Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
The next survey window likely opens around April 2027
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of August 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at New Horizons Habersham during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Incorrect MDS Coding and Missing Physician Orders for Monitoring Device: A resident with dementia, mood disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder was observed wearing a monitoring device bracelet on her ankle. The MDS Coordinator and DON confirmed the device was in use, but the Quarterly MDS Section P was coded as no wandering or elopement alarm. The resident’s care plan documented wandering/risk for elopement and use of a monitoring device, while the BIMS score showed severe cognitive impairment.
A resident with diagnoses including craniotomy, neuro-storming, and intracranial hemorrhage was observed with a contracted left hand and no splint or other device in place. Record review showed the contracture was present on admission, hospital OT notes identified the need for treatment, and the MDS showed upper-extremity ROM limitation. The care plan initially lacked ROM or contracture interventions, and the DON and Regional Nurse confirmed the facility did not have a restorative program and that OT notes and referrals were not followed.
Expired IV start kits and nasal swabs intended for resident use were found in a medication storage room. An LPN confirmed the expired dates, and the Regional Nurse stated there was no policy for medication storage and supplies. The DON said the room had been checked for medications but not supplies, and an LPN later reported receiving education on checking expiration dates and reordering supplies.
Improper Storage and Labeling of Wash Basins: Wash basins in several resident rooms on one hall were observed stacked and not bagged or labeled for double-occupancy rooms. The DON confirmed the basins were stacked and unlabeled, and the Regional Nurse was informed of the issue. The facility policy required reusable equipment to be marked as clean with a clear plastic bag or other signifying feature, or placed in a designated clean area.
A facility failed to maintain communication with a dialysis center for a resident with End Stage Renal Disease, leading to a lack of documented communication regarding the resident's dialysis treatments. Interviews with staff, including an LPN and the DON, confirmed the absence of communication, which could result in disjointed care and negative outcomes for the resident.
A facility failed to provide a resident and/or their representative with written information regarding the right to accept or refuse medical treatment and to formulate an advance directive. The resident, who had dementia and other conditions, was rarely understood, emphasizing the need for clear directives. The only document in the resident's file was a Do Not Resuscitate Order from 1994, lacking acknowledgment of receipt or evidence of provided information. An LPN confirmed the absence of an Advance Directive Checklist in the resident's record.
A resident with moderate Alzheimer's dementia and functional quadriplegia had a care plan that failed to address their language barrier and facility-acquired pressure ulcers. The resident, who primarily spoke Spanish, faced communication challenges due to inconsistent use of a translator device. Staff relied on shift reports for pressure ulcer care, and the MDS Coordinator confirmed the absence of necessary interventions in the care plan.
A facility failed to follow its nebulizer machine cleaning policy, leading to infection control issues. A resident with COPD and asthma had nebulizer equipment that was not changed weekly as required, with face masks dated weeks prior and not stored in bags. Staff interviews confirmed the equipment was used without proper cleaning, risking contamination and infection.
A resident with a pressure ulcer received wound care from an LPN who failed to sanitize hands between changing gloves, contrary to the facility's infection control policy. This lapse was observed by the Unit Manager and acknowledged by the LPN, who recognized the importance of hand hygiene in preventing infection. The DON confirmed the expectation for proper hand hygiene to prevent infection risks.
Incorrect MDS Coding and Missing Physician Orders for Monitoring Device
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments were coded accurately and failed to obtain physician orders for one resident, R9, who was reviewed for assessment accuracy and resident safety devices. On observation, R9 was sitting in her wheelchair with a monitoring device bracelet clearly visible on her left ankle. The MDS Coordinator confirmed that R9 wore a monitoring device and that the Quarterly MDS coding in Section P was incorrect, and the DON also confirmed that R9 currently wore a monitoring device. Review of the EMR showed R9 was admitted with diagnoses including dementia, mood disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Her Quarterly MDS dated [DATE] documented a BIMS score of 3, indicating severe cognitive impairment, but Section P (Restraints and Alarms) was coded as 0, indicating no wandering or elopement alarm was in use. Her comprehensive care plan identified wandering/risk for elopement with a start date of 10/13/25 and documented that a monitoring device was in place, with interventions including physical redirection and CNAs ensuring the resident wore the device when at risk for elopement.
