Skilled NursingContinuing Care (CCRC / Life Plan)CMS verified

Heron's Key

4340 Borgen Blvd Nw, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 · Pierce County

Discover Heron’s Key, a Life Plan Community in Gig Harbor, WA, offering independent living with access to higher levels of care, engaging programs, and a welcoming, resident-centered community.

5.0CMS overall rating(253) 313-0800 Visit website ↗

100

Exceptional

Haven Scout Score

Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates exceptional.

Photos via google places, facility website.

Availability outlookModerate availability

Typically 72% full — openings are usually available.

Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.

Our evaluation

An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.

One of Gig Harbor's top-rated skilled nursing communities

Heron's Key is a non-profit skilled nursing facility in Gig Harbor, WA, with 30 certified beds and an average of about 22 residents per day. It is part of a continuing care retirement community, so residents can often move between levels of care on one campus.

Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall — above the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 5/5 on health inspections, 5/5 on staffing, 5/5 on quality measures.

Staff provide about 4.87 total nurse hours per resident each day (1.72 of them from registered nurses), above the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 28%, better than the ~52% national average — a sign of staffing stability. On the safety record, CMS notes 3 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey, and 1 federal fine totaling $15,015 in the recent record.

Strengths

✓5-star overall CMS rating
✓Strong health-inspection rating
✓Above-average nurse staffing (4.87 hrs/resident/day)
✓Low staff turnover (continuity of care)
✓Full sprinkler system
✓Active resident & family council

Things to ask about

None noted in the public data.

Best for: Families who want a highly rated, well-staffed setting in Gig Harbor for 24/7 skilled nursing or post-hospital rehabilitation.

At a glance

Certified beds: 30
Avg. residents/day: 22
Ownership: Non profit - Corporation
Part of a chain: Independent
Continuing care: Yes — multiple care levels
CMS provider #: 505531

Federal quality ratings

From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.

Overall rating

Health inspections

Staffing

Quality measures

Pricing & cost

We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.

Level of care	Monthly cost	Source
Skilled Nursing	$12,540–$15,810/mo (median $13,790)	Local market estimate
Continuing Care (CCRC / Life Plan)	$3,330–$9,140/mo (median $7,240)	Local market estimate

2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Tacoma prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs

Request exact pricing for Heron's Key →

Staffing & care

More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.

Total nurse hrs / resident / day: 4.87; National avg ≈ 3.9
RN hrs / resident / day: 1.72; National avg ≈ 0.75
Nursing staff turnover: 28%; National avg ≈ 52%

Safety & inspection record

Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.

Health deficiencies (last survey): 3
Federal fines: 1 ($15,015)
Total penalties: 1
Last standard survey: 2026-02-13
Sprinkler system: Yes
Resident & family council: Both

What inspectors found

The most recent findings from federal health inspections (19 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.

2026-02-13Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

2026-02-13Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

2026-02-13Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.

2024-11-15Severity F — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

Give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.

2024-11-15Severity F — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

2024-11-15Severity E — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

2024-11-15Severity E — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

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.

2024-11-15Severity D — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.

Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.

Penalty history

Federal fines and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials on record.

Date	Type	Amount
2023-08-31	Fine	$15,015

Services & amenities

✓ Continuing care community (multiple care levels on one campus)
✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
✓ Memory care
✓ Pet friendly
✓ Restaurant-style dining
✓ Fitness center
✓ Wellness programs
✓ Daily activities & events

Location

4340 Borgen Blvd Nw, Gig Harbor, WA

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Reviews & reputation

We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.

Google

4.7

62 reviews →

Verified family reviews

No verified family reviews yet for Heron's Key.

Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.

Talk to an advisor about this community

Common questions about Heron's Key

How much does Heron's Key cost?

Heron's Key does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Gig Harbor, WA area typically runs $12,540–$15,810 per month (median $13,790, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.

What is Heron's Key's Medicare rating?

Medicare (CMS) rates Heron's Key 5 out of 5 stars overall, including 5/5 for health inspections, 5/5 for staffing, 5/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.

How is the staffing at Heron's Key?

Staff provide about 4.87 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 28% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.

What did inspectors find at Heron's Key?

Heron's Key has 19 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2026-02-13). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.

Does Heron's Key have availability?

Typically 72% full — openings are usually available. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.

What types of care does Heron's Key offer?

Heron's Key in Gig Harbor, WA offers skilled nursing, continuing care (ccrc / life plan) and is licensed for 30 beds.

The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you

Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.

Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Tacoma.
The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.

Start with a free shortlist →Take the 2-minute assessment

Your next steps — this week

1
Confirm the fit
Check the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
2
Get exact pricing & availability
Request current rates for Heron's Key — takes one minute, answered same day.
3
Tour 2–3 communities
Compare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
4
Hold a spot
Most communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.