Steve Baumann
Sep 2025
I appreciate their efforts. Some days are better than others.
1 / 5Quick Facts
- Total units
- 132
- Medicare rating
- 2 of 5
- Ownership
- Non profit, Corporation
- Certified beds
- 132
- Inspections
- View history (73 citations)
- Ownership model
- Non-profit facility open to all incomes
- Stay length
- Offers both short-term rehab and long-term stays
CMS Care Compare
What Families Think
Reviews for The Bluffs are sharply divided: some families describe deeply attentive, dignified care and strong teamwork among nursing, therapy, and dining staff, while others report serious understaffing, medication errors, and neglect that they say contributed to poor outcomes. The facility's 3.1 Google rating reflects this split between highly positive short-stay rehab experiences and troubling long-term care accounts.
The Good
- Some families praise deeply attentive, dignified care
- Strong teamwork cited across nursing, therapy, dining staff
- Non-profit mission serving residents of all economic backgrounds
- One reviewer rated meals and care very highly
The Bad
- Multiple reports of severe understaffing and neglect
- One report of medication errors and improperly mixed IV medication
- One serious account of mishandled resident transfer and missing belongings
- Mixed reviews on food quality, some calling it unappetizing
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
The Bluffs is a senior living community in Columbia, Missouri offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Housekeeping. Families rate it 3.1 out of 5 across 27 reviews.
About The Bluffs
The Bluffs is a non-profit skilled nursing facility in Columbia, Missouri, serving senior citizens regardless of economic status. Established in 1934, the community has maintained a long-standing presence in the Boone County area, caring for residents of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
As a skilled healthcare provider, The Bluffs offers nursing care designed to meet the medical needs of its residents. The facility emphasizes creating a home environment where staff and residents form close relationships and become family, rather than operating purely as a clinical care setting.
The community's non-profit mission reflects its commitment to serving seniors across all economic circumstances, making skilled nursing care accessible to the broader population it serves.
Types of Care at The Bluffs
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Amenities
Room Amenities
- Emergency Call System
- Wheelchair Accessible
Meals & Dining
- Restaurant style Dining Room
Community Amenities
- 24-Hour Staff
- Gathering / Activity Spaces
- Housekeeping
- Laundry Service
- Medication Management
- On-Site Nurse (RN)
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Help Me ChooseReviews of The Bluffs
3.1overall · 27 ratings combined
3.1★ on Google (27)
Wayne Shoemaker
Apr 2025
The care and meals have proven to exceed expectations. When I asked my 98 year old mother how she would rate this facility on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best she did not hesitate to say 10. I must agree with her.
Jamie Melchert
Aug 2024
Terrible management. Unclean facilities. Workers always unstaffed & overworked.
Angie Van Sistine
Dec 2023
Get your loved ones out now. They do not have to be there. There are other establishments in the area. They do not even currently have a working call button system. Have given those staying there a bell to ring. Help doesn't come. Res<br>orting to having to yell in hopes of getting help. Can't get help to change clothes, brush teeth, wash hair. These are just the basic things. We got our grandmother out . It is possible and not difficult.
Katherine Speichinger
Aug 2023
I have never experienced such poor service, insults, pettiness, reckless behavior from a director of a facility and a social worker. My father was in the skilled nursing unit for about a month. There was one very caring and nice nursing aid who worked week days. The rest of place was understaff, undertrained and over worked. They messed up my Dad's medications, they isolated him, lied about how much therapy he was receiving and did not provide him with regular meals. I hired a sitter to help out and they did not want to approve the extra help for my dad. I ended up having friends, family, or the sitter with my dad from 8am-8pm everyday to advocate for my confused and bed bound father. The director, Royston, told me to take my father home when I complained about the poor service to him for the second time. Someone at the facility told my sister, who lives 2 hours away that I was planning to remove my dad from the facility to take him to my home against doctors orders. I did not think my dad was well enough to move and never planned or attempted this! The facility said my dad was failing therapy, after I inquired about when he was getting all the hours of therapy they were reporting to my sister and in his medical records, since I had someone with him everyday during work hours. Then they said we needed to find a different place for my dad because he was not making enough progress. Then the social worker orchestrated for my sister to COVERTLY transport my dad from the facility on a holiday weekend in her PERSONAL CAR to a facility 2 hours away! This was the first time since my dad's heart attack that he had not been transported by ambulance! When I arrived at the facility Saturday morning of Thanksgiving weekend, I found my FATHER MISSING, but most of his pictures and décor from home still in the Bluffs room. I asked staff where my dad was, and they told me he was with someone who I did not know. It was a holiday weekend there were no activities or therapy and my father was restricted to his room due to recovering from a c. difficile infection. I insisted on knowing where my dad was and called the police to report him missing in front of the staff who was refusing to tell me where my dad was. The staff then ushered me into the conference room and told me my sister, the POA, discharged him. My sister claimed to be POA based on a document that was not signed and was not notarized, even though the Bluffs had also received documents from my dad's will and trust that were signed and notarized which did not list my sister as POA. The social worker told my sister that she was worried that I made up the signed and notarized advanced directive (I read this in an email subpoenaed during a court hearing). They called the police on me to be remove me from the building, because I was insisting on knowing what happened to my missing father. I walked out with the police without problems and explained to them what happened. The police apologized to me, but said it was private property and I was asked to leave so I must leave. I could report my dad missing. Later I returned during regular daytime hours to collect the rest of my dad's belongings, AFTER calling the Bluffs facility first to make sure it was okay, which they said it was and they had gathered his stuff in a box for me to pick up. Then when I told them, that stuff was missing they called the the executive director, Royston. Royston, the executive director, got physically within my personal space insulting and yelling at me. I was scared and left. We are still missing many of my Dad's belongings.
Government Inspection History
9 inspection visits in the last three years, 73 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Jan 30, 2026Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard18 citations
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 16, 2026
Feb 24, 2025Health Complaint1 citation
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 5, 2025
Jan 14, 2025Health Complaint1 citation
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 19, 2025
Nov 1, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth ComplaintHealth Standard18 citations
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity J of L: immediate jeopardy, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 9, 2024
May 20, 2024Health Complaint2 citations
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 21, 2024
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 21, 2024
Apr 25, 2024Health Complaint1 citation
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 11, 2024
Jan 11, 2024Health Complaint1 citation
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 12, 2024
Dec 7, 2023Health Complaint5 citations
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 21, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 21, 2024
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 21, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 21, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 21, 2024
Jun 29, 2023Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard26 citations
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Have an externally vented heating system.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 13, 2023
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of care does The Bluffs offer?
The Bluffs offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Where is The Bluffs located?
The Bluffs is located at 3105 Bluff Creek Drive in Columbia, Missouri.
What do families say about The Bluffs?
Reviews for The Bluffs are sharply divided: some families describe deeply attentive, dignified care and strong teamwork among nursing, therapy, and dining staff, while others report serious understaffing, medication errors, and neglect that they say contributed to poor outcomes. The facility's 3.1 Google rating reflects this split between highly positive short-stay rehab experiences and troubling long-term care accounts.
How did The Bluffs do on recent health and safety inspections?
The Bluffs had 9 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 73 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
How can families visit The Bluffs?
Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with The Bluffs and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.
Work at The Bluffs? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.
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