D'youville Senior Care

Name: D'youville Senior Care
Address: 981 VARNUM AVENUE, Lowell, MA, 01854, US
Telephone: 9784584083

981 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 · Middlesex County · 208 certified beds · avg 198 residents/day · certified since Jul 1, 1990

1/5

Health inspection rating (on-site)

Serious findings on record

Fines, last 3 years

3.90

Nurse hours/resident/day (adjusted)

What health inspectors found (on-site government inspections — the most independent evidence available)

Health inspection rating: ★☆☆☆☆1/5 · CMS overall rating: 1/5

The health inspection star above is graded on a curve within each state — a set share of each state's facilities gets each star level — so a facility can have few citations and still rate 2–3 stars if others in its state did even better. The overall rating combines that inspection score with staffing and self-reported quality measures.

All citations in the current public record (41)

CMS publishes roughly the last three inspection cycles plus recent complaint investigations. Older surveys drop out of the record as new ones are completed.

Date	Severity	What the facility was cited for
Jun 29, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not keep residents free from significant medication errors — such as giving the wrong drug, the wrong dose, or missing a critical medication. · from a complaint
Apr 15, 2026	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it.
Apr 15, 2026	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock.
Apr 15, 2026	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not treat residents with dignity and respect, or did not honor their rights to make their own decisions and communicate freely. This is one of the most fundamental resident rights.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not develop or follow a complete care plan for each resident — the written roadmap covering all of a resident's needs, with measurable goals and timelines.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility provided care that did not meet professional standards of quality — the accepted standards that nurses and other clinicians are expected to follow.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide proper care for pressure ulcers (bedsores) or did not do enough to prevent new ones from forming. Bedsores develop when residents stay in one position too long without help moving.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide proper foot care for residents. Foot care includes routine care like nail trimming and attention to foot problems, which matter greatly for older adults.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide enough food and fluids to keep residents healthy, such as preventing unplanned weight loss or dehydration.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not safely and appropriately administer IV fluids (fluids given through a vein) for residents who needed them.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide safe, appropriate care for residents who need dialysis — the treatment that filters the blood when kidneys fail.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not make sure residents actually saw their doctor face-to-face at all required visits. Doctors must examine nursing home residents in person on a regular schedule.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide or arrange dental services for its residents. Nursing homes are responsible for making sure residents can get dental care.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility's menus did not meet residents' nutritional needs, or were not prepared in advance, followed as written, kept up to date, or reviewed by a dietician.
Apr 15, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards.
Feb 17, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not honor residents' right to make their own choices about their daily lives, such as when to wake up, what to eat, or how to spend their time. · from a complaint
Feb 17, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility provided care that did not meet professional standards of quality — the accepted standards that nurses and other clinicians are expected to follow. · from a complaint
Jan 13, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not treat residents with respect and dignity, or did not let them keep and use their own personal belongings. · from a complaint
Jan 13, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not develop and follow policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. These written safeguards are the foundation of resident protection. · from a complaint
Jan 13, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft to the proper authorities quickly enough, or did not report the results of its investigation. · from a complaint
Dec 4, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide proper foot care for residents. Foot care includes routine care like nail trimming and attention to foot problems, which matter greatly for older adults. · from a complaint
Apr 11, 2025	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock.
Apr 11, 2025	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not get its food from approved, safe sources, or did not store, prepare, and serve food according to professional food safety standards.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not allow residents to take their own medications when a clinical review showed they could do so safely. Residents have this right if their care team determines it's appropriate.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not create and follow a basic care plan covering a new resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of admission. The first days are when a new resident is most vulnerable.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not develop or follow a complete care plan for each resident — the written roadmap covering all of a resident's needs, with measurable goals and timelines.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility provided care that did not meet professional standards of quality — the accepted standards that nurses and other clinicians are expected to follow.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide the help residents need with basic daily activities — like bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom — for residents who cannot do these things on their own.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not make sure special medical diets — like low-sodium or diabetic diets — were properly ordered by the resident's doctor or managed by a qualified dietitian as state law allows.
Apr 11, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards.
Aug 21, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards. · from a complaint
May 31, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock.
May 31, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not immediately notify the resident, their doctor, and a family member when something significant happened — such as an injury, a decline in health, or a room change. Families and doctors are entitled to know right away.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not respond appropriately to alleged violations, such as reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. Facilities must investigate every allegation and protect residents while they do.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility provided care that did not meet professional standards of quality — the accepted standards that nurses and other clinicians are expected to follow.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not help a resident get vision and hearing services — such as eye exams, glasses, hearing tests, or hearing aids.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not safely and appropriately administer IV fluids (fluids given through a vein) for residents who needed them.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not make sure special medical diets — like low-sodium or diabetic diets — were properly ordered by the resident's doctor or managed by a qualified dietitian as state law allows.
May 31, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide special eating equipment and utensils — like adaptive cups or easy-grip silverware — for residents who need them, along with appropriate help at meals.

Inspection trend by year

Citations from standard inspections increased between the last two inspection cycles (9 → 15).

Year	Citations	Worst severity that year
2024	10	E
2025	10	E
2026	21	E

Counts reflect the current CMS public record (~3 inspection cycles plus complaint investigations); years with no surveys show no row. Inspection frequency varies, so compare severity as well as counts.

Fines and enforcement (last 3 years)

No fines or payment denials in the published 3-year window.

