Recently, the Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland was awarded an overall five-star rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This important achievement reflects the hard work of our dedicated healthcare heroes and is the result of positive findings from independent health inspections, staffing levels, and resident-level quality measures of clinical care. This recognition follows the 2023 award of the five-star rating to the Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus.

How are these ratings determined? Health inspection ratings are based upon the three most recent surveys, or inspections, conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) on behalf of CMS. The staffing rating is based upon the number of nursing hours per resident per day and the number of registered nurse hours per resident per day. The quality measure rating is informed by individual resident health status in multiple care areas. For example, weight for each of our residents is tracked as an individual quality measure, routinely reviewed by our quality assurance teams, and informs this important benchmark of facility performance.

Here at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, we are committed to constant and never-ending improvement in our three homes. Vineland’s and Paramus’ achievement of an overall five star rating, and Menlo Park’s clinical deficiency-free surveys in 2024, reflect a deliberate process of assessment and improvement begun under my predecessor. I am so pleased with the progress that has been documented by CMS, DOH, and in other inspections conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Five out of five stars is where we want to be. I congratulate and offer my personal thanks to everyone – the staff, volunteers, and families – who dedicate their time, talent, and energy to ensuring that Vineland is a safe and welcoming community for the Veterans, Veteran Spouses, and Gold Star Families who call our facility home. 

— U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, Commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.