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Nursing homeFAID #1703

Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

21 W CLARKE AVENUE, MILFORD, DE, 19963
(302) 503-7650
polarishealthcarerehab.com
100 licensed beds

CMS rates Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center 2 out of 5 overall. Federal inspectors issued 69 citations across 10 inspections in the last three years, with $144,544 in fines. Listing last updated 2026-11-06.

★★★★★2/5CMS Five-Star overall2/5 health inspections3/5 staffing4/5 quality measuresSource: CMS Care Compare

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Photo of POLARIS HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTER
Photo via Google · Polaris

Public record summary

What we can show you for free.
Bed capacity
100
CMS facility ID
085058
Care type
Nursing home
County
Sussex
Facility name
Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Street address
21 W CLARKE AVENUE
City / state / ZIP
Milford, DE 19963
Phone
(302) 503-7650
Website
polarishealthcarerehab.com

About this facility — Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a Medicare/Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility in Milford, Delaware. It is licensed for 100 beds — close to the median for skilled nursing facilities in Delaware (110 beds).

It is one of 9 senior care facilities in Milford and 44 skilled nursing facilities across Delaware. Families comparing options should weigh inspection history, ownership record, and litigation — not just the tour — before deciding.

Federal inspectors have cited Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center 69 times across 10 inspections in the last three years, including 3 food-safety citations, and CMS has imposed $144,544 in fines. Every citation is listed, dated, and graded in the inspection record below.

This listing draws on federal CMS Nursing Home Compare records, and was last updated on November 6, 2026. Background reports are compiled from primary sources — state inspection files, federal CMS data, corporate registrations, and court records — at the time of order.

Facility background

What the public record shows.

Ownership & operator

Parent company
Nationwide Healthcare Services
Ownership type
For profit - Limited Liability company

Registered owners & officers

Gelley, Meir
Direct owner · Managing employee — 95% stake — since 2019
Gelley, Leah
Direct owner — 5% stake — since 2019
Nationwide Healthcare Services
Operational control — since 2019

Regulatory standing

Federal court records
5 naming its parent company — view the cases (a listed case is not a finding of wrongdoing)
Licensed / certified since
2020-04-18
CMS overall rating
2 of 5 stars
Health deficiencies
7 at the last standard inspection
Federal fines
$144,544 total
Last standard inspection
2026-02-11
Nurse staffing
4.1 hours per resident per day

Cost & payer profile (FY2024 cost report)

Average billed charges
$418 per day (≈ $12,710/month). Private-pay prices typically track billed charges; Medicare and Medicaid pay set rates.
Payer mix (resident days)
70% Medicaid · 10% Medicare · 20% private/other
Occupancy
77% (fiscal year 2024)
Vs. state median
17% below the DE median of $502/day — full state cost breakdown

Services & coverage

Licensed beds
100
Medicare
Accepted
Medicaid
Accepted
Wheelchair accessible
entrance and parking
Visiting hours
Daily 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Compiled from CMS Nursing Home Compare; owners/officers from the CMS Ownership dataset; cost & occupancy from the facility's own CMS cost report; hours/accessibility via Google · last verified 2026-11-06. Facilities can submit a correction.

Inspection record

Every citation, dated and graded.

