsuit accused Cheltenham of providing grossly substandard care for many years. Allegations included housing residents in filthy, pest-ridden conditions, giving them unnecessary drugs, neglecting their psychiatric needs, and subjecting them to verbal abuse.

The facility has received five federal fines over the last three years, including a $131,437 fine in January 2024. In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fined Cheltenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center $824,213 for violations connected to an elderly patient’s suicide at the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse in Philadelphia

We answer common questions from Philadelphia nursing home abuse victims and their loved ones below.

How To Recognize Signs of Neglect and Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or financial. Watch for physical signs of abuse or neglect, such as unexplained injuries, bedsores, poor hygiene, unsanitary living conditions, and weight loss.

Behavioral signs of nursing home abuse or neglect include sudden mood changes, fearfulness around staff, and new self-soothing behaviors such as rocking.

What Should I Do if I Suspect My Loved One Is Being Neglected in a Nursing Home?

Do the following if you suspect a loved one is suffering neglect in a nursing home:

Call 911 if you believe your loved one is in immediate danger.
Document the signs by taking photos and writing down your observations.
Report your suspicions to the Pennsylvania Department of Health by calling 1-800-254-5164 or completing the online complaint form.
Contact an attorney for further guidance.

What Is the Average Nursing Home Neglect Settlement?

Settlement amounts vary widely depending on factors such as the severity of harm and the long-term impacts of neglect on your loved one. A lawyer can provide a personalized estimate of the case value after reviewing the details of your case.

How Long Do You Have To Report Abuse in a Nursing Home?

There’s no formal deadline to report nursing home abuse, but quick action can save a life. If you suspect abuse, report it to the authorities as soon as possible.

How NursingHomesAbuse.org Can Help

The worst nursing homes in Philadelphia often fail to meet even the most basic standards of care. This results in poor health outcomes for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Fortunately, your family has the power to hold these facilities accountable when their poor care practices cause harm to your loved one.

We’re here to provide legal help if your loved one was a victim of abuse in a Philadelphia nursing home. Our mission is to help you access the resources and legal guidance your family deserves during this difficult time.

We can connect you with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. We’re ready to help you start moving forward—contact us today for a confidential case evaluation.

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr. Patricia Shelton, MD

Education:

University of Washington, Doctor of Medicine – MD. June 2008
University of Washington, Bachelor of Science – BS, Jun 2003

Background:

Neuroscience and Medicine

Career:

Dr. Shelton primarily writes content for health-related websites, but has also written test prep materials, white papers, published research articles, court documents, and more.
Dr. Shelton teaches anatomy and physiology at the college level for the National Institutes of Health.

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Worst Nursing Homes in Philadelphia