The nursing home failed to protect residents from abuse and neglect by others. Cited December 2024 — limited pattern, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 600 — 42 CFR §483.12 — S/S: H
Nursing home report
Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley
BILLERICA, MA · Medicare-certified · 124 beds
Needs attention
For-profitChain member
Data as of July 1, 2026
2 of 5 overall
Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley in Billerica, MA has a 2 out of 5 overall rating, with a 2-star health inspection rating, 3-star staffing, and 4-star quality measures. It has recent federal penalties totaling $161,920, and reported nurse staffing is 4.09 hours per resident per day, just below the 4.1 federal benchmark.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
4.0898 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: April 23, 2026Penalties, last 24 months: $161,920recent federal penalty
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 4.0898.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.71
- Licensed practical nurses
- 1.00
- Nurse aides
- 2.39
- Weekend nursing
- 3.59
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 39%
Registered nurse turnover: 52%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
21.7%17.8%Improving
Residents with a fall causing major injury
4.7%4%Improving
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
1.5%8.4%Worsening
Residents with a urinary tract infection
1.2%0%Improving
Residents who lost too much weight
6%2.1%Improving
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
3.8%3.4%No change
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
1.9%1.6%No change
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
15.5%14.4%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
1.7%0%Improving
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%0%No change
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
34.8%33%Improving
Residents with depressive symptoms
15.2%53.8%Worsening
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—100%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
98.8%100%Improving
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—100%—
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
100%94%Worsening
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to provide proper pressure ulcer care and failed to prevent new pressure sores from developing. Cited December 2024 — limited pattern, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 686 — 42 CFR §483.25(b) — S/S: H
The home failed to designate a physician to oversee resident care policies and coordinate medical care. Cited December 2024 — limited pattern, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 841 — 42 CFR §483.70(g) — S/S: H
The home failed to create and carry out a timely plan to meet a new resident’s most immediate needs after admission. Cited December 2024 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 655 — 42 CFR §483.21 — S/S: G
The home failed to provide safe, appropriate dialysis care for a resident who needed it. Cited December 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 698 — 42 CFR §483.25(l) — S/S: E
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing met or exceeded the federal recommendation.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing met or exceeded the federal recommendation.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 4 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $161,920 was recorded.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 17 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
Penalties & enforcement
On record with Medicare: 1 fine · $161,920 in total fines.
- $161,920
Federal fine
Dec 4, 2024
Operator & ownership
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Chain
- Part of LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA · 194 homes · 3.4 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 111.6 residents on an average day (90% of 124 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident council
- Medicare history
- Certified for 34 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.