Home / Massachusetts / Billerica
80 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01862 · Middlesex County · (978) 667-2166
124 certified beds, about 112 residents a day · For profit - Limited Liability company · Medicare and Medicaid since 1992
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 225546 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
At its most recent standard inspection, on December 10, 2025, inspectors cited 4 health deficiencies (the Massachusetts average is 6.8, the national average 9.2).
Of 27 health citations since November 2023, 4 were rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists 1 fine totaling $161,920 in the last three years; the largest was $161,920, and the latest is dated December 4, 2024.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 4.09 hours per resident per day, against 3.86 across Massachusetts and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.71 of those hours.
38.8% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Massachusetts average 38.2%).
CMS links it to Life Care Centers of America, an affiliated group of 194 nursing homes.
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.
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 27 health citations on file.
Inspectors wroteBased on records reviewed and interviews for one of three sampled residents (Resident #2), who started to lose his/her balance during care, was lowered to the floor by a staff member, the Facility failed to ensure nursing notified the Provider and the Health Care Agent of the incident, a few days later Resident #2 was noted to have a decline in functional status and was experiencing pain with mobility.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, and interviews, the facility failed to provide care and services consistent with professional standards of practice for one Resident (#14) who required renal dialysis (a life sustaining treatment that helps the body remove extra fluids and waste products from the blood when the kidneys are not able to) out of a total sample of 25 residents. Specifically, for Resident #14 the facility failed to ensure nursing scheduled his/her phosphate binder (medication that is essential for managing elevated phosphate levels in the blood, a condition known as hyperphosphatemia. This condition often occurs in residents with chronic kidney disease because their kidneys are less able to excrete phosphate. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to ensure two Residents (#85 and #113) were free from significant medication errors, out of a total sample of 26 residents. Specifically,1. For Resident #85, the facility failed to ensure Nurse #3 administered the correct dose of furosemide on twelve occasions.2. For Resident #113, the facility failed to ensure nursing transcribed the correct dose of lisinopril from his/her hospital discharge medication list resulting in Resident #113 receiving the incorrect dose of lisinopril on four occasions.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interviews, the facility failed to ensure staff stored drugs and biologicals in accordance with State and Federal laws. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure medications were dated once opened and stored according to manufacturer's guidelines in one of three medication carts observed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to provide one Resident (#93) with a therapeutic diet as ordered by the physician out of a total sample of 26 Residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure that Resident #93 received an easy to chew textured diet as prescribed by the physician.
Inspectors wroteBased on records reviewed and interviews for three of three sampled residents (Resident #1, #2 and #3), whose Physician's Orders included the administration of psychotropic medications, the Facility failed to ensure that they obtained signed written consent for the administration of the medications, which include providing each resident and/or their Health Care Proxy with information related to the risks and benefits of the medications, prior to administering them.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, observations and interviews, the facility failed to protect three Residents (#97, #60 and #103), from neglect, out of a total sample of 30 residents. Specifically:1a. For Resident #97, the facility failed to provide care and treatment to prevent the development of pressure ulcers. Specifically, the facility failed to provide care and treatment resulting in the development of a stage 4 pressure injury to the sacrum resulting in the development of osteomyelitis requiring antibiotics treatment, surgical debridement, and multiple hospitalizations, and failed to arrange a wound clinic follow up.1b. For Resident #97, the facility failed to respond to and implement interventions when Resident #97 developed one deep tissue pressure injury to the left heel. 2. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to provide care and treatment to prevent the development and worsening of pressure injury's (wounds that occur when the skin and tissue are damaged by prolonged pressure, usually on bony areas like the coccyx, hips, heels, or elbows) for four Residents (#103, #97, #60, and #20) out of a total sample of 30 residents. Specifically:1. For Resident #103, facility failed to respond to and implement new interventions when Resident #103's wound worsened and developed signs and symptoms of infection. The facility also failed to arrange a wound clinic follow up as indicated by the Nurse Practitioner. 2a. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure the medical director was responsible for the implementation of resident care policies and the coordination of the medical care in the facility. In addition, the facility failed to ensure the appropriateness and quality of medical care and medically related care provided to residents which resulted in worsening pressure wounds for two residents. Findings Include:Review of facility policy titled Medical Director, dated as reviewed 6/12/24, indicated the following:-Policy: The facility will have a designated medical director who is responsible for implementing care policies and coordinating medical care, and who is directly accountable for the management of the institution of which it is a distinct part.