Worst Nursing Homes in Missouri

Older adults often move into nursing homes to have their health and rehabilitation needs met in comfortable living environments rather than choose in-home health services. However, many nursing homes nationwide and in Missouri fail to maintain professional standards, placing these residents at risk. From the Kansas City area to the rural counties of the state, there are numerous facilities with poor ratings and low-quality services. 

In this article, we will explore some of the worst nursing homes in the state and the issues that are rampant in these facilities. 

How Nursing Homes Are Rated in Missouri

Both state and federal entities evaluate nursing homes. You can research ratings and the most recent inspection data to find better care centers by using resources like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Missouri Department for Aging and Disability Services. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Rating System

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has a five-star rating system for long-term care facilities across the nation. Each nursing center receives an overall score, which is made up of individual scores for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. 

Every facility listed in this article has a one-star overall rating from CMS. These ratings are not updated as frequently as some state resources, but you can compare nursing homes quickly using the comparison tool. 

Missouri Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Inspections

This government agency is also responsible for conducting state health inspections and regulating long-term care centers in  Missouri. You can access numerous resources on the agency website to help with your nursing home search. 

Missouri Nursing Homes with a History of Violations

1. Bentwood Nursing and Rehab – This rehabilitation center has a long history of serious deficiencies, leading to fines worth $170,000 since 2022. The worst violations include allowing abuse, not providing appropriate care, and allowing accident hazards [1]. 
2. St. Joseph Manor Health and Rehabilitation – 64 total deficiencies have been cited between 2020 and 2024. The primary issues have been resident rights violations, quality of life concerns, and residents suffering from abuse or neglect [2]. 
3. Normandy Nursing Center – Numerous complaint reports have been filed against this care center in the past three years. The most serious violations include resident abuse, failing to report suspected abuse, and failing to remove accident hazards [3]. 
4. Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center Inc. – Abuse and neglect have been cited in multiple reports on this residence center. Other recent issues include procuring food from untrusted sources, poor infection control practices, and insufficient vaccination programs [4]. 
5. Life Care Center of Brookfield – This Special Focus Facility Candidate was fined $134,622 in 2023 after a report found 30 deficiencies. Among the violations were insufficient staff and food safety. Several residents also suffered from abuse and neglect [5]. 
6. Arbor Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – An inspection report in 2024 led to a Medicare payment suspension after 25 deficiencies were cited. Resident abuse, insufficient ulcer care, low staffing levels, and administrative failures were the most serious violations [6]. 
7. Sunrise Nursing and Memory Care – This care center has been cited repeatedly for instances of physical, mental, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Accident hazards and pharmacy services have also been areas of concern [7]. 
8. Hillside Rehab and Healthcare Center – This rehab and healthcare center is another Special Focus Facility Candidate because of consistent violations. Quality of life concerns have placed the lives of multiple residents in danger, and abuse has also been a problem several times [8]. 
9. Beloved Health and Rehabilitation Center – This rehabilitation center has had a long list of complaint reports since 2018. This Special Focus Facility Candidate struggles with preventing abuse, providing appropriate treatment, and honoring the resident’s right to a dignified existence [9].
10. Parkway Health Care Center – Parkway has totaled 75 deficiencies since 2018. Most of these violations are related to abuse, accident hazards, resident assessment practices, and the safety of the facility [10]. 
11. Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab – A standard inspection in 2024 listed 54 deficiencies, resulting in a Medicare payment suspension. The top concerns in this report were inappropriate pain management care, accident hazards, clean environments, poor nutritional services, and instances of abuse [11]. 
12. Amberwood Estates Nursing and Rehabilitation – With 70 deficiencies and fines worth $95,800 since 2021, this life care center has earned its one-star rating. Senior services are lacking in quality, especially in honoring resident rights, upholding quality of life, and preventing and responding to abuse [12]. 
13. Ozark Rehabilitation and Health Care Center – The primary failures of this care center include allowing abuse and neglect, not meeting professional standards of acute rehabilitation, providing sufficient staffing, and not honoring each resident’s independence [13]. 
14. Jefferson Health Care – At this health care center, staff have failed to provide sufficient pharmacy services, protect residents from abuse, and implement effective care planning. This has led to 47 total deficiencies since 2019 [14]. 
15. Athene Nursing and Rehabilitation – This care center has had more deficiencies since 2019 than almost every other healthcare center on this list. The facility has been fined roughly $253,000 for violations like significant abuse and neglect, unclean premises, not following resident care preferences, and poor infection practices [15]. 
16. Garden View Care Center – Many reports on this care center include infection-related deficiencies, and some have led to significant fines. Other areas of concern include instances of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, failing to report abuse allegations, failing to provide appropriate levels of care for various conditions, and failing to prioritize residents’ well-being [16]. 

