Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 119 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (22 vs median 10)
- High staff turnover (78%)
- High RN turnover (86%)
Bottom 25% in MO · Below recommended RN staffing · Above average staffing · Very high staff turnover · Worst in LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA chain · $149,578 in fines
What this means for your family
While the facility's physical therapy department is highly regarded, the recurring reports of severe understaffing and neglect are deeply concerning. If you choose this facility, ensure you have a consistent, daily presence to advocate for your loved one, and specifically monitor their hygiene, medication administration, and call-light response times.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
119 reviews on Google“Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau presents a stark contrast between its modern, well-maintained physical facility and significant, recurring concerns regarding nursing care and responsiveness. While many reviewers praise the physical therapy department and the building's cleanliness, a substantial number of families report serious issues with understaffing, neglect, and poor communication during off-hours.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Highly skilled and effective physical therapy team
- Modern, clean, and aesthetically pleasing facility
- Welcoming and professional atmosphere during daytime hours
Concerns
- Severe understaffing leading to long call-light response times (mentioned by 12 reviewers)
- Poor quality, nutritionally inadequate, or cold food (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
- Neglect of basic hygiene and medical orders (mentioned by 8 reviewers)
- Theft or loss of personal belongings (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 123 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1We've heard great things about the physical therapy team here; could you tell us more about how they work with residents to maintain their mobility?
- 2Since the facility looks so modern and clean, what specific steps are taken during daily shifts to ensure that high standard of cleanliness is maintained in the resident rooms?
- 3How do you ensure that medication orders are double-checked and that there is clear communication between the nursing staff and the family regarding any changes?
- 4We want to make sure our loved one is eating well; how do you manage meal temperatures and ensure the food is both nutritious and appetizing?
- 5What is the protocol for responding to call lights during the night shift to ensure residents aren't left waiting for assistance?
- 6What kind of daily activities or social events are planned to help residents stay engaged and connected with one another?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services she receives are all exceptional. The therapists are skilled, attentive, and compassionate.”
“My father went to this nasty facility. My mother went to this facility. Both perished pretty quickly. The nurse’s put my mother in the VERY last room in the 300 wing & left her to die.”
“The facility is constantly short staffed. There is no possible way care givers can give adequate care to each resident or patient. All meals are served late.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
8
measures
8
measures
1
measures
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
This facility shows concerning patterns with 55 deficiencies across 12 surveys, including 17 complaint-triggered issues where families filed reports with regulators. Recurring problems involve resident care assistance, care planning and quality standards, medication management, and emergency response procedures. Most deficiencies have correction dates, but repeated issues with basic life support and care quality standards suggest ongoing challenges families should investigate through direct visits and current resident feedback.
Dec 16, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Jun 27, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
May 22, 2025Routine21
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Notify each resident of certain balances and convey resident funds upon discharge, eviction, or death.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
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 Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Honor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
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 Deficiencies
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
The resident has the right to receive notices in a format and a language he or she understands.
Mar 18, 2025Complaint3
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Dec 18, 2024Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Nov 26, 2024Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Federal Penalties
Fine
May 22, 2025
$81,955
Payment Denial
May 22, 2025
19-day denial
Fine
Mar 18, 2025
$17,345
Fine
Nov 26, 2024
$30,030
Fine
Aug 22, 2024
$20,248
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Life Care Centers of America
194 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.5/5 · Rank 185 of 194 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Owners
Developers Investment Company II, INC
Owner · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
119 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit lcca.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
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