Masonicare Wallingford Review: Real Costs & Care Quality

Masonicare Wallingford is one of Connecticut's largest senior care facilities with 336 beds for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. The nonprofit has "As Expected" ratings for both types of care. If you're researching senior care options for yourself or a loved one, understanding care quality and costs matters.

Monthly costs range from $1,966 to $13,475, averaging $7,720. Residents receive approximately 4.0 hours of daily nursing care, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates staff at 4.0.

For short-term rehabilitation, 66.2% of residents successfully return home after discharge—higher than the national average. During their stay, 24.0% require rehospitalization and 11.1% need emergency room visits. The facility offers bingo, card games, exercise classes, and occasional entertainment.

This review looks at care quality metrics and actual costs to help you decide whether Masonicare Wallingford meets your needs.

• Facility overview
  • Location and ownership details
  • Care types offered: short-term, long-term, memory care
  • Medicare and Medicaid certification
  • Resident capacity and council structure
• Short-term rehabilitation: staffing and outcomes
  • Physical therapy time per resident
  • Nurse staffing vs. state and national averages
    
    The number of nurses on staff affects the quality of care residents receive. Comparing Masonicare's staffing ratios to state and national averages shows whether the facility has adequate staffing. This section breaks down hours by nurse type: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
  • Return-to-home rate and ER visits
  • Infection and readmission rates
• Long-term care quality: daily life and health metrics
  • Self-care decline and depression rates
  • Hospitalization and emergency visit frequency
  • Antipsychotic use and health inspection results
    
    Antipsychotic medications are necessary for some conditions, but overuse in nursing homes is a legitimate concern—especially for residents without a diagnosed psychotic condition. Inspection reports sometimes cite facilities for inappropriate prescribing. This section examines how often Masonicare residents receive these medications and what inspectors found.
• Real costs of Masonicare Wallingford: what to expect
  • Monthly rates: $1,966 to $13,475
  • How Masonicare compares to area pricing
  • Medicare and Medicaid coverage options
  • Additional costs to consider
• Government inspections and safety ratings
  • Recent health and fire safety violations
  • Penalties and fines in the last 3 years
  • Inspection dates and resolved issues
• Bottom line
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

Facility overview

Masonicare Health Center operates from 22 Masonic Avenue in Wallingford, Connecticut. Originally founded as The Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, it has served seniors for over a century. The organization is Connecticut's largest nonprofit integrated senior care system, serving nearly 5,000 patients and residents daily across the state.

Location and ownership details

The facility originally served people with Masonic ties but now accepts anyone over 55 who needs its services. Masonicare is a nonprofit that won top honors in the "Best Skilled Nursing" category at the Readers' Choice Awards and employs over 1,800 staff members.

Care types offered: short-term, long-term, memory care

Masonicare Health Center offers three main care options:

• Short-term rehabilitation: For people discharged from hospitals after illness, injury, or surgery who need support before returning home. Includes 24-hour nursing and seven-day therapy to help patients regain independence.
• Long-term care: Ongoing assistance for those needing more support than available at home. Each resident gets an individualized care plan addressing medical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Memory care: Secure environments for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Staff have specialized training in memory support techniques.

The facility offers private and semi-private rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, meals, and social programs. Residents can access on-site services including beauty/barbershop and a gift shop.

Medicare and Medicaid certification

Masonicare received Medicare certification in the 1960s, making it one of the first healthcare providers to do so. The facility is certified for Medicare and Medicaid with provider numbers Medicare 07-0039 and Medicaid CCNH/RHNS 1198. It also accepts most commercial insurance plans.

Resident capacity and council structure

The facility has 336 beds and currently houses 238 residents, leaving room for growth. It supports resident and family councils that encourage participation in community operations and decisions.

Masonicare Health Center operates under its "Ageless Commitment to Caring" philosophy, backed by decades of experience in elder care.

Short-term rehabilitation: staffing and outcomes

Short-term rehabilitation helps seniors move from hospital stays back to their homes. The quality of this care depends on the skill and dedication of nurses, therapists, social workers, and support staff working together. Adequate staffing and ongoing training allow facilities to provide personalized, effective care that helps seniors recover and return home.

Short-term rehabilitation outcomes at Masonicare Wallingford depend on adequate staffing and successful recovery. These factors directly affect your loved one's ability to return home.

Physical therapy time per resident

Residents receive approximately 2 minutes of physical therapy per day. This falls below Connecticut's average of 5 minutes and the national average of 4 minutes. Physical therapy helps residents regain strength and avoid injury. This amounts to roughly 15 minutes per week of physical therapist time per resident.

Nurse staffing vs. state and national averages

Understanding nurse staffing helps you evaluate the level of care. A facility might report 3.5 hours of total nursing care per resident daily—combining time from registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Comparing these numbers to state and national averages shows how a facility's staffing stacks up.

