Otero County, New Mexico · Nursing home
Mescalero Care Center
2 of 5 overall from CMS
454 Lipan Avenue, Mescalero, NM 88340
At a glance
- Overall rating 2 of 5 Below the state average of 2.9
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.87 hours Above the state average of 3.54
- Nursing staff who left in a year Not reported
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 63 None at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 95.2% of 40 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.
Mescalero Care Center is a 40-bed nursing home in Mescalero, New Mexico (Otero County). CMS rates it 2 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.87 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the New Mexico average of 3.54. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 40
- Residents per day (average)
- 38.1
- Certified since
- 2003 (23 yrs)
Non profit - Other Participates in Medicare and Medicaid
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 Mescalero Care Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS counts 34 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on May 19, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the New Mexico average is 17.9. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.38 hours per resident on weekends against 3.87 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- About 95.2% of certified beds are in use on an average day. Is there a waiting list, and how long is it?Certified beds and average residents in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 2 of 5 New Mexico average 2.9
- Health inspections 2 of 5 New Mexico average 2.7
- Staffing 3 of 5 New Mexico average 2.9
- Quality measures 3 of 5 New Mexico average 3.8
The vertical line marks the New Mexico 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 3.87 h New Mexico average 3.54
- Nurse aides 2.11 h New Mexico average 2.20
- Licensed practical nurses 1.04 h New Mexico average 0.70
- Registered nurses 0.71 h New Mexico average 0.63
- All staff, weekends 3.38 h New Mexico average 3.10
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 7 hours. The vertical line marks the New Mexico average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnoverNot reported
- New Mexico average53.3%
- Registered nurse turnoverNot reported
- New Mexico average53.6%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the New Mexico 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 | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 13.0% | 11.3% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 0.0% | 4.0% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 2.6% | 0.9% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 3.7% | 0.9% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 0.0% | 2.0% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 3.2% | 3.5% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 87.1% | 96.7% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Too few residents or stays to report | 11.7% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 16.7% | 14.7% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 98.7% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 7.8% | 5.2% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 11.6% | 20.0% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 9.1% | 14.5% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.65 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 2.81 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 50.0% | 85.9% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.1% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 86.4% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | Data missing or not submitted | 22.0% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | Data missing or not submitted | 15.7% | 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 63 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. None was graded as actual harm or immediate jeopardy. 6 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2025 | 34 | 3 |
| May 22, 2024 | 15 | 7 |
| Jun 15, 2023 | 14 | 11 |
New Mexico homes averaged 17.9 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 (63)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 15, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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 (Jan 15, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Complaint investigation · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 15, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 15, 2026)
Show 25 more
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
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 (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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 (Jul 18, 2025)
-
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 (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
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 (Jul 18, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 18, 2025)
Showing the 30 most recent of 63.
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.
New Mexico homes averaged 1.3 fines and $45,849 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 New Mexico
- Size65 of 68 by certified beds
- New Mexico average residents per day84.9
- ChainNone listed
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Otero County3
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Mescalero Care Center?
Mescalero Care Center has an overall rating of 2 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 2, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 3.
How many beds does Mescalero Care Center have?
Mescalero Care Center has 40 certified beds. It averages 38.1 residents per day, about 95.2% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Mescalero Care Center?
The home reports 3.87 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.71 hours from registered nurses. The New Mexico average is 3.54 hours and 0.63 hours from registered nurses.
Has Mescalero Care Center been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Mescalero Care Center 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
- 2 of 5 Betty Dare Wellness & Rehabilitation LLC 90beds 80.7%in use 3.74nurse hours a day
- 1 of 5 Casa Arena Healthcare LLC 117beds 82.1%in use 2.92nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Sunset Villa Healthcare 52beds 95.6%in use 3.43nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Otero County
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 325116. 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.