Worth Considering
6
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Lexington, Kentucky
6 of 13 nursing homes in Lexington (46%) meet our strict criteria. The Kentucky statewide average is 29%.
6 recommended · 1 caution · 6 avoid · data
City Average
2.7
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
1,377
across 13 facilities
High Risk Facilities
6
4 Grade F
$371,977 in combined fines
Zero Fines
8
/13
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
41 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 6?
The nursing home market in Lexington, Kentucky, is strong with 13 facilities, of which 6 are recommended. Families should note that while the top-rated facility is CARDINAL HILL SKILLED REHABILITATION UNIT (5★), there are 6 facilities with a total of $371,977 in fines to consider.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 CARDINAL HILL SKILLED REHABILITATION UNIT (93) — Cardinal Hill Skilled Rehabilitation Unit boasts an impressive Trust Score of 93/100 and an excellent CMS 5★ rating, showcasing top-notch care and services. With a Grade A and zero fines, this facility is committed to providing high-quality rehabilitation for its 74 residents.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 THE WILLOWS AT CITATION (83) — The Willows at Citation features a solid Trust Score of 83/100 and a commendable CMS 4★ rating, indicative of reliable care. With a Grade B+ and no fines, this 54-bed facility is focused on delivering a comfortable and supportive environment for its residents.
- 3 Bluegrass Care & Rehabilitation Center (80) — Bluegrass Care & Rehabilitation Center stands out with a Trust Score of 80/100 and a strong CMS 4★ rating, reflecting its dedication to quality care. With a Grade B+ and zero fines, this 124-bed facility ensures a positive experience for residents while maintaining high standards.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 4 Homestead Post Acute (70) — Homestead Post Acute offers a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 3★ rating, providing essential services in a welcoming environment. With a Grade B and no fines, this 136-bed facility emphasizes patient care and support, making it a reliable choice for rehabilitation.
- 5 Lexington Country Place (70) — Lexington Country Place has a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 3★ rating, ensuring quality care in a supportive atmosphere. With a Grade B and zero fines, this 111-bed facility aims to create a nurturing environment for residents seeking rehabilitation services.
- 6 THE WILLOWS AT FRITZ FARM (70) — The Willows at Fritz Farm maintains a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 3★ rating, offering essential care and support for its residents. With a Grade B and no fines, this 54-bed facility focuses on creating a comfortable living experience while prioritizing quality service.
The other 7 Lexington facilities didn't qualify — 6 carry Grade D or F ratings and 5 have fines totaling $371K.
Recommended
Cardinal Hill Skilled Rehabilitation Unit boasts an impressive Trust Score of 93/100 and an excellent CMS 5★ rating, showcasing top-notch care and services. With a Grade A and zero fines, this facility is committed to providing high-quality rehabilitation for its 74 residents.
The Willows at Citation features a solid Trust Score of 83/100 and a commendable CMS 4★ rating, indicative of reliable care. With a Grade B+ and no fines, this 54-bed facility is focused on delivering a comfortable and supportive environment for its residents.
Bluegrass Care & Rehabilitation Center stands out with a Trust Score of 80/100 and a strong CMS 4★ rating, reflecting its dedication to quality care. With a Grade B+ and zero fines, this 124-bed facility ensures a positive experience for residents while maintaining high standards.
Homestead Post Acute offers a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 3★ rating, providing essential services in a welcoming environment. With a Grade B and no fines, this 136-bed facility emphasizes patient care and support, making it a reliable choice for rehabilitation.
Lexington Country Place has a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 3★ rating, ensuring quality care in a supportive atmosphere. With a Grade B and zero fines, this 111-bed facility aims to create a nurturing environment for residents seeking rehabilitation services.
The Willows at Fritz Farm maintains a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 3★ rating, offering essential care and support for its residents. With a Grade B and no fines, this 54-bed facility focuses on creating a comfortable living experience while prioritizing quality service.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Lexington Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 1.61 | 0.68 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.7 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 5 | 15.1 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 7?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 4 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 5 Have fines totaling $371,977
- Low-scoring facilities
- 3 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Lexington Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Lexington's city average is 2.7 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
5 of 13 Lexington facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Lexington avg is 41 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Lexington facilities average 15.1 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Looking for options in Lexington? These nearby cities also have recommended facilities
Lexington at a Glance
Good News
- 6 facilities meet our strict criteria — 46% of the market
- 1 exceptional A-grade facility with 5-star CMS ratings
- 8 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 4 facilities carry Grade F — a significant share
- $371K in total fines across 5 facilities
- Worst facility has $255K in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 53.5 (dragged down by 4 F-grades)
- 92% for-profit, 8% non-profit, 0% government
- 15.1 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Lexington, KY are recommended?
6 of 13 nursing homes in Lexington (46%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Lexington "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Lexington?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.