Middlesex County, Massachusetts · Nursing home
Alliance Health at Marie Esther
4 of 5 overall from CMS
720 Boston Post Road, Marlborough, MA 01752
At a glance
- Overall rating 4 of 5 Above the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.76 hours Below the state average of 3.86
- Nursing staff who left in a year 61.2% Above the state average of 38.2%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 7 1 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $7,901 1 fine
- Certified beds in use 41.9% of 78 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.
Alliance Health at Marie Esther is a 78-bed nursing home in Marlborough, Massachusetts (Middlesex County). CMS rates it 4 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.76 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the Massachusetts average of 3.86. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $7,901 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 78
- Residents per day (average)
- 32.7
- Certified since
- 1994 (32 yrs)
Non profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Alliance Health & Human Services (8 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 Alliance Health at Marie Esther
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 1 fine totaling $7,901 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 61.2%, above the Massachusetts average of 38.2%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
- About 41.9% of certified beds are in use on an average day. Are any units closed, or are admissions limited?Certified beds and average residents in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 4 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.0
- Health inspections 4 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.0
- Staffing 3 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.1
- Quality measures 2 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 3.76 h Massachusetts average 3.86
- Nurse aides 2.22 h Massachusetts average 2.25
- Licensed practical nurses 0.90 h Massachusetts average 0.95
- Registered nurses 0.64 h Massachusetts average 0.65
- All staff, weekends 3.51 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 turnover61.2%
- Massachusetts average38.2%
- Registered nurse turnover78.6%
- 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 | 21.5% | 16.4% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 1.1% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 7.0% | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 1.0% | 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 | 8.5% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 99.2% | 92.6% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 25.6% | 15.4% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 14.9% | 19.5% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 100.0% | 94.8% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 3.8% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 12.4% | 21.2% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 0.0% | 21.4% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.88 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 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 | 96.1% | 78.3% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 2.4% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 77.7% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 32.9% | 25.7% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 23.7% | 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 7 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 1 was cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Sep 28, 2023: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | 0 | 2 |
| Apr 14, 2023 | 2 | 3 |
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 (7)
-
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 (Oct 16, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 16, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 16, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 16, 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 (Oct 16, 2025)
Show 2 more
-
GActual harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 25, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 22, 2023)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2023 | Fine | $7,901 |
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
- Size287 of 341 by certified beds
- Massachusetts average residents per day98.5
- ChainAlliance Health & Human Services
- Chain average overall rating3.8 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Marlborough3
- Homes in Middlesex County72
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Alliance Health at Marie Esther?
Alliance Health at Marie Esther has an overall rating of 4 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 4, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 2.
How many beds does Alliance Health at Marie Esther have?
Alliance Health at Marie Esther has 78 certified beds. It averages 32.7 residents per day, about 41.9% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Alliance Health at Marie Esther?
The home reports 3.76 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.64 hours from registered nurses. The Massachusetts average is 3.86 hours and 0.65 hours from registered nurses.
Has Alliance Health at Marie Esther been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $7,901 in the past three years.
Does Alliance Health at Marie Esther 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 Reservoir Center for Health & Rehabilitation, the 144beds 92.4%in use 3.95nurse hours a day
- 2 of 5 Sudbury Pines Extended Care 92beds 93.0%in use 3.97nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Oak Knoll Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center 123beds 90.0%in use 3.79nurse 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 225619. 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.