-The facility must designate a physician to serve as medical director. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure it completed a baseline care plan for one Resident (#60) out of 30 sampled residents. Specifically, the facility failed to complete a baseline care plan to address a surgical wound to the lower leg with a leg splint and failed to implement care plan interventions resulting in the development of a Stage 3 pressure injury to the lower back requiring antibiotic treatment and hospitalization, right buttock Stage 2 pressure injury, right lateral foot stage 1 pressure injury, right outer calf DTI (Deep Tissue Injury), and right heel DTI. The facility failed to respond to, and implement new interventions when Resident #60 developed new pressure injuries.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews, record review, staff education review, and Facility Assessment review, the facility failed to ensure the nursing staff were trained and demonstrated the competencies and skill sets necessary to provide the level and types of care and services needed as outlined in the Facility Assessment. Specifically, the facility failed to: 1. Ensure the licensed nursing staff were trained and demonstrated competency to identify, assess, evaluate, intervene, and respond to a significant change in condition of a wound, for three Residents (#97, #60, #103), out of a total sample of 30 Residents. 2. Ensure that 31 out of 36 staff education records reviewed, had completed education and competencies and were completed and documented annually, per the Facility Assessment. As a result of these failures, three Residents (#97, #60, and #103) developed pressure injuries that worsened.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interview the facility failed to properly follow sanitation and food handling practices to prevent the risk of foodborne illness in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Review of the facility policy titled Safe Food Handling, dated as revised 4/26/23, indicated the following: - All food purchased, stored, and distributed is handled with accepted food-handling practices and per federal, state and local requirements. - Associates shall wash their hands before handling or consuming food including working with clean equipment and utensils, and: [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure it was administrated in a manner that enabled the facility to ensure that systems were in place to provide competent clinical care and clinical oversight for the treatment to prevent the development and worsening of pressure injuries. Specifically, the facility administrator failed to: 1. Provide nursing staff education, training and competencies to demonstrate competency in providing safe and effective wound care management.2. Identify concerns outlined by the Medical Director in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program related to documentation, wound dressings, lab services and wound staging and documentation.3. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, record review and the Facility Assessment, the facility failed to ensure the Governing Body provided oversight and accountability for quality of care related to comprehensive wound care management. Specifically:1. The Governing Body failed to ensure the facility provided consistent and effective nursing staff education and training to provide competent quality of care and effective wound care management as outlined per the Facility Assessment.2. The Governing Body failed to ensure the facility had implemented an effective wound care program that is supervised by a physician for pressure ulcer (wounds that occur when the skin and tissue are damaged by prolonged pressure, usually on bony areas like the hips, heels, or elbows) prevention and care. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on review of the Facility Assessment and interviews, the facility failed to conduct and document a facility wide assessment that accurately reflected the resources necessary to care for its residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure licensed nursing staff were competent in wound care.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program which addressed the full range of care and services, was comprehensive and data-driven, and focused on indicators of outcomes of quality of life, quality of care, and services to residents in the facility. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure an ongoing QAPI program was implemented, maintained and addressed concerns related to pressure ulcers and wounds in the facility. As a result of this failure, two Residents ( #97, #103) developed pressure injuries that worsened, became infected, required hospitalization, required intravenous antibiotics with surgical intervention and for one of the three Residents, resulted in death.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations and interview the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. Specifically,1. Review of the infection control program line listings, the facility failed to indicate the monitoring, tracking, and analyzing of infections in the facility. 2. The facility failed to ensure the use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions during a wound dressing treatment. Findings Include:Review of the facility policy titled Antibiotic Stewardship dated as reviewed 5/19/23, Indicated the following: -The program will be managed and overseen by the Infection Preventionist. 3. Action b. Assessment of residents suspected of having an infection. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, the facility failed to develop and implement person-centered care plans for two Residents (#42, and #83) out of a sample of 30 Residents. Specifically,1. For Resident #42, the facility failed to implement an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care plan. 2. For Resident #83 the facility failed to develop a person-centered behavior and history of substance abuse care plan.