Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

Nursing Home · Milford, DE

CMS overall rating 2/5 For profit - Limited Liability company

CMS certification number085058

Contact & location

21 W Clarke Avenue
Milford, DE 19963
Sussex County
Phone
(302) 503-7650
ZIP code
19963 – all care providers

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Facility details

Certified beds
100
Residents per day
93.8 (94% occupied)
Ownership
For profit - Limited Liability company
Legal name
Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center LLC
Chain
Nationwide Healthcare Services (7 facilities, avg 2.6★)
Medicare certified since
April 18, 2020
Participates in
Medicare and Medicaid
Council
Resident council

CMS star ratings

Overall★★★★★ 2/5
State avg 3.3
Health inspections★★★★★ 2/5
State avg 2.7
Staffing★★★★★ 2/5
State avg 4.0
Quality measures★★★★★ 4/5
State avg 4.0
Long-stay quality★★★★★ 4/5
Short-stay quality★★★★★ 3/5

Staffing

Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from payroll data. More hours generally mean more time for each resident.

Total nurse staffing
3.96 (state 4.35 · U.S. 3.86)
Registered nurses (RN)
0.76 (state 0.97 · U.S. 0.69)
Licensed practical nurses
1.26 (state 0.98 · U.S. 0.86)
Nurse aides
1.94 (state 2.40 · U.S. 2.32)
Weekend total
3.67 (state 3.89 · U.S. 3.42)
Nursing staff turnover
67.8 (state 41.3 · U.S. 45.8)%
RN turnover
79.4 (state 41.2 · U.S. 42.9)%
Administrators who left
1 in the last year

Inspections

Last standard inspection
February 11, 2026
Health deficiencies (last cycle)
9.0 (state 10.5 · U.S. 9.3)
From complaints
2
Citations on record (3 years)
67 health · 2 fire safety · includes immediate jeopardy
DateCitationSeverityStatus
2026-02-11 Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
F0689 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 G
Actual harm		 Corrected 2025-08-24
2026-02-11 Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
F0552 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2026-03-17
2026-02-11 Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
F0582 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2026-03-17
2026-02-11 Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
F0610 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2026-03-17
2026-02-11 Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
F0656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2026-03-17
2026-02-11 Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
F0695 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2026-03-17
2026-02-11 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
F0880 · Infection Control Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2026-03-17
2025-08-11 Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
F0726 · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-09-11
2025-08-11 Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
F0791 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-09-11
2025-01-28 Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
F0760 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 K
Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
F0697 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 G
Actual harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
F0656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 E
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
F0561 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
F0567 · Resident Rights Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
F0578 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
F0580 · Resident Rights Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
F0585 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
F0609 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-04-24
2025-01-28 Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
F0610 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-04-24
2025-01-28 Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
F0622 · Resident Rights Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
F0625 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Permit a resident to return to the nursing home after hospitalization or therapeutic leave that exceeds bed-hold policy.
F0626 · Resident Rights Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
F0657 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
F0658 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
F0677 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
F0684 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
F0688 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
F0689 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
F0690 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
F0692 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
F0695 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
F0710 · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
F0730 · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
F0755 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
F0758 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 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.
F0761 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
F0773 · Administration Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
F0791 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
F0805 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
F0812 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
F0842 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-04-24
2025-01-28 Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
F0941 · Administration Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.
F0942 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
F0944 · Administration Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
F0945 · Infection Control Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide training in compliance and ethics.
F0946 · Administration Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
F0947 · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2025-01-28 Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
F0949 · Administration Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-03-18
2024-07-09 Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
F0660 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-26
2024-07-09 Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
F0745 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · complaint inspection		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-26

Severity letters A–L combine how widespread a problem was (isolated, pattern, widespread) with how serious (from potential for minimal harm to immediate jeopardy). How to read inspection results

Fines & penalties

3 penalties in the last three years, including $153,884 in fines.

DateTypeAmount
2026-02-11Fine$26,685
2025-01-28Fine$114,368
2024-04-11Fine$12,831

Ownership & management

NameRoleSince
Gelley, Leah (individual)5%+ Direct Ownership Interest · 5%
Gelley, Meir (individual)5%+ Direct Ownership Interest · 95%
Nationwide Healthcare Services (organization)Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE
Gelley, Meir (individual)W-2 Managing Employee · NOT APPLICABLE

Frequently asked questions

What is the rating of Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center?

Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center has a 2-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a scale of 1 to 5, compared with a 3.3-star average in Delaware.

How many beds does Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center have?

It has 100 certified beds and cares for about 94 residents per day.

Has Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center been fined?

Yes. CMS lists 3 penalties totaling $153,884 in the last three years.

Who owns Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center?

It is part of Nationwide Healthcare Services and is classified as for profit - limited liability company. See the ownership table above for all owners and managers reported to CMS.

What is the phone number of Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center?

(302) 503-7650. The facility is located at 21 W Clarke Avenue, Milford, DE 19963.

Other nursing homes in Milford

Compare all nursing homes in Milford, DE →

Source: CMS Care Compare, August 2026. Information is provided as published by CMS; verify details directly with the facility.