Nursing HomeMedicaid

Hiawatha Care Center

Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.

405 North 15th Avenue, Hiawatha, IA 52233|109 beds|Licensed & Active

3/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

3.7/5

based on 29 Google reviews

(319) 378-8583 Directions Website

Street View

Watch Hiawatha Care Center

Get an email when new inspections, ratings, or penalties are published for this facility.

We’ll only email you about this — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

What this means for your family

Hiawatha Care Center offers an impressive array of activities and a clean environment that many families appreciate. However, because multiple reviewers have raised concerns about staffing levels and response times, we strongly recommend that you visit during off-hours and ask management specifically how they handle call-light response times on weekends.

Google Reviews

29 reviews on Google

“Hiawatha Care Center receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the facility's cleanliness, engaging activities, and compassionate staff. However, several reviewers report serious concerns regarding understaffing, slow response times to call lights, and inconsistent quality of care, particularly for residents with high medical needs.”

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Clean and well-maintained facility
Engaging and diverse activity programs
Compassionate and attentive staff
Strong communication with families

Concerns

Understaffing and slow response times to call lights (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Inconsistent quality of care and lack of nurturing (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 33 analyzed

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

1I noticed the facility offers a wide variety of activities; could you walk me through what a typical week of engagement looks like for a new resident?
2With 109 residents here, how does your team manage call light response times to ensure that everyone receives timely assistance throughout the day and night?
3Given the importance of medication safety, could you explain the specific protocols and oversight measures in place to ensure accuracy for residents?
4How do you foster a nurturing and consistent care environment to ensure that every resident feels personally connected to their care team?
5Could you share how your leadership team monitors staffing levels to ensure that the high quality of care mentioned by many families remains consistent during all shifts?
6How do you keep families informed and involved in their loved one's care plan, especially regarding any changes in health or daily needs?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“Each employee I encountered in those 3 days impressed me as being engaged with the people in their care, tender hearted, respectful and patient.”

Visitor/Family friend · 2026★★★★★

“The activities for the residents is outstanding. From taking part in raising animals, gardening, field trips, movies, games, cooking, and Happy Hour.”

Long-term resident's family · 2022★★★★★

“My Dad died here and received very poor care. There was usually a long wait when he buzzed them. It always felt understaffed and that there was very little interaction with the staff.”

Long-term resident's family · 2022★☆☆☆☆

Source: 29 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026

RN Hours

0.64hrs

85%

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

4.13hrs

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

33%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

22%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN hours are below the national benchmark. RNs handle complex medical needs and medication, so ask about coverage during your visit.

Quality Measures

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

Medicare Rating

4/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility0.4%

Better than Avg

Here

0.4%

12.1%

4.1%

Linn

5.7%

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

↓ Lower is better

This Facility29.6%

Worse than Avg

Here

29.6%

19.4%

25.9%

Linn

26.3%

💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility100.0%

Better than Avg

Here

100.0%

93.4%

93.9%

Linn

91.6%

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility22.0%

Worse than Avg

Here

22.0%

15.5%

19.4%

Linn

14.2%

🩺

Residents with a long-term catheter

↓ Lower is better

This Facility8.0%

Worse than Avg

Here

8.0%

0.9%

1.6%

Linn

1.9%

💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility23.8%

Worse than Avg

Here

23.8%

19.5%

20.7%

Linn

16.8%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility98.6%

Better than Avg

Here

98.6%

81.8%

84.1%

Linn

82.8%

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility87.0%

Better than Avg

Here

87.0%

79.8%

73.3%

Linn

78.4%

💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility0.8%

Better than Avg

Here

0.8%

1.6%

2.0%

Linn

1.9%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

4deficiencies

Near state avg (6.2)

3 complaint-triggered

Hiawatha Care Center has faced ongoing issues but appears to correct deficiencies when cited, with families filing two complaints that led to violations. The facility shows recurring problems with food safety and handling, safety hazards, and resident rights protections. While all violations have correction dates, the pattern of repeated issues in food services and safety suggests families should carefully evaluate these areas during visits and ask about current protocols.

Apr 2, 2026Routine5 findings

0293Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.

0753Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations.

0656Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0806Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

Apr 2, 2026Complaint1 finding

0689Potential for harm · IsolatedResolved (past non-compliance)

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Oct 29, 2025Complaint1 finding

0689Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Mar 13, 2025Routine6 findings

0291Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.

0920Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

0804Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

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.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Jan 8, 2025Complaint1 finding

0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

May 9, 2024Routine6 findings

0006Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.

0039Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

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.

0923Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

0623Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total

9deficiencies

May 11, 2026InspectionNo deficiencies

Clean