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review, policy review, and interview, the facility failed to provide care and maintenance of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), consistent with professional standards of practice for one Resident (#70), out of a total sample of 30 residents. Specifically, for Resident #70, the facility failed to ensure nursing completed a PICC line dressing change as ordered by the physician. Findings Include:Review of facility policy titled 'Central Vascular Access Device (CVAD) Dressing Change' revised January 2004, indicated the following but not limited to:-The catheter insertion site is a potential entry site for bacteria that may cause a catheter-related infection.-perform sterile dressing changes: at least weekly-Upper arm circumference with PICC, and external catheter length measurements must still be completed as part of the initial assessment. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure services consistent with professional standards were provided for one Resident (#62) who required dialysis (a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys stop working properly), out of total sample of 30 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to follow physician's orders to ensure that blood pressure readings were not taken on the arm where the dialysis shunt (an access point from the dialysis machine to a blood artery) is located.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure medications were stored as required for one Resident (#38), out of a total sample of 30 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure that medication was not left at the bedside for Resident #38 while unsupervised by staff.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that recommended specialist appointments were scheduled for two Residents (#60, and #103), out of a total sample of 30 residents. Specifically: 1. For Resident #60, the facility failed to ensure an outpatient appointment at the wound clinic was scheduled when requested by a Nurse Practitioner after the wound was documented as worsening and with signs of infection.2. For Resident #103, the facility failed to ensure an outpatient appointment at the wound clinic was scheduled when requested by a Nurse Practitioner after the wound was documented as worsening and with signs of infection. Findings Include:Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that recommended specialist appointments were scheduled for two Residents (#60, and #103), out of a total sample of 30 residents. Specifically: 1. [...]
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and interview, the facility failed to accurately document in the medical record for three Residents (#63, #38, #62) out of a total sample of 30 Residents. Specifically:1. For Resident #63, the facility documented that the Resident was wearing heel boots (boots primarily used to prevent pressure ulcers, particularly on the heels) as ordered when he/she was not.2. For Resident #38, the facility documented that the Resident received medication when the Resident did not.3. For Resident #62, the facility documented the incorrect arm for which the Resident had a shunt placed for dialysis treatment.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and policy review the facility failed to ensure that medications were properly labeled after opening on 3 of 3 medication carts observed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review, policy review, and interviews, the facility failed to provide a dignified dining experience for one Resident (#49), out of a total sample of 23 residents.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure irregularities identified by the pharmacist were reviewed and acted upon by the physician/prescriber, for one Resident (#50) out of 5 residents reviewed, out of a total sample of 23 residents.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure an accurate medical record for one Resident (#58), out of a total sample of 23 residents. Specifically, the medical record indicated Resident #58 had a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder added after admission.
1 fire safety citation on file: 1 on November 22, 2023.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| December 4, 2024 | Fine | $161,920 |
A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stopped paying for new admissions for that period.
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 | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 4.09 | 3.86 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.71 | 0.65 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.59 | 3.48 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.39 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 1.00 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 38.8% | 38.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 52.4% | 42.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 4.18 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
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 4.29 on weekdays and 3.59 on weekends, 16% 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 4.23 in April to June 2025 to 4.09 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 | 4.09 | 0.71 | 4.29 | 3.59 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 112 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.21 | 0.59 | 4.40 | 3.71 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 104 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.14 | 0.67 | 4.33 | 3.64 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 101 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.23 | 0.73 | 4.41 | 3.76 | 2.7% | 0 of 91 | 103 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Massachusetts, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.79 | 0.61 | 3.94 | 3.41 | 5.0% | 0.4% 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.
