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HomeNorth CarolinaLife Care Center of Banner Elk

Life Care Center of Banner Elk

185 Norwood Hollow Road, Banner Elk, NC 286048288985136WebsiteGoogle Maps
4.6on Google(119 reviews)
4/5Above Average
Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid Sprinkler System

CMS data snapshot: July 2026

Health
4/5
Staffing
3/5
Quality
3/5
Beds
118
certified

How Life Care Center of Banner Elk Compares in North Carolina

Facility results compared with averages for CMS-certified nursing homes in North Carolina. Ratings, staffing and turnover measure different parts of care and should be reviewed together.

CMS overall rating
4/5
NC average
2.9/5
Above state average
Health inspection rating
4/5
NC average
2.9/5
Above state average
Staffing rating
3/5
NC average
2.7/5
Above state average
Nursing hours per resident
3.18 hrs/day
NC average
3.82 hrs/day
Below state average
RN hours per resident
0.41 hrs/day
NC average
0.61 hrs/day
Below state average
Staff turnover
17.6%
NC average
49.1%
Lower than state average

Comparisons use the matching CMS state averages without a proprietary combined score. Review the comparison methodology.

What the Data Highlights

Its 4/5 overall CMS rating is above the North Carolina average of 2.9/5.
Its 4/5 health inspection rating is above the North Carolina average of 2.9/5.
Reported nursing time is 3.18 hours per resident per day, below the state average of 3.82.
Reported RN time is 0.41 hours per resident per day, below the state average of 0.61.

Health Inspection Trend

A side-by-side view of the two CMS inspection cycles included in the current dataset.

Previous cycle
3
deficiency citations
Inspected Aug 21, 2024
Most recent cycle
3
deficiency citations
Inspected Aug 6, 2025
The two inspection cycles recorded the same number of deficiency citations.

Citation counts alone do not show severity. Review the inspection details below for scope, severity and correction status.

Cost & Demographics

Semi-Private Room
$8,122/mo
North Carolina median
Private Room
$9,125/mo
North Carolina median
Avery County 65+
4,007
22.7% of county
County Population
17,679
Avery County

Cost data: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey (2024). Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2022).

Swipe tabs for staffing, quality and ownership.

Life Care Center of Banner Elk is a 4-star Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in Banner Elk, North Carolina with 118 certified beds. It has been operating since 1981. Its overall CMS rating is 4 out of 5.

Beds
118
Avg Residents/Day
65.7
Ownership
For profit - Corporation
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
In Hospital
No
First Approved
Oct 1, 1981
Sprinklers
Yes
Council
Resident
County
Avery
Last Inspection
Aug 6, 2025
Deficiencies (Cycle 1)
3
Weighted Score
13.0
Infection Citations
0

Deficiency Citations (7)

F0690Potential for Harm

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

Survey: Aug 6, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0761Potential for Harm

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.

Survey: Aug 6, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0880Potential for Harm

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Survey: Aug 6, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0679Potential for Harm

Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.

Survey: Aug 21, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0565Potential for Harm

Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.

Survey: Aug 21, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0700Potential for Harm

Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.

Survey: Aug 21, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0688Potential for Harm

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.

Survey: May 24, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
Total Fines
$0
Number of Fines
0
Payment Denials
0
Total Penalties
0

No penalties on record.

Staffing hours per resident per day. The black line shows the national average.

Nurse Aide1.67 hrs
National avg: 2.32 hrs
LPN1.10 hrs
National avg: 0.86 hrs
RN0.41 hrs
National avg: 0.69 hrs
Total Nursing3.18 hrs
National avg: 3.86 hrs
Weekend Total2.96 hrs
National avg: 0.00 hrs
Physical Therapist0.08 hrs
National avg: 0.07 hrs
Total Turnover
17.6%
RN Turnover
28.6%
Administrators Left
0

Quality measures as percentages of residents. Lower is better for all measures.

Ownership Type
For profit - Corporation
Recent Change
No

Owners & Managers (23)

NameRoleTypeOwnership %Since
DEVELOPERS INVESTMENT COMPANY INCDIRECT OWNERSHIP INTERESTOrganizationN/AAug 24, 2015
PRESTON, FORRESTINDIRECT OWNERSHIP INTERESTIndividualN/AAug 24, 2015
KILPATRICK, LYNNMANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODYIndividualN/ADec 18, 2013
LAWS, BRANDYMANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODYIndividualN/AJan 20, 2025
SOLOMON, JENNIFERMANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODYIndividualN/AMay 1, 2019
CROSS, CINDYCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/ASep 30, 2015
HENRY, TERRYCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/ASep 30, 2015
LAY, LISACORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/AFeb 9, 2018
SWANKER, RICHARDCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/ASep 30, 2015
THURMOND, JOANCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/ASep 30, 2015
DEVELOPERS INVESTMENT COMPANY INCOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLOrganizationN/AAug 24, 2015
LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLOrganizationN/ASep 30, 2015
BARKER, JOSEPHOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ASep 1, 2022
FLETCHER, TODDOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ADec 13, 2024
KILPATRICK, LYNNOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ADec 18, 2013
LAWS, BRANDYOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AJan 20, 2025
PRESTON, AUBREYOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ADec 13, 2024
SOLOMON, JENNIFEROPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AMay 1, 2019
ZIEGLER, JAMESOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ADec 13, 2024
LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.ADP OF THE SNFOrganizationN/AMar 10, 2025
BARKER, JOSEPHADP OF THE SNFIndividualN/AMar 10, 2025
KILPATRICK, LYNNADP OF THE SNFIndividualN/AMar 10, 2025
PRESTON, FORRESTADP OF THE SNFIndividualN/AAug 31, 2000

