Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley
80 Boston Road · Billerica, MA · 01862 · 9786672166
124 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Life Care Centers of America
Why this verdict
- 4 citations involved actual harm to residents.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
1 abuse-related citation at the actual-harm level
Inspectors cited failures in the abuse-prevention rules (F600–F610) that resulted in actual harm to a resident.
$161,920 in federal fines in the last 24 months
1 fine — CMS fines are reserved for verified, serious non-compliance.
If someone you love was harmed at a facility with findings like these, you have options — read this.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 2 of 5 Inspections: 2 of 5 Staffing: 4 of 5 Quality measures: 4 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 4.21 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.59 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.71 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 44% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 1 · $161,920 |
Inspection citations (27 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D April 23, 2026 · found via complaint
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected May 18, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E December 10, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected December 26, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E December 10, 2025
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected December 26, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D December 10, 2025
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.
Corrected December 26, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D December 10, 2025
Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
Corrected December 26, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · E August 14, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected September 5, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Actual harm · G December 4, 2024
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Actual harm · H December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Actual harm · H December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · H December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2024
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2024
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2024
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.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
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.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
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.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
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.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
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.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · E December 4, 2024 · found via complaint
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Corrected January 2, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D November 22, 2023
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected December 12, 2023 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D November 22, 2023
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected December 12, 2023 · Pharmacy Service
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| December 4, 2024 | Fine | $161,920 |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 225546 · certified since March 15, 1992. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.