Masonicare reports 4 hours and 1 minute of total nursing care per resident daily, though another source reports 3 hours and 52 minutes. The breakdown:

• Registered nurses: 29 minutes (below national average of 41 minutes and Connecticut average of 43 minutes)
• Licensed practical nurses: 57 minutes (above national average of 52 minutes and Connecticut average of 50 minutes)
• Nurse aides: 2 hours and 26 minutes (slightly above national average of 2 hours and 21 minutes and Connecticut average of 2 hours and 17 minutes)

The facility reports 3 hours and 38 minutes of direct patient care per resident daily. Weekend staffing stays at 3 hours and 39 minutes, exceeding both national (3 hours 25 minutes) and state averages (3 hours 26 minutes).

Return-to-home rate and ER visits

66.2% of short-term residents return home after discharge, outpacing the national average of 50.57%. This indicates effective rehabilitation outcomes for most patients.

However, 11.1% of short-term residents visit the emergency room during their stay. About 24.0% require rehospitalization, and 10.7% are readmitted to a hospital during their stay.

Infection and readmission rates

6.3% of short-term stays resulted in serious infections requiring hospitalization (another source reports 5.86%). Both figures compare favorably to the national average of 7.12%.

About 9.15% of residents experience potentially preventable readmissions within 30 days after discharge, below the national average of 10.72%.

Masonicare was one of only two Connecticut facilities that did not face Medicare penalties for excessive readmissions in 2021. In contrast, 26 other state hospitals had Medicare reimbursements reduced. This shows effective discharge planning and follow-up care.

The facility has received citations for various deficiencies during inspections. Overall, rehabilitation outcomes meet or exceed expectations, particularly for returns to independent living.

Long-term care quality: daily life and health metrics

Quality metrics help you understand what daily life looks like for long-term residents at Masonicare Wallingford. These measurements show how the facility performs in independence, mental health, and safety compared to other options.

Self-care decline and depression rates

25.0% of long-term residents became more dependent in activities like eating, using the bathroom, and moving around. This exceeds the Connecticut average of 19.8% and the national average of 16.3%. Similarly, 22.4% of residents needed increased help with daily activities.

Walking ability declined for 26.2% of long-term residents, compared to the national average of 17.6%.

Mental health care shows strong results. Only 2.2% to 2.9% of residents showed signs of depression—significantly lower than Connecticut's average of 15.2% and the national average of 10.8%.

Hospitalization and emergency visit frequency

The facility reports 1.78 hospitalizations per 1,000 long-term resident days (another source reports 2.0). These rates are lower than Connecticut's average of 2.09 and the national average of 1.89.

Emergency visits are low at 1.0 per 1,000 patient days (one source reports 1.28)—lower than or similar to the state average of 1.51 and the national average of 1.80.

Antipsychotic use and health inspection results

Antipsychotic medications are necessary for some diagnoses, but overuse in nursing homes raises concerns, particularly when prescribed to residents without psychotic conditions. Strong oversight and clear reporting matter. Families want facilities focused on resident well-being and ethical practice.

Masonicare reports that 14.9% of long-term residents received antipsychotic medication (another source indicates 23.7%). The discrepancy may reflect different measurement periods or methods.

Inspection reports identified 29 deficiencies, including citations for accident prevention, incontinence care, and dementia treatment. One citation noted the facility failed to "implement gradual dose reductions and non-pharmacological interventions before initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication."

The facility faced a fine of $13,085, slightly lower than the local average of $25,457. Records show 2 health complaint deficiencies, 2 health standard deficiencies, and 4 total deficiencies with 1 penalty imposed.

Despite these issues, Masonicare maintains an overall 3.0-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with a 3.0 quality rating and 4.0 staff rating.

Real costs of Masonicare Wallingford: what to expect

Financial planning matters when evaluating senior care. Knowing the actual costs helps you make informed decisions about care for yourself or your loved one.

Monthly rates: $1,966 to $13,475

Monthly costs range from $1,966 to $13,475, varying by care level and room type. Semi-private rooms, private accommodations, and medical support needs all affect price.

How Masonicare compares to area pricing

Masonicare's average of $7,720 monthly falls below the local area average of $8,608, making it competitive. Assisted living in Wallingford averages $9,919 monthly.

For comparison:

• Connecticut state average: $8,818 per month
• U.S. national average: $4,707 per month

Nursing home costs are consistent throughout Connecticut; Masonicare's pricing reflects regional factors, not unusual policies.

Medicare and Medicaid coverage options

Masonicare is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare covers short-term rehabilitation for up to 100 days after qualifying hospital stays of at least three days. This coverage applies to rehabilitation rather than extended residential care.

For long-term care, Medicaid may cover costs after you've used personal savings and long-term care insurance. Applicants with income below 100% of poverty guidelines must apply for Medicaid to determine eligibility.

