Life Care Center of the Willows
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 79 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 (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (16 vs median 6)
Bottom 25% in IN · Meets national RN staffing standard · Worst in LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA chain · $14,886 in fines
What this means for your family
This facility is highly regarded for its intimate, home-like environment and effective rehabilitation therapy. However, families should be aware of serious, recurring reports regarding understaffing and cleanliness; we strongly recommend conducting an unannounced visit during a weekend or evening shift to observe staffing levels and facility maintenance firsthand.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
79 reviews on Google“Life Care Center of The Willows is frequently praised for its intimate, home-like atmosphere and a staff that many families describe as compassionate and attentive. While many reviewers highlight excellent therapy services and strong communication, there are serious, recurring reports regarding understaffing, cleanliness issues, and concerns about medical oversight for high-acuity residents.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Warm, intimate, home-like environment
- Highly regarded physical and rehab therapy team
- Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
- Strong communication with families
Concerns
- Chronic understaffing leading to slow response times (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Cleanliness and sanitation issues (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Inadequate medical oversight or delayed response to health decline (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 80 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1We noticed how much the management team values feedback from families; how do you typically incorporate family suggestions into the daily care routines?
- 2The rehab and physical therapy team comes highly recommended, so could you tell us more about how the therapists work with residents to maintain their mobility?
- 3With the intimate, home-like atmosphere you have here, what kind of daily social activities or group outings are available to keep residents engaged?
- 4How does the nursing team ensure that medication schedules are strictly followed and monitored for accuracy every day?
- 5In the event of a sudden change in a resident's health or a medical emergency during the night, what is the specific protocol for getting immediate physician oversight?
- 6What specific steps are being taken to ensure the facility maintains the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the resident rooms and common areas?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The staff at The Willows take wonderful care of my mother and individualize her care. In addition to the great health care she receives they do a great job of just being caring.”
“There simply isn't the staff to manage as many residents/therapy patients as there is. Not to mention, when asking a nurse for a bedpan, she stated 'one of the aides is on it, they have to go grab it from the shed.' SHED. My second other main issue is the filth.”
“My Dad was admitted from Munster Community Hospital to Life Care Center of the Willows for rehab after hip sugery. Life Care Center of the Willows is an absolutely HORRIBLE facility. Due to the negligence at this facility my father became malnourished and dehydrated to the point he went into renal failure.”
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 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 needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
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, with most recent concerns about infection control and inappropriate care treatment. This facility shows persistent problems with fire safety systems, emergency preparedness, and care planning that have recurred across surveys. While some issues appear corrected over time, significant deficiencies from the most recent inspection remain without correction plans, suggesting ongoing operational challenges.
Mar 25, 2026Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Jan 27, 2026Routine36
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop a communication plan.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish emergency prep training and testing.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
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.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Egress Deficiencies
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
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.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
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
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
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.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Dec 4, 2025Complaint1
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Sep 29, 2025Complaint2
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Nov 13, 2024Routine14
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
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
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Mar 15, 2024Complaint1
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Life Care Center of the Willows
government
Chain Affiliation
Life Care Centers of America
194 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.5/5 · Rank 188 of 194 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
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
79 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit lifecarecenterofthewillows.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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