Wapello Specialty Care
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise professional and compassionate nursing leadership. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 13 Google reviews

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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 detailsStrengths
- 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
Distribution · 15 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
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.”
“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 .”
“I have served many hours as a volunteer at WSC and seen the staff demonstrate great professional care and compassion.”
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
14
measures
3
measures
Residents on antipsychotic medication
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 vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
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 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, 2025Routine2
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Oct 3, 2024Routine4
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
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 care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Oct 3, 2024Complaint3
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
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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, 2024Complaint3
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.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
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, 2023Routine16
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
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.
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
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
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.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Sep 21, 2023Complaint6
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
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.
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.
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
Jun 3, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Dec 26, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Nov 20, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0
May 22, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Dec 4, 2024OtherClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 21, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 3, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 5, State violations: 0
Apr 24, 2024OtherClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Wapello Specialty Care
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Care Initiatives
43 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 15 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
13 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit careinitiatives.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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