HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Hickory Creek at Sunset has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating it is slightly above average but not exceptional. It ranks #253 out of 505 facilities in Indiana, placing it in the bottom half of state options, and #5 out of 5 in Putnam County, meaning there are no better local alternatives. The facility is showing improvement, with issues decreasing from six in 2024 to just one in 2025. However, staffing is a concern, rated at 2 out of 5 stars, with a turnover rate of 46%, which is slightly better than the state average but still indicates some instability. There have been no fines, which is a positive sign. On the downside, recent inspections revealed several specific concerns. For example, staff failed to properly wash their hands during meal service, which could lead to infection risks. Additionally, there was a troubling incident where a resident fell and sustained a nasal fracture because they were not safely transported in their wheelchair. While the facility is working to improve, families should weigh these strengths and weaknesses carefully when considering care for their loved ones.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Indiana
- #253/505
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 46% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Indiana facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 34 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Indiana. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Near Indiana average (3.1)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Indiana avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 15 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, observation, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident was safely transported in her wheel...
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Sept 2024
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure the dignity of a resident during meal service for 1 of 2 dining observations (Resident B).
Findings include:
During o...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based to observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure medications and biologicals were dated when op...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure proper handwashing procedure during meal service for 1 of 2 dining observations.
Findings include:
During an observat...
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Jun 2024
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0742
(Tag F0742)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, received appropriate services to attain the h...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0778
(Tag F0778)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to assist the resident in obtaining transportation from a hospital appointment for 1 of 1 residents reviewed for transportation (Resident G).
Fi...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0806
(Tag F0806)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and medical record review, the facility failed to honor a resident's dietary dislikes and food preferences 1 of 3 residents reviewed for food preferences (Resident G)....
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Jul 2023
6 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident's dignity was maintained when the resident was not changed after an incontinence episode and instead asked ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure incontinence care was provided for dependent residents for 1 of 16 residents reviewed for Activities of Daily Living (...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
2. On 7/24/23 at 10:00 a.m., during an observation, Resident 13 was sleeping in bed. The head of the bed was slightly elevated. The call light was under the left hand. A water pitcher was on a table a...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a medication error rate of less than 5%, when 3 errors were observed during 35 opportunities resulting in an error rat...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Staffing Data
(Tag F0851)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to accurately report weekend staffing hours in the PBJ (payroll-based journal) reporting system for the 1 of 3 staffing quarters in 2023.
Find...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure proper handling of linens used in the kitchen and to ensure paper towels were available for proper handwashing, during...
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May 2022
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
PASARR Coordination
(Tag F0644)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a referral for a re-evaluation was made to the state designa...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure the dishwasher was monitored for 2 of 2 months reviewed and failed to ensure hand hygiene was performed during dining ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Indiana facilities.
- • 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Hickory Creek At Sunset's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Indiana, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Hickory Creek At Sunset Staffed?
CMS rates HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 46%, compared to the Indiana average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Hickory Creek At Sunset?
State health inspectors documented 15 deficiencies at HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET during 2022 to 2025. These included: 15 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Hickory Creek At Sunset?
HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility is operated by AMERICAN SENIOR COMMUNITIES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 68 certified beds and approximately 49 residents (about 72% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in GREENCASTLE, Indiana.
How Does Hickory Creek At Sunset Compare to Other Indiana Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Indiana, HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (46%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Hickory Creek At Sunset?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?" These questions are particularly relevant given the below-average staffing rating.
Is Hickory Creek At Sunset Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in Indiana. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Hickory Creek At Sunset Stick Around?
HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET has a staff turnover rate of 46%, which is about average for Indiana nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Hickory Creek At Sunset Ever Fined?
HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Hickory Creek At Sunset on Any Federal Watch List?
HICKORY CREEK AT SUNSET is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.