Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence
1600 S Potomac St., Aurora, CO 80012 · Arapahoe County · (303) 750-8418
120 certified beds, about 97 residents a day · For profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1989
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
3 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 065266 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on May 1, 2025, inspectors cited 7 health deficiencies (the Colorado average is 8.7, the national average 9.2).
None of its 13 health citations since June 2022 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.92 hours per resident per day, against 3.72 across Colorado and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.71 of those hours.
31.6% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Colorado average 47.1%).
CMS links it to Life Care Centers of America, an affiliated group of 194 nursing homes.
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.
206/22
109/23
705/25
112/25
103/26
107/26
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 13 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
9D
4E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
July 30, 2026Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure one (#2) of five residents were free from physical abuse out of eight sample residents. Specifically, the facility failed to protect Resident #2 from physical abuse by Resident #1.
March 4, 2026Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure two (#9 and #12) of six residents reviewed for abuse out of 12 sample residents were kept free from abuse. Specifically, the facility failed to protect Resident #9 and Resident #12 from physical abuse by Resident #8.
December 9, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure residents who displayed or were diagnosed with dementia received the appropriate treatment and services to attain or maintain their highest practical physical, mental, and psychological well-being for one (#4) of four residents reviewed for dementia care out of four sample residents. Specifically, the facility failed to develop and implement effective person-centered dementia management interventions to prevent Resident #4 from wandering into other residents' rooms.
May 1, 2025Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 7 citations
- E Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that three (#57, #10 and #51) of five residents out of 35 sample residents were free from chemical restraint and were receiving the least restrictive approach for their needs. Specifically, for Residents #57, #10 and #51, the facility failed to: -Adequately identify and monitor target behaviors for psychotropic medications; -Identify resident specific interventions for behaviors; and, -Provide adequate documentation to justify the addition of new psychotropic medications, the increase in dosage of psychotropic medications and/or the continued use of psychotropic medications.
- 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 observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure medications and biologicals were stored and labeled properly according to professional standards in one of three medication storage rooms. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure vaccinations were not stored in dormitory style fridges.
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure three (#86, #48 and #93) of six residents reviewed for abuse out of 35 sample residents were free from abuse. Specially, the facility failed to: -Protect Resident #48 from physical abuse by Resident #86; -Protect Resident #86 from physical abuse by Resident #48; and, -Protect Resident #93 from physical abuse by Resident #84.
- D Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that one (#79) of three residents out of 35 sample residents were free from involuntary seclusion and were receiving the least restrictive approach for their needs. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure Residents #79, residing on the secure locked unit, had the required documentation to justify such restrictions including a consent from the resident's responsible party for placement, documentation reflecting secure/locked placement was the least restrictive approach possible.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure one (#57) of two residents out of 35 sample residents received treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice and the comprehensive person-centered care plan. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure staff provided wound care per physician's order for Resident #57.
- D Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that its medication error rate was not greater than five percent (%). Specifically, the facility had a medication error rate of 8%, which was two errors out of 25 opportunities for error.
- D Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, the facility failed to develop and implement policies and procedures related to COVID-19 immunizations for one (#69) of five residents reviewed for immunizations out of 35 sample residents. Specifically, the facility failed to follow up with a resident and/or the resident's representative to offer and administer COVID-19 vaccination for Resident #69.
September 14, 2023Standard inspection · 1 citation
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteII. Wound care failures A. Professional reference According to [NAME], P.A., [NAME], A.G., et.al., Fundamentals of Nursing, 10 ed. (2022), Elsevier, St. Louis Missouri, pg. 1265. After applying a solution to sterile gauze, clean away from the wound. Never use the same piece of gauze to clean across an incision or wound twice. B. Facility policy and procedure The Treatment of Wounds policy and procedure, revised 9/3/21, received from the NHA on 9/14/23 at revealed in pertinent part, provide comprehensive treatment plan designated to meet the individual resident's goals utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. Intent of this center that a resident having a wound receive necessary medical treatment to prevent infection, deterioration or development of wounds. A resident received care, consistent with professional standards of practice. C. [...]
