Beaufort County, South Carolina · Nursing home
Life Care Center of Hilton Head
1 of 5 overall from CMS
120 Lamotte Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
At a glance
- Overall rating 1 of 5 Below the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.69 hours Below the state average of 3.84
- Nursing staff who left in a year 56.3% Above the state average of 45.9%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 15 1 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $8,281 1 fine
- Certified beds in use 65.3% of 88 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 Hilton Head is a 88-bed nursing home in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (Beaufort County). CMS rates it 1 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.69 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the South Carolina average of 3.84. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $8,281 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 88
- Residents per day (average)
- 57.5
- Certified since
- 1982 (44 yrs)
For profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Life Care Centers of America (194 homes)CMS abuse citation icon: Yes
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.
- Abuse citation icon. CMS assigns this icon when a home was cited for abuse where residents were found to be harmed, on its most recent standard inspection or on a complaint or infection-control inspection in the past 12 months, or was cited for abuse with potential harm in that period and again in the period before. Signs of abuse and how to report it
These labels are shown as CMS publishes them. They describe the inspection record, not what has changed since.
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 Hilton Head
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 1 fine totaling $8,281 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- CMS counts 5 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Jul 17, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the South Carolina average is 3.7. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 56.3%, above the South Carolina average of 45.9%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 1 of 5 South Carolina average 3.0
- Health inspections 1 of 5 South Carolina average 2.9
- Staffing 3 of 5 South Carolina average 3.0
- Quality measures 4 of 5 South Carolina average 3.5
The vertical line marks the South Carolina 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 3.69 h South Carolina average 3.84
- Nurse aides 1.88 h South Carolina average 2.19
- Licensed practical nurses 0.84 h South Carolina average 1.02
- Registered nurses 0.96 h South Carolina average 0.63
- All staff, weekends 3.16 h South Carolina average 3.33
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 8 hours. The vertical line marks the South Carolina average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover56.3%
- South Carolina average45.9%
- Registered nurse turnover69.2%
- South Carolina average42.1%
- Administrators who left1
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the South Carolina 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 | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 10.7% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 7.1% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 2.2% | 3.1% | 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 | 2.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 87.3% | 91.7% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 6.4% | 12.7% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 15.4% | 21.0% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 65.3% | 90.6% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 6.7% | 5.1% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 20.6% | 16.7% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 20.9% | 15.3% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.85 | 2.04 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.88 | 1.84 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 53.6% | 81.5% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 94.1% | 78.0% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 17.7% | 24.3% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 10.8% | 13.9% | 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 15 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 was at the immediate jeopardy level; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 2 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Jul 17, 2025: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2025 | 5 | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2024 | 6 | 0 |
| Feb 16, 2022 | 4 | 0 |
South Carolina homes averaged 3.7 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 (15)
-
JImmediate jeopardy, 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 (Aug 12, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
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 (Aug 12, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2025)
-
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 (Aug 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2025)
Show 10 more
-
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 (Jul 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 17, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 17, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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 (Mar 17, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 17, 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
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2025 | Fine | $8,281 |
South Carolina homes averaged 1.1 fines and $14,833 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 South Carolina
- Size111 of 187 by certified beds
- South Carolina average residents per day92.1
- ChainLife Care Centers of America
- Chain average overall rating3.4 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Hilton Head Island4
- Homes in Beaufort County7
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Life Care Center of Hilton Head?
Life Care Center of Hilton Head has an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 1, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 4.
How many beds does Life Care Center of Hilton Head have?
Life Care Center of Hilton Head has 88 certified beds. It averages 57.5 residents per day, about 65.3% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Life Care Center of Hilton Head?
The home reports 3.69 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.96 hours from registered nurses. The South Carolina average is 3.84 hours and 0.63 hours from registered nurses.
Has Life Care Center of Hilton Head been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $8,281 in the past three years.
Does Life Care Center of Hilton Head 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 The Preston Health Center 62beds 67.7%in use 6.41nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 Broad Creek Care Center 25beds 101.2%in use 5.51nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Fraser Health Center 33beds 73.9%in use 5.38nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Beaufort County
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 425147. 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.