During the first quarter of 2026, Life Care Center of Sandpoint emerged as Bonner County’s largest nursing home, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports.
The facility reported 124 available beds, surpassing the county average by 25 as of the first quarter of 2026. It served an average of 71.9 residents during that time.
The overall CMS rating for Life Care Center of Sandpoint stood at 3 out of 5, slightly below the Idaho nursing home average of 3.2.
Within the same period, Valley Vista Care Center of Sandpoint retained its position as Bonner County’s second largest nursing home, operating 73 available beds.
Life Care Center of Sandpoint reported no fines or penalties during the first quarter of 2026.
As of that period, Bonner County, Idaho, had a single for-profit nursing home.
Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show continued growth in the nation’s older adult population as younger groups decline. Between 2020 and 2024, Americans age 65 and older increased by 13%, while those under 18 decreased by 1.7%. The older population has surged over the past century, rising from 4.9 million in 1920 to more than 61 million by 2024.
A 2021 analysis indicates nearly half those age 65 or older, or about 28 million people, may need long-term services and supports. It further projects that over a third could eventually require nursing home care.
“Living a long life is something that many of us want and could get,” said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “But when we live a long life, the chances of us needing long-term care increase exponentially. But when you need that type of care, there are limited options.”
| Rank | Nursing Home | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Care Center of Sandpoint | 3 |
| 2 | Valley Vista Care Center of Sandpoint | 1 |
Information for this article comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Access the source data here.
