Middlesex County, Massachusetts · Nursing home
Life Care Center of Acton
4 of 5 overall from CMS
One Great Road, Acton, MA 01720
At a glance
- Overall rating 4 of 5 Above the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 4.04 hours Above the state average of 3.86
- Nursing staff who left in a year 42.9% Above the state average of 38.2%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 16 1 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 77.9% of 155 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.
Life Care Center of Acton is a 155-bed nursing home in Acton, Massachusetts (Middlesex County). CMS rates it 4 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 4.04 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Massachusetts average of 3.86. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 155
- Residents per day (average)
- 120.7
- Certified since
- 1969 (57 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 Life Care Center of Acton
Chosen from this home's public data.
- Nursing staff turnover is 42.9%, above the Massachusetts average of 38.2%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.46 hours per resident on weekends against 4.04 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- Registered nurse time is 0.52 hours per resident per day; the Massachusetts average is 0.65. 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 Massachusetts average 3.0
- Health inspections 4 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.0
- Staffing 3 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.1
- Quality measures 4 of 5 Massachusetts average 3.3
The vertical line marks the Massachusetts 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 4.04 h Massachusetts average 3.86
- Nurse aides 2.30 h Massachusetts average 2.25
- Licensed practical nurses 1.23 h Massachusetts average 0.95
- Registered nurses 0.52 h Massachusetts average 0.65
- All staff, weekends 3.46 h Massachusetts average 3.48
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 9 hours. The vertical line marks the Massachusetts average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover42.9%
- Massachusetts average38.2%
- Registered nurse turnover53.3%
- Massachusetts average42.6%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Massachusetts 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 | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 3.9% | 16.4% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 7.3% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 0.0% | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 4.3% | 15.5% | 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 | 2.2% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 98.6% | 92.6% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 3.8% | 15.4% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 15.1% | 19.5% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 98.2% | 94.8% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 4.4% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 27.2% | 21.2% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 17.5% | 21.4% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.83 | 1.88 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.28 | 1.50 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 75.2% | 78.3% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.8% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 79.4% | 77.7% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 34.1% | 25.7% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 11.9% | 11.9% | 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 16 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Dec 15, 2022: Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 2025 | 2 | 10 |
| May 28, 2024 | 3 | 1 |
| Dec 15, 2022 | 11 | 0 |
Massachusetts homes averaged 6.8 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 (16)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 1, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 1, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2024)
-
BPotential for minimal harm, pattern
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 7, 2024)
Show 11 more
-
GActual harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 23, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 23, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 13, 2023)
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.
Massachusetts homes averaged 0.8 fines and $34,265 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 Massachusetts
- Size58 of 341 by certified beds
- Massachusetts average residents per day98.5
- ChainLife Care Centers of America
- Chain average overall rating3.4 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Middlesex County72
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Life Care Center of Acton?
Life Care Center of Acton has an overall rating of 4 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 4, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 4.
How many beds does Life Care Center of Acton have?
Life Care Center of Acton has 155 certified beds. It averages 120.7 residents per day, about 77.9% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Life Care Center of Acton?
The home reports 4.04 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.52 hours from registered nurses. The Massachusetts average is 3.86 hours and 0.65 hours from registered nurses.
Has Life Care Center of Acton been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Life Care Center of Acton 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 Rivercrest Long Term Care 151beds 24.6%in use 4.44nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Care One at Concord 135beds 95.8%in use 3.51nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley 120beds 90.8%in use 4.22nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Middlesex County
Who to call in Massachusetts
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Massachusetts.
- Long-term care ombudsman Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 617-222-7495 (Long-Term Care Ombudsman line listed on the state's nursing and rest home ombudsman page. Local ombudsman programs are listed by city/town on the same page. MassOptions: 800-243-4636.) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Complaint Intake Unit, Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification 800-462-5540 (24-hour Consumer Complaint Line. Main Intake Number 617-753-8150 (during business hours). Fax 617-753-8165. Mail: Complaint Intake Unit, 67 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. No online form; email is not accepted for complaint materials.) The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Massachusetts 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 225191. 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.