Worst Nursing Homes in Nebraska

When residents move to a nursing home, they should expect to receive quality care in a safe environment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, many nursing homes in Nebraska have the worst possible rating. Let’s look at some of the worst facilities in the state and the issues they face. 

Our Methodology for Identifying Nebraska’s Worst Nursing Homes

Several resources can help you evaluate the quality of Nebraska’s long-term care facilities. The primary resources are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Nebraska Department of Inspections and Appeals. 

Medicare’s Star Rating System

CMS created a five-star rating system for nursing homes nationwide. Each facility receives an overall score based on ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. You can find this information, along with inspection reports, using the comparison tool on Medicare.gov. Some centers have been flagged under the Special Focus Facility program due to numerous deficiencies, while others are placed on a Candidate list for this program. 

Inspection Reports from the Nebraska Department of Inspections and Appeals

The Nebraska Department of Inspections and Appeals is responsible for inspecting and regulating nursing facilities in the state. Several online resources on the department website can help you research nursing homes, such as looking up disciplinary actions. 

Nebraska’s Lowest-Rated Nursing Homes

1. Emerald Nursing and Rehab Lancaster LLC – This nursing home is a Special Focus Facility Candidate, which means it has a history of underperforming. Allowing accident hazards and failing to respond to abuse and neglect allegations resulted in a $17,845 fine in 2024 [1]. 
2. Northfield Retirement Communities Care Center – Although only 23 deficiencies have been reported since 2021, this facility’s failures include not meeting nutritional needs, poor infection prevention protocols, substandard care measures, and some instances of abuse, neglect, and exploitation [2]. 
3. Westfield Quality of Care Aurora – This nursing home has failed to enact COVID-19 measures consistently in recent years. The staff also allowed resident abuse, failed to follow patient treatment plans, and failed to secure and correctly label all medications [3]. 
4. Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home – The majority of violations at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home are related to resident rights and quality of life. Residents were not always kept informed about their treatment, and some were subjected to the improper use of physical restraints [4]. 
5. Omaha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – This nursing home has received several fines totaling $174,000 since 2021. The primary offenses for this large amount were failing to keep the premises clear of accident hazards, not providing appropriate ulcer care, and avoiding medication errors [5].  
6. Keystone Ridge Post Acute Nursing and Rehab – One report in 2024 revealed eleven total deficiencies at this nursing facility. The citations included staffing insufficiencies, low-quality food choices, unclean rooms, and failure to report abuse allegations [6]. 
7. The Oaks at Central City – This facility received a $45,250 fine and Medicare payment suspension in 2022 for sixteen deficiencies in one report. The most serious violations cited were insufficient ulcer care, poor dietary support, infection prevention controls, and resident rights [7]. 
8. Sunrise Country Manor – A 2022 report uncovered twenty deficiencies at this nursing home. Among the shortcomings were not securing resident funds, quality assessment failures, and poor nutritional support. The turnover rate for nurses over 12 months is 100%, compared to the state average of 51.8% [8]. 
9. Good Samaritan Society – Hastings Village – As an SFF Candidate, this facility has a long history of violations. The most severe include a failure to provide basic life support, a failure to provide appropriate pain management care, and a failure to meet staffing needs [9]. 
10. Rose Lane Home – Many residents at Rose Lane Home have been impacted by insufficient staffing for food services, food provided by unapproved sources, and the lack of an infection prevention program. Some patients also received substandard treatment for conditions like ulcers and dementia [10]. 
11. Heritage of Webster County – This nursing home has struggled to protect residents from abuse and neglect, provide effective assessment practices, and develop complete care plans for all patients [11]. 
12. The Cedars at Broadwell – Upholding resident rights has been an ongoing issue at this facility. Unclean rooms, poor communication, a lack of self-determination, and undignified treatment have all affected multiple residents over the years, ruining their experiences at this nursing home [12]. 

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Nebraska

There are many warning signs of abuse and neglect you should watch for if your loved one lives in a facility. Bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries, pressure ulcers, malnutrition, dehydration, dirty linens, unclean rooms, withdrawal, fear, agitation, and behavioral changes may all indicate abuse or neglect is harming your family member. 

Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Nebraska Nursing Home

If you suspect abuse or neglect, taking action is the best way to protect your loved one. Document your observations with notes, photos, and videos. Report your concerns to the facility’s administrators. If necessary, contact Nebraska’s ombudsman program to speak with an advocate. You can file an official complaint with the Department of Inspections and Appeals. Lastly, you can seek legal counsel for a potential lawsuit. 

What Are the Most Common Forms of Nursing Home Neglect in Nebraska?

The most common forms of abuse and neglect include physical punishment, emotional manipulation, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, improper monitoring, medication errors, the use of physical or chemical restraints, social isolation, and lack of assistance for daily living activities. 

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Neglect Case?

You can pursue compensation for certain legal damages in a nursing home abuse or neglect case. Keep in mind that the statute of limitations for these cases in Nebraska is four years, so you have limited time to file the lawsuit and be eligible for a settlement.

Economic damages include lost income, medical expenses, and future medical costs. Non-economic losses could consist of emotional distress, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys for a Free Consultation

The Nursing Home Law Center has vast experience supporting victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Our nursing home abuse lawyers want to help you hold these facilities accountable and seek compensation for your suffering. We will investigate the claim, gather evidence, negotiate for fair compensation, and represent you in court if necessary. 

To request a free case evaluation, call the Nursing Home Law Center at 800-926-7565 or complete the contact form. 

Resources: [1] ProPublica – Emerald Nursing, [2] ProPublica – Northfield, [3] ProPublica – Westfield, [4] ProPublica – Sarah Ann, [5] ProPublica – Omaha Nursing, [6] ProPublica – Keystone, [7] ProPublica – The Oaks, [8] ProPublica – Sunrise Country, [9] ProPublica – Good Samaritan, [10] ProPublica – Rose Lane, [11] ProPublica – Heritage, [12] ProPublica – The Cedars