Ridgewood Specialty Care
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise effective rehabilitation therapy. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 21 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
Ridgewood Specialty Care is highly regarded for its rehabilitation therapy and compassionate daytime care, making it a strong candidate for recovery. However, given reports of slow nighttime responsiveness and potential delays in medical escalation, we strongly advise families to maintain a consistent, active presence and advocate firmly for any new or persistent symptoms.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
21 reviews on Google“Ridgewood Specialty Care receives high praise for its rehab services and compassionate, attentive staff during daytime hours. However, families should be aware of serious concerns regarding nighttime staffing responsiveness and potential lapses in medical oversight for acute pain issues.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Effective rehabilitation therapy
- Compassionate and attentive daytime staff
- Supportive end-of-life care
- Positive, respectful administrative leadership
Concerns
- Slow or inadequate response from nighttime staff (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Failure to address or escalate medical complaints/pain (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 23 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility responds to some reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed your administration is very active in responding to feedback online; how does that open communication style translate to how you handle family concerns once a loved one is living here?
- 2Given that medication management is a high priority for our family, could you walk us through your current process for ensuring accuracy and timely administration?
- 3We understand that staffing levels can fluctuate; what specific protocols are in place to ensure residents receive prompt attention and assistance during the overnight hours?
- 4How does your clinical team ensure that resident reports of pain or new medical symptoms are escalated and addressed quickly?
- 5What kind of daily social or recreational activities are available to help residents stay engaged and connected with one another?
- 6Since your team is highly regarded for end-of-life care, how do you work with families to ensure their loved ones remain comfortable and supported during those transitions?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“My mother was in Ridgewwod for 2 months after her stroke, they showed my Mother (Roberta Anderson) great care and gave her fantastic rehab and she got much better in 2 short months”
“My mother was here and she told them for 4 days that her foot/ leg was in extreme pain they did nothing.. just “documentation” we requested an ambulance on our own and she found out she had a Tibial Fracture!”
“The only problem I have is the night shift at dinner times they leave you in your wheelchair forever and ever I am and watching a stream pain and it just walk right by you and do nothing”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
12
measures
4
measures
1
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Ridgewood Specialty Care has a concerning pattern with 31 deficiencies across five surveys, including seven complaint-triggered violations where families reported problems. The facility repeatedly struggles with daily care assistance, nutrition services, and fire safety systems. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the recurring issues with basic care quality and the multiple family complaints suggest ongoing operational challenges that warrant careful consideration during your visit.
Dec 22, 2025Routine5
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Construction Deficiencies
Use approved construction type or materials.
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.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Oct 31, 2024Routine9
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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.
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.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Oct 31, 2024Complaint4
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Apr 11, 2024Complaint2
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 care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Feb 15, 2024Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Oct 5, 2023Routine10
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
Construction Deficiencies
Use approved construction type or materials.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Oct 31, 2024
$8,999
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Jan 6, 2026InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Dec 22, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 3, State violations: 0
Nov 10, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 16, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Aug 18, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Apr 8, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Dec 5, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 31, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 10, State violations: 1
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Ridgewood Specialty Care
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Care Initiatives
43 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 14 of 43
Ownership & Management
Owners
Care Initiatives
Owner · Organization
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
21 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit careinitiatives.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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