Arapahoe County, Colorado · Nursing home
Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence
4 of 5 overall from CMS
1600 S Potomac St, Aurora, CO 80012
At a glance
- Overall rating 4 of 5 Above the state average of 3.2
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.92 hours Above the state average of 3.72
- Nursing staff who left in a year 31.6% Below the state average of 47.1%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 13 None at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 80.5% of 120 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence is a 120-bed nursing home in Aurora, Colorado (Arapahoe County). CMS rates it 4 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.92 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Colorado average of 3.72. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 120
- Residents per day (average)
- 96.6
- Certified since
- 1989 (37 yrs)
For profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Life Care Centers of America (194 homes)
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS counts 10 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on May 1, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Colorado average is 8.7. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.52 hours per resident on weekends against 3.92 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- Registered nurse time is 0.71 hours per resident per day; the Colorado average is 0.82. Is an RN on site overnight?RN staffing in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 4 of 5 Colorado average 3.2
- Health inspections 4 of 5 Colorado average 2.7
- Staffing 4 of 5 Colorado average 3.2
- Quality measures 3 of 5 Colorado average 4.1
The vertical line marks the Colorado average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 3.92 h Colorado average 3.72
- Nurse aides 2.24 h Colorado average 2.21
- Licensed practical nurses 0.97 h Colorado average 0.68
- Registered nurses 0.71 h Colorado average 0.82
- All staff, weekends 3.52 h Colorado average 3.29
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 10 hours. The vertical line marks the Colorado average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover31.6%
- Colorado average47.1%
- Registered nurse turnover7.7%
- Colorado average44.6%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Colorado and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 1.9% | 13.4% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 2.9% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 3.8% | 8.8% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 4.4% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 98.3% | 93.5% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 5.5% | 13.3% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 6.2% | 11.5% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 98.0% | 94.7% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 1.6% | 3.4% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 23.6% | 21.2% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 39.0% | 20.0% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.40 | 1.38 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.73 | 1.74 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 87.9% | 76.4% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 74.1% | 75.6% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 25.4% | 20.3% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 18.2% | 12.1% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 13 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. None was graded as actual harm or immediate jeopardy. 4 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | 10 | 0 |
| Sep 14, 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2022 | 2 | 0 |
Colorado homes averaged 8.7 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (13)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has plan of correction (Sep 4, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 7, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
Show 8 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 26, 2023)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 30, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 30, 2022)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this home in the past three years.
Colorado homes averaged 1.1 fines and $22,802 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Colorado
- Size47 of 210 by certified beds
- Colorado average residents per day74.9
- ChainLife Care Centers of America
- Chain average overall rating3.4 of 5
- Resident or family councilBoth
- Homes in Aurora11
- Homes in Arapahoe County19
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence?
Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence has an overall rating of 4 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 4, staffing is 4 and quality measures is 3.
How many beds does Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence have?
Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence has 120 certified beds. It averages 96.6 residents per day, about 80.5% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence?
The home reports 3.92 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.71 hours from registered nurses. The Colorado average is 3.72 hours and 0.82 hours from registered nurses.
Has Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 5 of 5 Advanced Health Care of Aurora 54beds 94.4%in use 4.95nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 Life Care Center of Aurora 166beds 73.2%in use 4.16nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 The Springs at St. Andrews Village 58beds 93.6%in use 3.64nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Arapahoe County
Who to call in Colorado
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Colorado.
- Long-term care ombudsman Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 303-862-3524 (Email cdhs_ltcombudsman@state.co.us. The program's 'Find an Ombudsman' page lists local offices.) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home CDPHE Health Facilities complaint intake (nursing homes) 303-692-2442 (Also 1-800-886-7689, ext. 2442. Email cdphe.hfdintake@state.co.us; an online complaint intake form is also available.) The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Colorado staffing, bed-hold and Medicaid rules · Residents' rights in every state
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 065266. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.