Western Hills Health Care Center

Name: Western Hills Health Care Center
Address: 1625 CARR ST, Lakewood, CO, 80214, US
Telephone: 3032326881

1625 Carr St, Lakewood, CO 80214 · Jefferson County · 140 certified beds · avg 90 residents/day · certified since Apr 18, 1985

Part of chain: LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA (194 facilities, chain avg rating 3.4★)

3/5

Health inspection rating (on-site)

Serious findings on record

Fines, last 3 years

3.82

Nurse hours/resident/day (adjusted)

What health inspectors found (on-site government inspections — the most independent evidence available)

Health inspection rating: ★★★☆☆3/5 · CMS overall rating: 3/5

The health inspection star above is graded on a curve within each state — a set share of each state's facilities gets each star level — so a facility can have few citations and still rate 2–3 stars if others in its state did even better. The overall rating combines that inspection score with staffing and self-reported quality measures.

All citations in the current public record (16)

CMS publishes roughly the last three inspection cycles plus recent complaint investigations. Older surveys drop out of the record as new ones are completed.

Date	Severity	What the facility was cited for
May 14, 2026	F · Potential for harm, facility-wide	The facility did not keep all essential equipment working safely — things like heating and cooling systems, kitchen equipment, and medical devices.
May 14, 2026	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not observe each nurse aide's job performance or provide regular training as required.
May 14, 2026	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not treat residents with dignity and respect, or did not honor their rights to make their own decisions and communicate freely. This is one of the most fundamental resident rights.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not honor residents' right to voice complaints without discrimination or retaliation, or did not have a working complaint process that resolves issues promptly.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not respond appropriately to alleged violations, such as reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. Facilities must investigate every allegation and protect residents while they do.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not create and follow a basic care plan covering a new resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of admission. The first days are when a new resident is most vulnerable.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide activities that meet residents' needs and interests. Nursing homes must offer meaningful activity programs, not just leave residents idle.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not help a resident get vision and hearing services — such as eye exams, glasses, hearing tests, or hearing aids.
May 14, 2026	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it.
Feb 27, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide.
Feb 27, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft to the proper authorities quickly enough, or did not report the results of its investigation.
Feb 27, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not respond appropriately to alleged violations, such as reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. Facilities must investigate every allegation and protect residents while they do.
Feb 27, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time.
Feb 27, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not have a working program to monitor how antibiotics are used. Tracking antibiotic use helps make sure these drugs are given only when needed and remain effective.
Nov 10, 2022	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it.

Inspection trend by year

Citations from standard inspections increased between the last two inspection cycles (5 → 10).

Year	Citations	Worst severity that year
2022	1	D
2024	5	E
2026	10	F

Counts reflect the current CMS public record (~3 inspection cycles plus complaint investigations); years with no surveys show no row. Inspection frequency varies, so compare severity as well as counts.

Fines and enforcement (last 3 years)

No fines or payment denials in the published 3-year window.

Nurse staffing (from payroll records, adjusted for how much care residents need)

Measure	This facility	Colorado avg	U.S. avg	Where it stands
Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)	3.82	3.89	3.95	top 44% in Colorado; top 48% in the U.S.
Registered Nurse hours	0.83	0.86	0.69	top 46% in Colorado; top 25% in the U.S.
Weekend total nurse staffing	3.36	3.44	3.50	top 46% in Colorado; top 50% in the U.S.
Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted)	0.57	0.61	0.48	top 44% in Colorado; top 26% in the U.S.
Total nursing staff turnover (%)	42.7	47.1	45.8	top 35% in Colorado; top 44% in the U.S.
RN turnover (%)	43.8	44.6	42.9	top 47% in Colorado; bottom 46% in the U.S.

Hours are per resident per day, case-mix adjusted by CMS so facilities caring for sicker residents can be compared fairly (same basis as the CMS staffing star). "Top X%" means better than most facilities: more staffing hours, or lower turnover. Raw (unadjusted) reported hours: total 3.74, RN 0.81, weekend 3.29. Staffing rating: 4/5.

Self-reported quality measures

Note: these ratings are based on data the facility reports about itself to CMS. They are not independently verified by inspectors, and can look better than inspection findings. Give more weight to the inspection results above.

