Emmetsburg Care Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 12 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)
- Above-median deficiencies (8 vs median 5)
- High staff turnover (62%)
- High RN turnover (80%)
Below average in IA · Below recommended RN staffing · Below chain average · $25,695 in fines
What this means for your family
This facility offers a personalized approach to care and dining, which many families appreciate. However, given the conflicting reports regarding staff professionalism, we recommend scheduling an unannounced visit to observe staff interactions and management presence firsthand.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
12 reviews on Google“Emmetsburg Care Center receives highly polarized feedback, with recent reviews highlighting a welcoming staff and resident autonomy in dining and care planning. However, other reviewers have expressed significant dissatisfaction with management and professional standards, indicating a potential inconsistency in the quality of care provided.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Friendly and welcoming staff
- Collaborative care planning
- Resident-centered dining choices
- Competitive pricing
Concerns
- Lack of professional management and staff conduct (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 13 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility responds to some reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed you have a collaborative approach to care planning; could you walk me through how my family would be involved in those updates?
- 2With 16 state violations over the past year, what specific steps is the leadership team taking to improve oversight and ensure consistent quality of care?
- 3I read that you offer resident-centered dining choices, which sounds wonderful—could you tell me more about how you accommodate individual preferences and dietary needs?
- 4Given the feedback regarding professional conduct, what kind of ongoing training or mentorship programs do you have in place for your staff to ensure a positive environment?
- 5I see you actively respond to feedback online; how do you use that input to make tangible changes to the daily experience for residents?
- 6With a 2-star health inspection rating, what are the primary areas you are currently focusing on to improve safety and compliance for your 46 residents?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“Friendly staff! They work with you to come up with the best plan of care for your loved one.”
“Emmetsburg Care Center is the best care center in Iowa. I never have to worry about if my mom is being taken care of, if she’s getting the right treatment, or if she’s okay.”
“They have such fun activities, a welcoming community and (grandpa’s favorite) he gets to decide what he wants to eat!”
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
10
measures
5
measures
2
measures
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 whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents needing more daily help over time
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Families have filed multiple complaint reports against Emmetsburg Care Center, prompting 6 deficiencies across recent inspections. The facility shows recurring problems in resident care quality, fire safety systems, and nutrition/dietary services. While all deficiencies have correction dates, ongoing issues with care planning, daily living assistance, and meal preparation suggest persistent operational challenges that families should carefully evaluate.
Jan 8, 2026Complaint2
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Jul 28, 2025Routine8
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Construct fire resistant interior walls.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Feb 20, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Sep 12, 2024Routine9
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Sep 12, 2024Complaint3
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Jun 22, 2023Routine4
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Jul 28, 2025
$25,695
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Jun 24, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jun 1, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
May 11, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 0
Jan 21, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jan 8, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 2, State violations: 0
Nov 12, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jul 28, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 6, State violations: 2
Mar 24, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Emmetsburg Care Center
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Legacy Healthcare
89 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 66 of 89
Ownership & Management
Owners
Cascade Capital Holdings LLC
Owner (parent company) · 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
12 reviews from families & visitors
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 4 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
Emerald Oaks
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Palo Alto County Hospital
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Lakeside Assisted Living
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Lakeside Lutheran Home
1.4 miNursing Home · Emmetsburg, IA