Good Samaritan Society - Howard Lake
Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.
based on 7 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
This facility is highly regarded for its hands-on management and dedicated nursing team, making it a strong candidate for those prioritizing quality of care. While the rehab and therapy services are well-regarded, you may want to inquire about recent improvements to the dining program to ensure it meets your loved one's expectations.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
7 reviews on Google“Good Samaritan Society - Howard Lake receives consistent praise for its dedicated and compassionate nursing staff, with multiple reviewers highlighting the hands-on involvement of management in patient care. While the facility is commended for its strong rehab and therapy services, one reviewer noted that the food quality has been an area requiring improvement.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
- Hands-on management involved in patient care
- Strong physical and occupational therapy departments
- Well-informed and responsive office staff
Concerns
- Food quality (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 8 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1With your strong focus on physical and occupational therapy, how do you tailor those programs to help residents maintain their independence on a daily basis?
- 2I noticed the facility has a very intimate setting with 32 residents; how does this smaller size influence the way the staff builds personal relationships with the people living here?
- 3Since you have such a hands-on management team, how do you typically involve family members in the care planning process for their loved ones?
- 4We are interested in the daily dining experience; could you share how you gather feedback from residents regarding the menu and how you work to accommodate individual preferences?
- 5Given your high CMS ratings for health inspections, what specific protocols do you have in place to ensure consistent care during medical emergencies or sudden changes in health?
- 6How does your team balance the clinical requirements of a nursing home with creating a warm, engaging environment for daily social activities?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The nursing managers will actually work the floor to do patient care. At least one day per week, one of the bosses will take care of you.”
“The best place to stay. Long term and rehab available. Great staff and very friendly. They are trained well. Great PT department.”
“I am a visiting nurse to this facility and have noted the staff are truly dedicated to serving their residents. They are kind, gentle and attentive to their needs.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
10
measures
7
measures
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents needing more daily help over time
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
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
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
This facility has 5 deficiencies across 2 surveys with no complaint-triggered issues, suggesting routine oversight findings rather than family-reported problems. The most recent survey identified concerns with abuse reporting procedures and resident assessments, while an earlier survey found emergency power system and food safety issues. All deficiencies have been corrected by the facility, indicating responsiveness to identified problems.
Feb 12, 2026Routine10
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
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.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Jan 9, 2025Routine2
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Nov 8, 2023Routine3
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Good Samaritan Society - Howard Lake
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Good Samaritan Society
92 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 6 of 88 (Best)
Ownership & Management
Owners
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society
Owner · Organization
Sanford
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Fluit, Joel
Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf
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
7 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit good-sam.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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