Oaks, the

4525 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745 (opens Google Maps) · Bristol County · (508) 542-7069· 122 certified beds · avg 114 residents/day · certified since Oct 10, 1989 · Medicare and Medicaid certified

Certified for both programmes. Certification means the facility can bill Medicaid — it does not mean a Medicaid-funded bed is free right now, so ask directly. Who pays for nursing home care →

Part of chain: LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA (194 facilities, chain avg rating 3.4★)

4/5

Health inspection rating (on-site)

inspected Mar 10, 2026

Serious findings on record

Fines, last 3 years

3.47

Nurse hours/resident/day (adjusted)

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

New to these records? How to read an inspection report →

Health inspection rating: ★★★★☆4/5 · CMS overall rating: 4/5 · how star ratings work →

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 quality measures from resident assessments and claims.

Inspection findings in the public record

Showing the latest 3 of 14 inspection findings. Open the full record below to read every finding.

Mar 10, 2026E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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. F-0695
Mar 10, 2026B · Potential for minimal harm, pattern
The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards. F-0842
Dec 12, 2024E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern
The facility did not have a licensed pharmacist review each resident's complete medication regimen and medical chart every month, or did not follow its own rules for reporting medication problems. F-0756

View all 14 inspection findingsShow only the latest 3 findings

CMS publishes roughly the last three inspection cycles plus recent complaint investigations. Older surveys drop out of the record as new ones are completed — that window is CMS's, not ours. Within it, every citation CMS publishes for this facility is listed here: none excluded.

Date	Severity	What the facility was cited for
Mar 10, 2026	E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern	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. · F-0695
Mar 10, 2026	B · Potential for minimal harm, pattern	The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards. · F-0842
Dec 12, 2024	E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern	The facility did not have a licensed pharmacist review each resident's complete medication regimen and medical chart every month, or did not follow its own rules for reporting medication problems. · F-0756
Dec 12, 2024	E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern	The facility did not try to gradually reduce doses of mood- and mind-altering medications or use non-drug approaches first, as required, or used 'as needed' psychiatric drugs without proper limits. · F-0758
Dec 12, 2024	E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern	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. · F-0880
Dec 12, 2024	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	The facility provided care that did not meet professional standards of quality — the accepted standards that nurses and other clinicians are expected to follow. · F-0658
Sep 12, 2023	E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern	The facility did not keep all essential equipment working safely — things like heating and cooling systems, kitchen equipment, and medical devices. · F-0908
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	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. · F-0580
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	The facility did not keep residents' personal and medical information private and confidential. · F-0583
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	The facility did not accurately assess a resident's health and needs. Assessments are the foundation for all the care a resident receives. · F-0641
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	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. · F-0656
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	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. · F-0761
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	The facility did not provide timely, quality laboratory tests to meet residents' needs. · F-0770
Sep 12, 2023	D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated	The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards. · F-0842

Inspection trend by year

Citations from standard inspections decreased between the last two inspection cycles (4 → 2).

Citations by recorded inspection yearPublished citation counts, not a quality score · Source: CMS, 2026-08-01

All citationsSerious citations (G–L)

2023

2024

2026

All bars start at zero. Exact values and supporting details remain below.

Year	Citations	Worst severity that year
2023	8	E
2024	4	E
2026	2	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)

How to file a complaint about care →

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

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

What these staffing numbers mean →

Nurse time, in contextAdjusted hours per resident per day · Source: CMS, 2026-08-01

This facilityMassachusetts averageU.S. average

Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)

3.47

3.89

3.95

Registered Nurse hours

0.54

0.65

0.69

Weekend total nurse staffing

3.14

3.51

3.50

All bars start at zero. Exact values and supporting details remain below.

Measure	This facility	Massachusetts avg	U.S. avg	Where it stands
Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)	3.47	3.89	3.95	bottom 31% in Massachusetts; bottom 35% in the U.S.
Registered Nurse hours	0.54	0.65	0.69	bottom 39% in Massachusetts; bottom 44% in the U.S.
Weekend total nurse staffing	3.14	3.51	3.50	bottom 33% in Massachusetts; bottom 39% in the U.S.
Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted)	0.24	0.46	0.48	bottom 15% in Massachusetts; bottom 20% in the U.S.
Total nursing staff turnover (%)	28.7	38.2	45.8	top 22% in Massachusetts; top 12% in the U.S.
RN turnover (%)	33.3	42.6	42.9	top 31% in Massachusetts; top 33% in the U.S.