Compare Nearby Nursing Homes

Compare CMS ratings and recorded fines for Life Care Center of Banner Elk and nearby alternatives.

All North Carolina facilities
Life Care Center of Banner Elk
Banner Elk, NCCurrent facility
CMS
4/5
Health
4/5
Staffing
3/5
Recorded fines: None
The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge
Blowing Rock, NC10.7 mi
CMS
2/5
Health
2/5
Staffing
3/5
Recorded fines: $17,114
Glenbridge Health And Rehabilitation
Boone, NC12.7 mi
CMS
1/5
Health
1/5
Staffing
1/5
Recorded fines: $32,349
The Greens at Spruce Pines
Spruce Pine, NC20.6 mi
CMS
2/5
Health
2/5
Staffing
3/5
Recorded fines: $153,439
Lenoir Health and Rehabilitation Center
Lenoir, NC21.9 mi
CMS
1/5
Health
1/5
Staffing
1/5
Recorded fines: $150,174
Hibriten Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation
Lenoir, NC22.8 miAbuse flag
CMS
1/5
Health
1/5
Staffing
2/5
Recorded fines: $53,110
Shaire Nursing Center
Lenoir, NC26.1 mi
CMS
5/5
Health
4/5
Staffing
5/5
Recorded fines: None
FacilityDistanceCMSHealthStaffingRecorded fines
Life Care Center of Banner Elk
Banner Elk, NC · Current facility
—4/54/53/5None recorded
The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge
Blowing Rock, NC
10.7 mi2/52/53/5$17,114
Glenbridge Health And Rehabilitation
Boone, NC
12.7 mi1/51/51/5$32,349
The Greens at Spruce Pines
Spruce Pine, NC
20.6 mi2/52/53/5$153,439
Lenoir Health and Rehabilitation Center
Lenoir, NC
21.9 mi1/51/51/5$150,174
Hibriten Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation
Lenoir, NC
22.8 mi1/51/52/5$53,110
Shaire Nursing Center
Lenoir, NC
26.1 mi5/54/55/5None recorded

Distance is approximate. Ratings and enforcement data use the current CMS snapshot; recorded fines are not a complete measure of care quality. How nearby facilities are selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CMS rating for Life Care Center of Banner Elk?▾
Life Care Center of Banner Elk has an overall CMS rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a health inspection rating of 4/5, staffing rating of 3/5, and quality measures rating of 3/5. This facility is rated above average.
How much does Life Care Center of Banner Elk cost per month?▾
While individual facility pricing is not publicly available, the median nursing home cost in North Carolina is $8,122/month for a semi-private room and $9,125/month for a private room (Genworth/CareScout 2024). Life Care Center of Banner Elk participates in Medicare and Medicaid, which may cover some or all costs depending on eligibility.
Has Life Care Center of Banner Elk had any health inspection violations?▾
Life Care Center of Banner Elk had 3 deficiency citations in its most recent health inspection (Aug 6, 2025). The current CMS dataset records no fines for this facility.
What are the staffing levels at Life Care Center of Banner Elk?▾
Life Care Center of Banner Elk provides 3.18 total nursing staff hours per resident per day, including 0.41 RN hours, 1.10 LPN hours, and 1.67 nurse aide hours. The total staff turnover rate is 17.6%.
How many beds does Life Care Center of Banner Elk have?▾
Life Care Center of Banner Elk has 118 certified beds with an average of 65.7 residents per day, resulting in approximately 56% occupancy. The facility is For profit - Corporation owned and is part of the Life Care Centers of America chain.
Are there other nursing homes near Life Care Center of Banner Elk?▾
Yes. This page lists 6 nearby nursing homes in North Carolina. Compare their CMS ratings, staffing, inspections and fines before choosing a facility.
What do patients and families say about Life Care Center of Banner Elk?▾
On Google Maps, Life Care Center of Banner Elk has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 119 reviews. This is an independent rating from visitors and families, separate from the official CMS government rating of 4/5.

Part of Life Care Centers of America

This chain operates 194 facilities. View all →