Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
A standard survey is most likely before around November 2026
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of July 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehab during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident reported that during a transfer to bed, an LNA told them to be quiet as their feet began to slide, rather than immediately calling for assistance. The resident had to direct the LNA to get help and then called out for staff personally, and described feeling rushed during the transfer. After the resident was in bed, the staff member asked if they had anything to worry about, which the resident perceived as disrespectful. These actions and statements did not uphold the resident’s right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Surveyors found multiple instances of improperly stored and expired food items, including undated opened bags of strawberries, chicken, and meatballs in the kitchen freezer, expired chickpeas and prunes in dry storage, expired milk and undated cheese in the memory care unit refrigerator, and expired cranberry sauce packets in the kitchen refrigerator. These deficiencies were confirmed by the Dietary Manager and an LNA, and were not in accordance with the facility's food safety policy.
A resident with PTSD experienced ongoing nightmares and repeatedly requested psychological services, but the facility failed to provide access to a psychologist or other behavioral health support. Staff interviews confirmed that no residents were receiving psychological services due to lack of providers, and the facility's own policy requiring behavioral health care was not followed.
A medication error rate of 6.45% was identified when an LPN crushed multiple medications together, mixed them with yogurt, and administered them to a resident, including levothyroxine, which was supposed to be given separately from food and other medications. Additionally, Polyethylene glycol 3350 was only partially consumed but was documented as fully administered. These actions were not in accordance with physician orders or facility policy.
Surveyors found expired blood collection tubes, sampling tubes, and germicidal wipes in the medication storage room, confirmed by the Unit Manager. Additionally, a resident with mild cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions was found with Torsemide tablets left at the bedside, which an RN acknowledged should not have occurred.
The facility failed to store a used ice scoop properly and did not consistently monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures, leading to numerous undocumented and abnormal temperature readings. The ice scoop was found in the ice machine, contrary to policy, and temperature logs showed significant gaps and unreported deviations from acceptable ranges.
The facility failed to provide trauma-informed care for three residents with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Care plans lacked assessments of trauma triggers, and staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and documentation regarding these triggers. The Unit Manager confirmed the absence of trauma-specific information in the care plans, indicating a systemic issue in addressing trauma-informed care.
Two residents in a rehabilitation unit were not offered the COVID-19 vaccine despite being eligible and at high risk for complications. One resident, with multiple high-risk diagnoses, was not screened or educated about the vaccine and later tested positive for COVID-19. Another resident, also high-risk due to age and medical conditions, was not offered a second vaccine dose. The facility lacked a consistent process for identifying residents needing vaccination.
A resident admitted with acute back pain had physician orders to notify the provider if systolic blood pressure fell below 100 mmHg. During their stay, the resident's blood pressure was recorded below this threshold 82 times, with 38 instances marked as abnormal. Despite this, the physician was notified only once. Interviews revealed that the facility's system to alert physicians was not used, highlighting a deficiency in care.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain dignity and respect for one resident during a transfer to bed. During the transfer, as the resident’s feet began to slide on the floor, the LNA assisting them told the resident to be quiet (“shh”) instead of immediately calling for additional help. The resident instructed the LNA to call for assistance and then yelled out for staff themselves before the LNA sought help. The resident reported feeling rushed during the transfer. Once the resident was in bed, the staff member asked, “Do I have anything to worry about?”, which the resident perceived as disrespectful. The Administrator later confirmed the resident’s perspective of this interaction, and the facility’s own Resident Rights policy in effect at the time stated that residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. This sequence of events, including the LNA’s initial response to the resident’s distress, the delay in calling for help, the resident’s perception of being rushed, and the staff member’s subsequent question implying concern for themselves rather than the resident, led to the determination that the resident’s right to dignity and respect was not upheld.
