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Data from CMS, Census Bureau & CareScout. Not affiliated with the U.S. government.

© 2026 NursingHomes.us. All data from CMS.gov.
HomeMassachusettsLife Care Center of Merrimack Valley

Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley

80 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 018629786672166
1/5Much Below Average
Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid Sprinkler System
Health
1/5
Staffing
4/5
Quality
4/5
Beds
124
certified
This facility has been flagged for abuse.
1 fine(s) totaling $161,920

Key Findings

• CMS rates this facility 1/5 stars (below average)

• Has 124 certified beds with an average of 101.3 residents per day (82% occupancy)

• Last health inspection found 18 deficiencies (inspected Dec 4, 2024)

• Has been fined a total of $161,920 across 1 fine(s)

• Total nursing staff: 4.14 hours per resident per day

• Staff turnover rate: 42.5%

• Part of the Life Care Centers of America chain (194 facilities)

Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley is a 1-star Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in Billerica, Massachusetts with 124 certified beds. It has been operating since 1992. The facility scored below average compared to Massachusetts facilities.

Beds
124
Avg Residents/Day
101.3
Ownership
For profit - Limited Liability company
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
In Hospital
No
First Approved
Mar 15, 1992
Sprinklers
Yes
Council
Resident
County
Middlesex
Last Inspection
Dec 4, 2024
Deficiencies (Cycle 1)
18
Weighted Score
172.3
Infection Citations
0

Deficiency Citations (38)

F0552Potential for Harm

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Survey: Aug 14, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0655Actual Harm

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0656Potential for Harm

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0694Potential for Harm

Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0698Potential for Harm

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: 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: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0812Potential for Harm

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0842Potential for Harm

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0880Potential for Harm

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0600Actual Harm

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0686Actual Harm

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0726Potential for Harm

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0835Potential for Harm

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0837Potential for Harm

Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0838Potential for Harm

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.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0840Potential for Harm

Employ or obtain outside professional resources to provide services in the nursing home when the facility does not employ a qualified professional to furnish a required service.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0841Actual Harm

Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0865Potential for Harm

Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

Survey: Dec 4, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0550Potential for Harm

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Survey: Nov 22, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0756Potential for Harm

Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

Survey: Nov 22, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 2
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: Nov 22, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0842Potential for Harm

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Survey: Nov 22, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0550Potential for Harm

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0554Potential for Harm

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0609Potential for Harm

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0610Potential for Harm

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0636Potential for Harm

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0656Potential for Harm

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0689Potential for Harm

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Survey: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3
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: Oct 6, 2022Corrected: NoCycle: 3

+ 8 more deficiencies

Total Fines
$161,920
Number of Fines
1
Payment Denials
0
Total Penalties
1

Penalty History

FineDec 4, 2024
$161,920

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

Nurse Aide2.55 hrs
National avg: 2.35 hrs
LPN0.92 hrs
National avg: 0.86 hrs
RN0.67 hrs
National avg: 0.68 hrs
Total Nursing4.14 hrs
National avg: 3.89 hrs
Weekend Total3.64 hrs
National avg: 0.00 hrs
Physical Therapist0.08 hrs
National avg: 0.07 hrs
Total Turnover
42.5%
RN Turnover
52.6%
Administrators Left
0

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

Ownership Type
For profit - Limited Liability company
Recent Change
No

Owners & Managers (16)

NameRoleTypeOwnership %Since
LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.5% OR GREATER DIRECT OWNERSHIP INTERESTOrganization100%Aug 6, 2015
PRESTON, FORREST5% OR GREATER INDIRECT OWNERSHIP INTERESTIndividual100%Aug 6, 2015
LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLOrganizationN/AAug 6, 2015
FAUSTIN, MOSELINEOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AMay 22, 2023
FINKEL, NOAHOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ANov 1, 2021
FLETCHER, TODDOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AMay 1, 2021
JANIAK, ANDREAOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AAug 24, 2022
LAY, LISAOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AApr 24, 2017
LONG, ZOFIAOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AJul 1, 1999
PRESTON, AUBREYOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/ANov 27, 2024
PRESTON, FORRESTOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AAug 6, 2015
SWANKER, RICHARDOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AJan 1, 2022
ZIEGLER, JAMESOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLIndividualN/AAug 6, 2015
CROSS, CINDYCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/AAug 6, 2015
HENRY, TERRYCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/AAug 6, 2015
THURMOND, JOANCORPORATE OFFICERIndividualN/AAug 6, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CMS rating for Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley?▾
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley has an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars, with a health inspection rating of 1/5, staffing rating of 4/5, and quality measures rating of 4/5. This facility is rated below average.
Has Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley had any health inspection violations?▾
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley had 18 deficiency citations in its most recent health inspection (Dec 4, 2024). The facility has been fined a total of $161,920 across 1 fine(s).
What are the staffing levels at Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley?▾
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley provides 4.14 total nursing staff hours per resident per day, including 0.67 RN hours, 0.92 LPN hours, and 2.55 nurse aide hours. The total staff turnover rate is 42.5%.
How many beds does Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley have?▾
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley has 124 certified beds with an average of 101.3 residents per day, resulting in approximately 82% occupancy. The facility is For profit - Limited Liability company owned and is part of the Life Care Centers of America chain.

Part of Life Care Centers of America

This chain operates 194 facilities. View all →