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Nursing HomeMedicaid Top Rated

Heartland Care Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise clean and well-maintained facility. Still worth an in-person visit.

604 East Fenton Po Box 608, Marcus, IA 5103538 bedsLicensed & Active
5/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.6/5

based on 26 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Heartland Care Center Nursing Home in Marcus, IA — Street View
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What this means for your family

Heartland Care Center is praised for its cleanliness and friendly, professional staff, making it a strong candidate for those prioritizing a cheerful environment. However, families should be aware of potential staffing shortages mentioned by some reviewers and may want to ask management about current staffing ratios during their tour.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

26 reviews on Google
Heartland Care Center is generally regarded as a clean and safe facility with a staff that many families describe as kind, professional, and attentive. While residents and their families frequently praise the quality of care and the cheerful environment, some reviewers have noted concerns regarding staffing levels and a potentially toxic work environment for employees.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food9.0Staff8.0Clean9.0Activities8.0MedsN/AMemoryN/ACommsN/AValueN/A

Strengths

  • Clean and well-maintained facility
  • Kind and professional nursing staff
  • Positive, cheerful atmosphere for residents
  • Good quality of food

Concerns

  • Understaffing issues (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Toxic work environment for employees (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'17(3)'19(6)'21(7)'23(4)'26(1)

Distribution · 54 analyzed

5
34
4
17
3
0
2
0
1
3

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given the current staffing levels, how does the team ensure that residents receive timely assistance with daily needs like mobility and hygiene?
  • 2I noticed the facility has a very cheerful atmosphere; how do you maintain that positive energy for the residents during busier times of the day?
  • 3With 38 residents in the home, how do you balance the workload to ensure your nursing staff feels supported while providing consistent care?
  • 4Could you walk me through your protocol for handling medical emergencies, especially during shifts where staffing might be at its leanest?
  • 5The food quality here is highly praised by families; how do you incorporate resident feedback into your menu planning to keep mealtime engaging?
  • 6What specific steps is the leadership team taking to address the recent state violations and improve the overall quality of care metrics?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

My sister highly praises Heartland for the care she receives there, and I also think they do a really good job. The staff is kind, friendly, and professional. My sister says the food is very good. It's also very clean and cheerful.

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★★★

My mother in law was a resident of Heartland Care Center for 18 months & her care was superb!! We cant say enough good about the care she received..we very highly recommend Hesrtland Care Center for your loved ones!!!

Long-term resident's family · 2019★★★★★

This a phenomenal place! Residents are well taken care of and most importantly, the staff are amazing! Highly recommend for loved ones who enjoy community and keeping busy with daily activities!

Family member · 2018★★★★★
Source: 26 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
1.83hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
4.44hrs
OK
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
34%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
14%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

This facility meets the national staffing benchmarks. Higher staffing is linked to fewer falls and better day-to-day care.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
5/ 5
Better Than Avg

6

measures

Worse Than Avg

8

measures

Mixed Results

3

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility31.6%
Worse than Avg
Here
31.6%
US
19.4%
IA
25.9%
Cherokee
21.7%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility31.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
31.0%
US
19.5%
IA
20.7%
Cherokee
22.5%
💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility84.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
84.0%
US
95.5%
IA
95.3%
Cherokee
95.5%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility4.3%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
4.3%
US
12.1%
IA
4.1%
Cherokee
3.5%

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

💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility98.9%
Better than Avg
Here
98.9%
US
93.4%
IA
93.9%
Cherokee
92.3%
🩹

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
4.9%
IA
4.3%
Cherokee
5.1%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility19.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
19.4%
US
79.8%
IA
73.3%
Cherokee
75.5%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
81.8%
IA
84.1%
Cherokee
81.9%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility3.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
3.2%
US
1.6%
IA
2.0%
Cherokee
2.4%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

6deficiencies
Near state avg (6.2)
1 complaint-triggered

Heartland Care Center shows persistent deficiencies across multiple surveys, with families filing at least one complaint about respiratory care. The facility repeatedly struggles with fire safety systems, infection control protocols, and care planning. Most concerning are recurring issues with sprinkler system maintenance and food safety that appear across multiple years, suggesting ongoing operational challenges that may impact resident safety and care quality.

Sep 25, 2025Complaint
1
0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

Apr 10, 2025Routine
7
0353Potential for harm · Widespread

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0758Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

0625Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

0644Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Apr 4, 2024Routine
11
0921Potential for harm · Widespread

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

0363Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0803Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0661Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.

0688Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

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.

0883Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

0887Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.

Jan 12, 2023Routine
6
0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0761Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

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

0363Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0578Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

0353Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total
20deficiencies
Jun 4, 2026Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

May 7, 2026Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 5, State violations: 0

Nov 29, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Sep 25, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0

Apr 28, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Apr 10, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 5, State violations: 0

Apr 17, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Apr 4, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 7, State violations: 0

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Heartland Care Center

Organization Type

nonprofit

Ownership & Management

Owners

Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital Association

Owner · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Alesch, LisaManaging Control - Governing BodyBrady, DennisManaging Control - Governing BodyGross, RozanneManaging Control - Governing BodyIrwin, KristiManaging Control - Governing BodyJordan, GaryManaging Control - Governing Body
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

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References & Resources

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