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Life Care Center of Banner Elk
185 Norwood Hollow Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604 · CMS Certification Number (CCN) 345203
At a glance
- CMS overall rating
- ★★★★☆ 4 of 5
- Health inspection citations
- 7 in the last 3 inspection cycles (0 immediate jeopardy, 0 actual harm, 0 from complaints)
- Fire safety citations
- 4
- Fines (last 3 years)
- 0 fines, total $0
- Payment denials
- 0
- Most recent standard inspection
- August 6, 2025
- Official record
- Medicare Care Compare page for this facility
Source: CMS Nursing Home Provider Information: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
CMS star ratings
CMS rates every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home from 1 to 5 stars. Health inspection stars are relative to other homes in the same state: the top 10% get 5 stars and the bottom 20% get 1 star. CMS says to use the ratings together with other information, including a visit. Technical Users’ Guide
| Rating | This facility | North Carolina average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 | 2.9 | 3 |
| Health inspections | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 | 2.9 | 2.8 |
| Staffing | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 | 2.7 | 2.9 |
| Quality measures | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| Long-stay quality | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 | Not published | Not published |
| Short-stay quality | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 | Not published | Not published |
Averages: CMS State and US Averages: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Health inspections
| Inspection cycle | Standard survey date | Health citations | From standard survey | From complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 (most recent) | August 6, 2025 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Cycle 2 | August 21, 2024 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
CMS weighted health inspection score: 13 (lower is better; it counts citation severity, complaints and repeat revisits). Citations from infection control inspections: Not published. How to read these citations
7 health citations across 3 inspection dates, newest first. The letter is CMS’s scope/severity code: A–C means potential for minimal harm, D–F potential for more than minimal harm, G–I actual harm, and J–L immediate jeopardy.
August 6, 2025: 3 citations (Standard)
| Severity | Tag | What was cited | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | F-0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. Infection Control Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/22/2025 |
| D | F-0761 | 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. Pharmacy Service Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/22/2025 |
| D | F-0690 | Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/22/2025 |
August 21, 2024: 3 citations (Standard)
| Severity | Tag | What was cited | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | F-0700 | 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. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 09/12/2024 |
| E | F-0679 | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 09/12/2024 |
| D | F-0565 | Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility. Resident Rights Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 09/12/2024 |
May 24, 2023: 1 citation (Standard)
| Severity | Tag | What was cited | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | F-0688 | 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. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Standard | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 06/12/2023 |
Source: CMS Health Deficiencies: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Fire safety inspections
4 fire safety citations across 1 inspection dates
| Date | Severity | Tag | What was cited | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/24/2023 | D | K-0911 | Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems. Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/01/2023 |
| 05/24/2023 | D | K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. Services Deficiencies | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/01/2023 |
| 05/24/2023 | D | K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. Smoke Deficiencies | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/01/2023 |
| 05/24/2023 | D | K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. Egress Deficiencies | Deficient, Provider has date of correction Corrected 08/01/2023 |
Automatic sprinklers in all required areas: Yes. CMS does not count fire safety citations in the health inspection star rating.
Source: CMS Fire Safety Deficiencies: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Penalties
No fines or payment denials published for this facility in the CMS Penalties file (last 3 years).
Source: CMS Penalties: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Staffing
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.18 | 3.85 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.41 | 0.62 | 0.69 |
| LPN/LVN hours per resident per day | 1.1 | Not published | Not published |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 1.67 | Not published | Not published |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day, weekends | 2.96 | Not published | Not published |
| RN hours per resident per day, weekends | 0.21 | Not published | Not published |
| Total nursing staff turnover (%) | 17.6 | 49 | 45.8 |
| Registered nurse turnover (%) | 28.6 | Not published | Not published |
| Administrators who have left | 0 | Not published | Not published |
Reported hours come from the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data that facilities submit to CMS each quarter.
Source: CMS Provider Information; State and US Averages: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Facility details
- Legal business name
- Banner Elk Operations LLC
- Ownership type
- For profit - Corporation
- Chain
- Life Care Centers of America (194 facilities)
- Ownership changed in last 12 months
- No
- Certified beds
- 118
- Average residents per day
- 65.7
- Participates in
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Located inside a hospital
- No
- Continuing care retirement community
- No
- Resident and family council
- Resident
- First approved for Medicare/Medicaid
- October 1, 1981
- County/parish
- Avery
Source: CMS Provider Information: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Owners and managers reported to CMS
23 ownership and management records
| Name | Role | Type | Ownership % | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEVELOPERS INVESTMENT COMPANY INC | DIRECT OWNERSHIP INTEREST | Organization | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| PRESTON, FORREST | INDIRECT OWNERSHIP INTEREST | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| KILPATRICK, LYNN | MANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODY | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| LAWS, BRANDY | MANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODY | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| SOLOMON, JENNIFER | MANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODY | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| CROSS, CINDY | CORPORATE OFFICER | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| HENRY, TERRY | CORPORATE OFFICER | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| LAY, LISA | CORPORATE OFFICER | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| SWANKER, RICHARD | CORPORATE OFFICER | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| THURMOND, JOAN | CORPORATE OFFICER | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| DEVELOPERS INVESTMENT COMPANY INC | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Organization | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Organization | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| BARKER, JOSEPH | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| FLETCHER, TODD | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| KILPATRICK, LYNN | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| LAWS, BRANDY | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| PRESTON, AUBREY | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| SOLOMON, JENNIFER | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| ZIEGLER, JAMES | OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. | ADP OF THE SNF | Organization | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| BARKER, JOSEPH | ADP OF THE SNF | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| KILPATRICK, LYNN | ADP OF THE SNF | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
| PRESTON, FORREST | ADP OF THE SNF | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | undefined undefined, NaN |
Source: CMS Ownership: data.cms.gov · data as of September 1, 2026 · last checked October 26, 2026
Check it yourself
- Medicare Care Compare: Life Care Center of Banner Elk. Full inspection reports, quality measures and staffing.
- DHSR Complaint Intake Unit: File a Complaint. The state agency also takes nursing home complaints.
- Ask the facility to show you its most recent inspection report and plan of correction.
Page built from CMS data files processed September 1, 2026 (CMS refreshes monthly). Last checked October 26, 2026. Not a ranking or endorsement.