Failure to Properly Store and Label Food Items
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by multiple observations of improperly stored and expired food items. During inspection of the kitchen freezer, several opened bags of diced strawberries, cut chicken, and frozen meatballs were found without dates. The Dietary Manager confirmed these items were opened and not dated. In the dry storage room, two cans of chickpeas were found to be expired, and a bag of prunes was past its use-by date, which was also confirmed by the Dietary Manager. Additionally, in the memory care unit refrigerator, three cartons of milk were found to be expired, and a block of cheese was open and undated, as confirmed by an LNA. Further observations in the kitchen revealed 16 cranberry sauce packets in the refrigerator with a use-by date that had already passed, and the Dietary Manager confirmed these should have been discarded. Additional items in the kitchen freezer, including a package of chicken breast, a packet of chicken patties, and a package of chicken tenders, were also found opened and not dated. These findings were confirmed by the Dietary Manager. The facility's own policy requires all opened or prepared foods to be stored in approved containers, labeled with a description and date, and for TCS foods to be labeled with the date made and use-by date, with unused TCS food discarded within 7 days. The observed failures to follow these procedures led to the deficiency.
Failure to Provide Psychological Services for Resident with PTSD
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary treatment and services for a resident diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The resident experienced ongoing nightmares and sleep disturbances related to PTSD and repeatedly requested psychological services during care meetings. Despite these requests, no psychological services were initiated, and the resident reported that their needs for psychological support were not being met. Observations during interviews confirmed the resident's emotional distress regarding the lack of support for their PTSD. Interviews with facility staff, including the Unit Manager Nurse, Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Social Worker, revealed that no residents were receiving psychological services due to the absence of providers, including telehealth options. The facility had not provided psychological services for at least several months, with staff citing barriers such as internet security clearance for outside providers. The social worker maintained a list of residents who would benefit from psychological services but did not ask residents about their needs due to the inability to provide such services. The facility's own policy required the provision of behavioral health care and services, but documentation showed that the last social services visit for the resident occurred months prior, and no alternative psychological support was provided.
Medication Error Rate Exceeds 5% Due to Improper Administration and Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a medication error rate below 5%, with an observed error rate of 6.45% during medication administration. Out of 31 medication administration opportunities, two errors were identified involving one resident. During observation, an LPN crushed five medications together, mixed them with yogurt, and administered them to a resident. Additionally, Polyethylene glycol 3350 was mixed with water and only partially consumed by the resident, but was documented as fully administered by the LPN. Review of the resident's physician orders revealed that levothyroxine 75mcg was to be given 30-60 minutes before breakfast, separate from food and other medications, and separated by four hours from antacids, iron, or calcium products. The LPN confirmed that levothyroxine was mixed with other medications and yogurt, contrary to the physician's instructions. The Unit Manager also confirmed that this constituted a medication error. Facility policy requires staff to be knowledgeable about medications and to check orders before administration, which was not followed in this instance.
Expired Medications and Improper Medication Storage
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store medications and biologicals within their expiration dates and did not ensure safe medication storage practices. During an inspection of the medication storage room on the Memory Care Unit, expired items were found, including 28 Vacutainer blood collection tubes, 15 ESwab collection and transport sampling tubes, and 2 Micro-Kill Bleach Germicidal Bleach Wipes. The Unit Manager confirmed that these items were expired at the time of observation. Additionally, a resident with mild cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses, including diabetes mellitus type II, COPD, edema, chronic pain syndrome, and a lumbar vertebrae fracture, was found to have two white tablets left at their bedside. The tablets were identified as Torsemide 20 mg, which the resident was prescribed to take by mouth twice daily and three tablets every night. An RN confirmed that the medication was left at the bedside and acknowledged that it should not have been, stating that she thought the resident had taken them after she left the room.
