Mostly long-term care residents
Most residents stay for extended periods and receive ongoing daily care.
New residents most often arrive under Medicaid (47% of admissions), and a typical Medicaid stay runs around 6 - 7 months.
Ascend at Aurora is a 125-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility at 1700 South Hudson Avenue in Aurora, Lawrence County, Missouri, administrated by Melanie Towers and privately owned. The facility provides skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, memory care in its Autumn Court unit, and subacute care serving Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents. Current occupancy is 50.2% with an average length of stay of 109 days.
Total nursing care averages 3 hours 6 minutes/resident/day, 19% below Missouri’s 3 hours 48 minutes average. Registered nurse coverage of 27 minutes/day equals the state minimum. Licensed Practical Nurse hours are 34% below average at 27 minutes/day. Certified Nursing Aide time is 7% below benchmark.
Weekend nursing totals 2 hours 43 minutes per day, 11% below average. Staff-to-resident ratio of 1.28 to 1 indicates 25% fewer staff relative to residents compared to state norms. Physical therapist hours of 1 minute per resident per day are 50% below average.
Functional decline reaches 26.0 (34% worse than average). Walking ability decline affects 32.9% of residents (59% worse than average). Need for increased assistance with daily activities involves 28.1% of residents (42% worse than average). High-risk residents with pressure ulcers account for 8.2% (63% worse than average of 5.0%).
Urinary tract infection rates of 4.8% are 75% worse than Missouri’s average of 2.7%. Weight loss occurs in 8.5% of residents (53% worse than average). Long-stay hospitalization rates are 42% worse than benchmark. One notable strength: falls with major injury at 1.6% are 62% better than average.
Revenue totaled $5.7 million with net income of $1.1 million (profit margin of 18.9%), a significant turnaround from the prior-year deficit of $327,000. Payroll represents 58% of revenue.
Seven inspections since August 2019 identified 46 citations including two critical violations related to abuse or neglect (186% worse than Missouri average). Four complaint investigations between August 2023 and December 2025 documented the most serious findings. An August 2023 complaint investigation documented critical infection control failures during wound care for a resident with stage 3 and stage 4 pressure ulcers with bone infection.
April 2024 identified a critical citation for abuse or neglect. October 2024, July 2025, and December 2025 inspections documented continued deficiencies in resident rights, nursing services, and quality of care. Earlier inspections in May 2022 and August 2019 documented additional quality of care lapses. Citations per inspection average 6.57, exceeding Missouri’s average of 5.67.
Federal penalties totaled $57,000, including a $47,000 penalty issued in April 2024.
Ascend at Aurora offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory care, and subacute care with on-site physical therapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy. Restaurant-style dining with dietary customization is available. Residents participate in crafts, exercise, music, spiritual services, and social events.
The facility maintains an active resident council.
CMS ratings reflect the regulatory and clinical challenges: 1/5 overall, 1/5 for health inspection, 1/5 for staffing, and 1/5 for quality measures.
Families should review the facility’s corrective action documentation and seek detailed explanation of the April 2024 abuse or neglect finding before considering placement.
Ascend at Aurora is legally operated by Nbh3 Sfopco LLC, and administered by Melanie Towers.
In Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Regulation and Licensure performs the inspections and unannounced surveys required for all long-term care providers.
Deficiencies
| This Facility | MO Average | vs. MO Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
| 48 | 35 | This facility has 37% more total deficiencies than a typical Missouri assisted living residence (48 vs. MO avg 35).↑ 37% worse |
|
Deficiencies per year
| 6.9 | 5 | This facility has 38% more deficiencies per year than a typical Missouri assisted living residence (6.9 vs. MO avg 5).↑ 38% worse |
|
Deficiencies per inspection
| 6.9 | 5 | This facility has 38% more deficiencies per inspection than a typical Missouri assisted living residence (6.9 vs. MO avg 5).↑ 38% worse |
Inspections
| This Facility | MO Average | vs. MO Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
| 7 | 7 | This facility has total inspections in line with the Missouri average (7 vs. MO avg 7).— At avg |
State average N/A
Last Health inspection on Jul 2025
State average N/A
State average N/A
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
40 of 46 citations resulted from standard inspections; 4 of 46 resulted from complaint investigations; and 2 of 46 came from combined inspections (standard and complaint).
State average: N/A
State average: N/A
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
Manages medical care and health needs.
Assists with medical care and medications.
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Total hours from contractors
3,803 contractor hours this quarter
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 33 | 40 | 73 | 12,436 | 92 | 100% | 9.3 |
| Registered Nurse | 6 | 11 | 17 | 2,570 | 91 | 99% | 10.1 |
| Physical Therapist | 13 | 0 | 13 | 2,528 | 92 | 100% | 7 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 5 | 14 | 19 | 1,895 | 88 | 96% | 8.9 |
| Medication Aide/Technician | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1,885 | 91 | 99% | 10.2 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 2 | 0 | 2 | 747 | 64 | 70% | 8.6 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 4 | 0 | 4 | 709 | 66 | 72% | 4.9 |
| Administrator | 1 | 0 | 1 | 496 | 62 | 67% | 8 |
| RN Director of Nursing | 1 | 0 | 1 | 422 | 37 | 40% | 11.4 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 2 | 0 | 2 | 329 | 42 | 46% | 7.8 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 167 | 41 | 45% | 4.1 |
| Dietitian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 132 | 16 | 17% | 8.2 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 2 | 0 | 2 | 81 | 34 | 37% | 2.4 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 2 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 10% | 3.2 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 3 | 3% | 8 |
| Medical Director | 1 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 3% | 7.5 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 1 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 3% | 7.4 |
Includes penalties issued in 2024
Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.
Source: CMS Penalties Database (Data as of Jan 2026)
Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.
1 penalty in the past 3 years
Apr 12, 2024 · $47K
Last updated: Jan 2026
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
9% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
44% of new residents, often for short stays.
47% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Historical financial and operational data for Ascend at Aurora from 2011–2023, based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
Key figures below are for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Most residents stay for extended periods and receive ongoing daily care.
New residents most often arrive under Medicaid (47% of admissions), and a typical Medicaid stay runs around 6 - 7 months.
Coverage residents most often arrive under.
Coverage residents most often leave under.
0.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Aurora's city center to Ascend at Aurora's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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The information below is reported by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Regulation and Licensure.
| Country Meadows | NH AL IL MC | Park Hills | - | 87 | A+ | 37 | - |
| Ignite Medical Resort Blue Springs | NH PC SNF | Blue Springs | - | 90 | - | 68 | - |
| Avalon Memory Care | NH MC | Saint Louis | - | 30 | - | 26 | - |
| Breeze Park – Lutheran Senior Services | NH AL IL MC | Weldon Spring | - | 50 | A+ | 2 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Ascend at Aurora | NH MC RC SNF | Aurora | - | 125 | - | 50 | - |
Ascend at Aurora is legally operated by Nbh3 Sfopco LLC, and administered by Melanie Towers.
Ascend at Aurora has a walk score of 50. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.
According to MO state health department records, Ascend at Aurora's license number is 053501.
According to MO state health department records, Ascend at Aurora's license expires on May 31, 2026.
Ascend at Aurora's occupancy is 48%.
Ascend at Aurora is registered as a for-profit in MO.
Melanie Towers is the administrator of Ascend at Aurora.
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