Kitchen & food safety

Federal surveyors inspect the kitchen at every standard visit. This facility has 3 food-safety citations on its three-year record — flagged below among the inspections.
2026-02-11Health inspection7 citations
F-0552
D · No harm found
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected 2026-03-17
F-0582
D · No harm found
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Corrected 2026-03-17
F-0610
D · No harm found
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected 2026-03-17
F-0656
D · No harm found
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2026-03-17
F-0689
G · Actual harm
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected 2025-08-24
F-0695
D · No harm found
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2026-03-17
F-0880
D · No harm found
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected 2026-03-17
2025-08-11Health inspectionComplaint-triggered2 citations
F-0726
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Corrected 2025-09-11
F-0791
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected 2025-09-11
4 earlier / fire-safety inspections (60 citations)
2025-01-28Health inspectionComplaint-triggered39 citations
F-0561
D · No harm found
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0567
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0578
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0580
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0585
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0609
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected 2025-04-24
F-0610
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected 2025-04-24
F-0622
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0625
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0626
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Permit a resident to return to the nursing home after hospitalization or therapeutic leave that exceeds bed-hold policy.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0656
E · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0657
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0658
D · No harm found
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0677
D · No harm found
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0684
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0688
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0689
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0690
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0692
D · No harm found
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0695
D · No harm found
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0697
G · Actual harm
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0710
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0730
D · No harm found
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0755
D · No harm found
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0758
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0760
K · Immediate jeopardyFrom a complaint
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0761
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0773
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0791
D · No harm found
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0805
D · No harm foundFood safetyFrom a complaint
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0812
D · No harm foundFood safety
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0842
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2025-04-24
F-0941
D · No harm found
Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0942
D · No harm found
Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0944
D · No harm found
Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0945
D · No harm found
Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0946
D · No harm found
Provide training in compliance and ethics.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0947
D · No harm found
Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
Corrected 2025-03-18
F-0949
D · No harm found
Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
Corrected 2025-03-18
2024-07-09Health inspectionComplaint-triggered2 citations
F-0660
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
Corrected 2024-08-26
F-0745
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Corrected 2024-08-26
2024-04-11Health inspectionComplaint-triggered17 citations
F-0550
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0552
D · No harm found
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0558
D · No harm found
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0582
D · No harm found
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0584
B · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0609
D · No harm foundFrom a complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0641
D · No harm found
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0645
D · No harm found
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0656
D · No harm found
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0657
D · No harm found
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0686
D · No harm found
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0689
G · Actual harmFrom a complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected 2022-10-24
F-0690
D · No harm found
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0695
D · No harm found
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0756
D · No harm found
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0758
D · No harm found
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.
Corrected 2024-06-03
F-0812
E · No harm foundFood safety
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected 2024-06-03
2025-01-28Fire-safety inspection2 citations
E-0037
E · No harm found
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Corrected 2025-03-18
E-0039
F · No harm found
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Corrected 2025-03-18

Federal penalties

2026-02-11Fine$17,345
2025-01-28Fine$114,368
2024-04-11Fine$12,831
Total fines$144,544
Citations and penalties from the CMS Provider Data Catalog (three-year survey window, refreshed monthly). Severity codes follow the federal scope/severity grid; “Immediate jeopardy” is the most serious grade CMS issues. CCN 085058.

Quality of care & staffing

How it compares in Delaware.
Inspection citations, 3 years
69
More than 84% of nursing homes in the state
State median: 35
Federal fines, 3 years
$144,544
More than 86% of nursing homes in the state
State median: $38,290
Nurse staffing, hours per resident per day
4.1
Higher than 58% of nursing homes in the state
State median: 4.0
Nursing staff turnover, annual
64%
Higher than 95% of nursing homes in the state
State median: 40%

Resident outcomes

On 21 federal quality measures, this facility does better than the Delaware average on 8 and worse on 7. Differences within 10% of the average are shown as near average.

