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Nursing HomeMedicaid Top Rated

Wapello Specialty Care

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise professional and compassionate nursing leadership. Still worth an in-person visit.

601 Highway 61 South, Wapello, IA 5265349 bedsLicensed & Active
5/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.5/5

based on 13 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Wapello Specialty Care Nursing Home in Wapello, IA — Street View
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What this means for your family

While the facility has professional leadership and strong rehab services, the recent reports of neglect and poor communication are concerning. When touring, we strongly recommend asking for a specific plan on how they monitor and assist residents with hygiene needs, and ensure you get all admission agreements in writing to avoid the issues others have faced.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

13 reviews on Google
Wapello Specialty Care receives highly polarized feedback, with some visitors and volunteers praising the professional and compassionate staff, while family members report significant issues with basic care and communication. Recent negative reviews highlight serious concerns regarding hygiene, food quality, and responsiveness, as well as frustration with the facility's admissions process.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food1.0Staff6.0Clean2.0ActivitiesN/AMedsN/AMemoryN/AComms2.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Professional and compassionate nursing leadership
  • Effective physical and occupational therapy
  • Positive environment for volunteers

Concerns

  • Slow response times for basic resident needs (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Poor communication regarding admissions and family updates (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2345.02013(1)5.02015(1)1.52021(2)5.02022(2)1.02023(2)3.92024(7)

Distribution · 15 analyzed

5
9
4
0
3
0
2
1
1
5

How They Respond to Reviews

54%response rate

This facility responds to some reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1It is wonderful to hear that your nursing leadership is seen as so professional and compassionate; how does that leadership style impact the day-to-day care of the residents?
  • 2What steps are being taken to ensure that the dining experience and food quality meet the needs and preferences of the residents?
  • 3How does the team manage communication with families to ensure we are always kept up to date on any changes in our loved one's condition?
  • 4Could you tell us more about how the staff handles requests for basic needs to ensure residents receive timely assistance throughout the day?
  • 5What are some of the favorite daily activities or social programs that help keep the residents engaged and active?
  • 6How does the facility handle medical emergencies or sudden changes in health during the overnight hours?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

Don't send your family member here. The food is horrible, takes forever to get help, and they will let them sit without being changed for hours.

Family member · 2024☆☆☆☆

It's very sad how you tell a family their love one was accepted on phone then we we made arrangements to get a loved one there then they change their minds. The place is horrible and do not communicate leave people hanging .

Family member · 2023☆☆☆☆

I have served many hours as a volunteer at WSC and seen the staff demonstrate great professional care and compassion.

Volunteer · 2024★★★★★
Source: 13 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
1.11hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.38hrs
83%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
28%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
10%
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

Quality Measures

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

Medicare Rating
5/ 5
Better Than Avg

14

measures

Worse Than Avg

3

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility7.3%
Better than Avg
Here
7.3%
US
15.5%
IA
19.4%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
12.1%
IA
4.1%

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 Facility27.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
27.2%
US
19.4%
IA
25.9%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
93.4%
IA
93.9%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.6%
Better than Avg
Here
11.6%
US
14.4%
IA
17.6%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.6%
Better than Avg
Here
11.6%
US
15.3%
IA
17.5%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility92.9%
Better than Avg
Here
92.9%
US
79.8%
IA
73.3%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility90.1%
Better than Avg
Here
90.1%
US
81.8%
IA
84.1%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility1.0%
Better than Avg
Here
1.0%
US
1.6%
IA
2.0%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

1deficiencies
1penalties
Well below state avg (6.2)
12 complaint-triggered

Families have filed multiple reports triggering 12 complaint-driven deficiencies, including serious concerns about abuse protection and accident prevention that recurred across surveys. The facility has struggled with care planning, safety hazards, and resident rights, with safety issues appearing multiple times between 2023-2024. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of recurring problems and family complaints raises concerns about consistent quality care.

Nov 20, 2025Routine
2
0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Oct 3, 2024Routine
4
0321Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

0511Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.

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.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

Oct 3, 2024Complaint
3
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.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0689Potential for 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.

Apr 11, 2024Complaint
3
0600Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

0609Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

0689Potential for 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.

Sep 21, 2023Routine
16
0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0657Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0321Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

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.

0554Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

0580Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0637Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition

0638Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.

0640Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

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.

0645Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0740Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.

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.

0865Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

Sep 21, 2023Complaint
6
0686Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

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.

0690Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

0578Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

0622Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

Federal Penalties

Payment Denial

Sep 21, 2023

35-day denial

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total
11deficiencies
Jun 3, 2026Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Dec 26, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Nov 20, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0

May 22, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Dec 4, 2024Other
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Oct 21, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Oct 3, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 5, State violations: 0

Apr 24, 2024Other
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Wapello Specialty Care

Organization Type

nonprofit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Care Initiatives

Chain Size

43 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 15 of 43

Ownership & Management

Owners

Care Initiatives

Owner · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Computershare Corporate Trust Company, Na5% or Greater Mortgage InterestBeal, MichaelOfficer / DirectorBowen, LaneOfficer / DirectorCarothers, Mary JaneOfficer / DirectorChilds, KevinOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

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References & Resources

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. 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.

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