Report
TheVardellReport
Life Care Center of Athens
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1234 Frye Street PO Box 786
Athens, TN 37371
Report
← Life Care Center of Athens, free profile
Life by Vardell Presents
The Vardell Report.Life Care Center of Athens
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Nursing home
- Location
- Athens, TN
- Record Period
- 2019–2026
- Source Documents
- 5
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 3 inspections from November 2019 to March 2026, state surveyors documented 16 findings at Life Care Center of Athens; 16 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
- Inspections
- 3
- 2019–2026, standard
- Findings
- 16
- Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
- Corrected
- 16
- Of 16 findings, with a recorded correction date
- Penalties
- 1
- 1 fine; payment not published
Findings by Year
- Findings
- Of which, actual harm (level G or above)
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
What the Record Shows
- 16 of 16 findings have a recorded correction date.
- CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $12,444, its payment not published.
- No complaint investigation appears in this window. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- The latest standard inspection, March 28, 2026, recorded 12 findings (most serious: Level J).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- Life Care Center of Athens
- Address
- 1234 Frye Street PO Box 786, Athens, TN 37371
- CMS Certification Number
- 445298
- Provider Type
- Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
- Certified Beds
- 128
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Record Window
- November 14, 2019 to October 1, 2026
Chronology
Inspection History
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- 2026
Standard health inspection
12 findings
- F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F835Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F603Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F687Provide appropriate foot care.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F761Ensure 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F813Have a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 21, 2026
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,444 imposed March 28, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of March 28, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2023
Standard health inspection
No findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2019
Standard health inspection
4 findings
- F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 15, 2019
- F920Provide at least one room set aside to use as a resident dining room and for activities, that is a good size, with good lighting, air flow and furniture.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 15, 2019
- F554Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 15, 2019
- F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 15, 2019
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
Patterns Worth Examining
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
No citation repeats across the 3 inspections in this window, and no finding is waiting on a verified correction. That is what the record shows; it is not a judgment of care. The questions that follow still apply.
For Your Next Visit
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
- 01
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
- 02
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $12,444 civil money penalty was imposed March 28, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.
The Evidence
Sources and Coverage
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Tennessee state survey agency.
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Tennessee state survey agency
Inspection Nov 14, 2019 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Tennessee state survey agency
Inspection Aug 2, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Tennessee state survey agency
Inspection Mar 28, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Penalties, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Provider Information, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 445298
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowNovember 14, 2019 – October 1, 2026
- CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before November 2019 are not in this release.
- CMS refreshes these files monthly, after statements of deficiencies are processed, so an inspection from the last two months may not appear yet.
What This Report Cannot Tell You
- Complaints not investigated onsite
- Allegations screened out by the state before an onsite visit are not published.
- Complaint allegations
- CMS publishes the deficiencies a complaint survey cited, not the allegation itself.
- Facility-reported incidents
- Self-reported incidents appear only if they led to an inspection.
- Follow-up visits
- CMS's files list standard, complaint and infection control surveys, not revisits; a correction date is the one CMS records.
- Fire safety inspections
- Published by CMS separately and not included in this record yet.
- Staffing levels and ownership history
- Published by CMS separately and not included in this record.
- Whether fines were paid
- CMS publishes the fines imposed, not whether or when they were paid.
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.