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Skilled NursingCMS verified

Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

1010 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 · Middlesex County

1.0CMS overall rating(978) 458-8773Visit website ↗
26
Use Caution
Haven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates use caution.
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 1Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 2Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 3Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 4Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 5Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 6Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 7Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 8Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center photo 9

Photos via google places, facility website.

Availability outlookFills quickly

Typically 94% full (116 of 123 beds occupied on an average day).

If this community is on your shortlist, checking current openings sooner rather than later genuinely matters here.

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.

A low federal rating — review the details closely

Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Lowell, MA, with 123 certified beds and an average of about 116 residents per day. It operates as part of the Athena Healthcare Systems network.

Medicare rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall — below the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 1/5 on health inspections, 2/5 on staffing, 3/5 on quality measures.

Staff provide about 2.89 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.40 of them from registered nurses), below the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 25.8%, better than the ~52% national average — a sign of staffing stability. On the safety record, CMS notes 22 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey, and 2 federal fines totaling $165,780 in the recent record.

Strengths

  • Low staff turnover (continuity of care)
  • Full sprinkler system
  • Active resident & family council

Things to ask about

  • Below-average 1-star overall CMS rating
  • Below-average health-inspection rating
  • Below-average nurse staffing (2.89 hrs/resident/day)
  • 22 deficiencies at last survey
  • $165,780 in federal fines
Best for: Families considering this community should tour in person, request the latest survey, and weigh it against higher-rated Lowell options — our advisors can help you compare.

At a glance

Certified beds
123
Avg. residents/day
116
Ownership
For profit - Partnership
Part of a chain
Athena Healthcare Systems
Continuing care
No
CMS provider #
225298

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 careMonthly costSource
Skilled Nursing$14,050–$17,500/mo (median $15,350)Local market estimate

2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Cambridge 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 Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

Staffing & care

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

Total nurse hrs / resident / day
2.89
National avg ≈ 3.9
RN hrs / resident / day
0.40
National avg ≈ 0.75
Nursing staff turnover
25.8%
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)
22
Federal fines
2 ($165,780)
Total penalties
2
Last standard survey
2025-08-15
Sprinkler system
Yes
Resident & family council
Resident

What inspectors found

The most recent findings from federal health inspections (55 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.

2025-08-15Severity E — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

2025-08-15Severity E — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

2025-08-15Severity D — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

2025-08-15Severity D — potential for harmFreedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

2025-08-15Severity D — potential for harmFreedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

2025-08-15Severity D — potential for harmFreedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

2025-08-15Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

2025-08-15Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

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.

DateTypeAmount
2024-08-29Fine$85,178
2023-08-10Fine$80,602

Services & amenities

  • Full automatic sprinkler system
  • Medicare & Medicaid certified
  • 24-hour licensed nursing
  • On-site rehabilitation therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Restaurant-style dining
  • Library
  • Private rooms available
  • 24-hour staff

Location

1010 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA

  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours

Reviews & reputation

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

Verified family reviews

No verified family reviews yet for Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center.

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 Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

How much does Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center cost?

Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Lowell, MA area typically runs $14,050–$17,500 per month (median $15,350, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.

What is Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center's Medicare rating?

Medicare (CMS) rates Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center 1 out of 5 stars overall, including 1/5 for health inspections, 2/5 for staffing, 3/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.

How is the staffing at Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center?

Staff provide about 2.89 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 25.8% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.

What did inspectors find at Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center?

Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has 55 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2025-08-15). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.

Does Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center have availability?

Typically 94% full (116 of 123 beds occupied on an average day). Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.

What types of care does Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center offer?

Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Lowell, MA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 123 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 Cambridge.
  • 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.

Your next steps — this week

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

Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.

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