Improper Food Storage and Temperature Monitoring Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food safety by improperly storing a used ice scoop in the ice machine, which is utilized by three kitchenettes. During an inspection, the ice scoop was found lying on the ice inside the machine, contrary to the facility's policy that mandates storing the scoop in a separate storage bin. The lead chef confirmed the improper storage of the ice scoop during interviews conducted at the time of the inspection. Additionally, the facility did not consistently monitor and document the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers, as required by their policy. On the day of the inspection, the refrigerator temperature was recorded at 44 degrees Fahrenheit, which is outside the acceptable range of 33-41 degrees, and this was not reported to a Nutrition Specialist. Furthermore, the freezer temperature was not documented at all. A review of temperature logs from December 2023 to April 2024 revealed numerous instances of undocumented and abnormally high temperatures, with no evidence that these issues were addressed. Interviews with the Nutrition Specialist confirmed the missing documentation for these months.
Failure to Provide Trauma-Informed Care for Residents with PTSD
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide trauma-informed care for three residents diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Resident #33's care plan did not include an assessment of triggers that could re-traumatize the resident, despite a mental health clinician's assessment noting past trauma. Interviews with staff, including an LPN and the Unit Manager, revealed a lack of awareness and documentation regarding the resident's specific trauma triggers. Similarly, Resident #71, who has PTSD and depression, did not have identified trauma-specific triggers in their care plan. Staff interviews confirmed the absence of this critical information. Resident #34, residing in the facility since 2018 with PTSD, also lacked a care plan that identified trauma-related triggers. The Unit Manager acknowledged the deficiency in the care plan for Resident #34, indicating a systemic issue in addressing trauma-informed care for residents with PTSD.
Failure to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines to Eligible Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that eligible residents received the COVID-19 vaccine, as evidenced by the cases of two residents on the rehabilitation unit. Resident #39, who has multiple high-risk diagnoses including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and chronic stage 4 pressure ulcers, was not offered the 2023-2024 seasonal COVID-19 vaccine. There was no documentation of screening for vaccine eligibility, medical contraindications, or education provided to the resident or their representative. The resident tested positive for COVID-19 and reported not being offered the vaccine, which they would have accepted. Similarly, Resident #60, who is at high risk due to age and conditions such as a hip fracture, Alzheimer's, and hypertension, was not offered a second COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-2024 season. The facility lacked documentation of eligibility screening, medical contraindications, or education provided to the resident or their representative. Interviews with the APRN and the Director of Nursing revealed that there was no consistent process or written procedure for identifying residents needing vaccination, despite the facility's policy requiring vaccination offers to all eligible residents.
Failure to Notify Physician of Abnormal Blood Pressure Readings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide care and services according to accepted standards of clinical practice regarding physician orders and notification for a resident. After being admitted to the facility with acute back pain, the resident had physician orders to notify the provider if their systolic blood pressure fell below 100 mmHg. During the resident's stay, their blood pressure was recorded below this threshold 82 times, with 38 instances being marked as abnormal due to readings below 90 mmHg. Despite these occurrences, the facility's records showed that the physician was notified only once, on a specific date, about the abnormal blood pressure readings. Interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and the Unit Manager revealed that the facility's electronic medical record system had features to alert physicians about abnormal readings, but these were not utilized. A specific instance was highlighted where a nurse recorded a critically low blood pressure of 66/43 mmHg, yet there was no documentation of physician notification. Both the ADON and Unit Manager acknowledged the failure to follow physician orders and the lack of communication with the provider, confirming the deficiency in care provided to the resident.
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Illustrative
What surveyors actually found near you
We read the 3 citations issued within 25 miles in the last 12 months — and tell you exactly what happened, in plain English, matched to your record.
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.
Illustrative
A prioritized, do-first checklist
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Risk indicators are statistical estimates from public CMS data — not predictions, findings, or compliance advice.
Nursing homes near Middlebury
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elderwood At Ticonderoga | 17 mi | ★★★★★ | 2 | 0 |
| Wake Robin-linden Nursing Home | 25 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Essex Center For Rehabilitation And Healthcare | 25.8 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Mayo Healthcare Inc. | 27.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Menig Nursing Home | 28.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 7 | 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 July 2026) and official state health department websites.