Failure to Provide ROM and Splinting Support for Resident With Left Hand Contracture
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide evidence that restorative or occupational therapy services were provided for splinting and range of motion (ROM) for one resident with a left hand contracture. On 05/19/2026, the resident was observed in bed with the left hand out of the covers, contracted, and without a splint, roll, or other device. On 05/20/2026, the resident was again observed resting on a stretcher with the left hand contracted and held up to the chest. The resident stated he needed therapy on his hand. Record review showed the resident had diagnoses including craniotomy, neuro-storming, and intracranial hemorrhage. The admission nursing evaluation dated 01/20/2026 documented a contracture on admission, and hospital OT notes confirmed contracture to the left hand with treatment needed. The quarterly MDS dated 04/25/2026 showed functional limitation in ROM in the upper extremity. The care plan initially had no focus, goal, or interventions for ROM or contractures, and details about a splint for the left hand and refusal to wear it were added later on 05/20/2026. Interviews with the DON and Regional Nurse confirmed the facility did not have a restorative program and that the hospital OT notes and referrals were not followed at the facility.
Expired Supplies Found in Medication Storage Room
Penalty
Summary
Expired IV start supplies and nasal swabs intended for resident use were found in the west hall medication storage room during observation. The bag of swabs was dated with an expiration date, and the peripheral IV start kits were expired with dates from 2024. An LPN confirmed the expired dates on the supplies. During interview, the Regional Nurse stated there was no policy for medication storage and supplies. The DON stated the storage room was checked by the Unit Manager, but the medications had been checked without checking the supplies, and an LPN later reported being educated by the DON on checking expiration dates and reordering supplies as needed.
Improper Storage and Labeling of Wash Basins
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly store and label wash basins in resident rooms on one hall out of four halls. Observation on 05/19/2026 at 9:45 AM revealed wash basins in the bathrooms in rooms 302, 307, and 308 with double occupancy stacked with no name or individual bags for the rooms with double occupants. On 05/21/2026 at 8:30 AM, all washbasins had been discarded from the resident rooms on west hall. The DON confirmed on 05/21/2026 at 8:00 AM that the wash basins in the rooms were stacked and not bagged, and stated that the stacked and unlabeled basins had been discarded. The Regional Nurse stated on 05/21/2026 at 9:30 AM that she had been informed about the wash basins being stacked. Review of the facility policy titled, Equipment Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sterilizing-Infection Prevention and Control, stated that reusable supplies and equipment are cleaned after use and that clean equipment is to be appropriately marked as clean, whether with a clear plastic bag and/or other signifying feature or placed in a designated clean area.
Lack of Communication Between Facility and Dialysis Center
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain communication between the facility and the dialysis center for a resident, R19, who required dialysis services. R19 was admitted with End Stage Renal Disease and was receiving dialysis three times a week. The care plan for R19 included monitoring and reporting various health indicators related to dialysis, such as blood pressure and signs of infection. However, there was no evidence of documented communication between the facility and the dialysis center regarding R19's dialysis treatments. Interviews with facility staff, including an LPN, Unit Manager, and the Director of Nursing, confirmed the lack of communication between the facility and the dialysis center. The LPN stated that there was no exchange of documentation or phone communication between the two entities, which could lead to a disjointed care process. The Director of Nursing expressed that her expectation was for documentation to be exchanged to improve communication, but acknowledged that this was not currently happening. The absence of communication was seen as potentially leading to negative outcomes for the resident, as important information regarding treatments and care could be missed.
