The nursing home failed to ensure residents received the behavioral health care and services they needed. Cited August 2024 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 740 — 42 CFR §483.40 — S/S: G
Nursing home report
NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER
LOWELL, MA · Medicare-certified · 123 beds
Needs attention
For-profitChain member
Data as of July 1, 2026
1 of 5 overall
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Lowell has a 1-star overall rating, with 1 star for health inspections and 2 stars each for staffing and quality measures. Reported nurse staffing is 2.83 hours per resident per day versus the 4.1-hour federal benchmark, and the facility has had $85,178 in fines in the last 24 months with a recent federal penalty.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
2.8344 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: August 15, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $85,178recent federal penalty
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 2.8344.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.38
- Licensed practical nurses
- 0.60
- Nurse aides
- 1.86
- Weekend nursing
- 2.75
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 24%
Registered nurse turnover: 33%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
36.8%42%Worsening
Residents with a fall causing major injury
1.8%2.9%Worsening
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
0.7%1.6%Worsening
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0.9%1.9%Worsening
Residents who lost too much weight
0%5.1%Worsening
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
13.8%12.1%Improving
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
15.1%11.9%Improving
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
35.9%32%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
0%0%No change
Residents with a long-term catheter
0.8%2.8%Worsening
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
24.4%27.7%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
1.1%17.6%Worsening
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—91.9%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
72.5%76.9%Improving
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—25%—
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
44.3%50%Improving
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to provide proper pressure ulcer care and failed to prevent new pressure sores from developing. Cited August 2024 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 686 — 42 CFR §483.25(b) — S/S: G
The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited August 2023 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: G
The nursing home failed to reasonably accommodate each resident’s needs and preferences. Cited August 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 558 — 42 CFR §483.10 — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to provide needed care and help with daily activities for residents who could not do them on their own. Cited August 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 677 — 42 CFR §483.24(a)(2) — S/S: E
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 22 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $85,178 was recorded.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 18 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
Penalties & enforcement
On record with Medicare: 2 fines · $165,780 in total fines.
- $85,178
Federal fine
Aug 29, 2024
- $80,602
Federal fine
Aug 10, 2023
Operator & ownership
- Ownership
- For profit - Partnership
- Chain
- Part of ATHENA HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS · 24 homes · 1.6 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 115.3 residents on an average day (94% of 123 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident council
- Medicare history
- Certified for 39 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.