Life Care Center of Banner Elk
185 Norwood Hollow Road · Banner Elk, NC · 28604 · 8288985136
118 certified beds For profit - Corporation Chain: Life Care Centers of America
- Cleaner inspection record than most facilities nationally.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
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
Total nurse staffing below 3.0 hours per resident-day
2.97 reported hours vs the 3.48 minimum CMS's own staffing study recommends.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 5 of 5 Inspections: 4 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 2.97 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.39 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 2.75 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 25% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (7 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D August 6, 2025
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected August 22, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 6, 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 August 22, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D August 6, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected August 22, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2024
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Corrected September 12, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E August 21, 2024
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected September 12, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2024
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.
Corrected September 12, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D May 24, 2023
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.
Corrected June 12, 2023 · Quality of Life and Care
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
No approved reviews yet. If your family has experience with this facility, yours could be the review that helps the next family decide.
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 345203 · certified since October 1, 1981. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.