Worth Considering
1
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Altoona, Iowa
1 of 2 nursing homes in Altoona (50%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
1 recommended · 0 caution · 1 avoid · data
City Average
3.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
152
across 2 facilities
High Risk Facilities
1
1 Grade F
$15,000 in combined fines
Zero Fines
1
/2
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why This One?
The nursing home market in Altoona, Iowa, is adequate, with only 2 facilities available and 50% recommended. Families should note that while Prairie Vista Village holds a top rating of 5 stars, one facility has incurred $15,000 in total fines, warranting caution.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Prairie Vista Village (90) — Prairie Vista Village stands out with an impressive CMS 5-star rating and an A grade, showcasing its commitment to high-quality care. With a Trust Score of 90/100 and no fines, residents can feel confident in the facility's dedication to their well-being in a warm and welcoming environment.
The other 1 Altoona facility didn't qualify — 1 carries Grade D or F ratings and 1 has fines totaling $15K.
Recommended
Prairie Vista Village stands out with an impressive CMS 5-star rating and an A grade, showcasing its commitment to high-quality care. With a Trust Score of 90/100 and no fines, residents can feel confident in the facility's dedication to their well-being in a warm and welcoming environment.
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Altoona Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 1?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 1 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 1 Have fines totaling $15,000
Questions Altoona Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Altoona's city average is 3.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
1 of 2 Altoona facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Altoona avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Altoona facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Altoona, IA are recommended?
1 of 2 nursing homes in Altoona (50%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Altoona "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Altoona?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.