Home / Massachusetts / Norwell
Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr
501 Cordwainer Drive, Norwell, MA 02061 · Plymouth County · (781) 982-7450
142 certified beds, about 121 residents a day · For profit - Partnership · Medicare and Medicaid since 1993
CMS high performing icon Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
5 of 5
Health inspections
5 of 5
Staffing
5 of 5
Quality measures
5 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 225597 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on January 2, 2026, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the Massachusetts average is 6.8, the national average 9.2).
None of its 10 health citations since September 2023 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.99 hours per resident per day, against 3.86 across Massachusetts and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.71 of those hours.
28.7% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Massachusetts average 38.2%).
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.
809/23
012/24
201/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
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 10 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
7D
3E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
January 2, 2026Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure for one Resident (#12), out of a sample of 25 residents, that respiratory care was provided consistently with professional standards of practice. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure oxygen liter flow was being administered as ordered and to record the date and time of as needed (PRN) oxygen administration.
- 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, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure drugs and biologicals were stored in accordance with professional standards of practice. Specifically, the facility failed to:1. Ensure the medications were administered under direct supervision of a licensed nurse and not left at the bedside for Resident #6; and2. Ensure a medication cart remained locked when not in view/proximity of the nurse.
December 4, 2024Standard inspection · 0 citations
September 29, 2023Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 8 citations
- E Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that staff provided care and services according to accepted standards of clinical practice for two Residents (#29 and #71), out of a total sample of 23 residents, and for one Resident (#368) out of three closed records. Specifically, the facility failed: 1. For Resident #29, to ensure physician's orders were in place for the use and management of an implanted continuous glucose monitoring device; 2. For Resident #368, to accurately reconcile and administer medication according to physician's orders; and 3. [...]
- E Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Inspectors wroteBased on policy review, record review, and interview, the facility failed to provide behavioral health services for two Residents (#102 and #24), out of a sample of 23 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure collaboration with psychiatric (psych) services as deemed necessary according to the behavioral health psychiatric provider and the Residents' plan of care.
- E Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure five Residents (#15, #96, #32, #40, and #8), out of a total sample of 23 residents, had their call lights accessible in accordance with the facility policy.
- D Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that staff developed and implemented a baseline care plan within 48 hours of the resident's admission to address the Resident's constipation management identified in the hospital discharge summary, for one Resident (#63), in a total sample of 23 residents.
- D 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 policy review, observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that individualized, comprehensive care plans were developed and consistently implemented for one Resident (#29), out of 23 sampled residents. Specifically, the facility failed to develop a care plan to address the Resident's use of a continuous glucose monitoring device.
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure staff provided respiratory care consistent with professional standards for one Resident (#29), out of a total sample of 28 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure proper care and storage of the Resident's CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to reduce risk of infection.
- D Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Inspectors wroteBased on policy review, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure one Resident (#368) was free from a significant medication error, out of three closed records. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure three medications were administered to the Resident as ordered by the Physician.
- D Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, Hospice contract review, and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure for one Resident (#102), out of a total sample of 23 residents, that hospice services were provided in accordance with the agreement between the hospice and the facility. Specifically, the facility failed to provide ongoing documentation of hospice staff visits to ensure prompt and effective communication and continuity of care for the Resident, in accordance with the hospice agreement.
Fire safety inspections
18 fire safety citations on file: 7 on January 2, 2026, 11 on December 4, 2024.
Every fire safety citation18 citations
- F Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- F Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- E Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
- D Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- F Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- F Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
- F Develop a communication plan.
- F Establish emergency prep training and testing.
- F Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- F Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- E Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
- E Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- D Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- D Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
- D Ensure that waiting areas, nurse’s stations, gift shops, and cooking facilities, open to the corridor are properly protected.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
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 | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.99 | 3.86 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.71 | 0.65 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.57 | 3.48 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.64 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.64 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 28.7% | 38.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 47.8% | 42.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.35 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 4.16 on weekdays and 3.57 on weekends, 14% 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 3.82 in April to June 2025 to 3.99 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 | 3.99 | 0.71 | 4.16 | 3.57 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 121 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.97 | 0.79 | 4.17 | 3.48 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 123 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.79 | 0.71 | 3.94 | 3.42 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 127 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.82 | 0.75 | 3.96 | 3.49 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 123 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Massachusetts, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.79 | 0.61 | 3.94 | 3.41 | 5.0% | 0.4% 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 | Massachusetts | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 13.0 | 16.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.8 | 15.4 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.6 | 21.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 23.3 | 25.7 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 5.5 | 11.9 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: SOUTHWOOD AT NORWELL NURSING CENTER.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starr, Richard | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Individual | 100% | 01/02/1986 |
| Starr Healthgroup, LLC | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 05/19/1992 | |
| Starr, Lindsey | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/04/2009 | |
| Starr, Richard | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/19/1992 | |
| Southwood at Norwell Nursing Center, Inc. | General partnership interest | Organization | 05/19/1992 | |
| Southwood at Norwell Nursing Center | Limited partnership interest | Organization | 05/19/1992 |
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 do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on January 2, 2026: "Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on September 29, 2023: "Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on January 2, 2026: "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."
- Can we see a resident room, a shower room and the dining room on this visit?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on September 29, 2023: "Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Royal Norwell Nursing & Rehabilitation Center LLC Norwell, 0.9 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 43 citations
- Queen Anne Nursing Home, Inc Hingham, 1.5 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 21 citations
- Linden Ponds Hingham, 2.5 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 6 citations
- Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Rockland, 2.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 14 citations
- Southshore Health Care Center Rockland, 3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 61 citations
- Dwyer Home Weymouth, 3.3 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 4 citations
- Care One at Weymouth Weymouth, 3.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 31 citations
- Colony Center for Health and Rehabilitation Abington, 5.6 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 52 citations
Common questions
- What is Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr get at its last inspection?
- 2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on January 2, 2026. The Massachusetts average is 6.8.
- Has Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr 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 Southwood at Norwell Nursing Ctr?
- CMS lists 6 owners and managers. Legal business name: SOUTHWOOD AT NORWELL NURSING CENTER.
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.