Palmer Healthcare Center, Palmer, MA

The Essentials

Summary

Across 5 inspections from August 2023 to January 2026, state surveyors documented 14 findings at Palmer Healthcare Center; 14 have a recorded correction; CMS lists no enforcement action in the window.

Inspections: 5; 2023–2026, standard and complaint
Findings: 14; Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
Corrected: 14; Of 14 findings, with a recorded correction date
Penalties: 0; No fines or payment denials in the window

Findings by Year

Findings
Of which, actual harm (level G or above)

* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.

Findings by year
Year	Inspections	Findings
2023	1	2
2024	1	7
2025	2	3
2026	1	2

What the Record Shows

14 of 14 findings have a recorded correction date.
CMS lists no fines or payment denials in this window.
2 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
The latest standard inspection, January 6, 2026, recorded 2 findings (most serious: Level D).

Report at a Glance

Facility: Palmer Healthcare Center
Address: 250 Shearer Street, Palmer, MA 01069
CMS Certification Number: 225763
Provider Type: Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
Certified Beds: 61
Ownership: For profit - Corporation
Record Window: August 10, 2023 to October 1, 2026

Chronology

Inspection History

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.

Jan 62026
Standard health inspection
2 findings
- F551Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 26, 2026
- F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 26, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Dec 162025
Complaint investigation
2 findings
- F557Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 10, 2025
- F607Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 10, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Sep 22025
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F607Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 8, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Sep 262024
Standard health inspection
7 findings
- F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F557Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F805Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F909Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Aug 102023
Standard health inspection
2 findings
- F801Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 25, 2023
- F660Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 25, 2023
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

Patterns Worth Examining

A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.

1
Citation F557, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F557 in September 2024 and December 2025. 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 D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2324252526F557 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest
2
Citation F607, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F607 in September 2025 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. 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.
2324252526F607 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest

For Your Next Visit

Questions to Ask on Your Visit

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

01
What changed after F557 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F557: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
02
What changed after F607 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F607: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
03
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
04
Has the home been fined or had payments denied before this record begins?
CMS lists no fines or payment denials in this window. The record starts August 10, 2023; anything earlier is not in it.

The Evidence

Sources and Coverage

Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Massachusetts state survey agency.

Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Aug 10, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Sep 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Sep 2, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Dec 16, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Jan 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Provider Information, Provider Data Catalog
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 225763
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗

Coverage

Record windowAugust 10, 2023 – October 1, 2026

CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before August 2023 are not in this release.
CMS refreshes these files monthly, after statements of deficiencies are processed, so an inspection from the last two months may not appear yet.

What This Report Cannot Tell You

Complaints not investigated onsite: Allegations screened out by the state before an onsite visit are not published.
Complaint allegations: CMS publishes the deficiencies a complaint survey cited, not the allegation itself.
Facility-reported incidents: Self-reported incidents appear only if they led to an inspection.
Follow-up visits: CMS's files list standard, complaint and infection control surveys, not revisits; a correction date is the one CMS records.
Fire safety inspections: Published by CMS separately and not included in this record yet.
Staffing levels and ownership history: Published by CMS separately and not included in this record.

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.