Home / Washington / Lynden
Christian Health Care Center
855 Aaron Drive, Lynden, WA 98264 · Whatcom County · (360) 354-4434
122 certified beds, about 100 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1992
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
5 of 5
Health inspections
5 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
5 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 505406 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on June 12, 2026, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the Washington average is 15.8, the national average 9.2).
Of 12 health citations since August 2024, 1 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists 1 fine totaling $22,081 in the last three years; the largest was $22,081, and the latest is dated May 27, 2025.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 4.83 hours per resident per day, against 4.36 across Washington and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.25 of those hours.
33.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Washington average 45.1%).
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
208/24
805/25
206/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 12 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
1G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
6D
5E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
June 12, 2026Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the Level 1 PASRR (Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review; an assessment used to identify residents with a Serious Mental Illness [SMI] or intellectual disabilities were not inappropriately placed in a nursing facility for long term care) was accurate for 1 of 5 residents (Resident 62). The facility failed to identify a SMI or that there was a suspicion of SMI upon admission for a resident with depression. This failure placed residents at risk for psychological decline and unmet psychosocial needs.
- D 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to manage and reconcile controlled medications in 1 of 3 medication storage rooms (Baker Hall/Medicare unit) reviewed. This failure allowed for the potential risk of diversion of resident's medications.
May 27, 2025Standard inspection · 8 citations
- G Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review the facility failed to consistently provide oral care as care planned, notify the power of attorney (POA) and medical provider timely of a change in dental condition for 1 of 2 residents (Resident 47) reviewed for dental care. Resident 47 experienced harm when they developed abscesses in their mouth that required antibiotic treatment. Findings Included .Resident 47 was a long-term resident of the facility with diagnoses which included dementia (a mental disorder in which a person loses the ability to think, remember, learn, make decisions, and solve problems) with severe agitation, mood disturbances and anxiety, high blood pressure, and dysphasia (difficulty swallowing). [...]
- E Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wrote<DENTAL> <RESIDENT 47> Resident 47 admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses which included Alzheimer's Disease (progressive disease that destroys memory and other mental functions), high blood pressure, and dysphasia (difficulty swallowing). Review of Resident 47's Annual MDS assessment dated [DATE] showed they had no obvious or likely cavity, no broken natural teeth, no facial pain or discomfort, and no inflamed or bleeding gums or difficulty chewing. In an observation on 05/20/2025 at 2:45 PM, Resident 47 gums and teeth appeared to be black in color, with debris in their teeth, and they were missing teeth. Review of Resident 47's dental status assessment dated [DATE] showed the resident had obvious or likely cavities. Review of dental hygienist notes dated 03/26/2024 showed Resident 47 had broken teeth. [...]
- E 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to properly label and/or discard undated, opened ophthalmic medications (drugs specifically formulated for application to the eye). This failure placed the residents at risk of receiving compromised or ineffective medications.
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to prepare food under safe and sanitary conditions in the facility kitchen. The failure to ensure hand hygiene when changing gloves and using food-contact sanitizer to clean gloves, placed residents at risk for cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses.
- E Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review the facility failed to ensure a system in which resident's records were complete, accurate, accessible and systematically organized for 4 of 7 residents (Residents 29, 47, 83 and 84) reviewed. This failure included inaccessible hospice visit documentation, hospice plan of care, and incomplete documentation of meal intakes which placed residents at risk for unmet needs, unrecognized changes in condition and adverse outcomes.
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure proper hand hygiene and infection control measures were used for equipment sanitation, during staff assistance during meals, personal care and indwelling urinary catheter care for 1 of 1 resident (Resident 32) observed for cares and dining observations. The facility failed to ensure the staff were compliant with appropriate hand hygiene practices while serving meals, and during catheter care. These failed practices placed the residents and staff at increased risk of contracting and/or spreading potential infections.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide the careplanned supervision that was necessary to avoid accidents for 1 of 5 residents (Resident 83) reviewed for accidents. Resident 83, who was left unattended on the toilet, sustained a fall where they struck their head and sustained a bump to the back of their head. This failed practice placed other residents with similar care needs at an increased risk of falls and serious injury.
