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The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Crane’s Mill is a prestigious senior living community situated in the picturesque town of West Caldwell, New Jersey. This is a place where seniors can experience an exceptional and worry-free lifestyle, with a range of healthcare options conveniently available on campus. It is open to adults aged 60 years and better. Crane’s Mill presents a historic setting spanning 48 acres, boasting both a stunning wildlife habitat and elegantly designed interiors that exude luxury.
The community adheres to the highest standards of care, following assisted living guidelines to ensure the utmost safety and support. With a dedicated team of professionals on hand 24/7, residents can have peace of mind knowing that assistance is readily available whenever it is needed. For those in need of specialized care, the memory care facilities provide an exceptional environment tailored to meet the unique challenges of cognitive impairments. As members of this vibrant community, residents also have access to a range of amenities and activities that enrich their daily lives. They can delight in the indoor pool, savor the delectable flavors of restaurant-style dining, and immerse themselves in a host of engaging social opportunities.
The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.
This home is ranked 59th out of 274 homes in New Jersey. Total adjusted nursing hours per resident per day, combining RN, LPN, and aide time. CMS adjusts this for case-mix so facilities can be fairly compared.
| Staff type | Hours / Day / Resident | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
|
Weekend Total Nursing
Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours.
| 3h 59m per day |
Lower than the New Jersey average: 77%Crane‘s Mill is legally operated by Lutheran Social Ministries Of Nj, and administrated by Ms. Lori Vernachio.
Officers are individuals or entities with formal legal or financial responsibility for the organization that owns this facility
Angelique Williams, Brad Hildebrandt, Colleen Frankenfield, David Waddell, Kenneth Vandongen, Raymond Elberson, William Mccracken
In New Jersey, the Department of Health, Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing conducts mandatory unannounced surveys to ensure facilities provide safe and effective resident care.
This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the New Jersey state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Deficiencies
| This Facility | NJ Average | vs. NJ Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
| 17 | 18 | This facility has 6% fewer total deficiencies than a typical New Jersey nursing home (17 vs. NJ avg 18).↓ 6% better |
|
Deficiencies per year
Average deficiencies per year since 2020.
| 2.8 | 3 | This facility has 7% fewer deficiencies per year than a typical New Jersey nursing home (2.8 vs. NJ avg 3).↓ 7% better |
|
Deficiencies per inspection
Average deficiencies per inspection.
| 2.1 | 2 | This facility has 5% more deficiencies per inspection than a typical New Jersey nursing home (2.1 vs. NJ avg 2).↑ 5% worse |
Per-category split of the 18 deficiencies recorded across all inspections. Counts are compared against the New Jersey state average for each category. A green dot means this facility is below the state average for that category; an amber dot means it is above.
Inspections
| This Facility | NJ Average | vs. NJ Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
Combined count of all routine and focused inspections. Excludes complaint investigations.
| 8 | 9 | This facility has 11% fewer total inspections than a typical New Jersey nursing home (8 vs. NJ avg 9).↓ 11% better |
|
Complaint investigations
On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with New Jersey regulators.
| 1 | 3 | This facility has 67% fewer complaint investigations than a typical New Jersey nursing home (1 vs. NJ avg 3).↓ 67% better |
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
The most recent inspection on November 19, 2025, did not identify any deficiencies. Earlier inspections showed some deficiencies related to personal privacy, pharmaceutical services including narcotic medication handling, infection prevention and control, emergency preparedness, and fire safety. Complaint investigations from prior surveys included a substantiated complaint regarding privacy and pharmaceutical services, while other complaints were found unsubstantiated. Enforcement actions such as fines or license suspensions were not listed in the available reports. The facility’s record suggests some improvement over time, with the most recent inspection showing no cited issues after previous findings.
Read the full inspection reports for this facility, including detailed findings and corrective actions.
Show Inspection ReportsNew Jersey average 4
Last Health inspection on Mar 2025
New Jersey average 20.9
New Jersey average 5.35
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
All 13 citations resulted from standard inspections.
100% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 0.7
150% worse than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 0.4
Corrected
Corrected
Corrected
Corrected
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
78% better than New Jersey average
9% worse than New Jersey average
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Manages medical care and health needs.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
8.4 hoursThis role is partially covered by contractors.
Assists with medical care and medications.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
7.1 hoursThis role is partially covered by contractors.
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
7.9 hoursThis role is partially covered by contractors.
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Total hours from contractors
2,453 contractor hours this quarter
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 27 | 12 | 39 | 9,187 | 92 | 100% | 7.9 |
| Registered Nurse | 8 | 15 | 23 | 2,929 | 92 | 100% | 8.4 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 14 | 10 | 24 | 2,921 | 92 | 100% | 7.1 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 4 | 0 | 4 | 922 | 73 | 79% | 7.5 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 4 | 0 | 4 | 883 | 69 | 75% | 7.5 |
| Administrator | 3 | 0 | 3 | 528 | 66 | 72% | 8 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 528 | 66 | 72% | 8 |
| Dietitian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 521 | 66 | 72% | 7.9 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 2 | 0 | 2 | 490 | 63 | 68% | 7.8 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 5 | 0 | 5 | 486 | 77 | 84% | 5.6 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 1 | 0 | 1 | 434 | 56 | 61% | 7.8 |
| Feeding Assistant | 0 | 3 | 3 | 383 | 68 | 74% | 4.2 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | 0 | 3 | 3 | 260 | 46 | 50% | 4.9 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 2 | 0 | 2 | 249 | 48 | 52% | 5.1 |
| Diagnostic X-ray Services Staff | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112 | 14 | 15% | 8 |
| Medical Director | 0 | 1 | 1 | 70 | 14 | 15% | 5 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 0 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 13 | 14% | 4 |
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
No penalties in the past 3 years
No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline.
9.2
35% worse than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 6.8
A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence.
15.9
28% worse than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 12.4
Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
19.4%
92% worse than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 10.1%
Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder
12.4%
23% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 16.0%
Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
7.6%
212% worse than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 2.4%
Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers
8.0%
31% worse than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 6.1%
Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
1.0%
In line with New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 1.0%
Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight
1.7%
64% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 4.6%
Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms
8.1%
29% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 11.3%
Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
4.7%
57% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 11.1%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
96.2%
In line with New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 93.0%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
100.0%
In line with New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 97.2%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
94.2%
19% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 78.9%
Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
0.9%
19% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 1.2%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
87.2%
9% better than New Jersey averageNew Jersey average: 80.1%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
49% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
51% of new residents, often for short stays.
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Total residents
37Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community offering multiple care levels
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Data sourced from CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics quarterly report. Payer mix reflects the current resident census by primary payment source.
Historical financial and operational data for Crane‘s Mill based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #197 / 272Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 197th out of 272 homes in New Jersey. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the New Jersey average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed
Building Type: Two-story
Fitness and Recreation
This home supports both short-term rehab and long-term care, with residents staying for a wide range of durations.
Jennifer Blanchard is the Administrator of SpiriCare at Home and Journey Hospice of North Jersey. She brings extensive home healthcare leadership experience, spanning skilled pediatrics to geriatric home-based care. Jennifer recently joined LSMNJ and is committed to providing compassionate and expert care to the community she leads.
13.3 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from West Caldwell's city center to Crane‘s Mill's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 8.08 miles to nearest hospital (Chilton Medical Center)
Add your location
Crane‘s Mill is located in West Caldwell, New Jersey.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in New Jersey.
Crane‘s Mill is in the Westville neighborhood of West Caldwell.
The legal owner and operator of Crane‘s Mill is Lutheran Social Ministries Of Nj.
Crane‘s Mill has a walk score of 32. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.
According to NJ state health department records, Crane‘s Mill's license number is 306300.
According to NJ state health department records, Crane‘s Mill's license expires on January 31, 2026.
Crane‘s Mill's occupancy is 66%.
Ms. LORI VERNACHIO is the administrator of Crane‘s Mill.
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