Staff pay reports
No staff pay figure for this home has passed review yet. A figure appears only after at least 5 reports from at least 3 different people, sent over at least 60 days, have passed review. If you work here, your report helps start one.
| Job | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts, all employers | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $22.44 | $21.32 to $23.94 | 38,130 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $38.57 | $34.91 to $40.66 | 13,210 |
| Registered nurses | $50.27 | $42.05 to $65.44 | 88,200 |
| United States, nursing care facilities | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $20.67 | $17.91 to $22.55 | 534,270 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $33.86 | $30.05 to $37.40 | 188,210 |
| Registered nurses | $41.11 | $37.85 to $47.68 | 142,270 |
Hourly wages; the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. BLS has no separate estimate for medication aides. These are survey estimates for whole occupations, not figures for any one home.
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Massachusetts | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.1 | 16.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.9 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.8 | 15.4 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 18.6 | 21.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 26.8 | 25.7 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 8.9 | 11.9 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
For a stay to recover after a hospital visit, these are the results CMS publishes for Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley's Medicare short-stay residents. On returning residents home or to the community, CMS rates it no different from the national rate (53.3% of residents, after adjusting for how sick they were). How to read these, and what Medicare pays for.
53.3% this home
No different from the national rate
US median of homes 51.5% · Massachusetts: 121 better, 19 worse
Rate of successful return to home or community from a SNF (risk-standardized discharge to community rate). Higher is better. October 2022 to September 2024. 239 eligible stays.
10.7% this home
No different from the national rate
US median of homes 10.7% · Massachusetts: 4 better, 15 worse
Rate of potentially preventable hospital readmissions 30 days after discharge from a SNF (risk-standardized rate). Lower is better. October 2022 to September 2024. 242 eligible stays.
7.7% this home
No different from the national rate
US median of homes 7.1% · Massachusetts: 5 better, 4 worse
Percentage of infections residents got during their SNF stay that resulted in hospitalization (risk-standardized rate). Lower is better. October 2023 to September 2024. 153 eligible stays.
90.8% this home
Median of homes: Massachusetts51.6% · US 56.6%
Percentage of residents who are at or above an expected ability to care for themselves and move around at discharge. Higher is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 109 residents counted.
1.9% this home
Median of homes: Massachusetts0.4% · US 0.0%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience one or more falls with major injury during their SNF stay. Lower is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 156 residents counted.
4.3% this home
Median of homes: Massachusetts2.0% · US 1.7%
Percentage of residents with pressure ulcers or pressure injuries that are new or worsened (adjusted rate). Lower is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 156 residents counted.
98.8% this home
Median of homes: Massachusetts99.5% · US 98.7%
Percentage of residents where the SNF provided a current medication list to the resident, family, and/or caregiver at final discharge. Higher is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 85 residents counted.
Source: CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program - Provider Data, released 2026-09-30. Better, no different and worse are CMS's own comparisons with the national rate, after adjusting for how sick residents were. Medians of homes and the state counts are worked out by us from the same file.
Legal business name: MERRIMACK VALLEY 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston, Forrest | Indirect ownership interest | Individual | 08/06/2015 | |
| Faustin, Moseline | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 05/22/2023 | |
| Janiak, Andrea | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 08/24/2022 | |
| Long, Zofia | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 07/01/1999 | |
| Cross, Cindy | Corporate officer | Individual | 08/06/2015 | |
| Henry, Terry | Corporate officer | Individual | 08/06/2015 | |
| Thurmond, Joan | Corporate officer | Individual | 08/06/2015 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 08/06/2015 | |
| Faustin, Moseline | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/22/2023 | |
| Finkel, Noah | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 11/01/2021 | |
| Fletcher, Todd | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/01/2021 | |
| Janiak, Andrea | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/24/2022 | |
| Lay, Lisa | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/24/2017 | |
| Long, Zofia | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/1999 | |
| Preston, Aubrey | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 11/27/2024 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/06/2015 | |
| Swanker, Richard | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Ziegler, James | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/06/2015 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 02/12/2025 | |
| Faustin, Moseline | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/12/2025 | |
| Finkel, Noah | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 03/05/2025 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/12/2004 |
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.
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.