Life Care Center Of Athens
Nursing Home Facility
1234 Frye Street, Po Box 786, Athens, TN 37371
Located near the beauty of Cherokee National Forest, Life Care Center of Athens provides nursing home residents with many advantages. The newly refurbished facility is within minutes of doctors' offices, a hospital, ******cies, shopping locations and natural attractions. However, convenient access to these locations is only one of the benefits living at Life Care affords. Residents receive top-notch nursing care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and a secured Alzheimer's care unit from dedicated staff.
Operated by Life Care Centers of America, which runs 204 communities in our directory.
With 128 beds, Life Care Center Of Athens is one of the larger communities in the area, senior care communities in Athens average about 72 beds. Larger communities more often keep clinical staff on site around the clock and can offer a wider range of on-site therapy and activities, though some families prefer the quieter feel of a smaller setting.
Federal reporting puts occupancy at about 74% of its licensed beds.
Medicare rates this community 2 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Communities in Athens average about 3.5 stars. The individual scores differ noticeably: 4 stars for staffing against 1 star for health inspections, so it is worth reading both before deciding. Its most recent standard health inspection was in March 2026 and recorded 12 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 3.5 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.9 hours from a registered nurse. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 29%.
The community is located in McMinn County, TN.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 16 problems at Life Care Center Of Athens. 1 finding involved harm to a resident, including 1 that put residents in immediate danger.
In the last three years Medicare fined this home once, a total of $19,145.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
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Put residents in immediate danger, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate foot care.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
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.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Nutrition and Dietary
Have a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Infection Control
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
A citation on its own does not mean poor care, and most are corrected within weeks. What matters most is how serious the findings were and whether the same problems keep coming back. When you visit, it is fair to ask the administrator what inspectors found and what has changed since.
Life Care Center Of Athens offers memory care, nursing home care, and senior living.
Facility details
- Organization type for-profit corporation
- Beds / units 128
- Occupancy 74%
- Nursing hours per resident/day 3.5
- Annual staff turnover 29%
- Last health inspection March 2026
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Life Care Center Of Athens yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.