The Heritage Center
1026 McFarland Street, Morristown, TN 37814 · Hamblen County · (423) 581-5100
197 certified beds, about 116 residents a day · For profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1989
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
3 of 5
Health inspections
2 of 5
Staffing
2 of 5
Quality measures
5 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 445215 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on June 4, 2025, inspectors cited 8 health deficiencies (the Tennessee average is 4.4, the national average 9.2).
None of its 20 health citations since January 2020 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 3.64 hours per resident per day, against 3.80 across Tennessee and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.65 of those hours.
37.4% 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.
301/20
902/24
806/25
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 20 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
18D
1E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
June 4, 2025Standard inspection · 8 citations
- E Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility contract review, medical record review, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure the dialysis communication records were completed for 2 residents (Resident #57 and Resident #94) of 3 residents reviewed for dialysis.
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User's Manual, medical record review, and interview, the facility failed to accurately complete a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for 1 resident (Resident #94) of 25 residents reviewed.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, and interview, the facility failed to develop a person-centered,comprehensive care plan for 1 resident (Resident #57 ) of 25 residents reviewed for care plans.
- 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 facility policy review, observation, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure expired intravenous (IV) medications were discarded and not available for resident use in 1 of 3 medication storage rooms observed.
- D Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to provide an assistive meal device (divided plate) for 1 resident (Resident #79) of 7 residents reviewed for nutrition.
- D Have a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to follow the facility's policy for food items stored in 1 residents' personal refrigerator (Resident #32) of 24 residents' personal refrigerators observed.
- D Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observation, and interviews, the facility failed to ensure the medical record was complete and accurate related to dialysis access assessments for 1 resident (Resident #410) of 25 residents reviewed for medical records.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to offer hand hygiene assistance prior to meals to 3 residents (Residents #263, #59, and #262) on 1 of 4 units observed for meal tray distribution, failed to ensure appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was donned for 1 resident (Resident #261) of 8 residents observed on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP), and failed to ensure resident drinks were served in a sanitary manner related to improper ice scoop storage on 1 of 4 units observed during meal service.
February 28, 2024Standard inspection · 9 citations
- F Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to maintain sanitary kitchen equipment which had the potential to effect 118 of 120 residents in the facility.
- D Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy reviews, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to provide a homelike environment during dining in 2 of 4 dining rooms observed.
- D Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to revise a comprehensive care plan for enteral feeding for 1 resident (Resident #79) of 32 residents reviewed for care plans.
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of the facility's policy, medical record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to provide facial hair removal and nail care during activities of daily living for 1 resident (Resident #62) of 32 residents reviewed for activities of daily living care.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of facility policy, medical record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to follow a physician's order for treatment of edema (swelling) for 1 resident (Resident #21) of 32 residents' physician orders reviewed.
- D Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to follow a physician's order for enteral feeding for 1 resident (Resident #79) of 3 residents reviewed for enteral feeding.
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure necessary emergency equipment was immediately available at the bedside for 1 resident with a tracheostomy (Resident #79) of 1 resident reviewed for tracheostomy care.
- 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 facility policy review, observations, and interviews, record review, the facility failed to properly store medication in 1 of 6 medication carts.
- D Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observation, and interviews, the facility failed to notify the physician in a timely manner regarding abnormal laboratory results for 1 resident (Resident #39) of 24 residents reviewed for labs.
January 23, 2020Standard inspection · 3 citations
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of facility policy, medical record review, and interview, the facility failed to develop an individualized care plan for Bipolar Disorder [a mood disorder] and for the special services provided resulting from Level II PASAAR [preadmission screening and resident review] recommendations for 1 resident of 31 (#118) sampled residents.
- D Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, and interview, the facility failed to update the care plan for 2 residents (#25 and #155) of 31 residents reviewed for care planning.
- D Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, medical record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to assess for removal of an indwelling urinary catheter (a tube inserted in the bladder to drain urine into a bag outside of the body) and failed to document medical justification for the use of a urinary catheter for 1 resident (#126) of 3 residents reviewed for indwelling catheter of 31 sampled residents.
