WOODSFIELD, OH. Resident #28 self-propelled her wheelchair down the hallway, desperate for help. "Hey can you help me," she called to a passing nursing aide. "Just a minute," came the reply. Her response revealed the daily reality: "I thought this place was supposed to help you, they don't do nothing; I have an awful itch, I'm so thirsty, and I can't get my food open."
This September encounter captured the broader staffing crisis at Stellar Care Center, where federal inspectors documented systematic understaffing that leaves residents waiting at least 30 minutes for basic care.
CNA #9 told inspectors during a September 23 interview that call lights routinely take "at least 30 minutes to answer, sometimes longer if the resident would require more than one staff member for care." The aide explained the facility housed many residents who were dependent or required two staff members for assistance.
The numbers tell the story. One certified nursing assistant described caring for over 25 residents during a single shift while also operating a mechanical lift. When nurses get pulled to help with resident care, their medication passes run late.
"There was not enough staff to get all assigned resident care and tasks completed during their shift," an anonymous staff member told inspectors.
The facility's own assessment reveals the scope of the problem. Stellar Care requires four full-time registered nurses, four full-time licensed practical nurses, and fourteen full-time certified nurse aides to properly care for its current resident population. Instead, the facility operates with five LPNs, one registered nurse, and twelve CNAs for full-time direct care, supplemented by one part-time LPN and one part-time CNA.
Regional Director of Operations #1011 acknowledged the facility was "budgeted for an appropriate amount of staff daily but were utilizing their staffing incorrectly." The director explained proper protocol: when the nurse goes downstairs to pass medications, an aide from downstairs should move upstairs to maintain two staff members on the memory care unit at all times.
But reality doesn't match policy.
During morning observations on September 24, inspectors watched five call lights simultaneously blinking on the A and B halls between 7:29 and 7:41 AM. Only two CNAs were present and working on the units. No other staff members were visible or available to help.
CNA #9 understood the human cost. The aide told inspectors they were "aware residents were not getting care completed timely due to a lack of staffing."
The facility's assessment documents its capacity to care for just five residents dependent on staff for each major activity: dressing, bathing, transferring, and toileting. Yet the staffing shortage affects far more residents across the facility.
During the September 23 interview, both the Director of Nursing and Facility Administrator confirmed what staff already knew: "based on the current facility assessment the facility does not have an adequate amount of staff to care for the current resident population, and current resident needs, with timeliness, and quality."
The inspection followed multiple complaints filed against the facility, numbered 2618783, 1398691, 1398690, 1398689, and 1398688.
While administrators acknowledged the staffing inadequacy, Resident #28 continued wheeling herself through hallways, still thirsty, still itching, still unable to open her food.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Stellar Care Center from 2025-09-30 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.