Nursing Homes in Atlantic, Iowa
Atlantic has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 151 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.5 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 1 facility earns a B grade or better and is recommended for family consideration.
Compare 2 nursing homes · data
See the 1 recommended nursing homeWorth Considering
1
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
+0.44 vs state
Total Beds
151
across 2 facilities
High Risk Facilities
0
0 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
42 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
2
exceed staffing threshold
100% of facilities
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
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Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in Atlantic
Heritage House
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Heritage House
★★★★★ · 90/100 · 61 beds
Atlantic Specialty Care
★★★★★ · 50/100 · 90 beds
Showing 1–2 of 2 facilities
All 2 Nursing Homes in Atlantic
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Atlantic?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Atlantic
The nursing home market in Atlantic, IA, is fairly promising, especially compared to other areas in the state. Families can take comfort in knowing that there are no major red flags among the facilities here. The standout is Heritage House, which boasts a stellar Grade A and an impressive 5-star CMS rating. While options are limited, families can feel confident in the quality of care at this facility.
For those considering nursing homes in Atlantic, Heritage House should be at the top of your list due to its clean record with zero fines in the last three years. Additionally, both facilities in Atlantic are well-staffed, which is a critical factor in ensuring quality care. If you're willing to expand your search, nearby cities may also offer additional options to explore, but make sure to start with Heritage House for its strong reputation.
Fortunately, there aren’t any facilities in Atlantic that families need to avoid, as both options have maintained clean records. However, always visit in person to assess the environment, staff interactions, and overall cleanliness. This hands-on approach will give you a better feel for whether a facility is the right fit for your loved one.
Atlantic at a Glance
Good News
- • 2 facilities with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • Atlantic rates better than most Iowa cities
- • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
- • 2 facilities have more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
What's Changing
- → 2 facilities stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Atlantic is stable
Questions Atlantic Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?
CMS recommends 0.75 hrs; Atlantic avg is 0.70 hrs (42 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
2 of 2 Atlantic facilities have zero fines
What were your most recent inspection findings?
Ask for specifics—0 local facilities have serious deficiencies
What is your staff-to-resident ratio on weekends?
Weekend staffing often differs from weekday levels
Finding Quality Nursing Home Care in Atlantic, Iowa
Atlantic, Iowa's Cass County seat, has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 151 beds. Families have good options, with many facilities exceeding state averages.
Atlantic vs. Iowa: Above Average Quality
Atlantic nursing homes outperform the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 3.50 stars exceeds Iowa's statewide average of 3.06 stars by 0.4 stars—a meaningful difference that suggests stronger local standards.
1 of 2 facility earns a B grade or better, giving families good options. While quality is generally high, the overall picture is positive for Atlantic families.
Understanding Our Trust Score System
The Trust Score is a 0-100 rating calculated from CMS's official nursing home database. The score combines five data categories:
- Health Inspection Results — Recent deficiencies, their severity, and patterns over time
- Staffing Levels — RN hours, total nursing hours, and weekend staffing
- Quality Measures — Clinical outcomes like falls, pressure ulcers, and rehospitalizations
- Penalties — Fines, payment denials, and enforcement actions
- Complaints — Substantiated complaints and their severity
In Atlantic, 1 facility scores a B grade or better, indicating they meet quality benchmarks across these categories. We recommend families prioritize these facilities and carefully research any facility rated C or below before visiting.
Staffing: A Significant Concern in Atlantic
Staffing levels are among the most important predictors of nursing home quality. Research consistently shows that facilities with more nursing staff—especially registered nurses—have better outcomes for residents.
Atlantic facilities average 0.70 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Atlantic resident receives approximately 42 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
2 Atlantic facilities exceed CMS staffing recommendations. Families prioritizing staffing should look for facilities with the "Top Staffing" badge and ask specifically about RN hours during facility visits.
Ownership: Mix of For-Profit and Non-Profit
Atlantic has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 1 for-profit facility. 2 of 2 facilities are chain-owned, with the remainder independently operated.
Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average, though ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports.
Nearby Alternatives Worth Considering
Families may also want to consider nearby Iowa cities for additional options. The following Iowa cities offer multiple nursing home options:
- Des Moines — 12 facilities
- Cedar Rapids — 9 facilities
- Dubuque — 8 facilities
- Davenport — 7 facilities
- Sioux City — 6 facilities
- Marion — 6 facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes are in Atlantic, Iowa?
Atlantic has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 151 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.5 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars.
What are the best nursing homes in Atlantic?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Atlantic include:
- • Heritage House — Grade A, 90/100 Trust Score
- • Atlantic Specialty Care — Grade C, 50/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Atlantic nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Atlantic as high-risk based on patterns of serious deficiencies, substantial fines, or placement on CMS's Special Focus Facility list. These facilities are marked with warning indicators in our listings above.
We recommend avoiding facilities with: Grade D or F, recent "Immediate Jeopardy" citations (indicating serious harm or risk to residents), or those on CMS's Special Focus Facility list.
The Bottom Line on Atlantic Nursing Homes
Atlantic offers above-average nursing home options compared to the rest of the state. Focus your search on the 1 facility graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.