Worth Considering
1
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Waukon, Iowa
1 of 2 nursing homes in Waukon (50%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
1 recommended · 0 caution · 1 avoid · data
City Average
3.5
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
118
across 2 facilities
High Risk Facilities
1
0 Grade F
$0 in combined fines
Zero Fines
2
/2
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why This One?
The nursing home market in Waukon, Iowa, is adequate with 2 facilities and 50% recommended. Families should consider Northgate Care Center, which boasts an A+ rating and 5 stars, while being mindful of one facility with no fines but in the avoid tier.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Northgate Care Center (95) — Northgate Care Center stands out with an excellent CMS 5★ rating and a remarkable Trust Score of 95/100. This facility boasts an A+ grade and has maintained a spotless record with $0 in fines, showcasing its commitment to high-quality care for its 50 residents.
The other 1 Waukon facility didn't qualify — 1 carries Grade D or F ratings.
Recommended
Northgate Care Center stands out with an excellent CMS 5★ rating and a remarkable Trust Score of 95/100. This facility boasts an A+ grade and has maintained a spotless record with $0 in fines, showcasing its commitment to high-quality care for its 50 residents.
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Waukon 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 1?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
Questions Waukon Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Waukon's city average is 3.5 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
0 of 2 Waukon facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Waukon avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Waukon 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 Waukon, IA are recommended?
1 of 2 nursing homes in Waukon (50%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Waukon "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 Waukon?
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.