Gulfside Health And Rehabilitation Center

Gulfside Health And Rehabilitation Center holds an overall 2-star rating from CMS, which puts it below average compared to other nursing homes nationwide. That overall number is a composite of three separate scores, and in this case, the lower scores are pulling the total down despite some brighter spots. The health inspection rating is also 2 stars, meaning state inspectors have cited the facility for a higher-than-average number of violations, or more serious ones. That's worth paying close attention to, since those inspections look at real on-the-ground conditions like safety, cleanliness, and whether residents are being properly cared for. Staffing comes in at 3 stars, which is average, so the number of nursing hours residents receive relative to the size of the population is roughly in line with typical facilities. The standout here is the quality measures rating, which is 4 stars and above average. That score reflects clinical outcomes across 15 health indicators, things like whether residents are developing infections, losing function, or experiencing falls, and a 4 suggests the care team is doing reasonably well at managing those health outcomes day to day.

For families, the picture at Gulfside is mixed. The above-average quality measures score is genuinely encouraging and suggests that residents are often getting solid clinical attention. But the below-average health inspection record is a real concern that shouldn't be overlooked. Before making a decision, it would be wise to review the actual inspection reports on the Medicare Care Compare website to understand exactly what was cited and whether those issues have been corrected.

Staffing at Gulfside Health And Rehabilitation Center is a bit of a mixed picture. On the registered nurse side, this facility actually comes in above average, offering around 0.70 RN hours per resident each day compared to the Florida average of 0.52 for Florida nursing homes. That means residents here tend to have more access to higher-level nursing care, which can matter a lot when someone has complex medical needs or requires careful monitoring. However, when you look at total nurse hours across all staff types, the facility comes in at 3.60 hours per resident per day, which is slightly below the Florida average of 3.87. In practical terms, that gap can show up in things like how quickly a call light gets answered or how much hands-on help someone receives with daily tasks like bathing and meals. Neither number tells the whole story on its own, so it is worth asking the facility directly about how staffing is scheduled across different shifts, since overnight and weekend coverage can vary quite a bit from what the daily averages suggest.

Gulfside Health And Rehabilitation Center has a 2-out-of-5-star health inspection rating from the government, which is below average and worth taking seriously. The facility has received 10 government penalties over time, with total fines adding up to $38,330, and the most recent penalty was issued in January 2024. That recent date means this isn't just an old track record - there are current concerns that families should ask the facility to explain directly before making a decision. This level of penalty history doesn't automatically rule a place out, but it does mean you'll want to dig deeper, ask staff tough questions, and if possible, visit in person more than once. Families evaluating this facility can compare it to others in Clearwater on the Clearwater nursing homes and assisted living page.

1. How many residents does each certified nursing assistant care for during a typical day shift, and does that number change on evenings and weekends?
2. How long have most of your CNAs and nurses been working at this facility, and what does your staff turnover look like over the past year?
3. If my loved one has a concern or feels unsafe, what is the exact process for reporting it, and who follows up to make sure it was resolved?
4. Can you walk me through what a typical weekday looks like for a resident who has limited mobility and needs help with meals and personal care?
5. How does the facility handle a situation where a resident's condition changes overnight, and how quickly would you contact our family?
6. Has this facility received any citations or fines from state inspectors in the past two years, and if so, what specific changes were made in response?

"For more guidance on evaluating facilities, see our guide to questions to ask when choosing a Florida nursing home."