Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Fort Dodge, Iowa
2 of 3 nursing homes in Fort Dodge (67%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 0 caution · 1 avoid · data
City Average
3.3
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
310
across 3 facilities
High Risk Facilities
1
1 Grade F
$9,750 in combined fines
Zero Fines
2
/3
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is adequate, with 3 total facilities and 67% recommended. Families should consider the Marian Home, which stands out with a B+ rating and 5-star reviews, while being mindful of one facility facing $9,750 in fines.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 1 Marian Home (88) — Marian Home boasts an impressive CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 88/100, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care. As a non-profit, church-related facility, it emphasizes community involvement and offers a comfortable environment for its 90 residents without any fines. The Grade B+ indicates solid performance across various metrics, making it a top choice for families seeking care.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 2 Friendship Haven, Inc (70) — Friendship Haven, Inc. offers compassionate care with a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 4★ rating, highlighting its quality services. As a non-profit corporation, it emphasizes community engagement while accommodating 155 residents, ensuring a supportive atmosphere. The Grade B reflects its dedication to continuous improvement in resident care.
The other 1 Fort Dodge facility didn't qualify — 1 carries Grade D or F ratings and 1 has fines totaling $9K.
Recommended
Marian Home boasts an impressive CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 88/100, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care. As a non-profit, church-related facility, it emphasizes community involvement and offers a comfortable environment for its 90 residents without any fines. The Grade B+ indicates solid performance across various metrics, making it a top choice for families seeking care.
Friendship Haven, Inc. offers compassionate care with a Trust Score of 70/100 and a CMS 4★ rating, highlighting its quality services. As a non-profit corporation, it emphasizes community engagement while accommodating 155 residents, ensuring a supportive atmosphere. The Grade B reflects its dedication to continuous improvement in resident care.
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Fort Dodge Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.3 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 $9,750
Questions Fort Dodge Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Fort Dodge's city average is 3.3 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
1 of 3 Fort Dodge facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Fort Dodge avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge, IA are recommended?
2 of 3 nursing homes in Fort Dodge (67%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Fort Dodge "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 Fort Dodge?
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.