Cherokee Specialty Care
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 11 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 (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
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 detailsStrengths
- 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
Distribution · 13 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
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!”
“Outdoor garden is a perfect event for the residents!”
“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.”
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 · 16 measures
7
measures
5
measures
4
measures
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents whose walking got worse
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
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, 2025Routine3
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
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.
Jan 30, 2025Complaint7
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 Rights Deficiencies
Give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.
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.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services.
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, 2024Routine14
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Administration Deficiencies
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
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.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Construction Deficiencies
Use approved construction type or materials.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.
Jul 18, 2024Complaint2
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
May 16, 2024Complaint1
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, 2024Complaint1
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
Feb 19, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 13, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jun 10, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
May 22, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 3, State violations: 0
Mar 25, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jan 30, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 7, State violations: 3
Aug 9, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jul 18, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 0
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Cherokee Specialty Care
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Care Initiatives
43 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 36 of 43
Ownership & Management
Owners
Care Initiatives
Owner · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
11 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit careinitiatives.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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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.
Accura Healthcare of Cherokee, LLC
< 1 miNursing Home · Cherokee, IA
Accura Healthcare of Cherokee
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Gardens @ Cherokee
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Accura Healthcare of Aurelia, LLC
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