Life Care Center of Valparaiso
Scout 86Valparaiso, IN · 110 beds
5.0CMS rating
Skilled Nursing● Fills quickly
One of Valparaiso's top-rated skilled nursing communities.
Est. $8,950–$12,650/mo
View full evaluation →Skilled NursingCMS verified
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center
8800 Virginia Place, Merrillville, IN 46410 · Lake County
Located near Methodist Hospital Southlake and Forest Hills Park, Brickyard Healthcare's Merrillville Care Center is fully equipped to meet resident needs.
31
Use CautionHaven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates use caution.Photos via google places.
Availability outlook● Fills quickly
Typically 89% full (146 of 164 beds occupied on an average day).
If this community is on your shortlist, checking current openings sooner rather than later genuinely matters here.
Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.
Our evaluation
An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.
A low federal rating — review the details closely
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Merrillville, IN, with 164 certified beds and an average of about 146 residents per day. It operates as part of the Brickyard Healthcare network.
Medicare rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall — below the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 1/5 on health inspections, 2/5 on staffing, 3/5 on quality measures.
Staff provide about 3.28 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.59 of them from registered nurses), below the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 43.8%, better than the ~52% national average — a sign of staffing stability. On the safety record, CMS notes 12 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.
Strengths
- ✓No federal fines on record
- ✓Full sprinkler system
- ✓Active resident & family council
Things to ask about
- •Below-average 1-star overall CMS rating
- •Below-average health-inspection rating
- •Below-average nurse staffing (3.28 hrs/resident/day)
- •12 deficiencies at last survey
Best for: Families considering this community should tour in person, request the latest survey, and weigh it against higher-rated Merrillville options — our advisors can help you compare.
At a glance
- Certified beds
- 164
- Avg. residents/day
- 146
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Part of a chain
- Brickyard Healthcare
- Continuing care
- No
- CMS provider #
- 155362
Federal quality ratings
From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.
Overall rating
Health inspections
Staffing
Quality measures
Pricing & cost
We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.
| Level of care | Monthly cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nursing | $8,950–$12,650/mo (median $10,460) | Local market estimate |
2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Lake County prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs
Staffing & care
More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.
- Total nurse hrs / resident / day
- 3.28
- National avg ≈ 3.9
- RN hrs / resident / day
- 0.59
- National avg ≈ 0.75
- Nursing staff turnover
- 43.8%
- National avg ≈ 52%
Safety & inspection record
Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.
- Health deficiencies (last survey)
- 12
- Federal fines
- None on record
- Total penalties
- 0
- Last standard survey
- 2025-08-08
- Sprinkler system
- Yes
- Resident & family council
- Resident
What inspectors found
The most recent findings from federal health inspections (36 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.
2026-02-24Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintPharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
2026-01-15Severity E — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident Rights Deficiencies
Honor 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.
2025-08-08Severity F — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
2025-08-08Severity E — potential for harmEnvironmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
2025-08-08Severity D — potential for harmFreedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
2025-08-08Severity D — potential for harmResident 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.
2025-08-08Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
2025-08-08Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.
Services & amenities
- ✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
- ✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
- ✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
- ✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
- ✓ Rehabilitation services
- ✓ Memory care
- ✓ Respite / short-term stays
- ✓ Scheduled transportation
- ✓ Housekeeping & laundry
- ✓ Daily activities & events
- ✓ Courtyard / outdoor space
- ✓ 24/7 staff
Location
8800 Virginia Place, Merrillville, IN
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Reviews & reputation
We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.
Verified family reviews
No verified family reviews yet for Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center.
Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.
Talk to an advisor about this communityCommon questions about Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center
How much does Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center cost?
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Merrillville, IN area typically runs $8,950–$12,650 per month (median $10,460, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.
What is Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center's Medicare rating?
Medicare (CMS) rates Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center 1 out of 5 stars overall, including 1/5 for health inspections, 2/5 for staffing, 3/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.
How is the staffing at Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center?
Staff provide about 3.28 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 43.8% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.
What did inspectors find at Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center?
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center has 36 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2025-08-08). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.
Does Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center have availability?
Typically 89% full (146 of 164 beds occupied on an average day). Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.
What types of care does Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center offer?
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center in Merrillville, IN offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 164 beds.
The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you
Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.
- Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Lake County.
- The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
- Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.
Your next steps — this week
- 1Confirm the fitCheck the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
- 2Get exact pricing & availabilityRequest current rates for Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center — takes one minute, answered same day.
- 3Tour 2–3 communitiesCompare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
- 4Hold a spotMost communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.
Data sources:CMS verifiedGoogleOfficial website
Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.
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