June 30, 2022Standard inspection · 2 citations
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews, record review, and facility policy and document review, the facility failed to: 1. Conduct a thorough visitor screening for COVID-19 for three of four days of the survey; and 2. Prevent possible contamination of one resident's catheter drainage bag by allowing it to rest on the floor for one (Resident #14) of two residents sampled for catheter care.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure dignity was provided by failing to cover a urinary catheter drainage bag for one (Resident #14) of two residents reviewed for urinary catheters.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
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 | Colorado | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.92 | 3.72 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.71 | 0.82 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.52 | 3.29 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.24 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.97 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 31.6% | 47.1% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 7.7% | 44.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.63 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 4.08 on weekdays and 3.52 on weekends, 14% 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 3.89 in April to June 2025 to 3.92 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 | 3.92 | 0.71 | 4.08 | 3.52 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 97 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.88 | 0.73 | 4.05 | 3.46 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 96 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.88 | 0.79 | 4.07 | 3.40 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 95 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.89 | 0.78 | 4.07 | 3.44 | 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 | |
| Colorado, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.59 | 0.76 | 3.75 | 3.18 | 5.9% | 0.2% 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 | Colorado | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.9 | 13.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.5 | 13.3 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 39.0 | 20.0 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 25.4 | 20.3 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 18.2 | 12.1 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: DENVER HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS, LLC. CMS links this home to Life Care Centers of America, a group of 194 nursing homes averaging 3.4 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developers Investment Company Inc | Direct ownership interest | Organization | 10/13/1988 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Indirect ownership interest | Individual | 10/01/2005 | |
| Kadima, Lilly | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 07/12/2020 | |
| Mauldin, Monica | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 07/10/2023 | |
| Schmidt, Derek | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 10/18/2012 | |
| Franco, Mark | Corporate director | Individual | 09/12/2025 | |
| Smith, Frank | Corporate director | Individual | 06/19/2025 | |
| Cross, Cindy | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/21/1994 | |
| Henry, Terry | Corporate officer | Individual | 08/16/1999 | |
| Lay, Lisa | Corporate officer | Individual | 02/09/2018 | |
| Swanker, Richard | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/01/2011 | |
| Thurmond, Joan | Corporate officer | Individual | 09/22/2000 | |
| Denver Healthcare Operations, LLC | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 09/17/1989 | |
| Developers Investment Company Inc | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 03/02/2026 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 09/17/1989 | |
| Esfahani, Reza | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/22/2024 | |
| Fletcher, Todd | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 03/02/2026 | |
| Kadima, Lilly | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/12/2020 | |
| Mauldin, Monica | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/10/2023 | |
| Preston, Aubrey | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 03/02/2026 | |
| Schmidt, Derek | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/18/2012 | |
| Ziegler, James | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 03/02/2026 | |
| Denver Healthcare Operations, LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 08/31/2000 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 02/21/2025 | |
| Esfahani, Reza | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 03/07/2025 | |
| Mauldin, Monica | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/21/2025 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/31/2000 |
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.
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 5 problems in this area, most recently on July 30, 2026: "Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on May 1, 2025: "Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status."
- 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 December 9, 2025: "Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on May 1, 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."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Advanced Health Care of Aurora Aurora, 0.3 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 10 citations
- Life Care Center of Aurora Aurora, 0.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 24 citations
- The Springs at St. Andrews Village Aurora, 1.4 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 21 citations
- Hampden Hills Post Acute Aurora, 2.5 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 45 citations
- University Heights Care Center Aurora, 2.7 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 48 citations
- Lowry Hills Care and Rehabilitation Aurora, 3.1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 43 citations
- Highland Park Rehabilitation & Care Center Aurora, 3.2 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Center at Lowry, LLC Denver, 3.9 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 18 citations
Colorado contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Colorado. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 303-862-3524. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: Find and compare facilities, where Colorado publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 3 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence get at its last inspection?
- 7 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on May 1, 2025. The Colorado average is 8.7.
- Has Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence 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 Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence?
- CMS lists 27 owners and managers, and links the home to Life Care Centers of America. Legal business name: DENVER HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS, LLC.
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.