Hours are per resident per day for the most recent quarter of payroll data in this CMS release (2026-08-01) — the same quarter for every facility — 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 3.66, RN 0.57, weekend 3.31.Comparing with Medicare Care Compare? Care Compare shows the raw figure (3.66 here, displayed there as hours and minutes), not the adjusted one above. Both are correct; they answer different questions. Staffing rating: 3/5.

Quality measures: assessments & claims

Note: CMS combines facility-reported resident assessments (MDS) with claims-based measures. These are different sources from on-site inspection findings. Read the measures alongside inspection and staffing records; a high QM rating does not establish that a home is safe.

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

Costs & payment

Price evidence · separate from quality

No verified facility-specific private-pay price is available in our data for Oaks, the. CMS inspection and staffing records do not tell us what this home will charge you.

Calculate a stay from a quote you receive

Use a written private-pay quote. This worksheet adds only the amounts you enter; it does not calculate Medicare, Medicaid or insurance benefits.

Formula: (room rate + daily extras) × days + one-time charges. A 30-day scenario is not a calendar-month quote. Refundable deposits, rate changes and charges you omit are not automatically included. Entries are not saved or sent to our server.

Before you compare prices

Request the room type, effective date and itemized daily rate in writing.
Ask about therapy, medicines, supplies, care-level charges, deposits, refunds and annual increases.
Confirm insurance or Medicaid eligibility and bed availability directly; certification alone does not guarantee either.

Understand who pays for care · How we handle price evidence · Report an incorrect price

Who owns this facility

How to read ownership records →

Ownership records as published by CMS on 2026-08-01. CMS records when an owner joined but not when they left. Listed here and no longer involved? Tell us →

For profit - Limited Liability company

Owner / manager	Type	Role	Stake	Since
New Bedford Medical Investors, LLC	Organization	Direct Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	02/20/2003
Preston, Forrest	Individual	Direct Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	02/20/2003
Preston, Forrest	Individual	Indirect Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	02/20/2003
Cross, Cindy	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	11/01/2003
Fletcher, Todd	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	05/01/2021
Fletcher, Todd	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	11/02/2020
Henry, Terry	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	11/01/2003
Hetzler, Julianne	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	08/01/2023
Hetzler, Julianne	Individual	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	02/28/2025
Lay, Lisa	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	04/24/2017
Lay, Lisa	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	02/09/2018
Life Care Centers of America, INC.	Organization	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	11/01/2003
Life Care Centers of America, INC.	Organization	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	02/11/2025
Long, Zofia	Individual	Managing Control - Governing Body	NOT APPLICABLE	07/01/1999
Long, Zofia	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	07/01/1999
Medeiros, Tayler	Individual	Managing Control - Governing Body	NOT APPLICABLE	10/10/2023
Medeiros, Tayler	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	10/10/2023
New Bedford Medical Investors, LLC	Organization	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	07/15/2019
Preston, Aubrey	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	11/27/2024
Preston, Forrest	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	02/20/2003

Showing 20 of 29 parties CMS has on file for this facility; 9 are not displayed. The full list is in the CMS Ownership dataset.

Other facilities in the same chain

CMS lists this facility under the chain Life Care Centers of America — 194 facilities in the current records. Chain membership says who operates these homes. It says nothing about how any individual one of them was inspected; each has its own record.

Life Care Center of Plainwell — Plainwell, MI · overall 1/5
Rivergate Health Care Center — Riverview, MI · overall 4/5
Rivergate Terrace — Riverview, MI · overall 3/5
Life Care Center of Bridgeton — Bridgeton, MO · overall 2/5
Life Care Center of Brookfield — Brookfield, MO · overall 2/5
Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau — Cape Girardeau, MO · overall 1/5
Life Care Center of Carrollton — Carrollton, MO · overall 3/5
Life Care Center of Grandview — Grandview, MO · overall 2/5abuse

Listed by state, then facility name — not a ranking. Showing 8 of the 193 others, continuing from this facility's own place in that list.

