Bethany Lutheran Home
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 13 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (14 vs median 5)
- High RN turnover (64%)
Bottom 25% in IA · Critically understaffed (RN) · Above average staffing · $55,846 in fines
What this means for your family
While the physical therapy department is highly regarded, the facility has significant issues with administrative communication and staff responsiveness. We strongly recommend that you observe call light response times during a visit and clarify the specific frequency of physician visits before committing to this facility.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
13 reviews on Google“Bethany Lutheran Home receives highly polarized feedback, with some families praising the physical therapy and meal variety while others report significant neglect and administrative hostility. Recurring complaints highlight long response times for call lights, poor communication from management, and inconsistent access to medical doctors.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Effective physical therapy team
- Diverse and high-quality meal options
- Open visitation policy
Concerns
- Excessive call light response times (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Poor administrative communication and rude staff (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Inconsistent access to medical doctors (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 13 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
Questions for Your Tour
- 1We've heard great things about the physical therapy team here; could you tell us more about how they work with residents to maintain their mobility?
- 2With the open visitation policy, how do families typically stay involved in their loved one's daily routine?
- 3What are some of the favorite meal options currently being served to the residents?
- 4How does the nursing staff ensure that call lights are answered promptly, especially during the night shifts?
- 5Could you explain the process for how residents are connected with doctors and how medical updates are shared with the family?
- 6What steps is the facility taking to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and facility maintenance for the residents?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The physical therapy staff is fantastic. I had wonderful care from nursing and generally all staff. Food is very good and contained a wide variety.”
“Mom’s first day at facility and she had to wait over 17 minutes to get staff in so she could use the restroom. Staff came in argumentative and saying if there was a problem we could go speak to the director of nursing.”
“STAY AWAY WHATEVER YOU DO. THE ADMINSTATION WILL THREATEN YOU WITH ELDER ABUSE TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IN THEIR FACILITY LONGER. FACILITY IS NOT KEPT CLEAN. LACK OF BATHING PATIENTS. LACK OF ACCESS TO MEDICAL DOCTORS. 2 HOURS CALL LIGHT TIMES.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
6
measures
6
measures
5
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Bethany Lutheran Home shows concerning patterns with families frequently filing complaints that triggered over half of its 61 deficiencies across recent surveys. The facility has persistent issues with nursing staffing levels, care planning, and safety hazards that recur across multiple inspections despite correction dates. Most troubling are repeated problems with accident prevention, medication management, and ensuring adequate nursing coverage, suggesting ongoing challenges in providing consistent, safe care for residents.
Oct 2, 2025Routine10
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident 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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Oct 2, 2025Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
May 30, 2025Complaint2
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Mar 13, 2025Complaint4
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Oct 31, 2024Routine13
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Aug 12, 2024Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident 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.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Oct 2, 2025
$16,588
Fine
Nov 2, 2023
$11,183
Fine
Aug 21, 2023
$19,143
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
May 21, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0
Oct 2, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 1
May 30, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 2, State violations: 1
Mar 24, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Mar 13, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 4, State violations: 1
Jan 8, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Dec 6, 2024OtherClean
Fed violations: 16, State violations: 0
Oct 31, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 0
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Bethany Lutheran Home
nonprofit
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
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References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
13 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit blhs.care
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
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