Life Care Center of Banner Elk
Nursing Home · Banner Elk, NC
CMS certification number345203
Contact & location
185 Norwood Hollow RoadBanner Elk, NC 28604
Avery County
- Phone
- (828) 898-5136
- ZIP code
- 28604 – all care providers
Facility details
- Certified beds
- 118
- Residents per day
- 65.7 (56% occupied)
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Legal name
- Banner Elk Operations LLC
- Chain
- Life Care Centers of America (194 facilities, avg 3.4★)
- Medicare certified since
- October 1, 1981
- Participates in
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Council
- Resident council
CMS star ratings
Staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from payroll data. More hours generally mean more time for each resident.
- Total nurse staffing
- 3.18 (state 3.83 · U.S. 3.86)
- Registered nurses (RN)
- 0.41 (state 0.61 · U.S. 0.69)
- Licensed practical nurses
- 1.10 (state 0.89 · U.S. 0.86)
- Nurse aides
- 1.67 (state 2.34 · U.S. 2.32)
- Weekend total
- 2.96 (state 3.40 · U.S. 3.42)
- Nursing staff turnover
- 17.6 (state 49.0 · U.S. 45.8)%
- RN turnover
- 28.6 (state 45.7 · U.S. 42.9)%
- Administrators who left
- 0 in the last year
Inspections
- Last standard inspection
- August 6, 2025
- Health deficiencies (last cycle)
- 3.0 (state 4.8 · U.S. 9.3)
- From complaints
- 0
- Citations on record (3 years)
- 7 health · 4 fire safety
| Date | Citation | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-06 | Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. F0690 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies |
D No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2025-08-22 |
| 2025-08-06 | 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. F0761 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies |
D No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2025-08-22 |
| 2025-08-06 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. F0880 · Infection Control Deficiencies |
D No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2025-08-22 |
| 2024-08-21 | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. F0679 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies |
E No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2024-09-12 |
| 2024-08-21 | Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility. F0565 · Resident Rights Deficiencies |
D No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2024-09-12 |
| 2024-08-21 | Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail. F0700 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies |
D No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2024-09-12 |
| 2023-05-24 | Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason. F0688 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies |
D No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm |
Corrected 2023-06-12 |
Severity letters A–L combine how widespread a problem was (isolated, pattern, widespread) with how serious (from potential for minimal harm to immediate jeopardy). How to read inspection results
Fines & penalties
No federal fines or payment denials in the last three years.
Ownership & management
| Name | Role | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, Joseph (individual) | Administrator · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Kilpatrick, Lynn (individual) | Administrator · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Life Care Centers of America, INC. (organization) | Administrator · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Preston, Forrest (individual) | Administrator · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Cross, Cindy (individual) | Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Henry, Terry (individual) | Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Lay, Lisa (individual) | Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Swanker, Richard (individual) | Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Thurmond, Joan (individual) | Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Developers Investment Company INC (organization) | Direct Ownership Interest · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Preston, Forrest (individual) | Indirect Ownership Interest · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Kilpatrick, Lynn (individual) | Managing Control - Governing Body · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Laws, Brandy (individual) | Managing Control - Governing Body · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Solomon, Jennifer (individual) | Managing Control - Governing Body · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Barker, Joseph (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Developers Investment Company INC (organization) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Fletcher, Todd (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Kilpatrick, Lynn (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Laws, Brandy (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Life Care Centers of America, INC. (organization) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Preston, Aubrey (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Solomon, Jennifer (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Ziegler, James (individual) | Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE |
Frequently asked questions
What is the rating of Life Care Center of Banner Elk?
Life Care Center of Banner Elk has a 4-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a scale of 1 to 5, compared with a 2.9-star average in North Carolina.
How many beds does Life Care Center of Banner Elk have?
It has 118 certified beds and cares for about 66 residents per day.
Has Life Care Center of Banner Elk been fined?
CMS lists no federal fines or payment denials in the last three years.
Who owns Life Care Center of Banner Elk?
It is part of Life Care Centers of America and is classified as for profit - corporation. See the ownership table above for all owners and managers reported to CMS.
What is the phone number of Life Care Center of Banner Elk?
(828) 898-5136. The facility is located at 185 Norwood Hollow Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
Source: CMS Care Compare, August 2026. Information is provided as published by CMS; verify details directly with the facility.