The Oaks – Athens Skilled Nursing ranked largest Clarke County nursing home in Q1

The Oaks – Athens Skilled Nursing emerged as Clarke County’s largest nursing home during the first quarter of 2026, data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shows.

The facility reported a total of 148 available beds, surpassing the Clarke County average by 36 during the first quarter of 2026. The center served an average of 118.6 residents throughout that time.

The Oaks – Athens Skilled Nursing received an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5, trailing the 2.7 statewide average for Georgia’s nursing homes.

University Nursing & Rehab Center was Clarke County’s second largest nursing home with 122 available beds during the period. Pruitthealth – Athens Heritage held third place with 104.

By the first quarter of 2026, The Oaks – Athens Skilled Nursing faced one penalty and $15,646 in fines.

Clarke County, Georgia, had a total of 4 for-profit nursing homes in the period.

U.S. Census Bureau estimates show the older adult population nationwide is growing while numbers of children fall. Between 2020 and 2024, Americans age 65 and older increased by 13%, while the population under 18 declined by 1.7%. The United States’ older adult population has expanded sharply in the last century, from 4.9 million in 1920 to over 61 million by 2024.

A 2021 report estimated that about half of those age 65 and older—approximately 28 million Americans—may require long-term services and support. More than a third may ultimately enter a nursing home, the study adds.

“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.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provided the information in this article. Access the source data here.