Quality measures rating: 4/5 · long-stay residents: 5/5 · short-stay residents: 4/5

Who owns this facility

For profit - Corporation

Owner / manager	Type	Role	Stake	Since
Cross, Cindy	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	04/21/1994
Denzler, Anna	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	01/15/2025
Dergance, Jeannae	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	03/04/2023
Dergance, Jeannae	Individual	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	02/26/2025
Fletcher, Todd	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	05/01/2021
Fletcher, Todd	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	11/02/2020
Fletcher, Todd	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	05/01/2021
Henry, Terry	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	08/16/1999
Lay, Lisa	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	04/24/2017
Lay, Lisa	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	02/09/2018
Lay, Lisa	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	04/24/2017
Life Care Centers of America, INC.	Organization	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	07/01/1991
Life Care Centers of America, INC.	Organization	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	02/26/2025
Linenberger, Charity	Individual	Managing Control - Governing Body	NOT APPLICABLE	08/06/2024
Linenberger, Charity	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	08/06/2024
Linenberger, Charity	Individual	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	02/26/2025
Preston, Aubrey	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	11/27/2024
Preston, Forrest	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	01/06/1976
Preston, Forrest	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	01/06/1976
Preston, Forrest	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	01/06/1976

Questions to ask on your visit

Generated from this facility's actual citation record — bring them to a tour and ask the administrator directly.

"How do you inspect and maintain essential equipment, and how quickly are repairs made?"
"How often do you evaluate your nurse aides and what ongoing training do they receive?"
"Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
"Can you give me examples of how your staff protect residents' dignity in everyday care, like bathing and dressing?"
"Walk me through what happens when a resident or family files a grievance — who responds and how fast?"
"If someone reports suspected abuse or neglect here, what happens in the first 24 hours?"
"What does the care plan for a brand-new resident cover in the first 48 hours, and who writes it?"
"Can I see this month's activities calendar, and what do you offer residents who can't leave their rooms?"
"What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
"Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"

Nearby facilities (within 20 miles)

Facility	Distance	City	Overall	Inspection	Flags
Allison Care Center	0.1 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★☆☆☆	2/5	abuse
Harmony Pointe Care Center	0.5 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★☆☆	2/5
Cedars Healthcare Center	1.6 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★☆☆	2/5
Ahc of Lakewood, LLC	1.6 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★★★	5/5
Edgewater Health and Rehabilitation	1.6 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★★★	4/5
Cambridge Care Center	1.6 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★☆☆	2/5	abuse
Sierra Post Acute	1.6 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★☆☆☆	1/5	abuse
Wheatridge Care Center	2.0 mi	Wheat Ridge, CO	★★★☆☆	2/5
Lakewood Villa	2.1 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★★☆	3/5
Lakeside Post Acute	2.2 mi	Wheat Ridge, CO	★★★☆☆	2/5	abuse
Mapleton Post Acute	2.3 mi	Lakewood, CO	★★★★☆	3/5
Rehabilitation Center at Sandalwood, the	2.5 mi	Wheat Ridge, CO	★★★★☆	3/5

Compare this facility with the 3 closest →

All facilities in Lakewood →

Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 065209.

The Care File

Visit checklist — Western Hills Health Care Center

1625 Carr St, Lakewood, CO 80214 · 3032326881

Health inspection rating 3/5 · CMS overall 3/5· Fines (3y): $0

Questions for the administrator:

☐ "How do you inspect and maintain essential equipment, and how quickly are repairs made?"
☐ "How often do you evaluate your nurse aides and what ongoing training do they receive?"
☐ "Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
☐ "Can you give me examples of how your staff protect residents' dignity in everyday care, like bathing and dressing?"
☐ "Walk me through what happens when a resident or family files a grievance — who responds and how fast?"
☐ "If someone reports suspected abuse or neglect here, what happens in the first 24 hours?"
☐ "What does the care plan for a brand-new resident cover in the first 48 hours, and who writes it?"
☐ "Can I see this month's activities calendar, and what do you offer residents who can't leave their rooms?"
☐ "What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
☐ "Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"

While you're there, notice:

☐ Smell and cleanliness in hallways, not just the lobby
☐ How staff speak to residents; call lights answered promptly
☐ Residents up, dressed, and engaged (visit mealtimes and a weekend if you can)

Data: CMS Provider Data Catalog, version 2026-08-01 · CCN 065209 · Verify at medicare.gov/care-compare · Printed from The Care File (thecarefile.com)