How to Choose a Skilled Nursing Facility in Gwinnett County, GA

In Gwinnett County, GA, families can evaluate skilled nursing facilities by checking CMS star ratings, reviewing inspection histories, and asking about leadership accountability, staffing levels, and care plan transparency. This guide provides key steps and resources to help identify safe, reputable facilities in the area.

Why CMS Star Ratings Matter

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offers a Care Compare tool that allows users to view the quality ratings of nursing homes nationwide. These star ratings reflect health inspections, staffing levels, and overall quality of resident care.

• A 5-star rating indicates much-above-average performance.

• A 1-star rating indicates serious concerns about care quality.

When viewing facilities in Gwinnett County, it’s important to look not only at the current rating but also at the trend over time. Have there been consistent issues? Did the facility recently improve—or decline?

Key Questions to Ask

In addition to checking ratings, families should ask the following:

• What is your current CMS rating, and has it changed recently?

• If the facility had past deficiencies, who was in charge locally? Ask for accountability. Understand whether leadership has changed and what steps were taken to improve.

• What’s the history of complaints and citations? This is visible on Care Compare, and should be addressed honestly by the facility.

• How are care plans developed and shared with family members?

• What is the nurse-to-resident ratio, and how often are aides on-site?

Evaluate Staff Turnover and Transparency

Frequent staff turnover—especially among directors of nursing or administrators—is often a red flag. Ask about:

• Who runs the facility? How long have they been in leadership?

• What is their background and experience with skilled nursing operations?

• Are family concerns handled directly by leadership?

Accountability matters. A facility that has bounced between administrators may struggle to implement long-term care improvements.

Red Flags and Non-Negotiables

Be cautious if a facility:

• Cannot clearly explain past citations - and identify the leadership present while those citations occurred.

• Refuses to give you the names of current leadership

• Offers vague or evasive answers about care plans

• Doesn’t provide a recent staffing ratio

Also, take note of whether they allow visits during care planning or limit access without cause.

Use Local Resources for Support

In Gwinnett County, seniors and caregivers can turn to several trusted organizations:

• Georgia Ombudsman Program: Advocates for residents in long-term care facilities.

• Gwinnett County Senior Services: Offers home-delivered meals, transportation, and case management.

• Department of Community Health – Facility Locator: Search for licensed facilities and review any enforcement actions taken.

What About Cost and Insurance?

Not all skilled nursing homes accept Medicaid or Medicare. Be sure to verify:

• Accepted insurance types

• Private pay options

• What services are included in daily rates - and when that rates starts

• Will they hold a bed during readmissions - if so is there a charge

• What happens when coverage runs out

These financial details should be transparent from the first conversation.

Why This Matters

Choosing the wrong facility can result in medical setbacks, unnecessary stress, and even abuse or neglect. Doing your research—using both online tools and in-person visits—gives your loved one the best chance at safety, dignity, and high-quality care.

To support families, we’ve compiled a Preferred Provider List of local care partners who meet high standards of transparency, accountability, and patient-centered practices.