Additional costs to consider

The base monthly rate doesn't cover all potential expenses. Possible additional costs include:

• Co-payments for certain medical services
• Deductibles that vary by insurance plan
• Co-insurance percentages after reaching deductibles

Memory care typically costs more, with Wallingford area averages around $10,013 monthly. Request a detailed breakdown of all potential charges when considering Masonicare.

Government inspections and safety ratings

Senior care facilities are subject to regular government inspections and safety ratings designed to ensure resident well-being. Federal oversight through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets standards for nursing homes participating in Medicare or Medicaid. CMS conducts annual surveys assessing compliance with health and safety regulations covering resident rights, quality of life, quality of care, staffing, and environmental safety. Inspection findings are publicly available on Medicare.gov Care Compare.

State licensing agencies also regulate facilities and conduct inspections. These vary by state but generally assess facility cleanliness, staff training, medication management, and service provision. Many states provide public access to inspection reports and complaint histories.

Safety ratings summarize a facility's performance based on inspections, quality measures, and staffing. While helpful as a quick overview, dig deeper into detailed reports to understand specific issues and how a facility addresses them. Visit the facility, speak with staff and residents, and ask direct questions about safety protocols and inspection findings. This helps ensure the facility meets your loved one's needs.

Government inspections show Masonicare Wallingford's compliance with healthcare standards. Recent reports reveal both strengths and areas worth considering.

Recent health and fire safety violations

Recent inspections cited Masonicare for health and fire safety violations. A December 2024 health inspection identified deficiencies in nutrition services, resident rights, infection control, and pharmacy services. A separate fire safety inspection found citations for various safety issues.

The December 2024 health inspection identified 11 deficiencies, exceeding the U.S. average of 9.7 but below Connecticut's average of 13.5. Fire safety inspections found 19 safety citations, considerably higher than both state (4.9) and national (4.7) averages.

Penalties and fines in the last 3 years

Masonicare received a federal fine of $13,085 in November 2024 for citations related to accident hazards and inadequate supervision. Previously, the facility faced a $7,800 penalty in 2018 after a resident with dementia fell from an X-ray table, and a $3,900 fine in 2017 after a resident developed a severe pressure ulcer.

Inspection dates and resolved issues

The most recent standard inspections occurred on December 9, 2024 (health) and December 4, 2024 (fire safety). Inspectors visited on November 13 and July 8 as well. All violations were resolved within 30 to 45 days. Unlike many Connecticut facilities, Masonicare has had no infection control deficiencies in the past three years.

Bottom line

Masonicare Wallingford is a major option in Connecticut's senior care market, with 336 beds for short-term and long-term care. At $1,966 to $13,475 monthly (averaging $7,720), it costs less than local area averages, making it financially competitive in Wallingford.

The facility excels in several areas. Its 66.2% return-home rate for short-term residents exceeds the national average, showing effective recovery programs. Only 2.2% of long-term residents show signs of depression, indicating strong mental health support. The 4.0 staff rating means adequate caregiving.

Some metrics raise concerns. The 25% decline in self-care abilities among long-term residents exceeds state and national averages. Recent inspections revealed 11 health deficiencies and 19 fire safety citations, resulting in a $13,085 fine in 2024.

Consider how your specific needs align with the facility's strengths and weaknesses. For short-term rehabilitation with the goal of returning home, Masonicare is a strong choice. Those seeking long-term care should carefully review the self-care decline statistics.

Masonicare offers mixed quality in senior care. The facility excels in mental health support and rehabilitation outcomes but faces compliance challenges. Its nonprofit status, century-long history, and institutional stability can provide confidence for families making care decisions.

Key takeaways

These details will help you evaluate Masonicare Wallingford for senior care:

• Costs range from $1,966–$13,475 monthly, averaging $7,720, below local area averages. The facility accepts Medicare and Medicaid.

• 66.2% of short-term residents returned home, exceeding the national average of 50.57%.

• Mental health outcomes are strong: only 2.2% of long-term residents experience depression, far below state (15.2%) and national (10.8%) averages.

• 25% of long-term residents lost independence in daily activities, higher than state (19.8%) and national (16.3%) averages.

• Recent compliance issues include 11 health deficiencies, 19 fire safety citations, and a $13,085 fine in 2024, though violations were resolved within 30–45 days.

Masonicare excels in rehabilitation and mental health care, but long-term care shows mixed results. Consider these strengths and concerns when choosing care based on your loved one's needs and goals.

FAQs

The average monthly cost is $7,720, lower than the local area average of $8,608.

Does Masonicare accept Medicare and Medicaid? Yes, the facility is certified for both.

66.2% of short-term residents return home after their stay, exceeding the national average.

Only 2.2% of long-term residents show signs of depression, lower than state and national averages.

Recent inspections identified 11 health deficiencies and 19 fire safety citations, resulting in a $13,085 fine in 2024. The facility resolved all violations within 30–45 days.