Comprehensive Review: Elmhurst Care Center - East Elmhurst, NY

Introduction and overview

Elmhurst Care Center Inc is a 240-bed skilled nursing facility at 100-17 23rd Avenue in East Elmhurst, New York (ZIP 11369). It is certified by both Medicare and Medicaid and runs as a for-profit corporation. On Medicare.gov Care Compare, the federal government's official nursing home rating tool, Elmhurst holds an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, the top 'much above average' category. Its federal facility ID (CCN) is 335814. This review is grounded in that official Care Compare data, which draws on state health inspections, payroll-verified staffing records, and clinical quality measures.

At a glance

Services and care options

Core services

Specialized care programs

• Cardiac Recovery: Care for patients recovering from heart events
• Post-Surgical Care: Support for recovery after operations
• Stroke Rehabilitation: Therapy to help regain function after stroke
• Pulmonary Care: Treatment for respiratory conditions

Amenities and lifestyle

Living spaces

• Private and semi-private rooms with private bathrooms
• Emergency call systems in all rooms
• Housekeeping and laundry services

Community amenities

• Activity center for social engagement
• Library and game room
• Outdoor walking paths
• Beauty salon and barber services (availability may vary)

Dining experience

• Restaurant-style dining with nutritious meal options
• Special accommodations for various dietary needs
• Healthy snacks and kosher meals available

Daily activities and resident engagement

A structured activity schedule matters. It gives residents social contact, keeps them physically active, and provides mental stimulation. Elmhurst offers exercise classes, game nights, art workshops, health talks, music therapy, and religious services. When evaluating the facility, ask how many residents actually participate and whether activities can be adjusted for different abilities and preferences.

Medicare star ratings at a glance

What the ratings say

• On Medicare.gov Care Compare, Elmhurst Care Center holds a 5 out of 5 star overall rating, the highest 'much above average' category. That overall score is a roll-up of three underlying measures rather than a single opinion.
• The facility scores 4 out of 5 stars for health inspections, 3 out of 5 stars for nurse staffing, and 5 out of 5 stars for quality measures. The sections below explain what each of these means for day-to-day care.

Paying for care

How nursing home care is paid for

As a Medicare- and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility, Elmhurst is paid mainly through those public programs rather than a fixed monthly rent like assisted living. Medicare Part A can cover a short, medically necessary stay after a qualifying hospital admission, generally up to 100 days per benefit period, with daily cost sharing after day 20. Longer custodial stays are most often covered by Medicaid for residents who qualify, or paid privately. Confirm coverage and any out-of-pocket costs directly with the facility's admissions office and your insurer.

What's included

• 24/7 access to certified caregivers
• Three meals per day
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Utilities (excluding phone and cable)
• Participation in activities and social events

Payment options

• Medicare certified
• Medicaid certified

• Private insurance accepted
• Private pay options available

Management and staff quality

Nurse staffing (payroll-verified)

Nurse staffing figures on Care Compare come from payroll records that facilities must submit to the government, so they are harder to inflate than self-reported numbers. At Elmhurst, residents receive about 3.15 total nurse staffing hours per resident per day. That sits a little below the rough national benchmark of around 3.5 hours, which helps explain the middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5 star staffing rating.

Registered nurse time is a relative strength here at roughly 0.58 RN hours per resident per day, alongside about 0.46 licensed practical nurse hours and 2.12 nurse aide hours per resident per day. The facility reports serving an average of about 224 residents per day across its 240 certified beds.

Staffing averages do not tell the whole story, but they are worth probing. When you tour, ask how coverage holds up on nights, weekends, and holidays, since daily averages can hide thin staffing during off-peak shifts.

Health inspections and quality measures

• Elmhurst's 4 out of 5 star health inspection rating reflects findings from state surveyors who visit on the government's behalf. Its most recent standard health inspection took place on July 3, 2024.
• At that inspection, surveyors cited a small number of deficiencies, all at lower severity levels (letters C through E on the federal scale, meaning no actual harm to residents was found). Care Compare shows no federal fines or payment denials on record for this facility, and it does not carry an abuse warning icon.
• The facility earns 5 out of 5 stars for quality measures, the metrics that track resident outcomes such as pressure ulcers, falls, infections, and returns to the hospital. This is the strongest of its three rating components.

Inspection results and quality scores change over time. You can pull the current report, including any survey newer than July 2024, directly on Medicare.gov Care Compare by searching the facility name.

Unique features and programs

• Rehabilitation covers a full range of therapy services built around individualized treatment plans.
• The facility sits near major New York City hospitals, which is convenient for post-operative care.
• Activities and celebrations reflect the diverse communities of New York City.

Comparing Elmhurst with other nursing homes

Care Compare lets you line up Elmhurst against other Medicare-certified nursing homes in Queens and the surrounding boroughs using the same star ratings, so you are comparing like with like rather than against assisted living or private-pay communities. A 5 out of 5 star overall rating places Elmhurst in the top tier of nursing homes nationally, but ratings can shift after each new inspection, so check the current numbers before you decide.

Recommendations for prospective residents and families

1. Schedule an on-site visit. Ratings are a strong starting point, but a tour tells you what the data cannot. Watch how staff interact with residents, check cleanliness, and note the overall atmosphere. Call the facility at (718) 205-8100 to arrange a visit.
2. Eat a meal there and join a community activity to gauge the quality of dining and daily engagement.
3. Ask to see sample care plans and how they are developed and adjusted over time, which matters given the range of services offered.
4. Ask about staff-to-resident ratios on different shifts and on weekends. Because total nursing hours run a little below average, it is worth knowing whether coverage stays consistent across all shifts.
5. Ask how families are kept informed about a resident's health, and confirm how to reach a nurse or doctor with questions about care.
6. Ask how the facility safeguards residents' personal belongings and what its safety procedures are, especially on overnight shifts.
7. Ask for a clear breakdown of costs and any additional fees, and discuss how costs may change as care needs evolve.
8. Ask about Medicare and Medicaid coverage and any other financial assistance programs available.

Conclusion

Elmhurst Care Center is a large, for-profit skilled nursing facility in East Elmhurst that performs well on the federal government's official yardstick. On Medicare.gov Care Compare it holds a 5 out of 5 star overall rating, with top marks for quality measures (5 stars) and strong health inspection results (4 stars), plus a middle score for nurse staffing (3 stars).

Its 3.15 total nurse staffing hours per resident per day sit a little below the rough national benchmark of about 3.5 hours, so coverage during nights and weekends is a fair thing to ask about. Its most recent inspection, in July 2024, turned up only lower-level deficiencies, and the facility carries no federal fines or abuse flags on record.

Star ratings are a reliable screen, not a substitute for seeing a place yourself. Tour the facility, talk with current residents and families, review the latest inspection report, and confirm it can meet your loved one's specific medical needs before deciding. For the most current ratings and inspection details, search 'Elmhurst Care Center' on Medicare.gov Care Compare.