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Life Care Center of Rhea County

10055 Rhea County Highway, Dayton, TN 37321 · Rhea County · (423) 847-6777

89 certified beds, about 74 residents a day · For profit - Limited Liability company · Medicare and Medicaid since 2009

Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
3 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
5 of 5

CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 445494 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes

The record in brief

At its most recent standard inspection, on April 8, 2026, inspectors cited 5 health deficiencies (the Tennessee average is 4.4, the national average 9.2).

None of its 16 health citations since August 2019 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 3.52 hours per resident per day, against 3.80 across Tennessee and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.42 of those hours.

27.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Tennessee average 48.9%).

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.

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 16 health citations on file.

Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
12D
1E
3F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
April 8, 2026Standard inspection · 5 citations
  1. F
    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
    F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 20, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to maintain 1 of 1 kitchen and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition, failed to dispose of expired food items, failed to label and date open food items, and failed to maintain nourishment room refrigerator in a clean and sanitary condition in 1 of 2 nourishment rooms which had the potential to affect 71 of 73 residents.
  2. D
    Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
    F583 · Resident Rights · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 20, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure resident health information remained private and confidential for 1 resident (Resident #67) of 3 residents observed during medication administration, which had the potential to allow unauthorized individuals access to the residents's private health information.
  3. D
    Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
    F695 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 20, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observations, and interviews the facility failed to ensure respiratory equipment was stored appropriately for 4 residents (Residents #1, #5, #27, and #72) of 11 residents observed for oxygen therapy.
  4. 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.
    F761 · Pharmacy Service · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 20, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure medications were stored properly for 2 residents, (Resident's #39 and #49), and failed to properly store 1 medicated patch.
  5. D
    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
    F880 · Infection Control · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 20, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to provide hand hygiene prior to dining for 3 residents (Resident #72, #30, and #39) of 15 residents observed for dining. Review of the facility's policy titled, Resident Dining Services, revised 4/9/2025, revealed .Resident's receive the necessary services to maintain .personal hygiene .Associates involved in food services will perform hand hygiene prior to distributing trays to residents . Review of the medical record revealed Resident #72 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses including Diabetes, Dementia, and Muscle Weakness. Review of the comprehensive care plan for Resident #72 dated 2/12/2026, revealed .Eating: Requires setup .Personal Hygiene: [...]
September 21, 2022Standard inspection · 5 citations
  1. F
    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
    F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 28, 2022
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observation, and interview the facility failed to maintain a sanitary kitchen with the potential to affect 72 of 73 residents in the facility.
  2. D
    Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
    F550 · Resident Rights · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 28, 2022
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure medical information was not visible for 2 residents (#39 and #66) of 18 residents reviewed for dignity.
  3. D
    Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
    F641 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 28, 2022
    Inspectors wroteBased on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Long Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User's Manual, facility policy review, medical record review, and interviews, the facility failed to accurately complete a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for 2 residents (Resident #48 and Resident #50) of 18 residents reviewed for MDS assessments.
  4. D
    Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
    F644 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 28, 2022
    Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review and interview, the facility failed to refer 1 resident (Resident #31) of 4 residents reviewed for Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR), to the state-designated authority for a Level II PASARR after the resident was identified with a new mental health diagnosis.
  5. D
    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
    F880 · Infection Control · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 28, 2022
    Inspectors wroteBased on review of the facility policy and procedures, record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to maintain appropriate infection control practices during a dressing change for 1 resident (Resident #31) of 2 residents observed for a dressing change observed and during medication administration for 2 residents (Residents #35 and #32) of 6 residents observed for medication administration.
August 28, 2019Standard inspection · 6 citations
  1. F
    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
    F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 11, 2019
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to maintain food at correct temperatures in 1 of 1 walk in cooler; failed to ensure food was sealed and dated in 1 of 1 freezer; failed to ensure pans were completely air dried before storing; failed to clean kitchen equipment; failed to ensure food was sealed and not stored past the expiration date in 1 of 1 dry storage room; failed to maintain resident foods in a sanitary manner in 3 of 3 nourishment rooms, potentially affecting 54 of 55 residents.
  2. 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.
    F761 · Pharmacy Service · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 11, 2019
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure medications, biologicals, and medical supplies were not expired in 2 of 3 medication rooms observed.
  3. D
    Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
    F600 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 9, 2019
    Inspectors wroteBased on review of facility policies, medical record review, review of facility investigation, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to prevent abuse for 1 resident (#30) of 55 residents reviewed for abuse.
  4. D
    Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
    F609 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 11, 2019
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, review of facility investigation, observation, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure allegations of abuse were reported timely to the State Survey Agency for 1 resident (#30) of 55 residents reviewed for abuse.
  5. D
    Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
    F657 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 11, 2019
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents and/or resident's representative participation in care planning for 2 residents (#23, #52) of 9 residents reviewed for care planning.
  6. D
    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
    F689 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) October 11, 2019
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, review of falls investigations, and interview, the facility failed to implement a fall intervention to prevent accidents for 1 resident (#52) of 3 residents reviewed.

