Nursing HomeMedicaid

Mount Ayr Health Care Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise warm, attentive nursing staff. Still worth an in-person visit.

1504 East South Street, Mount Ayr, IA 50854|46 beds|Licensed & Active

4/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

3.6/5

based on 14 Google reviews

(641) 464-3204 Directions

Street View

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What this means for your family

While the facility is frequently praised for its compassionate nursing staff and engaging activities, you should be aware of a serious, high-severity report regarding financial and legal disputes. We strongly recommend that you have a clear, written understanding of all financial policies and, if possible, consult with an elder law attorney before signing any admission agreements to ensure your family's interests are protected.

Google Reviews

14 reviews on Google

“Mount Ayr Health Care Center receives high praise for its warm, family-oriented atmosphere and attentive nursing staff who are described as caring and professional. However, the facility faces a serious, high-severity allegation regarding financial disputes and legal issues involving a former resident's estate. Families should weigh the positive reports of daily care and activities against these significant concerns regarding administrative and financial practices.”

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Warm, attentive nursing staff
Clean and cheerful environment
Active engagement and activities for residents
Family-oriented atmosphere

Concerns

Allegations of predatory financial practices and shifting liability

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 16 analyzed

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

1With the facility having 46 residents, how do you ensure consistent communication with families regarding updates or changes in care, given that we want to stay very involved?
2We’ve heard wonderful things about the active engagement here; could you walk us through what a typical weekly activity schedule looks like for someone with my loved one's interests?
3When reviewing the admission paperwork, could you help us understand the billing structure and how you ensure transparency regarding financial liability and monthly costs?
4Given your 4-star staffing rating, how do you manage the transition of care during shift changes to ensure that the attentive, warm environment mentioned by others remains consistent around the clock?
5Could you explain your protocol for handling medical emergencies or sudden changes in health status, and at what point would we be notified by the nursing team?
6Regarding the recent state survey findings, what specific steps or improvements has the facility implemented to address those areas and ensure high standards of care moving forward?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“Travis & All the Nurses & CNAs are totally awesome. I just went through a trails of my life and these people were awesome at getting my Family & Friends through.”

Family member of resident · 2025★★★★★

“This is the best nursing home in Mt Ayr. It’s beautiful and cheerful, and they do so many activities with their residents. They take excellent care of their patients hair and nails.”

Visitor/Community member · 2023★★★★★

“The staff are very kind and loving. This place feels more like a home than a hospital like some other facilities. Strong sense of family here.”

Family member of resident · 2021★★★★★

Source: 14 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026

RN Hours

1.09hrs

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.72hrs

91%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

46%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

14%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 15 measures

Medicare Rating

2/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility0.0%

Better than Avg

Here

0.0%

12.1%

4.1%

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

💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility29.2%

Worse than Avg

Here

29.2%

19.5%

20.7%

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility23.3%

Worse than Avg

Here

23.3%

15.5%

19.4%

🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility20.1%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

20.1%

19.4%

25.9%

💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility99.2%

Better than Avg

Here

99.2%

93.4%

93.9%

🦠

Residents who got a urinary tract infection

↓ Lower is better

This Facility6.6%

Worse than Avg

Here

6.6%

1.6%

2.5%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility100.0%

Better than Avg

Here

100.0%

81.8%

84.1%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

5deficiencies

Near state avg (6.2)

Mount Ayr Health Care Center has 17 deficiencies across three surveys, primarily involving building safety systems, care planning, and infection control. The facility shows a pattern of recurring issues with heating systems and fire safety measures that appeared in multiple surveys, though all violations have been corrected by the provider. Most deficiencies were related to facility infrastructure rather than direct patient care, with no complaints filed by families.

Apr 14, 2026Routine6 findings

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.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

0628Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

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.

0842Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Apr 9, 2025Routine6 findings

0522Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Have an externally vented heating system.

0923Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

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.

0883Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

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

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.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Jun 27, 2024Routine6 findings

0880Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0291Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

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

0321Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0522Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Have an externally vented heating system.

0741Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total

13deficiencies

Apr 29, 2026InspectionNo deficiencies

Clean