Questions to ask on your visit

Full visit checklist →

Print visit checklist

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

"How many residents here use oxygen or breathing equipment, and who checks that equipment each shift?"
"How do you keep residents' medical records accurate, complete, and secure?"
"Does a pharmacist review every resident's medications and chart monthly, and how are their concerns acted on?"
"What is your approach to psychiatric medications — how do you try non-drug options first and work to reduce doses over time?"
"Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
"Can you tell me what this citation involved and what steps you took to bring care back up to standard?"
"How do you inspect and maintain essential equipment, and how quickly are repairs made?"
"If my family member falls or their condition changes, exactly when and how will I be notified?"

Also worth asking anywhere

"Your weekend nurse staffing is reported below the Massachusetts midpoint — how does the weekend schedule differ from a weekday?"
"Can I see the plan of correction for the findings in your most recent state inspection?"
"CMS reports 29% total nursing staff turnover here — who on the care team has been with you longest?"
"The ownership record on file lists 29 owning or managing parties — who makes the decisions about staffing levels?"
"Can I visit again unannounced, at a mealtime or on a weekend?"

Nearby facilities (12 closest of 37 within 20 miles)

Facility	Distance	City	Overall	Inspection	Flags
Care One at New Bedford	2.8 mi	New Bedford, MA	★★★☆☆	3/5
Alden Court Nursing Care & Rehabilitation Center	5.7 mi	Fairhaven, MA	★★★★☆	4/5
Hathaway Manor Extended Care	6.3 mi	New Bedford, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Sacred Heart Nursing Home	6.4 mi	New Bedford, MA	★★★★★	4/5
Royal of Fairhaven Nursing Center	6.8 mi	Fairhaven, MA	★★☆☆☆	3/5
Nemasket Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center	7.0 mi	Middleborough, MA	★★★☆☆	4/5
Our Ladys Haven of Fairhaven INC	7.5 mi	Fairhaven, MA	★★★★★	4/5
Brandon Woods of New Bedford	7.6 mi	New Bedford, MA	★☆☆☆☆	1/5	SFF
Vantage Health & Rehab of New Bedford	7.7 mi	New Bedford, MA	★☆☆☆☆	2/5
Sarah S Brayton Center	8.9 mi	Fall River, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Brandon Woods of Dartmouth	8.9 mi	South Dartmouth, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Sippican Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center	9.1 mi	Marion, MA	★★★★☆	3/5

Compare this facility with the 3 closest →

Other facilities in the same county

CMS records place this facility in Bristol, MA — 28 certified facilities there. These are outside the 20-mile list above, or far enough down it not to appear.

Regalcare at Taunton — Taunton, MA · overall 1/5
Somerset Ridge Center — Somerset, MA · overall 4/5
Southeast Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center — North Easton, MA · overall 1/5
The Grove at Carvalho — Fall River, MA · overall 1/5

Listed by facility name — not a ranking. Homes already in the table above are not repeated here.

All facilities in New Bedford →

Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 225328.

This page is the printable visit checklist. If your browser did not open the print dialog automatically, use File → Print (Ctrl/⌘-P).

The Care File

Visit checklist — Oaks, the

4525 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745 · (508) 542-7069

Health inspection rating 4/5 · CMS overall 4/5· Fines (3y): $0

Questions for the administrator:

☐ "How many residents here use oxygen or breathing equipment, and who checks that equipment each shift?"
☐ "How do you keep residents' medical records accurate, complete, and secure?"
☐ "Does a pharmacist review every resident's medications and chart monthly, and how are their concerns acted on?"
☐ "What is your approach to psychiatric medications — how do you try non-drug options first and work to reduce doses over time?"
☐ "Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
☐ "Can you tell me what this citation involved and what steps you took to bring care back up to standard?"
☐ "How do you inspect and maintain essential equipment, and how quickly are repairs made?"
☐ "If my family member falls or their condition changes, exactly when and how will I be notified?"
☐ "Your weekend nurse staffing is reported below the Massachusetts midpoint — how does the weekend schedule differ from a weekday?"
☐ "Can I see the plan of correction for the findings in your most recent state inspection?"
☐ "CMS reports 29% total nursing staff turnover here — who on the care team has been with you longest?"
☐ "The ownership record on file lists 29 owning or managing parties — who makes the decisions about staffing levels?"
☐ "Can I visit again unannounced, at a mealtime or on a weekend?"

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 225328 · Verify at medicare.gov/care-compare · Printed from The Care File (thecarefile.com)