The Massachusetts Veterans Home At Chelsea

Location & what’s nearby

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Nearest of each type, straight-line distance. Hospitals come from the CMS Hospital General Information registry; everything else from Overture Maps (public data). Hospital and park hours are typical — call ahead to confirm.

Quality measures — how residents actually fare

Quality-measure stars summarize outcomes CMS tracks from the assessments each home submits — avoidable hospitalizations and ER visits, falls with injury, pressure ulcers, unplanned weight loss, and long-term antipsychotic use. Because the underlying data is self-reported, weigh a high score against the independent inspection record. Long-stay = permanent residents; short-stay = rehab and post-hospital stays.

Short-stay rehab — if you are coming here from a hospital

Arriving from a hospital right now? Read the discharge guide → — your appeal rights, how to slow a rushed discharge, and what to ask about the numbers below.

Therapy staffing: this home’s payroll records show 0.24 therapist hours per resident per day in 2026Q1 — more than 32% of the 13,892 homes that report any therapy hours at all.

Weekend therapy: weekend therapy hours are 0% of this home’s weekday level — it runs therapy on weekdays, with essentially none at the weekend. The median home that reports therapy runs 13% — weekday-focused therapy is the industry norm, not a shortfall. But recovery does not pause on a Saturday: ask what the weekend actually looks like here.

This section is about rehab stays, not living here. Most of this page — the stars, the quality measures, the inspection record — describes the home the way a permanent resident experiences it. These figures describe the short Medicare stay after a hospital discharge: a hip, a stroke, a bad infection, six weeks and home. They are different residents, different staff, often a different wing. Therapy hours are per resident in the building, not per rehab patient — the count includes every long-stay resident, and they mostly get no therapy at all. So a home with a small rehab wing inside a large nursing population reads low here even if its rehab patients get plenty of therapy, and a mostly-rehab home reads high. Use it to compare homes doing similar work, ask what a rehab resident actually gets in a day, and remember that CMS does not publish therapy minutes per patient — nobody does.

Staffing

How full it usually is: this home is certified for 154 beds and averages 120.1 residents a day — about 78% occupied, or roughly 34 beds typically open. It usually has some room. This is a CMS average, not live availability — no public source publishes real-time vacancies, and a home can be full the day you call. Confirm with the home, and if you need a Medicaid bed specifically, ask about that separately: a home with open beds may still not have an open Medicaid bed.

Against a benchmark — not a legal minimum. In May 2024 CMS finalized the first federal staffing floor for nursing homes: 3.48 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.55 RN hours and 2.45 nurse-aide hours. Its hour requirements never took effect and are no longer on the books. Homes had until 2026 (2027 if rural) to comply, and that deadline never arrived: a federal court vacated the hour requirements in April 2025 (CMS has appealed), Congress then barred enforcement until 2034, and CMS formally repealed them by rule effective February 2026. This home is not required to meet these numbers, and is not violating anything by missing them. We still show the comparison because the figures are CMS’s own published estimate of adequate staffing, which makes them a useful yardstick — but they are our benchmark, not federal law: this home’s total nurse staffing of 6.97 hrs/resident/day is at or above the 3.48-hour benchmark and RN staffing of 1.63 is at or above the 0.55-hour RN benchmark and nurse-aide staffing of 4.35 is at or above the 2.45-hour aide benchmark. What federal law does require today is unchanged: “sufficient” nursing staff for residents’ needs and an RN on duty at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week (42 CFR 483.35). Those are judged by inspectors on site, not by these averages, so read this comparison alongside the inspection record rather than as a pass/fail.

Weekend coverage: total nurse staffing is 6.33 hrs/resident/day on weekends vs 7.24 on weekdays — 13% thinner on weekends. RN hours go from 1.77 to 1.28 per resident-day. (Payroll-based daily records; the national median home is 15% thinner on weekends.)

3 administrators have left in the past year — frequent leadership churn is a warning sign families often miss.

Payroll-based (PBJ) staffing hours, as reported for Jan–Mar 2026 (CMS PBJ CY2026Q1) — the most recent quarter CMS has published, so they can lag a change of operator or staffing agency. Higher is generally better. Registered-nurse coverage and weekend staffing are the numbers families most often overlook — an RN on site matters most when something goes wrong, and coverage usually thins on weekends. High turnover means residents rarely see the same caregiver twice. One caveat: these are hours as reported, not adjusted for how sick or heavy-care this home’s residents are. CMS separately publishes a case-mix-adjusted view; we show the reported hours. A home caring for higher-acuity residents needs more hours to deliver the same care, so compare these figures against homes doing similar work, and read them next to the inspection record rather than alone.

Inspection trend

Deficiencies are fewer than at the previous inspection — improving. Fewer citations over time suggests a home is fixing problems; a rising count is a warning sign — though two surveys are a short record, and survey teams differ. These counts are from the standard annual health survey only; the full citation list below may also include findings from complaint investigations, so the two won’t always add up.

Inspection deficiencies

State health-inspection citations, most serious first. Each carries an F-code (the federal rule it cites, e.g. F-684 = quality of care) and a letter A–L marking how serious and how widespread the problem was — we translate that grid into the plain tiers shown here. Wording is the official federal description.

