
Report
TheVardellReport
Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
400 Groton Road
Ayer, MA 01432

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
400 Groton Road
Ayer, MA 01432
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 7 inspections from December 2023 to June 2026, state surveyors documented 74 findings at Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing; 74 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 25 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 21 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 15 | 0 |
Chronology
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
14 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
18 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
22 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $53,264 imposed March 5, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of March 5, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
13 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F880 in December 2023, March 2024, March 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F580 in March 2024, January 2025 and March 2025. This citation covers whether the resident, their doctor and a family member are told promptly about an injury, a decline or another significant change. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F725 in December 2023, March 2024 and June 2024. This citation covers whether there are enough nurses and aides to meet residents’ needs, with a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F804 in December 2023, March 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers whether food and drink are palatable, attractive and served at a safe temperature. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F557 in December 2023 and March 2024. The agency describes it this way: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F585 in March 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers residents’ right to voice grievances without reprisal, and the home’s process for resolving them. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F656 in December 2023 and June 2024. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F677 in December 2023 and March 2024. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F684 in December 2023 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F686 in March 2024 and May 2026. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F689 in March 2024 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F692 in March 2024 and January 2025. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F699 in March 2024 and March 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F726 in March 2024 and March 2025. The agency describes it this way: 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. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F756 in March 2024 and March 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F842 in December 2023 and March 2025. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
How quickly will we hear about a fall, an injury or a change in condition, and from whom?
Telling Families About Changes: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level G.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
Nursing Staff Levels: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
May we try a meal, and how do you check food temperature by the time it reaches residents?
Food Quality and Temperature: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F557 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F557: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
How do we file a grievance, who answers it, and how quickly?
Grievances: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How long do residents usually wait for help with bathing, dressing or the bathroom, and how is that tracked?
Help With Daily Living: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do nurses make sure a doctor’s orders are carried out, and how are families told when something is missed?
Quality of Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How often are residents checked for pressure injuries and repositioned, and who is responsible for it?
Pressure Injury Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?
Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F699 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F699: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F726 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F726: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F756 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F756: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $53,264 civil money penalty was imposed March 5, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Massachusetts state survey agency.
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Dec 29, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Mar 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Jun 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Jan 2, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Mar 13, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection May 28, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Jun 25, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 225421
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowDecember 29, 2023 – October 1, 2026
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.