Worth Considering
5
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Dubuque, Iowa
5 of 8 nursing homes in Dubuque (63%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
5 recommended · 0 caution · 3 avoid · data
City Average
3.5
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
749
across 8 facilities
High Risk Facilities
3
2 Grade F
$102,253 in combined fines
Zero Fines
5
/8
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 5?
The nursing home market in Dubuque, Iowa is strong, with 62% of the 8 facilities recommended. Families should note that while the top-rated Bethany Home shines with an A+ score, three facilities have a total of $102,253 in fines, indicating areas to approach with caution.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Bethany Home (95) — Bethany Home shines with a 5★ CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 95/100, reflecting its commitment to exceptional care. With an A+ grade and no fines, this for-profit facility prioritizes resident well-being with a focus on quality and comfort in its 66-bed capacity.
- 2 Mount Carmel Bluffs (95) — Mount Carmel Bluffs boasts a stellar 5★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 95/100, ensuring residents receive top-tier care. This A+ graded facility operates with zero fines, highlighting its dedication to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for its 60 residents.
- 3 Ennoble Nursing and Rehab (90) — Ennoble Nursing and Rehab is a standout with a 5★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 90/100, indicative of its quality services. The A grade and absence of fines demonstrate its commitment to providing excellent care in a spacious 85-bed setting, making it a preferred choice in Dubuque.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 4 Sunnycrest Manor (78) — Sunnycrest Manor offers a solid 4★ CMS rating with a Trust Score of 78/100, providing reliable care within a government-operated facility. While it has a B grade, the absence of fines and a 77-bed capacity allow for a supportive community atmosphere for residents.
- 5 Stonehill Care Center (75) — Stonehill Care Center, a non-profit facility, emphasizes community-focused care with a Trust Score of 75/100. Despite a 3★ CMS rating and a B grade, it maintains a fine-free environment, fostering a supportive space for its 185 residents in the heart of Dubuque.
The other 3 Dubuque facilities didn't qualify — 3 carry Grade D or F ratings and 3 have fines totaling $102K.
Recommended
Bethany Home shines with a 5★ CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 95/100, reflecting its commitment to exceptional care. With an A+ grade and no fines, this for-profit facility prioritizes resident well-being with a focus on quality and comfort in its 66-bed capacity.
Mount Carmel Bluffs boasts a stellar 5★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 95/100, ensuring residents receive top-tier care. This A+ graded facility operates with zero fines, highlighting its dedication to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for its 60 residents.
Ennoble Nursing and Rehab is a standout with a 5★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 90/100, indicative of its quality services. The A grade and absence of fines demonstrate its commitment to providing excellent care in a spacious 85-bed setting, making it a preferred choice in Dubuque.
Sunnycrest Manor offers a solid 4★ CMS rating with a Trust Score of 78/100, providing reliable care within a government-operated facility. While it has a B grade, the absence of fines and a 77-bed capacity allow for a supportive community atmosphere for residents.
Stonehill Care Center, a non-profit facility, emphasizes community-focused care with a Trust Score of 75/100. Despite a 3★ CMS rating and a B grade, it maintains a fine-free environment, fostering a supportive space for its 185 residents in the heart of Dubuque.
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Dubuque Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.5 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 3?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 2 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 3 Have fines totaling $102,253
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
Questions Dubuque Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Dubuque's city average is 3.5 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
3 of 8 Dubuque facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Dubuque avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Dubuque 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 Dubuque, IA are recommended?
5 of 8 nursing homes in Dubuque (62%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Dubuque "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 Dubuque?
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.