Common Deficiencies Found in Missouri Nursing Homes

Whether you choose a nursing home in Kansas City, MO, or in a deeply rural area, many facilities face the same challenges. Here are some of the most common deficiencies found in an underperforming rehab center:

• Infection prevention and control failures
• Inadequate staffing levels and improper training
• Medication errors and mismanagement
• Failure to provide daily living assistance
• Failure to prevent abuse or neglect, which includes verbal abuse and physical punishment
• Pressure ulcers and improper wound care

Signs of Abuse and Neglect in a Rehabilitation Center

Family members are often the first ones to spot the signs of abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Some common warning signs of physical abuse, mental abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect include bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries, fear, withdrawal, agitation, dirty linens, unclean rooms, missing possessions, bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, and behavioral changes. 

Legal Rights of Healthcare Center Residents in Missouri

Residents in assisted living facilities have numerous rights according to state and federal laws. One-star nursing homes that violate these rights could be subject to fines or Medicare payment suspensions. 

Some of the most important resident rights include the right to a dignified existence, the right to self-determination, and the right to access quality care services. 

What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Missouri Nursing Home?

You can protect your loved ones from further abuse and the resulting physical harm by identifying the signs early and taking action. If you have noticed some of these signs, here are the steps you can take to hold the nursing center accountable:

• Document your concerns by collecting notes, photos, and videos.
• Report these suspicions to the administrators at the health care center.
• File a complaint with the Missouri Department for Aging and Disability Services.
• Contact the long-term care ombudsman program to speak to a resident advocate.
• Consult an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer about your legal options. 

Filing a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Missouri

Victims of rehab center abuse and neglect or their family members can file lawsuits against the at-fault parties. The purpose of this action is to hold nursing homes accountable and secure compensation for legal damages. 

The process will involve investigating the claim, gathering evidence, determining liability, filing a complaint, the discovery process, settlement negotiations, and, in some cases, a civil trial. 

Compensation in Missouri Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases

If you are pursuing a claim against a rehab and healthcare center, you could earn compensation for legal damages. Economic damages include lost income, medical expenses, and future medical costs. Non-economic damages may include emotional distress, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Contact a Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Attorney for Professional Legal Representation

Our Missouri nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to support your compensation claim for nursing home abuse or neglect. Our team will build a strong case and increase your chances of winning. Call us today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to request a free consultation. 

Resources: [1] ProPublica – Bentwood, [2] ProPublica – St. Joseph, [3] ProPublica – Normandy Nursing, [4] ProPublica – Sylvia G Thompson, [5] ProPublica – Life Care Center, [6] ProPublica – Arbor Hills, [7] ProPublica – Sunrise Nursing, [8] ProPublica – Hillside Rehab, [9] ProPublica – Beloved Health, [10] ProPublica – Parkway, [11] ProPublica – Lincoln County, [12] ProPublica – Amberwood, [13] ProPublica – Ozark Rehabilitation, [14] ProPublica – Jefferson Health, [15] ProPublica – Athene Nursing, [16] ProPublica – Garden View