MyLivingChoice

Gardner Heights

172 Rocky Rest Road

4(23 ratings)· Shelton average: 4.6

Gardner Heights, photo 11 / 5

Quick Facts

Total units
130
Medicare rating
2 of 5

CMS Care Compare

Ownership
For profit, Corporation
Certified beds
130
Specialized care
Trained for tracheostomy care and TPN nutrition support
Network affiliation
Part of 21-location Apple Rehab network in CT/RI

What Families Think

Families describe Gardner Heights as a skilled nursing and rehab facility where many residents received attentive, compassionate long-term care, especially praised for nursing and therapy staff. However, a few reviewers reported serious problems including billing errors after a resident's death, missing belongings, and unprofessional treatment.

The Good

  • Staff formed genuine bonds with long-term residents
  • Nurses and aides praised for attentive, gentle care
  • Therapists described as excellent
  • Specialized care for tracheostomy and TPN patients
  • On-site memory care program for dementia residents

The Bad

  • One report of theft of resident's belongings
  • One report of incorrect billing after resident's death
  • One reviewer described disrespectful treatment and name-calling by staff
  • One reviewer noted it's hard to reach staff nights and weekends

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

Gardner Heights is a senior living community in Shelton, Connecticut offering Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Gathering / Activity Spaces, Social Activities and Housekeeping. Families rate it 4.0 out of 5 across 23 reviews.

About Gardner Heights

Gardner Heights Health Care Center is a rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility in Shelton, Connecticut, part of the Apple Rehab network. The center offers post-acute rehabilitation services designed to help residents return to independent living through comprehensive, physician-driven programs.

The facility provides 24-hour nursing care and specialized medical services including physical, occupational, and speech language therapies. Gardner Heights is extensively trained to care for residents with tracheostomies and provides Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), daily trach maintenance, and extensive respiratory services to support residents with complex medical needs and reduce disease progression.

Beyond rehabilitation, the center operates a memory care program that provides comprehensive, holistic care in a safe and secure environment. This program incorporates clinical oversight, therapeutic modalities, patient education, nutrition services, and social support to help residents maintain wellness and live as independently as possible.

Apple Rehab, of which Gardner Heights is a part, operates twenty-one locations throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island and specializes in programs tailored to meet individual patient needs. The facility's staff is committed to treating every resident like family while providing comfortable accommodations to help residents feel at home during their recovery.

Types of Care at Gardner Heights

Memory CareSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Emergency Call System
  • Private Bathroom
  • Private Rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Meals & Dining

  • Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Nurse (RN)
  • Security

Activities

  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Reviews of Gardner Heights

4overall · 23 ratings combined

4★ on Google (23)

Laura Pelosi

Jan 2026

via Google

I would of gave it no stars actually. My father was brought there for rehab which they lied and said he wouldn't participate in therapy and needed a family member to help out. When I arrived to do so at the appointment time the therapist suddenly had a family emergency and they canceled it. They also sent paperwork to his insurance saying he wasn't participating. They stole items out of his room and left him there for hours without checking on him. I've been getting a bill ever since he passed away 3/29/24 for resident amount and he wasn't one. If I had to do all over again I would of never sent him there.

Amanda Tomasko

Aug 2025

via Google

My Nana came to Gardner Heights in January of this year, when she was unable to live on her own anymore. She had a great connection with the staff and made many relationships with fellow residents. You could always find her in the halls talking to someone. I can’t thank the staff enough for the care they gave her from day one, through all her ups and downs and ultimately until she took her last breath last month. Special thanks to Michelle and Whitney for always going above and beyond, I am forever grateful!

