Loading EveryPlace content…
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
Email The Highlands to yourself
Get a one-time email with a link to this profile so it is easy to find and share later.
This sends one email and does not add you to a mailing list.
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 72% of the EveryPlace reference benchmark; ask how RN coverage is allocated across shifts. 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.
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 · 16 measures
6
measures
9
measures
1
measures
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents whose walking got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback
The Highlands has concerning recurring problems, with families filing 22 complaints that triggered federal inspections. The facility repeatedly struggles with providing appropriate treatment and care, maintaining safe and clean environments, and following infection control protocols. While all 64 deficiencies across 9 surveys show correction dates, the pattern of similar issues returning—especially treatment quality problems appearing five times and environment/safety concerns recurring frequently—suggests ongoing operational challenges that families should investigate thoroughly during visits.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Environmental Deficiencies
Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop a communication plan.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
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.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
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 Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
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
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
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
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
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.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Dec 9, 2024
$50,211
Fine
Jul 25, 2024
$43,628
Payment Denial
Jul 25, 2024
10-day denial
Fine
Jul 11, 2023
$59,840
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 2, 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
The Highlands
nonprofit
Key personnel
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
Read reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit aasehaugen.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Some summaries, interpretations, suggested questions, and pricing research are AI-generated or AI-assisted and may contain errors or omit important context. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.
These are the 5 closest facilities in our data within 10 miles. Proximity does not mean they provide the same care type or have stronger quality signals, so compare each profile and verify services directly.
Aase Haugen AL
< 1 miAssisted Living · Decorah, IA
Oneota Village
1.7 miAssisted Living · Decorah, IA
Arlin Falck AL
2.1 miAssisted Living · Decorah, IA
Wellington Place
2.8 miAssisted Living · Decorah, IA
Wellington Place
2.8 miNursing Home · Decorah, IA