Each letter is a CMS scope-severity level; highlighted ones are where this home has citations. A–C = no harm found; D–F = potential for harm; G–I = actual harm; J–L = immediate jeopardy. Within each band the later letter is the more widespread finding (an isolated G is one resident; a widespread I is a pattern), so rightward and downward is worse.

24 citations, most serious first. The 10 most serious are shown; the remaining 14 are one tap away and print in full.

• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-09-19 · tag F0656 — failed to write and follow a full care plan — isolated
  Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on interviews and records reviewed, the facility failed to ensure staff developed and implemented a comprehensive person-centered care plan for one Resident (#29) out of 25 total sampled residents. Specifically, for Resident #29, nursing failed to consistently implement the Resident's left hand palm guard and buddy loop finger splint to his/her right 4th and 5th digits (fingers). Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled Care Planning, dated 12/18/23, indicated:-The facility will develop and implement a plan for each resident that includes the instructions needed to provide effective and person-centered care of each resident that meets professional standards of quality care. Resident #29 was admitted to the facility in October 2023 with diagnosis cerebral infarction, diabetes, and depression. Review of the most recent Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated 9/10/25, indicated that Resident #29 had a moderate cognitive impairment as evidenced by a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 12 out of 15. This MDS indicated Resident #29 was dependent on staff…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-09-19 · tag F0689 — failed to keep residents free of avoidable accidents; supervise adequately — isolated
  Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on observations, interviews, policy review and record review, the facility failed to maintain a safe environment for three Residents (#31, #52, and #45) out of 25 total sampled residents. Specifically,1.) for Resident #31, the facility failed to provide fall mats in accordance with the physician's order. 2a.) For Resident #52, the facility failed to ensure staff stored the Resident's smoking materials in a locked area.2b.) For Resident #45, the facility failed to re-evaluate Resident's ability to safely maintain his/her own smoking materials after staff noted half burned cigarettes stored directly on his/her desk and was issued two smoking violations. Findings include: 1.) Review of the facility policy titled, Falls Prevention, dated as last reviewed 5/27/25, indicated to ensure that the safety and health of the resident veteran is protected by establishing a consistent and thorough assessment of resident veteran risk for falls and associated injuries, monitoring and assessment post-fall, and implementing individualized interventions to prevent falls. Resident #31 was admitted…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-09-19 · tag F0761 — failed to label and store drugs safely — 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.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to store all drugs and biologicals in locked compartments for one Resident (#65) out of a 25 total sampled residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure Resident #65's neuriva capsules (a brain health supplement) were not stored unlocked at bedside. Findings include:Review of the facility policy titled Bedside Medication Storage and Self Administration of Meds, dated 12/18/23, indicated:-Procedures: A written order for the bedside storage of medication is present in the resident's medical record. -Procedures: Bedside storage of medication is indicated on the resident medication administration record (MAR) and in the care plan for appropriate medications. Resident #65 was admitted to the facility in January 2024 with diagnoses including quadriplegia (a condition where all four limbs experience paralysis). Review of the most recent Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated 7/1/25, indicated Resident #65 was cognitively intact as evidenced by a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 15 out of…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2025-07-29 · tag F0604 — failed to not use physical restraints improperly — isolated
  Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on records reviewed and interview, for one of three sampled residents, (Resident #1) who had a history of being resistant and combative during care, the facility failed to ensure he/she was free from the use of physical restraint, when on 6/17/25, while Resident #1 was receiving foot care from the podiatrist, the Charge Nurse laid across his/her lap/leg area to prevent him/her from moving during the procedure.Findings include:Review of the Facility Policy titled Restraints and Safety Devices, dated 11/03/23, indicated physical restraints are used only after assessment by the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), when an alternative to restraints has been determined to be ineffective by the IDT members, and when absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the Veteran or others. Resident #1 was admitted to the Facility in January 2024, diagnoses included cognitive social or emotional deficits, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and dementia.Review of Resident #1's Quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) indicated he/she was significantly…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-07-29 · tag F0656 — failed to write and follow a full care plan — isolated
  Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on records reviewed and interviews, for one of three sampled residents (Resident #1) who had a history of combativeness and resistance with care, the Facility failed to ensure staff consistently implemented interventions identified in his/her plan of care, which indicated when Resident #1 refused care that staff shouldn't force him/her, but instead should reapproach him/her when he/she is more accepting of care. On 06/17/25, although Resident #1 told staff to leave his/her feet alone, exhibited combative behavior during foot care, staff continued with care and did not implement interventions to return later.Findings include: Review of the Facility's Care Planning Policy, dated 12/15/23, indicated that the Facility will develop and implement a plan for each resident that includes the instructions needed to provide effective and person-centered care of the residents that meets professional standards of quality care. Resident #1 was admitted to the Facility in January 2024, diagnoses included cognitive social or emotional deficits, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2024-10-09 · tag F0656 — failed to write and follow a full care plan — isolated
  Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on observation, interview, and record review for two Residents (#30, #264) out of 26 sampled residents, the facility failed to implement the plan of care. Specifically: 1. For Resident #30, the facility failed to follow the physician's order to apply heel protector booties. 2. For Resident #264, the facility failed to develop a plan of care for a pacemaker. Findings include: 1. Resident #30 was admitted to the facility in February 2024, and had diagnoses which included diabetes mellitus, hemiplegia, and peripheral vascular disease. Review of Resident #30's Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated 8/19/24, indicated he/she had a Brief Interview for Mental Status score of 15, signifying intact cognition, and was at-risk for the development of pressure ulcers. Review of Resident #30's most recent care plan indicated he/she was at risk for skin breakdown and required a pressure-relieving mattress. Review of Resident #30's physician order dated 9/30/24 indicated: - Please use heel protector booties while in…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2024-10-09 · tag F0684 — failed to provide proper treatment and quality of care — isolated
  Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on record review and interview the facility failed to ensure they followed standards of practice for 1 Resident (#264) out of a total sample of 26 residents. Specifically the facility failed to obtain lab results for a lab obtained during a hospitalization which was still pending upon discharge of the Resident from the hospital. Findings include: Resident #264 was admitted to the facility in February 2024 with diagnoses including dementia, diabetes and weight loss. Review of the medical record failed to indicate the facility had acquired the lab results. Review of the hospital document titled Hospital Course, dated 9/27/24 indicated that there were pending labs for Legionella. Review of the nursing progress notes failed to indicate that the facility called the hospital for the results of the pending labs. Review of the physician progress notes failed to indicate the physician was notified of the pending lab results. During an interview on 10/08/24 at 10:40 A.M., Nurse #1 said she was not aware that there was a pending lab result from Resident #264's 9/27/24 hospital discharge.…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2024-10-09 · tag F0689 — failed to keep residents free of avoidable accidents; supervise adequately — isolated
  Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure one Resident (#40) was safe from accidents/hazards out of a total sample of 26 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to appropriately assess the Resident for safety and ensure a safety care plan was developed to prevent an elopement. Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled Soldier's Home Policy Guide: Code Yellow: Missing Veteran, revised 9/22/23, indicated the following: -Policy: Veterans who are cognitively impaired have the right to a safe environment. Veterans who wander, exit seek, and/or elope their assigned unit will be identified and returned to their unit utilizing an expedited procedure for searching the Soldier's Home premises and surrounding communities. Resident #40 was admitted to the facility in February 2024 with diagnoses including psychiatric disorder and depression. Review of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), dated [DATE], indicated Resident #40 scored an 8 out of a possible 15 on the Brief Interview for Mental…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2024-10-09 · tag F0699 — isolated
  Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to develop a trauma informed plan of care for 2 Residents (#109 and 92) out of a total sample of 26 residents. Findings include: Review of the facility policy titled Trauma Informed Care, revised 9/22/23, indicates the following: - It is the policy of the Massachusetts Veterans Home at [NAME] to provide care and services to residents that meet professional standards, are delivered using approaches which are culturally competent, account for experiences and preferences, and address the needs of trauma survivors by minimizing triggers and/or re-traumatization. - The Veterans Home will collaborate with resident trauma survivors, and as appropriate, the resident's family, friends, and primary care clinician, and any other health care professionals (such as psychologists and mental health professionals) to develop and implement individualized care plan interventions. 1. Resident #109 was admitted in 08/2024 with diagnoses including post traumatic stress…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2024-10-09 · tag F0710 — isolated
  Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on record review and interview the facility failed to ensure the physician was notified of a recommendation from a consulting dentist for one Resident (#79) out of a total sample of 26 residents. Findings include: Resident #79 was admitted to the facility February 2024 with diagnoses including dementia, diabetes and cancer. Review of the dental consult dated 7/15/24 indicated a recommendation for Peridex mouth rinse twice daily, swab with a toothette using 1/4 ounce of Peridex after breakfast and at bedtime. Review of the physician's orders dated July 2024, August 2024, September 2024 and October 2024 failed to indicate an order for Peridex mouth rinse. Review of the nursing progress notes dated after 7/14/24, failed to indicate acknowledgement or notification of the physician regarding the recommendation for the Peridex mouth rinse made by the dentist on 7/15/24. Review of the physician's progress notes failed to indicate a note written after 7/12/24. During an interview on 10/08/24 03:21 PM the Deputy Superintendent said that she would expect that nursing would inform the…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction

“Cited before” means this same F-tag appears on at least one other survey date in the record we hold — counting complaint investigations as well as standard surveys, with no time limit. It is our own read of the data, not CMS’s: CMS uses repeat deficiency as a formal term tied to consecutive standard surveys, and that is a narrower test than this one. A tag marked here may or may not meet it.

Fines & penalties

No federal fines in the current CMS record.

Who owns this facility

CMS files one row per role, so the 10 rows in the source record cover these 4 parties — each is shown once here with every role it holds. Nothing is omitted.

1 organizational owner listed — a facility can be part of a larger chain. CMS ownership data is known to under-report private-equity and REIT ties; treat as a starting point.

What families pay in MA