Carolee LaRowe

May 2025

via Google

From the presentation of driving into third parking lot is very small not only did I visually see the smallness nowhere for these clients to even walk outside the driveway is broken up. I feel like I’m on cobblestones The bathrooms are shared between two rooms two men on one side to female on the other side knock knock. I gotta go to the bathroom. There’s a guy on the other side in the bathroom of a female bathroom very disrespectful. I sure know how to dress and dress the affected arms, which obviously it was not and you have a broken arm. You dress that arm first and there goes the other arm that did not happen when I showed up to my mother‘s room. I don’t believe this is a 4.5 star rating and whoever rated this you need to really look out the building calling my mother names is not what I expected out of our nursing home as a nurses aid myself I would’ve been fired if I disrespected a client a patient like the way my mother was. I’m very disappointed in the nursing home. I would never ever send my mother to this home ever again

Kate Ramunni

Apr 2024

via Google

My husband was there from March 2022 until he died on Aug. 15, 2023. He could be very difficult but for the most part the aides were able to handle him with grace. The nurses were very good. Frank was well cared for and was changed and cleaned regularly. The nurses and aides were very pleasant. Hard to get a hold of people nights and weekends but you’ll find that at any nursing home. Overall I was very pleased with the care my husband received.

Cynthia Ciarcia

Nov 2018

via Google

My mother has resided here for over 6 months now and I cannot express in words how happy we are with this facility. She has been a long term care patient for over a yr and a half and was at another facility prior to this one. I must say, without naming the other place there is no comparison. My mother is much more comfortable at Gardner heights. The staff there is very attentive from the administrative office down to the aides anytime we needed any kind of assistance someone was there to guide us or do anything that needed to be done to make sure her needs are being met. The therapists at this facility are amazing!! Before transferring her to Gardner heights I did a lot of research and visited many facilities over several weekends. This was the facility that attracted me the most. I am very pleased with my decision to have my mother cared for here and would highly recommend them.

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Government Inspection History

8 inspection visits in the last three years, 44 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Apr 27, 2026Health Complaint5 citations
  • Provide appropriate foot care.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 7, 2026

  • Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 7, 2026

  • Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 7, 2026

  • Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 7, 2026

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 7, 2026

May 28, 2025Health Complaint1 citation
  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 17, 2025

Aug 19, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard11 citations
  • 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 Sep 30, 2024

  • 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 Sep 30, 2024

  • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Sep 30, 2024

  • Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Sep 30, 2024

  • Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 25, 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, isolatedCorrected Sep 30, 2024

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 30, 2024

  • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 30, 2024

  • Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 30, 2024

  • 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 Sep 30, 2024

  • Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 13, 2024

Aug 8, 2024Health Complaint2 citations
  • 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 Sep 19, 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 Sep 19, 2024

Sep 27, 2023Health Complaint2 citations
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity J of L: immediate jeopardy, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Oct 23, 2023

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Oct 23, 2023

Aug 25, 2023Health Complaint1 citation
  • Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 25, 2023

Jan 28, 2022Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard14 citations
  • 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 Mar 11, 2022

  • Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 6, 2022

  • Have exits that are accessible at all times.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 6, 2022

  • Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 6, 2022

  • To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 6, 2022

  • Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

  • Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

  • Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

  • 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 11, 2022

  • Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

  • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

  • 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 Mar 11, 2022

  • 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 D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 11, 2022

Aug 22, 2019Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard8 citations
  • Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 7, 2019

  • 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 Oct 7, 2019

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 7, 2019

  • Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 7, 2019

  • Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 7, 2019

  • Have exits that are accessible at all times.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 7, 2019

  • Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 7, 2019

  • Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 7, 2019

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 Gardner Heights offer?

Gardner Heights offers Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

Where is Gardner Heights located?

Gardner Heights is located at 172 Rocky Rest Road in Shelton, Connecticut.

What do families say about Gardner Heights?

Families describe Gardner Heights as a skilled nursing and rehab facility where many residents received attentive, compassionate long-term care, especially praised for nursing and therapy staff. However, a few reviewers reported serious problems including billing errors after a resident's death, missing belongings, and unprofessional treatment.

How did Gardner Heights do on recent health and safety inspections?

Gardner Heights had 8 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 44 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 Gardner Heights?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Gardner Heights and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

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