Fire safety inspections

6 fire safety citations on file: 1 on April 8, 2026, 4 on September 21, 2022, 1 on August 28, 2019.

Every fire safety citation6 citations
  1. D
    Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
    K 321 · April 8, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  2. F
    Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
    K 921 · September 21, 2022 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  3. D
    Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
    K 324 · September 21, 2022 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  4. D
    Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
    K 363 · September 21, 2022 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  5. D
    Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
    K 918 · September 21, 2022 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  6. D
    Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
    K 324 · August 28, 2019 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)

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.

MeasureThis homeTennesseeUnited States
All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides)3.523.803.86
Registered nurses0.420.600.69
All nursing staff on weekends3.173.313.42
Nurse aides2.06
Licensed practical nurses1.03
Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year)27.3%48.9%45.8%
Registered nurse turnover37.5%43.2%42.9%
Administrators who left0

CMS expects 4.04 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 3.66 on weekdays and 3.17 on weekends, 13% 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 3.41 in April to June 2025 to 3.52 in January to March 2026.

QuarterAll nursing staffRegistered nursesWeekdaysWeekendsContract staff shareDays with no RN hoursResidents a day
Jan to Mar 20263.520.423.663.17 0.0%1 of 9074
Oct to Dec 20253.430.463.543.14 0.0%0 of 9275
Jul to Sep 20253.750.503.933.28 0.0%0 of 9270
Apr to Jun 20253.410.453.533.12 0.0%1 of 9170
United States, Jan to Mar 20263.750.623.923.335.3%0.5% of days
Tennessee, Jan to Mar 20263.750.563.953.274.0%0.7% 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

Staff pay at this home

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.

Official wage estimates for Tennessee

JobMedianMiddle halfEmployed
Tennessee, all employers
CNAs (nursing assistants)$18.27$17.09 to $19.6627,040
LPNs and LVNs$28.31$23.64 to $30.1220,830
Registered nurses$39.18$36.28 to $45.7972,200
United States, nursing care facilities
CNAs (nursing assistants)$20.67$17.91 to $22.55534,270
LPNs and LVNs$33.86$30.05 to $37.40188,210
Registered nurses$41.11$37.85 to $47.68142,270

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.

How staff pay reports work · CNA pay by state

Quality measures

The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.

MeasureThis homeTennesseeUS
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
6.914.013.9
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
0.00.70.8
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
0.01.81.6
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
2.43.43.2
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
0.21.71.6
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
10.717.214.1
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
2.05.04.6
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
19.216.915.4
Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission
Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
17.422.623.8
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit
Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
13.511.212.0
Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days
Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
1.11.71.9
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days
Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
2.61.61.8

Short-term rehab results

For a stay to recover after a hospital visit, these are the results CMS publishes for Life Care Center of Rhea County's Medicare short-stay residents. On returning residents home or to the community, CMS rates it better than the national rate (67.7% of residents, after adjusting for how sick they were). How to read these, and what Medicare pays for.