Failure to Provide Advance Directive Information
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide written information to a resident and/or their representative regarding the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment, as well as the opportunity to formulate an advance directive. This deficiency was identified during a review of the facility's policy on Advance Directives and the resident's electronic medical record (EMR). The policy aimed to establish guidelines for complying with state and federal laws related to an individual's healthcare wishes, particularly at the end of life or when incapacitated. However, the facility did not adhere to these guidelines for one of the sampled residents. The resident in question, identified as R3, was admitted with diagnoses including dementia, a mental disorder due to a known physiological condition, and unspecified intellectual disabilities. The quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment indicated that R3 was rarely or never understood, highlighting the importance of having clear advance directives. Despite this, the only document in R3's file was a Do Not Resuscitate Order for a resident without decision-making capacity, dated 1994, which lacked a signed acknowledgment of receipt or evidence that the facility provided the necessary written information. An interview with an LPN confirmed the absence of an Advance Directive Checklist in R3's clinical record.
Deficient Care Plan for Resident with Language Barrier and Pressure Ulcers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a comprehensive person-centered care plan for a resident, identified as R57, who had moderate Alzheimer's dementia, functional quadriplegia, and three facility-acquired pressure ulcers. The care plan did not include interventions for R57's language barrier or methods for communication, nor did it address the care required for the pressure ulcers. Observations revealed that R57 primarily spoke Spanish and faced difficulties communicating with staff due to the lack of a consistent communication device. Staff interviews indicated reliance on a translator device kept at the nurses' station, which was not always used, and some staff used nonverbal methods or relied on a bilingual nurse who was not always present. Additionally, the care plan lacked specific interventions for the management of R57's pressure ulcers, with staff relying on shift reports for guidance. Interviews with CNAs and the MDS Coordinator confirmed the absence of care plan interventions for both communication and pressure ulcer care. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged that the care plan should have included these interventions, and it was noted that a focus on the facility-acquired pressure ulcers and language barrier was added after the surveyor's findings.
Failure to Maintain Infection Control in Nebulizer Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its policy on nebulizer machine cleaning, resulting in a deficiency related to infection control. The policy required nebulizer tubing to be changed weekly and as needed, with filters washed or changed weekly. However, observations revealed that nebulizer face masks and equipment for a resident with COPD and asthma were not covered in bags and had not been changed for several weeks. The face masks were dated 11/5 and 11/19, yet nebulization treatments were administered up to five weeks after the earliest date. This indicates a failure to maintain proper infection control practices as outlined in the facility's policy. Interviews with staff, including an LPN, the Unit Manager, and the Director of Nursing, confirmed the deficiency. The LPN admitted to using the same face masks and tubing without changing them, acknowledging that this could lead to infection due to contamination. The Unit Manager and DON both stated that the equipment should be changed weekly and stored in bags to prevent dust and bacteria accumulation. The failure to follow these procedures could result in infections for the resident, as the equipment was placed on potentially dirty surfaces, such as the drawer of the resident's bedside table.
Inadequate Hand Hygiene During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its infection prevention and control policy during a wound treatment for a resident with a pressure ulcer. The policy, dated 7/1/2023, requires hand hygiene to be performed before and after patient contact, and specifically after removing gloves. During an observation on 12/12/2024, an LPN was seen removing soiled gloves and putting on clean gloves without sanitizing her hands in between. This action was witnessed by the Unit Manager, who confirmed the lapse in hand hygiene. The resident involved, identified as having intact cognition and one or more unhealed pressure ulcers, was receiving wound care as per physician's orders. The orders specified cleaning the wound and applying a protective dressing. The LPN acknowledged the failure to sanitize hands, recognizing the importance of hand hygiene in preventing infection. The Director of Nursing also confirmed the expectation for staff to sanitize hands between glove changes to prevent potential infection risks to residents and staff.
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Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
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Nursing homes near Demorest
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pruitthealth - Scenic View | 6.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Gateway Health And Rehab | 10.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 3 | 0 |
| Friendship Health And Rehab | 13.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 5 | 0 |
| Pruitthealth - Toccoa | 13.8 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Bell Minor Home, The | 22.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
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Trusted data, never guesswork. Every citation, penalty, rating and Plan of Correction on this page is sourced from public CMS records (latest release August 2026) and official state health department websites.