See every facility — official ratings, family reviews, no referral fees.
Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Cherokee Specialty Care

Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.

1011 North Roosevelt, Cherokee, IA 5101262 bedsLicensed & Active
2/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.3/5

based on 11 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Cherokee Specialty Care Nursing Home in Cherokee, IA — Street View
Street View

Watch Cherokee Specialty Care

Get an email when new inspections, ratings, or penalties are published for this facility.

We’ll only email you about this — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

5/ 10
high Risk

Quality Concerns Identified

Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.

  • Low overall rating (2/5 stars)
  • Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
  • High staff turnover (54%)
  • High RN turnover (83%)

Below average in IA · Critically understaffed (RN) · Below chain average · $8,190 in fines · Very few deficiencies

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

While recent reviews highlight a vibrant activity program and caring staff, the facility has a history of serious complaints regarding staffing levels and dietary support. When touring, we strongly recommend asking for specific examples of how they handle medical dietary restrictions and how they ensure call lights are answered promptly during all shifts.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

11 reviews on Google
Cherokee Specialty Care receives polarized feedback, with recent reviews praising the activity department and garden, while older reviews highlight serious concerns regarding neglect and communication. Families report issues with staff responsiveness and dietary management, contrasting with newer positive remarks about the facility's engagement efforts.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food1.0Staff5.0CleanN/AActivities10.0MedsN/AMemoryN/AComms2.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Engaging activity department
  • Well-maintained outdoor garden
  • Caring staff attitudes

Concerns

  • Understaffing leading to neglected patient needs (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2341.02018(1)3.02020(2)5.02021(2)5.02022(7)5.02024(1)

Distribution · 13 analyzed

5
11
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
2

How They Respond to Reviews

9%response rate

This facility rarely responds to reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed the outdoor garden is a highlight for many families; how do you incorporate that space into the residents' daily activity schedule?
  • 2Given the current staffing levels, what specific protocols do you have in place to ensure that residents receive timely assistance with their daily needs?
  • 3I understand that communication can sometimes be a challenge in busy facilities; what is the best way for our family to stay updated on our loved one's care and daily well-being?
  • 4With the recent focus on improving dining experiences, could you walk me through how you manage meal service and accommodate individual dietary preferences or needs?
  • 5How does your nursing team manage medical emergencies or sudden changes in a resident's health status, especially during evening or weekend hours?
  • 6I see that the facility has been working on addressing recent state inspection findings; what steps are you taking to improve these areas and ensure a higher standard of care moving forward?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The staff are very caring and the caring attitudes are evident in the care the patients receive! They are the best!

Family member · 2022★★★★★

Outdoor garden is a perfect event for the residents!

Visitor · 2022★★★★★

They were always under staffed so the residents care was compromised because this. Employees did not contact the family when she was ill nor did they do anything to help the matter.

Family member · 2018☆☆☆☆
Source: 11 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.36hrs
49%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.58hrs
87%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
49%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
40%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Both 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 · 16 measures

Medicare Rating
3/ 5
Better Than Avg

7

measures

Worse Than Avg

5

measures

Mixed Results

4

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility58.7%
Worse than Avg
Here
58.7%
US
15.4%
IA
19.4%
Cherokee
17.1%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility34.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
34.0%
US
19.5%
IA
20.7%
Cherokee
22.4%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.8%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
11.8%
US
12.1%
IA
4.1%
Cherokee
2.8%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility99.4%
Better than Avg
Here
99.4%
US
93.4%
IA
93.9%
Cherokee
92.7%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility23.5%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
23.5%
US
19.4%
IA
25.9%
Cherokee
20.8%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility18.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
18.9%
US
15.3%
IA
17.5%
Cherokee
16.1%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility90.5%
Better than Avg
Here
90.5%
US
81.8%
IA
84.0%
Cherokee
82.2%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
1.6%
IA
2.0%
Cherokee
2.4%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

3deficiencies
1penalties
Well below state avg (6.2)
15 complaint-triggered
$8,190 in fines

Cherokee Specialty Care has concerning patterns of repeat deficiencies, with families filing 19 complaints that triggered inspections. The facility shows persistent problems with safety hazards and accident prevention, care planning and assessments, and infection control across multiple surveys. While the facility corrects issues when cited, the same problems frequently recur, suggesting underlying systemic challenges that families should carefully consider before placement.

May 22, 2025Routine
3
0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

0644Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

Jan 30, 2025Complaint
7
0689Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0572Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.

0600Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

0609Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

0691Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services.

0725Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

Jul 18, 2024Routine
14
0324Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

0868Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

0363Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality 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.

0812Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0161Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Construction Deficiencies

Use approved construction type or materials.

0355Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.

0920Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

0922Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.

Jul 18, 2024Complaint
2
0580Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

May 16, 2024Complaint
1
0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Mar 20, 2024Complaint
1
0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Jul 10, 2023

$8,190

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total
22deficiencies
Feb 19, 2026Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Oct 13, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Jun 10, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

May 22, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 3, State violations: 0

Mar 25, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Jan 30, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 7, State violations: 3

Aug 9, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Jul 18, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 8, State violations: 0

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Cherokee Specialty Care

Organization Type

nonprofit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Care Initiatives

Chain Size

43 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 36 of 43

Ownership & Management

Owners

Care Initiatives

Owner · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Computershare Corporate Trust Company, Na5% or Greater Mortgage InterestBeal, MichaelOfficer / DirectorBowen, LaneOfficer / DirectorCarothers, Mary JaneOfficer / DirectorChilds, KevinOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

Safer Alternatives Nearby

Based on current clinical data, we identified 5 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.

Call