Nursing HomeMedicaid

Elkader Care Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings. Still worth an in-person visit before deciding.

116 Reimer Street Sw, Elkader, IA 52043|40 beds|Licensed & Active

4/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

5.0/5

based on 1 Google review

(563) 245-1620 Directions Website

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What this means for your family

Choosing Elkader Care Center means your loved one is in a facility that ranks well on Medicare quality measures. High RN hours correlate directly with lower rates of hospital readmission and better specialized care coordination. While no facility is perfect, the clinical data here is encouraging.

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026

RN Hours

1.15hrs

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.59hrs

87%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

53%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

57%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 16 measures

Medicare Rating

3/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility30.8%

Worse than Avg

Here

30.8%

19.4%

25.9%

Clayton

21.4%

💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility27.0%

Worse than Avg

Here

27.0%

19.5%

20.7%

Clayton

16.4%

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility11.1%

Better than Avg

Here

11.1%

15.5%

19.4%

Clayton

11.4%

😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility3.9%

Better than Avg

Here

3.9%

12.1%

4.1%

Clayton

6.1%

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

🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility10.2%

Better than Avg

Here

10.2%

15.3%

17.5%

Clayton

14.2%

💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility100.0%

Better than Avg

Here

100.0%

95.5%

95.3%

Clayton

97.7%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility85.2%

Better than Avg

Here

85.2%

81.8%

84.1%

Clayton

82.5%

💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility0.0%

Better than Avg

Here

0.0%

1.6%

2.0%

Clayton

2.2%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

0deficiencies

Well below state avg (6.2)

3 complaint-triggered

Clean record — no deficiencies

Families filed complaints that triggered three deficiencies in 2024, raising concerns about wound care, treatment quality, and facility management at Elkader Care Center. The facility also had an earlier deficiency related to abuse prevention policies in 2023. All issues have been corrected according to state records, but the pattern of complaint-driven findings suggests families should carefully evaluate current care quality during visits.

Oct 24, 2024Complaint3 findings

0686Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0835Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

Aug 30, 2023Routine1 finding

0607Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total

6deficiencies

Feb 17, 2026OtherNo deficiencies

Clean