- D Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure adequate monitoring was conducted for use of an anticoagulant (medication that prevent blood clot) for 1 of 5 residents (Resident 53), reviewed for unnecessary medications. This failure placed the residents at risk for receiving unnecessary medications, adverse side effects, and related complications.
August 21, 2024Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure policies and procedures for timely reporting of fall for 1 of 4 residents (Resident 51) reviewed for abuse. The facility failed to report to the state agency when a resident fell after, during a transfer, in which their care plan was not being followed. This failure by the facility to identify, report, and investigate for an allegation of potential abuse or neglect placed residents at risk of being victims of unidentified and uninvestigated abuse and/or neglect and limited the thoroughness of investigations.
- D Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure possible allegations of abuse/neglect were thoroughly investigated for 1 of 4 residents (Residents 51), reviewed for abuse/neglect investigations. This failure placed the resident at risk for unidentified abuse or neglect and a diminished quality of life.
Fire safety inspections
5 fire safety citations on file: 2 on June 12, 2026, 3 on May 27, 2025.
Every fire safety citation5 citations
- F Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
- F Establish emergency prep training and testing.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- D Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Fines and payment denials
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2025 | Fine | $22,081 |
A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stopped paying for new admissions for that period.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 4.83 | 4.36 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.25 | 0.94 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 4.10 | 3.80 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.86 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.72 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 33.3% | 45.1% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 24.1% | 45.4% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 4.48 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 5.12 on weekdays and 4.10 on weekends, 20% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 4.41 in April to June 2025 to 4.83 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.83 | 1.25 | 5.12 | 4.10 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 100 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.80 | 1.30 | 5.04 | 4.17 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 95 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.30 | 1.08 | 4.48 | 3.83 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 98 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.41 | 1.13 | 4.62 | 3.88 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 97 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Washington, Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.21 | 0.90 | 4.44 | 3.66 | 3.7% | 0.1% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Washington | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 8.1 | 14.2 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 10.7 | 17.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.8 | 15.1 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 28.2 | 19.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 10.9 | 13.4 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: CHRISTIAN HEALTH CARE CENTER.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Young, Kevin | Corporate director | Individual | 01/30/2022 | |
| Myers, Tonja | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Aupperlee, Jeanne | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/29/2023 | |
| Buys, Vincent | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/30/2022 | |
| Gibson, Emily | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/30/2022 | |
| Sp Consulting Services | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 10/13/2021 | |
| Friesen, Josh | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 03/02/2026 | |
| Lee, Angie | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/15/2019 | |
| Lewis, Heather | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 12/01/2015 | |
| Myers, Tonja | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Sp Consulting Services | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 12/24/2025 | |
| Lee, Angie | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2001 | |
| Lewis, Heather | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 12/01/2025 | |
| Myers, Tonja | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2023 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on June 12, 2026: "PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities"
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on June 12, 2026: "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."
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on May 27, 2025: "Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals."
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on August 21, 2024: "Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities."
Other nursing homes nearby
- North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Bellingham, 10.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 97 citations
- Alderwood Park Health and Rehab of Cascadia Bellingham, 12.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 40 citations
- Avalon Healthcare Bellingham Bellingham, 13.2 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 29 citations
- Stafholt Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia Blaine, 14.3 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 41 citations
- Rock Hill Health & Rehabilitation Bellingham, 14.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 72 citations
- Mt Baker Care Center Bellingham, 17.3 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 20 citations
- Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia Bellingham, 17.5 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 37 citations
Washington contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Washington. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Washington DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Residential Care Services, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 1-800-562-6028. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
Common questions
- What is Christian Health Care Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Christian Health Care Center 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Christian Health Care Center get at its last inspection?
- 2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on June 12, 2026. The Washington average is 15.8.
- Has Christian Health Care Center been fined?
- Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $22,081 in the last three years.
- Does Christian Health Care Center accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Christian Health Care Center?
- CMS lists 14 owners and managers. Legal business name: CHRISTIAN HEALTH CARE CENTER.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.