Nurse staffing (from payroll records, adjusted for how much care residents need)

Measure	This facility	Massachusetts avg	U.S. avg	Where it stands
Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)	3.90	3.89	3.95	top 38% in Massachusetts; top 44% in the U.S.
Registered Nurse hours	0.20	0.65	0.69	bottom 1% in Massachusetts; bottom 3% in the U.S.
Weekend total nurse staffing	3.64	3.51	3.50	top 32% in Massachusetts; top 36% in the U.S.
Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted)	0.10	0.46	0.48	bottom 1% in Massachusetts; bottom 1% in the U.S.
Total nursing staff turnover (%)	36.4	38.2	45.8	top 47% in Massachusetts; top 27% in the U.S.
RN turnover (%)	42.9	42.6	42.9	bottom 49% in Massachusetts; bottom 49% in the U.S.

Hours are per resident per day, case-mix adjusted by CMS so facilities caring for sicker residents can be compared fairly (same basis as the CMS staffing star). "Top X%" means better than most facilities: more staffing hours, or lower turnover. Raw (unadjusted) reported hours: total 3.79, RN 0.20, weekend 3.53. Staffing rating: 3/5.

Self-reported quality measures

Note: these ratings are based on data the facility reports about itself to CMS. They are not independently verified by inspectors, and can look better than inspection findings. Give more weight to the inspection results above.

Quality measures rating: 3/5 · long-stay residents: 4/5 · short-stay residents: 2/5

Who owns this facility

Non profit - Corporation

Owner / manager	Type	Role	Stake	Since
Altenweg, Mark	Individual	W-2 Managing Employee	NOT APPLICABLE	09/07/2007
Altenweg, Mark	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	09/07/2007
Altenweg, Mark	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	11/03/2003
Altenweg, Mark	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	09/07/2007
Archambault, Jeanne	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	04/18/2011
Bresnick, Louis	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	11/08/2017
Brown, Thomas	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	06/22/2010
Clermont, Joaseph	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	12/01/2014
Cochran, Mark	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	06/22/2010
D'youville Leadership Solutions, INC	Organization	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	01/01/2012
Ferrick, Michael	Individual	W-2 Managing Employee	NOT APPLICABLE	05/08/2017
Ferrick, Michael	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	05/08/2017
Frechette, Gerard	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	02/28/2013
Gori, Peter	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	04/23/2014
Harden, Diane	Individual	W-2 Managing Employee	NOT APPLICABLE	08/25/2006
Hoey, Amy	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	03/29/2012
Howard, Carol	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	04/23/2014
Knight, Margaret	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	03/25/2015
Larochelle, Steven	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	04/23/2014
Leblanc, Pauline	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	02/28/2013

Questions to ask on your visit

Generated from this facility's actual citation record — bring them to a tour and ask the administrator directly.

"What systems do you use to prevent medication errors, and what happens when one occurs?"
"How many residents here use oxygen or breathing equipment, and who checks that equipment each shift?"
"Can you show me how medications are stored and secured on the units, including controlled drugs?"
"Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
"Can you give me examples of how your staff protect residents' dignity in everyday care, like bathing and dressing?"
"Can you show me an example care plan, and how are families included when it's created and updated?"
"Can you tell me what this citation involved and what steps you took to bring care back up to standard?"
"How do you prevent bedsores for residents who can't move themselves, and how often are at-risk residents repositioned?"
"What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
"Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"

Nearby facilities (within 20 miles)

Facility	Distance	City	Overall	Inspection	Flags
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	0.1 mi	Lowell, MA	★☆☆☆☆	1/5
D'youville Care for Advanced Therapy	0.3 mi	Lowell, MA	★★★★★	5/5
Fairhaven Healthcare Center	0.9 mi	Lowell, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Regalcare at Lowell	1.7 mi	Lowell, MA	★☆☆☆☆	1/5
Palm Springs Post Acute	1.9 mi	Chelmsford, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Care One at Lowell	3.3 mi	Lowell, MA	★★★☆☆	3/5
Sunny Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Ctr	3.8 mi	Chelmsford, MA	★★★★☆	4/5
Vantage at Lowell LLC	4.2 mi	Lowell, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
New England Pediatric Care	4.9 mi	North Billerica, MA	★★★★★	5/5
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley	4.9 mi	Billerica, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Blaire House of Tewksbury	6.5 mi	Tewksbury, MA	★☆☆☆☆	1/5	SFF
Fairview Nursing Home	6.8 mi	Hudson, NH	★☆☆☆☆	1/5

Compare this facility with the 3 closest →

All facilities in Lowell →

Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 225515.

The Care File

Visit checklist — D'youville Senior Care

981 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 · 9784584083

Health inspection rating 1/5 · CMS overall 1/5· Fines (3y): $0

Questions for the administrator:

☐ "What systems do you use to prevent medication errors, and what happens when one occurs?"
☐ "How many residents here use oxygen or breathing equipment, and who checks that equipment each shift?"
☐ "Can you show me how medications are stored and secured on the units, including controlled drugs?"
☐ "Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
☐ "Can you give me examples of how your staff protect residents' dignity in everyday care, like bathing and dressing?"
☐ "Can you show me an example care plan, and how are families included when it's created and updated?"
☐ "Can you tell me what this citation involved and what steps you took to bring care back up to standard?"
☐ "How do you prevent bedsores for residents who can't move themselves, and how often are at-risk residents repositioned?"
☐ "What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
☐ "Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"

While you're there, notice:

☐ Smell and cleanliness in hallways, not just the lobby
☐ How staff speak to residents; call lights answered promptly
☐ Residents up, dressed, and engaged (visit mealtimes and a weekend if you can)

Data: CMS Provider Data Catalog, version 2026-08-01 · CCN 225515 · Verify at medicare.gov/care-compare · Printed from The Care File (thecarefile.com)