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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Citadel of Sterling,the

Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.

105 East 23rd Street, Sterling, IL 61081121 bedsLicensed & Active
3/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.3/5

based on 36 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Citadel of Sterling,the Nursing Home in Sterling, IL — Street View
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What this means for your family

This facility is frequently praised for its effective rehabilitation therapy, making it a potential candidate for short-term recovery. However, families should exercise extreme caution regarding long-term care; please conduct unannounced visits to observe hygiene standards and staff interactions, as multiple reviewers have raised serious concerns about neglect and unprofessional behavior.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

36 reviews on Google
Citadel of Sterling receives polarized feedback, with many families praising the effective rehabilitation services and kind staff, while others report significant concerns regarding basic care standards and staff conduct. Recurring issues involve inconsistent attention to hygiene, slow response times, and unprofessional interactions between staff and residents. Families should be aware that experiences appear to vary greatly depending on the specific shift and individual staff members.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food4.0Staff5.0Clean5.0Activities10.0Meds2.0Memory3.0Comms4.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Effective physical and occupational therapy
  • Clean facility environment
  • Helpful and kind nursing staff
  • Engaging activity programming

Concerns

  • Understaffing leading to neglect of basic needs (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Rude or unprofessional staff behavior (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Poor hygiene and sanitation standards (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Delays or failures in medication administration (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2344.02017(2)5.02019(4)3.02020(2)1.02023(1)5.02024(3)4.12025(13)4.92026(11)

Distribution · 36 analyzed

5
29
4
1
3
1
2
0
1
5

How They Respond to Reviews

93%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given that staffing levels are a priority for us, could you walk us through your current nurse-to-resident ratio and how you ensure consistent care during shift changes?
  • 2I noticed your facility is very active in responding to feedback online; how do you incorporate that family input into your daily operational improvements?
  • 3With medication management being a critical part of my loved one's health, what specific protocols and double-check systems do you have in place to ensure timely and accurate administration?
  • 4We read positive things about your therapy programs, but we are also interested in how you maintain high standards of hygiene and daily room sanitation throughout the facility.
  • 5What does a typical day look like for residents in terms of social engagement, and how do you ensure those with memory care needs are included in these activities?
  • 6How do you handle communication with families when a resident has a medical change or emergency, and what is your process for keeping us updated in real-time?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

My dad was at this facility and had a great rehab. The staff are wonderful and kind.

Rehab patient's family · 2025★★★★★

There is a few good workers there but very rude & disrespectful ones also especially 2nd shift my mom got her left leg amputated one of the CNAs told her to go hop to the bathroom they let her set hours in her diapers which can cause bed sore

Long-term resident's family · 2023☆☆☆☆

The people on staff are supportive and caring - they are just overwhelmed because there aren't enough of them. As a result, the sickest patients get attention and the ones who are self sufficient are left to fend for themselves.

Long-term resident's family · 2017★★★☆☆
Source: 36 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.61hrs
81%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.27hrs
80%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
30%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
30%
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 · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
2/ 5
Better Than Avg

11

measures

Worse Than Avg

4

measures

Mixed Results

2

measures

Long-Stay Residents
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility88.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
88.2%
US
12.1%
IL
52.5%
Whiteside
33.3%

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

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility12.3%
Better than Avg
Here
12.3%
US
15.4%
IL
21.8%
Whiteside
35.4%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility5.6%
Better than Avg
Here
5.6%
US
14.4%
IL
14.2%
Whiteside
25.6%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility28.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
28.4%
US
19.5%
IL
18.3%
Whiteside
26.4%
💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
95.5%
IL
91.8%
Whiteside
96.5%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility15.2%
Better than Avg
Here
15.2%
US
15.3%
IL
15.9%
Whiteside
23.0%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility89.6%
Better than Avg
Here
89.6%
US
79.7%
IL
63.1%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility85.7%
Better than Avg
Here
85.7%
US
81.8%
IL
69.0%
Whiteside
66.3%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.6%
Worse than Avg
Here
2.6%
US
1.6%
IL
2.4%
Whiteside
2.4%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

12deficiencies
1penalties
Near state avg (12.0)
3 complaint-triggered
$11,213 in fines

This facility has recurring problems across multiple surveys, with families filing complaint reports about pressure ulcer care, rehabilitation services, and medication errors. The primary concerns involve wound care and pressure ulcer prevention (appearing in four separate surveys), fire safety systems, and resident dignity and rights. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the persistent pattern of pressure ulcer care issues across 2023-2025 suggests ongoing challenges in this critical area of resident health and safety.

May 22, 2025Routine
16
0015Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.

0804Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0812Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0321Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0741Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.

0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0583Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

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.

0604Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

0605Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0686Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

0689Potential for 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.

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.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Nov 13, 2024Complaint
1
0825Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.

Jun 12, 2024Routine
8
0692Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

0341Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0351Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.

0923Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

0550Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0686Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Jan 25, 2024Complaint
1
0686Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Nov 3, 2023Complaint
1
0760Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

May 3, 2023Routine
13
0346Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0354Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.

0803Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

0804Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0271Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have exits that are accessible at all times.

0321Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0920Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0686Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

0697Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Jun 12, 2024

$11,213

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Citadel of Sterling,the

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Citadel Healthcare

Chain Size

13 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 3.1/5 · Rank 9 of 13

Ownership & Management

Owners

Stern Family Investment Tr

Owner · Organization

Aaron, Adina

Owner

Aaron, Fred

Owner

Aaron, Jonathan

Owner

Graf, Marcella

Owner

Gross, Shoshana

Owner

Kohen, Yakov

Owner

Proctor, Katherine

Owner

Stern, Raphaela

Owner

Key personnel

Aaron, JonathanManagerGraf, MarcellaManagerMcmahon, MichaelManagerRobin, JasonManagerOmnia Healthcare Group LLCAdp of the Snf
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

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References & Resources

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