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Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 64 Google reviews
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These current public-data fields deserve follow-up with the facility and the official Medicare record. They are not a clinical risk score or a substitute for an in-person assessment.
This facility has areas of concern that warrant careful consideration. Registered Nurse hours are 67% of the EveryPlace reference benchmark; ask how RN coverage is allocated across shifts. The latest standard survey recorded 15 findings, above the IA average of 6.2. We recommend asking the administrator directly: "How are you addressing recent staffing shortfalls?" These are not reasons to panic, but they are reasons to ask tough questions and visit in person.
Heritage Specialty Care faces severe and recurring criticism regarding resident neglect, poor communication, and inadequate staffing. While a small subset of reviewers reports positive experiences with specific staff members or short-term rehab therapy, the overwhelming majority of recent feedback highlights dangerous lapses in medical care, hygiene, and basic responsiveness.
Quality Themes
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Concerns
Rating Trends
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Distribution · 65 analyzed
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“They sent my husband who was in a locked unit to the hospital (one he had never been to before) unaccompanied, in a transport van, driver stopped at ER entrance and told my husband to get out and go in and check in. They sent no medical info with him!”
“She’s a diabetic and all of the food that they fed her was full of carbs and sugar, and they wouldn’t give her meal time insulin to her, they would only give her, the long acting insulin.why? Because they couldn’t watch her to make sure her blood sugar didn’t drop.”
“I saw men and women who could not feed themselves not being fed and staff eating their food.”
Both RN and total nursing hours are below the EveryPlace reference benchmarks. Ask the facility how it staffs each shift for current resident needs.
Reference benchmarks (0.75 RN and 4.1 total nursing hours per resident/day) are comparison targets, not current federal minimum requirements.
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
7
measures
9
measures
1
measures
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
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
Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback
Families have filed numerous complaints triggering over half of the 65 deficiencies, raising serious concerns about this facility's quality of care. The most recurring problems involve safety hazards and accident prevention, care quality standards, and medication management—including one recent medication error issue that remains uncorrected. While most violations have been addressed, the persistent pattern of safety and care quality issues across multiple surveys suggests ongoing systemic problems that families should carefully consider.
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.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
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
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
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.
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 appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Nov 6, 2025
$14,365
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 6, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 3, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 1
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Heritage Specialty Care
nonprofit
Care Initiatives
43 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 40 of 43 (Lowest rating)
Owners
Care Initiatives
Owner · Organization
Key personnel
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Medicare Care Compare
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Google Reviews
64 reviews from families & visitors
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