Azalea Health and Rehabilitation
300 Cedar Road, Metter, GA 30439 · Candler County · (912) 685-5734
89 certified beds, about 75 residents a day · Non profit - Other · Medicare and Medicaid since 1997
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 115642 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on September 11, 2025, inspectors cited 6 health deficiencies (the Georgia average is 5, the national average 9.2).
Of 9 health citations since February 2023, 2 were rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists 2 fines totaling $8,788 in the last three years; the largest was $4,394, and the latest is dated September 11, 2025.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.50 hours per resident per day, against 3.56 across Georgia and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.65 of those hours.
29.2% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Georgia average 46.0%).
CMS links it to Ethica Health, an affiliated group of 50 nursing homes.
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 9 health citations on file.
September 11, 2025Standard inspection · 6 citations
- G Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interviews, and review of the facility policy titled Patient's Plan of Care, the facility failed to ensure the care plan was followed for two (R) (R78 and R31) of 37 residents related to Activities of Daily Living Care for R78 and R31 related to medication parameters. Harm was identified to have occurred on 12/13/2024 when Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) EE was providing ADL care alone, resulting in R78 falling out of bed and sustaining a sub-capital fracture of the femoral neck.
- G Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interviews, and review of policy titled Falls Management, the facility failed to provide care by two staff members for one of two residents (R) (R78) reviewed for falls. Harm was identified on 12/13/2024 when resident R78 fell from bed during care, resulting in a right hip fracture.
- E Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure vents were free from dust and grime buildup in five resident rooms on one of two halls (Hall B).
- D Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility's policy titled Pharmacy Services, the facility failed to ensure one of 37 sampled residents (R) (R40) did not have unauthorized, unsecured medications at bedside. This deficient practice had the potential to allow unauthorized access to medications to other residents and visitors in the facility.
- D Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
- D 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, record review, and facility policies titled, Medication Storage in the Care Center and Multi-dose of Medication Storage Conditions and Expiration Date Factsheet, the facility failed to ensure that medications, biologicals, and supplies were stored properly following manufacturers' recommendations or those of the suppliers, including expiration dates for two of two medication carts. This deficient practice has the potential to place residents at high risk for potential clinical, psychosocial, and mental harm.
May 19, 2024Standard inspection · 0 citations
February 2, 2023Standard inspection · 3 citations
- D Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on staff and resident interviews, record review, and review of the facility policy, Changes in a Patient's Condition, review, the facility failed to notify the resident's physician in a timely manner when there was a change in condition for 1 of 3 sampled residents (R) (#46) reviewed for change of condition. Specifically, Resident R#46 complained of weakness and an unsteady gait, and the right lower leg was bothering the resident. The resident requested that their physician order a scan, but the facility failed to immediately notify the resident's physician, and the physician did not see the note and order a scan of R#46's leg until two days later. The scan was not completed until four days after the resident requested a scan.
- D Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record reviews, staff interviews, and a review of the facility policy titled, Medication Administration - General, the facility failed to ensure the medication error rate was not 5% or greater. Observation of medication administration revealed there were two errors out of 35 opportunities observed for 2 of 3 residents (R) (#33 and #6), which resulted in a medication error rate of 5.71 percent (%).
- D 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, record review, and a review of the facility policy titled, Pharmacy Services Medical Administration - General, the facility failed to store medications properly for 3 of 22 residents (R) (#14, #21, #30) on Hall B's medication cart.
Fire safety inspections
8 fire safety citations on file: 2 on September 11, 2025, 4 on May 19, 2024, 2 on February 2, 2023.
Every fire safety citation8 citations
- F Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- D Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Have corridors or aisles that are unobstructed and are at least 8 feet in width.
- E Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- D Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- F Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Fines and payment denials
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| September 11, 2025 | Fine | $4,394 |
| September 11, 2025 | Fine | $4,394 |
A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stopped paying for new admissions for that period.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Georgia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.50 | 3.56 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.65 | 0.50 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.96 | 3.10 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.35 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.50 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 29.2% | 46.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 8.3% | 44.5% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.45 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 3.72 on weekdays and 2.96 on weekends, 20% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.75 in April to June 2025 to 3.50 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.50 | 0.65 | 3.72 | 2.96 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 75 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.61 | 0.65 | 3.81 | 3.10 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 70 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.52 | 0.65 | 3.70 | 3.05 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 67 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.75 | 0.60 | 4.02 | 3.07 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 67 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Georgia, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.50 | 0.46 | 3.68 | 3.03 | 3.3% | 0.6% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Georgia | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.0 | 15.3 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.3 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 10.7 | 15.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.5 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 33.8 | 19.9 | 15.4 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: CANDLER COUNTY LTC, LLC. CMS links this home to Ethica Health, a group of 50 nursing homes averaging 3.5 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Scholarships Inc | Direct ownership interest | Organization | 11/01/2025 | |
| Cable, Paul | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/14/2003 | |
| Dennis, Kathryn | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 11/17/2015 | |
| Nichols, Joseph | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 11/19/2024 | |
| Peavy, Tiffany | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Rollins, Ronnie | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/14/2003 | |
| Wall, Joseph | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/14/2003 | |
| Warnock, Ralph | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 06/23/2020 | |
| Clinical Services Inc | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 10/25/2005 | |
| Howell, Lynis | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/23/2018 | |
| Lewis, Samantha | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 12/15/2023 | |
| Patel, Maulikkumar | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/01/2023 | |
| Peavy, Tiffany | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Sheffield, Kimberly | Individual is an owner, partner or trustee of any ADP of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2025 | |
| Clinical Services Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 07/02/2025 | |
| Howell, Lynis | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2025 | |
| Patel, Maulikkumar | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/01/2023 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on September 11, 2025: "Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on September 11, 2025: "Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on September 11, 2025: "Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured."
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on September 11, 2025: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.96 hours per resident per day, below the Georgia average of 3.10.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Pleasant View Nursing Center Metter, 0.7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 26 citations
- Orchard Health and Rehabilitation Pulaski, 6.1 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 7 citations
- Twin City Trails of Journey LLC Twin City, 13.7 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Pruitthealth - Swainsboro Swainsboro, 14.9 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 6 citations
- Westwood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Statesboro, 16 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 15 citations
- Eagle Health & Rehabilitation Statesboro, 16.4 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 14 citations
- Brown's Health and Rehabilitation Statesboro, 16.5 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Heritage Inn Health and Rehabilitation Statesboro, 18 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 8 citations
Georgia contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Georgia. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 1-866-552-4464. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: GaMap2Care, Find a Facility, where Georgia publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Azalea Health and Rehabilitation's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Azalea Health and Rehabilitation 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 2 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Azalea Health and Rehabilitation get at its last inspection?
- 6 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on September 11, 2025. The Georgia average is 5.
- Has Azalea Health and Rehabilitation been fined?
- Yes. CMS lists 2 fines totaling $8,788 in the last three years.
- Does Azalea Health and Rehabilitation accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Azalea Health and Rehabilitation?
- CMS lists 17 owners and managers, and links the home to Ethica Health. Legal business name: CANDLER COUNTY LTC, LLC.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.