All states › Hawaii › Hilo › Life Care Center of Hilo
944 West Kawailani Street Hilo, HI 96720 · Hawaii County
All 5 nursing homes in Hilo, HI (5 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 125040 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Life Care Center of Hilo a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Life Care Center of Hilo as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, above the Hawaii average of 3.8.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.92 hours per resident per day at Life Care Center of Hilo, below the Hawaii median of 4.62 (US median: 3.72). About 0.98 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.37 hours, 14% below its all-week average. 28.4% of nursing staff left within a year (Hawaii median 32.8%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Life Care Center of Hilo: Medicare and Medicaid
Life Care Center of Hilo is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Hawaii's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on July 2, 2026 and found 5 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 43 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 43 citations at Life Care Center of Hilo across 5 inspection dates, 5 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on April 1, 2026. The most common areas cited were resident rights (10) and quality of life and care (8). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services" (tag F0697, level G, April 1, 2026). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 2, 2026 · 5 citations
DEnsure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
April 1, 2026 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
May 1, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
December 1, 2023 · 10 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure 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.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DInform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.
November 18, 2022 · 24 citations
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
EPost a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all pertinent State agencies and advocacy groups and a statement that the resident may file a complaint with the State Survey Agency.
EHonor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
EPost nurse staffing information every day.
EEnsure 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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
DHonor 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.
DHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DProvide at least one room set aside to use as a resident dining room and for activities, that is a good size, with good lighting, air flow and furniture.
Questions to ask on a tour of Life Care Center of Hilo
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on April 1, 2026 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on April 1, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
1 penalty in the last three years, including $8,492 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | Fine | $8,492 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Life Care Center of Hilo
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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2.9 mi
Hilo Medical Center HiloEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 28m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
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Other Life Care Centers of America nursing homes in Hawaii
- Ka Punawai Ola · Kapolei · 4 stars
- Hale Anuenue Restorative Care · Hilo · 4 stars
- Life Care Center of Kona · Kailua Kona · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 194 Life Care Centers of America nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.