Nursing Homes in Boone, Iowa
Boone has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 176 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.5 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 0 facilities earn a B grade or better and are recommended for family consideration.
Compare 2 nursing homes · data
Worth Considering
0
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
+0.44 vs state
Total Beds
176
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 Boone
Eastern Star Masonic Home
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Eastern Star Masonic Home
★★★★★ · 65/100 · 76 beds
Westhaven Community
★★★★★ · 61/100 · 100 beds
Showing 1–2 of 2 facilities
All 2 Nursing Homes in Boone
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Boone?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Boone
The verdict: Boone, IA, presents a mixed market for nursing home care. While families can find some decent options, the limited number of facilities means you must be selective. The standout is Eastern Star Masonic Home, which has a clean record with zero fines in the last three years, making it a reliable choice for care. Overall, Boone offers good options but not without concerns, so thorough visits are essential.
Who to consider: Families should start by visiting Eastern Star Masonic Home for its impressive compliance record. Another option is Boone County Hospital Long Term Care, which, while not as spotless as Eastern Star, boasts well-staffed services that ensure residents receive adequate care. Both facilities hold potential, but families should check for any recent reviews or updates before making a decision.
Who to avoid: There are no facilities in Boone with major red flags, which is a relief for families. That said, it's important to remain vigilant. Be sure to ask about staff turnover rates and specific care protocols during your visit. A practical tip: always tour the facility during mealtime to observe the interactions between staff and residents, which can reveal a lot about the quality of care.
Boone at a Glance
Good News
- • 1 facility with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • Boone rates better than most Iowa cities
- • 2 community-run facilities (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: Boone is stable
Questions Boone 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; Boone avg is 0.70 hrs (42 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
1 of 2 Boone facility has 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 Boone, Iowa
Boone, Iowa's Boone County seat, has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 176 beds. Families have good options, with many facilities exceeding state averages.
Boone vs. Iowa: Above Average Quality
Boone 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.
0 of 2 facilities earn a B grade or better, giving families good options. While quality is generally high, the overall picture is positive for Boone 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 Boone, 0 facilities score 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 Boone
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.
Boone facilities average 0.70 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Boone resident receives approximately 42 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
2 Boone 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
Boone has 2 non-profit nursing homes and 0 for-profit facilities. 0 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 Boone, Iowa?
Boone has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 176 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 Boone?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Boone include:
- • Eastern Star Masonic Home — Grade C+, 65/100 Trust Score
- • Westhaven Community — Grade C+, 61/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Boone nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Boone 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 Boone Nursing Homes
Boone offers above-average nursing home options compared to the rest of the state. Focus your search on the 0 facilities graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.