Long-stay residentsThis facilityStateUSCompared with state
Need for help with daily activities has increased13.3%12.3%13.5%Near state average
Lose too much weight9.2%5.5%5.1%Worse than state
With a catheter inserted and left in their bladder0.7%0.4%0.7%Worse than state
With a urinary tract infection0.6%1.9%1.5%Better than state
Have depressive symptoms4.8%10.6%13.5%Better than state
Were physically restrained0.0%0.0%0.1%Better than state
Experiencing one or more falls with major injury0.0%2.9%3.2%Better than state
Assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine96.3%96.2%93.7%Near state average
Ability to walk independently worsened16.6%12.1%12.7%Worse than state
Received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication37.9%21.9%19.5%Worse than state
Assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine98.9%98.8%95.3%Near state average
With pressure ulcers4.8%3.4%4.5%Worse than state
With new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence18.8%19.3%18.3%Near state average
Received an antipsychotic medication8.0%10.6%15.4%Better than state
Hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days1.581.751.81Better than state
Outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days2.491.331.69Worse than state
Short-stay residentsThis facilityStateUSCompared with state
Assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine77.8%84.5%82.3%Near state average
Newly received an antipsychotic medication0.0%0.9%1.5%Better than state
Were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine82.8%88.4%80.1%Near state average
Were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission27.3%22.7%23.4%Worse than state
Had an outpatient emergency department visit6.6%10.8%11.8%Better than state
Source: CMS MDS and Medicare claims quality measures, measure period 2025Q3-2026Q2. Averages are computed from all nursing homes reporting each measure.

Cited more than once

The same rule cited at separate inspections can point to a problem that wasn't fully fixed.

  • F-0656 3 inspections. Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
  • F-0689 3 inspections. Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
  • F-0695 3 inspections. Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
  • F-0552 2 inspections. Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
  • F-0582 2 inspections. Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
  • F-0610 2 inspections. Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Verify & compare

Where to check, and what's nearby.

Who to contact in Delaware

  • Licensing: Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ)
  • File a complaint: 877-453-0012 · Online
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 855-773-1002. A free advocate for residents and families.
  • Adult Protective Services: 888-277-4302. Some states send facility cases to licensing instead. In an emergency, call 911.
  • Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116, a federal service for local aging help.

Nearest emergency hospitals

  • Bayhealth Medical Center, Kent Campus, about 18 miles. CMS rating 2 of 5.
  • Beebe Medical Center, about 18 miles. CMS rating 3 of 5.
  • Tidalhealth Nanticoke, Inc., about 20 miles. CMS rating 3 of 5.
Source: CMS Hospital General Information. Straight-line distance.

Nearby facilities with inspection records

Visitor reviews

What people say on Google.
4.297 ratings on Google
★★★★★Sharon Ponsell · 2026-07-09 · via Google

“Polaris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a standout choice for care in Milford! The facility is impeccably clean, and the staff’s commitment to clinical excellence and resident safety is clear in everything they do. Very much underrated in this cut throat world.”

★★★★★Xavier · 2026-04-08 · via Google

“Jessica at Polaris Milford was incredibly helpful throughout the transition process for my parents. Her convenience and patience were greatly appreciated, and I'm impressed by the kindness of the entire staff. Great place and facility if you do business please ask for her.”

★★★★★Sarah M · 2026-07-07 · via Google

“Jess was so understanding and helpful with both me and my family. She helped me complete the medicaid application, and was so patient. Outstanding customer service and friendly atmosphere!”

Ratings and reviews are from Google and reflect visitor opinions, not our verification. See all reviews on Google

Inside your report

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Ownership & corporate history

Primary tier
Prior operators & transfers
Corporate network & affiliates
,
Owners' other facilities
· · 2 more

Inspection citations — last 5 years

Locked
The 69 citations above are shown free. The report takes each one and explains it in plain English — what the tag requires, how serious the scope/severity grade really is, whether it recurred across surveys — plus the five-year pattern a single inspection can't show.

Civil & criminal lawsuits

Advanced tier only
Active civil suits
#
Federal dockets
CDC infection data
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Citations, owner history, lawsuits — decoded into one PDF.
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Original records

Sources we pull for this facility.
Source
CMS Nursing Home Compare
data.cms.gov Provider Data Catalog
Last verified 2026-11-06
Source
Google Business Profile
Photos, reviews & hours
Displayed with attribution · refreshed on re-run
Source
Secretary of State filings
Entity & officer search
Pulled when a report is ordered
Source
PACER federal dockets
pacer.uscourts.gov
Pulled when a report is ordered