Fire safety inspections
8 fire safety citations on file: 2 on June 4, 2025, 4 on February 28, 2024, 2 on January 23, 2020.
Every fire safety citation8 citations
- D Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- D Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- D Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
- D Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- D Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
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 | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.64 | 3.80 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.65 | 0.60 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.08 | 3.31 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.96 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 1.03 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 37.4% | 48.9% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 17.6% | 43.2% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 2 |
CMS expects 4.29 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 3.86 on weekdays and 3.08 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 3.49 in April to June 2025 to 3.64 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 | 3.64 | 0.65 | 3.86 | 3.08 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 116 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.42 | 0.67 | 3.67 | 2.77 | 0.0% | 1 of 92 | 111 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.52 | 0.62 | 3.73 | 2.98 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 102 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.49 | 0.60 | 3.68 | 3.00 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 107 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Tennessee, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.56 | 3.95 | 3.27 | 4.0% | 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.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Tennessee | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 10.0 | 14.0 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 23.8 | 17.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.6 | 5.0 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.0 | 16.9 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 28.3 | 22.6 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.. 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 | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 01/06/1976 | |
| Farmer, Elizabeth | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 04/01/2024 | |
| Parton, Darla | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 09/15/2004 | |
| Solomon, Jennifer | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 05/01/2019 | |
| Fletcher, Todd | Corporate director | Individual | 05/01/2021 | |
| Lay, Lisa | Corporate director | Individual | 04/24/2017 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Corporate director | Individual | 01/06/1976 | |
| Swanker, Richard | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Ziegler, James | Corporate director | Individual | 09/18/2001 | |
| Cross, Cindy | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/21/1994 | |
| Fletcher, Todd | Corporate officer | Individual | 11/02/2020 | |
| Henry, Terry | Corporate officer | Individual | 08/16/1999 | |
| Lay, Lisa | Corporate officer | Individual | 02/09/2018 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/06/1976 | |
| Swanker, Richard | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/01/2011 | |
| Thurmond, Joan | Corporate officer | Individual | 09/22/2000 | |
| Ziegler, James | Corporate officer | Individual | 08/16/1999 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 04/01/1994 | |
| Farmer, Elizabeth | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/01/2024 | |
| Fletcher, Todd | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/01/2021 | |
| Lay, Lisa | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/24/2017 | |
| Parton, Darla | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 09/15/2004 | |
| Preston, Aubrey | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 11/27/2024 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/01/1994 | |
| Solomon, Jennifer | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/01/2019 | |
| Swanker, Richard | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Tan, Michael | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/30/2013 | |
| Ziegler, James | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 09/18/2001 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 01/31/2006 | |
| Farmer, Elizabeth | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 03/07/2025 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/31/2006 | |
| Tan, Michael | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 03/07/2025 |
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.
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 6 problems in this area, most recently on June 4, 2025: "Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 6 problems in this area, most recently on June 4, 2025: "Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment."
- 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 June 4, 2025: "Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on June 4, 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."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.08 hours per resident per day, below the Tennessee average of 3.31.
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 2 administrators who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Life Care Center of Morristown Morristown, 1.7 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 8 citations
- Jefferson Park at White Pine White Pine, 11.1 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 4 citations
- Ridgeview Terrace of Life Care Rutledge, 12.4 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Life Care Center of Jefferson City Jefferson City, 13.1 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 12 citations
- Jefferson City Health and Rehab Center Jefferson City, 13.4 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 8 citations
- Jefferson County Nursing Home Dandridge, 14.6 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- Newport Tn Opco LLC Newport, 17.2 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 17 citations
- Signature Healthcare of Rogersville Rogersville, 18.6 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 3 citations
Tennessee contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Tennessee. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Division of Licensure and Regulation, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Department of Disability and Aging, 877-236-0013. 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 The Heritage Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates The Heritage Center 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 2 for health inspections, 2 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did The Heritage Center get at its last inspection?
- 8 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on June 4, 2025. The Tennessee average is 4.4.
- Has The Heritage Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does The Heritage 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 The Heritage Center?
- CMS lists 32 owners and managers, and links the home to Life Care Centers of America. Legal business name: LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC..
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.