Senior CareScorecard

Nursing home · Aurora, MO

Ascend at Aurora

1700 South Hudson Avenue, Aurora, MO 65605 · 125 certified beds · for profit ownership

Medicare & MedicaidFined $46,940 in 3 yearsMedicare abuse iconChanged owners in last 12 months
Medicare overall rating1 / 5Much below averageJoplin area 2.4 · Missouri 2.51 · U.S. 2.99
1/5Health inspections Much below average
3/5Staffing Average
1/5Quality measures Much below average
–Short-stay (rehab) quality Not rated
1/5Long-stay quality Much below average

Source: CMS Provider Data, processed Sep 1, 2026.

The latest inspection, in plain English

Inspectors' most recent visit in the CMS data was on Jul 27, 2026, when they cited 1 problem from a complaint investigation. The most common area was environmental (1 citation). None rose to the level of actual harm; the most serious was severity code E, on a scale from A to L. 0 of 1 are marked corrected in the CMS data. At its most recent standard inspection (Apr 12, 2024) it had 27 citations, compared with an average of 12.2 for Joplin-area homes, 11.4 in Missouri and 9.2 nationally.

Staffing and turnover

Nursing staff spend 4.24 hours per resident per day here, 24% more than the Missouri average (3.43) and 10% more than the U.S. average (3.86). Registered nurses account for 0.57 of those hours, versus 0.46 in Missouri and 0.68 nationally. Nursing staff turnover was 54% over the past year, 2 points lower than Missouri (56%) and 9 points higher than the U.S. (46%).

How Ascend at Aurora compares

This home's latest CMS figures next to the averages for Joplin-area homes (20), Missouri (487) and the U.S. (14,680).

This homeJoplin areaMissouriU.S.
Total nurse hours per resident per day4.243.133.433.86
Registered nurse hours per resident per day0.570.400.460.68
Weekend nurse hours per resident per day3.682.743.013.42
Nursing staff turnover (past year)54%53%56%46%
Registered nurse turnover (past year)57%36%48%43%
Citations at the most recent standard inspection2712.211.49.2

Inspection history

Citations by inspection date in the current CMS data. Red bars include a citation rated actual harm or worse.

Jul 27, 20261complaint
Jul 23, 20263complaint
Jul 10, 20262complaint
Mar 18, 20262complaint
Dec 9, 20252complaint
Jul 18, 20251complaint
Oct 22, 20241complaint
Apr 12, 202417standard + complaint · 2 harm-level citations
May 11, 202218standard
Aug 19, 20197standard

Medicare does not publish past star ratings in its current data, so we show inspection history instead.

Most recent 40 of 54 health citations, in CMS wording. Severity codes run from A (least serious) to L (most serious).

Show all citations
DateDeficiencySeverityStatus
Jul 27, 2026Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Environmental · complaint
EDeficient, Provider has no plan of correction
Jul 23, 2026Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has no plan of correction
Jul 23, 2026Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has no plan of correction
Jul 23, 2026Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Quality of life and care · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has no plan of correction
Jul 10, 2026Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident rights · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has plan of correction
Jul 10, 2026Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of life and care · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has plan of correction
Mar 18, 2026Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of life and care · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Mar 18, 2026Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Nutrition and dietary · complaint
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Dec 9, 2025Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation · complaint
DPast Non-Compliance
Dec 9, 2025Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation · complaint
DPast Non-Compliance
Jul 18, 2025Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Resident rights · complaint
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Oct 22, 2024Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection control · complaint
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Pharmacy service · complaint
J immediate jeopardyDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Nutrition and dietary
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Nursing and physician services
FDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation · complaint
J immediate jeopardyDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Implement 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.
Pharmacy service
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Quality of life and care
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Notify 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.
Resident rights
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident rights
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of life and care
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
Quality of life and care
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Honor 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.
Resident rights
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Infection control
FDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection control
FDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Administration
FDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident assessment and care planning
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
Apr 12, 2024Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and dietary
FDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Implement 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.
Pharmacy service
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of life and care
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Provide 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.
Quality of life and care
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Quality of life and care
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Ensure staff are vaccinated for COVID-19
Infection control
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Pharmacy service
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
Nutrition and dietary
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Resident assessment and care planning
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of life and care
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
Quality of life and care
EDeficient, Provider has date of correction
May 11, 2022Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident assessment and care planning
DDeficient, Provider has date of correction

Fines and penalties

DateTypeAmount
Apr 12, 2024Fine$46,940

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Questions about Ascend at Aurora

Answers computed from CMS data for this facility.

What is Ascend at Aurora's Medicare rating?

Medicare rates Ascend at Aurora 1 out of 5 stars overall (much below average). The average for Joplin-area nursing homes is 2.4, for Missouri 2.51 and for the U.S. 2.99.

How did Ascend at Aurora do on its last inspection?

Inspectors' most recent visit in the CMS data was on Jul 27, 2026, when they cited 1 problem from a complaint investigation. The most common area was environmental (1 citation). None rose to the level of actual harm; the most serious was severity code E, on a scale from A to L. 0 of 1 are marked corrected in the CMS data. At its most recent standard inspection (Apr 12, 2024) it had 27 citations, compared with an average of 12.2 for Joplin-area homes, 11.4 in Missouri and 9.2 nationally.

Has Ascend at Aurora been fined?

Yes. CMS reports 1 fine totaling $46,940 in the past three years.

Does Ascend at Aurora accept Medicaid?

Ascend at Aurora is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Call (417) 678-2165 to ask whether a Medicaid bed is open.

Source: CMS Provider Data, processed 2026-09-01. Inspection findings reflect conditions on the survey date and may since have been corrected. Verify on Medicare Care Compare.