Worst Nursing Homes in North Dakota
Finding safe and reliable nursing care for a loved one is one of the most important decisions a family member can make. While many North Dakota nursing homes meet professional standards, some facilities have a history of severe deficiencies, inadequate staffing, and repeated violations of federal regulations.
If a loved one resides in a poorly rated rehabilitation center or long-term care facility, families must stay informed about their rights and legal options. Holding negligent facilities accountable can help improve care standards while securing compensation for any harm suffered.
How Nursing Homes Are Rated in North Dakota
When choosing a nursing home in North Dakota, understanding how facilities are rated can help families identify safe options and avoid those with a history of neglect or abuse.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a Five-Star Rating System to assess nursing homes using multiple factors, including health inspections, staffing levels, and overall quality measures.
The state also inspects and monitors facilities in North Dakota for safety and compliance. A nursing home with repeated violations may be flagged as a special focus facility (SFF), requiring closer oversight due to ongoing failures in resident care.
List of Worst North Dakota Nursing Homes
Some North Dakota nursing homes have been cited for serious violations, including inadequate staffing, failure to prevent pressure ulcers, and actual harm to residents. Below are facilities with concerning records based on Medicare, state inspections, and Centers for Medicaid Services reports.
- Eventide Heartland – Devils Lake, ND – This facility has received citations for immediate jeopardy violations, including failure to adequately monitor residents, which has led to falls and injuries. Inspectors also noted issues with medication errors and poor infection control.
- Eventide Jamestown – Jamestown, ND – Past inspections have revealed inadequate staffing, which has led to delays in nursing care and failure to assist residents with daily activities. Complaints include neglect in hygiene assistance and improper medication administration.
- Garrison Memorial Hospital Nursing Facility – Garrison, ND – Health inspectors have cited this facility for failing to meet professional standards in wound care, which has contributed to the development of pressure ulcers in residents. Other violations include improper use of physical restraints.
- Good Samaritan Society – Lakota – Lakota, ND – This home has a history of severe deficiencies, including failing to investigate abuse allegations and not following proper fall-prevention protocols, leading to injuries among several residents.
- Good Samaritan Society – Larimore – Larimore, ND – Cited for inadequate staffing, leading to neglect in resident care. Reports show that residents were left unattended for extended periods, resulting in falls, dehydration, and untreated infections.
- Good Samaritan Society – Park River – Park River, ND – State inspections found multiple cases of neglect, including residents not receiving necessary assistance with meals and medication. Failure to maintain proper hygiene practices led to infection outbreaks.
- Maple Manor Care Center – Langdon, ND – This facility has been flagged for failing to prevent actual harm to residents, including improper supervision of those at high risk for falls and failure to respond promptly to medical emergencies.
- North Dakota Veterans Home – Lisbon, ND – Past inspections revealed compliance failures related to staffing levels and infection control. Issues included delayed response times to call lights and inadequate monitoring of residents with severe health conditions.
- Rolette Community Care Center – Rolette, ND – This facility has been cited for unsanitary conditions, medication mismanagement, and physical abuse allegations that were not adequately investigated.
- Sanford Hillsboro Care Center – Hillsboro, ND – Recent reports highlight failures in nursing care, including improper wound treatment, which led to pressure ulcers, and a lack of mobility assistance, which resulted in preventable falls.
- Souris Valley Care Center – Velva, ND – Cited for inadequate staffing, leading to missed medications, untreated infections, and improper rehabilitation services. Family members have reported neglect and a lack of communication regarding resident conditions.
- St. Vincent’s – A Prospera Community – Bismarck, ND – Inspection reports have detailed serious issues, including improper use of physical restraints and failure to protect residents from abuse and neglect.
- Sunset Drive – A Prospera Community – Mandan, ND – This facility has received citations for medication errors, improper fall prevention, and failure to address several residents’ nutritional needs, which led to weight loss and dehydration.
- The Meadows on University – Fargo, ND – Recent inspections have found unsanitary conditions, lack of proper staff training, and improper infection control measures, which increase residents’ risk of illness and injury.
- Trinity Homes – Minot, ND – Reports have raised concerns about neglect, including missed medical treatments and failure to report abuse allegations. Staffing shortages have led to long delays in assistance for residents.
- Western Horizons Care Center – Hettinger, ND – State investigations have cited this facility for resident care violations, including failure to monitor residents with severe medical conditions, which led to hospitalizations that could have been prevented.
Common Deficiencies Found in North Dakota Nursing Homes
State inspections and Medicare reports frequently reveal serious violations in North Dakota nursing homes.
Infection prevention failures are common, and outbreaks are caused by poor sanitation, lack of handwashing, and improper handling of medical equipment. Inadequate staffing is another major issue, causing delays in medical attention, missed medications, and overall neglect.
Medication mismanagement is widespread, with residents receiving incorrect dosages or the wrong prescriptions, sometimes resulting in severe health complications.
Many facilities also fail to provide adequate nutrition and hydration, leading to weight loss, dehydration, and worsening health conditions. Additionally, improper nursing care contributes to preventable pressure ulcers, which can lead to infections and long-term complications.
These ongoing deficiencies can result in serious injuries, making legal action necessary for affected families.
Signs of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
Families should watch for warning signs that a loved one may be experiencing abuse or neglect in a North Dakota nursing home.
- Bruises, fractures, or unexplained injuries;
- Malnutrition and dehydration;
- Bedsores;
- Poor hygiene;
- Withdrawal, fear, or agitation;
- Missing funds or belongings;
- Unexplained STDs;
- Pain or bleeding in sensitive areas;
- Sudden changes in behavior or mood.
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents in North Dakota
Residents in North Dakota nursing homes are protected under state and federal laws designed to ensure safe and dignified care.
The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA ’87) establishes rights to adequate staffing, proper medical care, freedom from abuse, and participation in care decisions.
North Dakota’s Residents’ Rights Statutes reinforce these protections, requiring facilities to uphold safety, dignity, and quality care standards.
What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a North Dakota Nursing Home?
If you believe a loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in a North Dakota nursing home, take immediate action to protect them.
- Document your concerns – Take detailed notes, photos, or videos of injuries, poor conditions, or changes in behavior. Keep records of conversations with staff.
- Report your suspicions to the nursing home administration – Bring concerns to management and request written confirmation of any actions taken.
- Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman – This program investigates complaints and advocates for resident care rights.
- Consult with an experienced North Dakota nursing home abuse attorney – Legal action may be necessary to hold the facility accountable and seek compensation for harm suffered.
Filing a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in North Dakota
If a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a North Dakota nursing home, filing a lawsuit can help secure compensation and hold the facility accountable. The legal process typically involves several steps:
- Investigating the claim and gathering evidence – Attorneys collect medical records, witness statements, and inspection reports to document neglect, actual harm, or violations of professional standards.
- Determining liability – The nursing home, staff, administrators, or registered nurses may be responsible for inadequate staffing, medical errors, or safety violations.
- Filing a complaint in court – A lawsuit is formally filed, outlining the allegations and damages sought.
- The discovery process and pre-trial motions – Both sides exchange evidence, take depositions, and file motions to resolve issues before trial.
- Negotiating a settlement or proceeding to trial – Many cases settle through negotiations, but if no agreement is reached, the case goes to trial for a final decision.
Contact a North Dakota Nursing Home Attorney for a Free Consultation
At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to holding negligent facilities accountable and fighting for the compensation your family deserves. Our nursing home abuse legal team has experience handling cases involving pressure ulcers, physical restraints, medication errors, and other serious violations in North Dakota nursing homes.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.
Sources: Medicare