Went home or back to the community

67.7% this home

Better than the national rate

US median of homes 51.5% · Tennessee: 62 better, 16 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. 172 eligible stays.

Potentially preventable readmissions

9.5% this home

No different from the national rate

US median of homes 10.7% · Tennessee: 1 better, 7 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. 198 eligible stays.

Infections that led to a hospital stay

4.9% this home

No different from the national rate

US median of homes 7.1% · Tennessee: 2 better, 1 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. 123 eligible stays.

Self-care and mobility at discharge

87.0% this home

Median of homes: Tennessee58.3% · 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. 69 residents counted.

Falls with major injury

0.0% this home

Median of homes: Tennessee0.8% · 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. 108 residents counted.

New or worsened pressure ulcers

1.6% this home

Median of homes: Tennessee1.6% · 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. 108 residents counted.

Medication list given at discharge

97.2% this home

Median of homes: Tennessee98.7% · 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. 72 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.

Owners and operators

Legal business name: DAYTON MEDICAL INVESTORS, LLC. CMS links this home to Life Care Centers of America, a group of 194 nursing homes averaging 3.4 stars overall.

NameRoleTypeShareSince
Developers Investment Company II, IncDirect ownership interestOrganization02/06/2009
Preston, ForrestIndirect ownership interestIndividual02/06/2009
Solomon, JenniferManaging control - governing bodyIndividual05/01/2019
Swafford, Kate aManaging control - governing bodyIndividual07/01/2009
Wiley, SelenaManaging control - governing bodyIndividual02/15/2021
Lay, LisaCorporate directorIndividual04/24/2017
Swanker, RichardCorporate directorIndividual01/01/2022
Cross, CindyCorporate officerIndividual03/11/2009
Henry, TerryCorporate officerIndividual03/11/2009
Lay, LisaCorporate officerIndividual02/09/2018
Swanker, RichardCorporate officerIndividual04/01/2011
Thurmond, JoanCorporate officerIndividual03/11/2009
Dayton Medical Investors, LLCOperational/managerial controlOrganization07/01/2009
Developers Investment Company II, IncOperational/managerial controlOrganization02/06/2009
Life Care Centers of America, Inc.Operational/managerial controlOrganization03/11/2009
Fletcher, ToddOperational/managerial controlIndividual12/13/2024
Murphy, JoshuaOperational/managerial controlIndividual10/15/2019
Preston, AubreyOperational/managerial controlIndividual12/13/2024
Solomon, JenniferOperational/managerial controlIndividual05/01/2019
Swafford, Kate aOperational/managerial controlIndividual07/01/2009
Wiley, SelenaOperational/managerial controlIndividual02/15/2021
Ziegler, JamesOperational/managerial controlIndividual12/13/2024
Dayton Medical Investors, LLCAdp of the SNFOrganization02/26/2013
Life Care Centers of America, Inc.Adp of the SNFOrganization02/24/2025
Murphy, JoshuaAdp of the SNFIndividual03/07/2025
Preston, ForrestAdp of the SNFIndividual02/26/2013
Swafford, Kate aAdp of the SNFIndividual02/24/2025

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.

  1. Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on April 8, 2026: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
  2. When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on September 21, 2022: "Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment."
  3. How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on April 8, 2026: "Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential."
  4. 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 April 8, 2026: "Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed."
  5. Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.17 hours per resident per day, below the Tennessee average of 3.31.

Other nursing homes nearby

Tennessee contacts for a concern about a nursing home

These are the official offices in Tennessee. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.

Common questions

What is Life Care Center of Rhea County's Medicare star rating?
CMS rates Life Care Center of Rhea County 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
How many deficiencies did Life Care Center of Rhea County get at its last inspection?
5 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on April 8, 2026. The Tennessee average is 4.4.
Has Life Care Center of Rhea County been fined?
CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
Does Life Care Center of Rhea County 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 Life Care Center of Rhea County?
CMS lists 27 owners and managers, and links the home to Life Care Centers of America. Legal business name: DAYTON MEDICAL INVESTORS, LLC.

Sources

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