LYNN — Life Care Center of the North Shore has been named a top nursing home of 2026 by U.S. News and World Report.
The U.S. News and World Report evaluates nearly 15,000 U.S. nursing homes across the country and recognizes fewer than 19% on its rankings. It primarily uses data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make its selections, and it considers factors such as post-acute care quality, nurse staffing consistency, and patient-centered outcomes.
Located at 111 Birch St., Life Care Center of the North Shore has been in Lynn since the 1990s, according to Executive Director Carla Ciaramella. She attributed the U.S. News and World Report’s recognition to the center’s longevity and consistency with leadership, ownership, building teams, and frontline staff.
“Everyone plays a role in taking care of a resident and making sure everyone’s needs are met and that we’re continuing to move in a positive direction. Every recognition belongs to them and the hard work that they do,” Ciaramella said.
Ciaramella said that Life Care Center of the North Shore doesn’t use temporary staffing agencies, which is “rare” for a nursing home in 2025. In fact, some of the nurses and certified nursing assistants on the staff have been with the center for 30 years.
“We have really committed staff and good morale here. Because of that, we’re able to assign staff consistently throughout the building,” Ciaramella said.
Ciaramella said that high staff turnover rates at nursing homes are “disruptive to resident’s routines.” This can be especially detrimental for residents that might have cognitive issues, which is why Life Care Center of the North Shore prioritizes long-term staff retention.
“This is their home,” Ciaramella said. “Part of being at home is seeing the faces day in and day out and making relationships with people. Those familiar faces become really important. Having someone who understands you and understands how to take care of nuances is really important for the residents.”
