Middlesex County, Massachusetts · Nursing home
Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing
1 of 5 overall from CMS
400 Groton Road, Ayer, MA 01432
At a glance
- Overall rating 1 of 5 Below the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.65 hours Below the state average of 3.86
- Nursing staff who left in a year 58.1% Above the state average of 38.2%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 78 6 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $63,034 2 fines
- Certified beds in use 82.4% of 123 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing is a 123-bed nursing home in Ayer, Massachusetts (Middlesex County). CMS rates it 1 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.65 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the Massachusetts average of 3.86. CMS lists 2 fines totaling $63,034 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 123
- Residents per day (average)
- 101.4
- Certified since
- 1990 (36 yrs)
For profit - Limited Liability company Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Stern Consultants (22 homes)
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 2 fines totaling $63,034 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- CMS counts 19 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Mar 13, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Massachusetts average is 6.8. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 58.1%, above the Massachusetts average of 38.2%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 1 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.0
- Health inspections 1 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.0
- Staffing 3 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.1
- Quality measures 3 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.3
The vertical line marks the Massachusetts average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 3.65 h Massachusetts average 3.86
- Nurse aides 2.17 h Massachusetts average 2.25
- Licensed practical nurses 0.71 h Massachusetts average 0.95
- Registered nurses 0.77 h Massachusetts average 0.65
- All staff, weekends 3.17 h Massachusetts average 3.48
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 9 hours. The vertical line marks the Massachusetts average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover58.1%
- Massachusetts average38.2%
- Registered nurse turnover39.1%
- Massachusetts average42.6%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Massachusetts and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 13.8% | 16.4% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 6.5% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.0% | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 42.5% | 15.5% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 2.5% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 95.3% | 92.6% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 6.4% | 15.4% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 22.9% | 19.5% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 95.3% | 94.8% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 3.0% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 34.1% | 21.2% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 19.9% | 21.4% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.09 | 1.88 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.61 | 1.50 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 76.9% | 78.3% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.0% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 51.8% | 77.7% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 31.5% | 25.7% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 18.7% | 11.9% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 78 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 6 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 23 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Mar 5, 2024: Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2025 | 19 | 13 |
| Mar 5, 2024 | 25 | 9 |
| Jun 16, 2022 | 34 | 2 |
Massachusetts homes averaged 6.8 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (78)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Hire a qualified full-time social worker in a facility with more than 120 beds.
Complaint investigation · Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
Show 25 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
CPotential for minimal harm, widespread
Have an agreement with at least one or more hospitals certified by Medicare or Medicaid to make sure residents can be moved quickly to the hospital when they need medical care.
Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Complaint investigation · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Complaint investigation · Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 21, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Complaint investigation · Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 17, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Complaint investigation · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 17, 2024)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 22, 2024)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 22, 2024)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2024)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2024)
Showing the 30 most recent of 78.
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 5, 2024 | Fine | $53,264 |
| Sep 27, 2023 | Fine | $9,770 |
Massachusetts homes averaged 0.8 fines and $34,265 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Massachusetts
- Size163 of 341 by certified beds
- Massachusetts average residents per day98.5
- ChainStern Consultants
- Chain average overall rating2.5 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Middlesex County72
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing?
Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing has an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 1, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 3.
How many beds does Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing have?
Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing has 123 certified beds. It averages 101.4 residents per day, about 82.4% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing?
The home reports 3.65 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.77 hours from registered nurses. The Massachusetts average is 3.86 hours and 0.65 hours from registered nurses.
Has Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 2 fines totaling $63,034 in the past three years.
Does Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 3 of 5 Seven Hills Pediatric Center 83beds 90.7%in use 4.15nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley 120beds 90.8%in use 4.22nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Westford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 123beds 86.5%in use 3.59nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Middlesex County
Who to call in Massachusetts
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Massachusetts.
- Long-term care ombudsman Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 617-222-7495 (Long-Term Care Ombudsman line listed on the state's nursing and rest home ombudsman page. Local ombudsman programs are listed by city/town on the same page. MassOptions: 800-243-4636.) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Complaint Intake Unit, Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification 800-462-5540 (24-hour Consumer Complaint Line. Main Intake Number 617-753-8150 (during business hours). Fax 617-753-8165. Mail: Complaint Intake Unit, 67 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. No online form; email is not accepted for complaint materials.) The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Massachusetts staffing, bed-hold and Medicaid rules · Residents' rights in every state
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 225421. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.