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
2 of 5 overall
LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY in Billerica, MA has an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, with low health inspection results but stronger staffing and quality ratings at 4 out of 5 stars. It also has $161,920 in fines over the last 24 months and a recent federal penalty; reported nurse staffing is 4.21 hours per resident per day, slightly above the federal benchmark of 4.1.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
4.2081 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: December 10, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $161,920recent federal penalty
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 4.2081.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.59
- Licensed practical nurses
- 1.15
- Nurse aides
- 2.47
- Weekend nursing
- 3.71
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 44%
Registered nurse turnover: 58%
Resident outcomes
How often residents experience these outcomes, with the direction over the past year.
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
19.1%Improving
Residents with a fall causing major injury
4.8%Worsening
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
1.8%Worsening
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0.6%Improving
Residents who lost too much weight
2.6%Worsening
Residents who were physically restrained
0%Steady
Residents needing more help with daily activities
7.6%Improving
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
4.5%Steady
Show all measures
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
16.6%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
1%Improving
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%Steady
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
29.2%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
25.2%Worsening
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
100%Steady
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
98.9%Worsening
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
100%Steady
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
98.5%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 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 · 3.5 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 103.5 residents on an average day (83% 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.