Tendercare Sault Ste Marie
Nursing Home Facility
1011 Meridian Rd, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783
Tendercare Sault Ste. Marie is a leading provider of long-term skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation solutions. Our 142 bed facility offers a full continuum of services and care focused around each individual in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment.
Tendercare Sault Ste. Marie, winner of the Governor's Quality Award, is committed to the process of continuous quality improvement. We were also voted "Best Nursing Home" by the Tri-County Evening News in 1999, 2002 and 2006. Our facility is Medicare and Medicaid certified.
We are a proud recipient of the 2010 American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living's (AHCA/NCAL) Bronze - Commitment to Quality, National Quality Award in recognition of our strong commitment to continuous quality improvement.
Operated by MediLodge, which runs 54 communities in our directory.
With 106 beds, Tendercare Sault Ste Marie is one of the larger communities in the area, senior care communities in Chippewa County average about 20 beds. Larger communities more often keep clinical staff on site around the clock and can offer a wider range of on-site therapy and activities, though some families prefer the quieter feel of a smaller setting.
Federal reporting puts occupancy at about 75% of its licensed beds.
Medicare rates this community 1 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. The individual scores differ noticeably: 3 stars for staffing against 1 star for health inspections, so it is worth reading both before deciding. Its most recent standard health inspection was in February 2026 and recorded 33 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 3.6 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.7 hours from a registered nurse. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 51%.
The community is located in Chippewa County, MI.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 73 problems at Tendercare Sault Ste Marie. 8 findings involved harm to a resident, including 2 that put residents in immediate danger. 38 came from investigating complaints by residents or families.
In the last three years Medicare fined this home 3 times, a total of $65,403. Medicare also stopped paying for new admissions once in that period.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
-
Caused harm to a resident, a pattern
Nursing and Physician Services
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
-
Caused harm to a resident, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
-
Caused harm to a resident, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Nursing and Physician Services
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Nursing and Physician Services
Post nurse staffing information every day.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Nutrition and Dietary
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Nutrition and Dietary
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Conduct 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.
Show 25 more
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Infection Control
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Environmental
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Resident Rights
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Resident Rights
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.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Pharmacy Service
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.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Nutrition and Dietary
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Nutrition and Dietary
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Nutrition and Dietary
Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
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.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
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.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Administration
Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
A citation on its own does not mean poor care, and most are corrected within weeks. What matters most is how serious the findings were and whether the same problems keep coming back. When you visit, it is fair to ask the administrator what inspectors found and what has changed since.
Tendercare Sault Ste Marie offers nursing home care and senior living.
Facility details
- Organization type for-profit corporation
- Beds / units 106
- Occupancy 75%
- Nursing hours per resident/day 3.6
- Annual staff turnover 51%
- Last health inspection February 2026
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Tendercare Sault Ste Marie yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.