Eldora Specialty Care

1510 22nd Street, Eldora, IA 50627 (641) 939-3491
Non profit - Corporation 46 Beds CARE INITIATIVES Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
90/100
#19 of 392 in IA
Last Inspection: December 2024

Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.

Overview

Eldora Specialty Care has received an impressive Trust Grade of A, indicating it is an excellent facility that is highly recommended for care. It ranks #19 out of 392 nursing homes in Iowa, placing it in the top half of all facilities in the state, and it holds the top position among the four nursing homes in Hardin County. The facility's trends are stable, with only two concerns reported, consistent over the past two years. Staffing is a strength, with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 33%, which is below the Iowa average, indicating that staff members are experienced and familiar with the residents. Notably, there have been no fines, which reflects positively on compliance; however, two specific incidents were noted: the facility failed to submit a required mental health evaluation for a resident and did not complete necessary changes for a resident who had entered hospice care, both of which indicate areas needing improvement. Overall, Eldora Specialty Care has many strengths, but families should be aware of these concerns.

Trust Score
A
90/100
In Iowa
#19/392
Top 4%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Holding Steady
1 → 1 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
33% turnover. Near Iowa's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
Penalties
✓ Good
No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Iowa facilities.
Skilled Nurses
○ Average
Each resident gets 33 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Iowa. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
Violations
✓ Good
Only 2 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
★★★★★
5.0
Overall Rating
★★★★☆
4.0
Staff Levels
★★★★★
5.0
Care Quality
★★★★★
5.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2022: 1 issues
2024: 1 issues

The Good

  • 4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
  • 5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover below average (33%)

    15 points below Iowa average of 48%

Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.

The Bad

Staff Turnover: 33%

13pts below Iowa avg (46%)

Typical for the industry

Chain: CARE INITIATIVES

Part of a multi-facility chain

Ask about local staffing decisions and management

The Ugly 2 deficiencies on record

Dec 2024 1 deficiency
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 clinical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to submit a Level II Preadmission Screening and Residen...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to submit a Level II Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) evaluation for 1 of 1 residents reviewed with a new mental health diagnosis (Resident #24). The facility reported a census of 35 residents. Findings include: Resident #24's Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE] identified a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 13, indicating intact cognition. The MDS included a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Resident #24 received antipsychotic medications during the lookback period. The Care Plan Focus revised 9/5/24 reflected Resident #24 had a behavior problem, refused to be checked and changed when wet, he would seek out women, he would pace up and down the halls. The Care Plan Goal indicated Resident #24 wouldn't have a negative outcome from the behaviors. Resident #24's Medical Diagnosis reviewed on 12/11/24 included a diagnosis of bipolar disorder effective 10/2/23. Resident #24's clinical record review revealed a negative Level 1 PASRR screening completed 7/31/23. The Level 1 PASRR documented the mental health conditions for Resident #24 as depression and altered mental status. The clinical record lacked a Level II PASRR evaluation submission following the new mental health diagnosis of bipolar disorder effective 10/2/23. Resident #24's December 2024 Medication Administration Record (MAR) included an order started 6/11/24 for aripiprazole (antipsychotic) 5 milligrams (MG) 1 tablet by mouth 1 time a day related to bipolar disorder. On 12/11/24 at 8:54 AM, the Director of Nursing (DON) reported the facility didn't complete a Level II PASSR evaluation for Resident #24 because the new diagnosis of bipolar disorder became effective 10/2/23. During a follow-up interview on 12/11/24 at 10:00 AM, the DON acknowledged the facility didn't complete a Level II PASSR with Resident #24's diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The DON added the facility didn't have a policy or protocol regarding the completion of PASRRs as they followed the regulations.
Nov 2022 1 deficiency
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Quality of Care (Tag F0684)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to complete a significant change following admission to hospice ...

Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to complete a significant change following admission to hospice care for 1 of 2 residents reviewed (Resident #5). The facility reported a census of 36 residents. Findings include: The quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE] for Resident #5 documented a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) of 3 out of 15 indicating severe cognitive impairment. The MDS documented the resident admitted to the facility 7/25/17 with the most recent reentry date of 6/10/22 from the hospital. The MDS documented the resident had diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, non-Alzheimer's dementia and malnutrition. The MDS further documented the resident received hospice care in the last 14 days. The Physician Orders dated 7/7/22 for Resident #5 documented an order for hospice of choice evaluation and admit if eligible. The Care Plan revised 7/7/22 revealed Resident #5 had chosen to receive hospice care. Review of facility policy titled, Change in a Resident's Condition or Status, revised February 2021, revealed if a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition occurs, a comprehensive assessment of the resident's condition will be conducted as required by current Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulations governing resident assessments and is outlined in the MDS Resident Assessment Instument (RAI) manual. Clinical record review revealed a significant change had not been completed following the admission to hospice care. During an interview 11/10/22 at 11:52 AM, the Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged a significant change had not been completed following Resident #5's admission to hospice care.
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

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

Strengths
  • • Grade A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Iowa.
  • • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
  • • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Iowa facilities.
  • • Only 2 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
Concerns
  • • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
Bottom line: Generally positive indicators. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.

About This Facility

What is Eldora Specialty Care's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns Eldora Specialty Care an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Iowa, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.

How is Eldora Specialty Care Staffed?

CMS rates Eldora Specialty Care's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 33%, compared to the Iowa average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.

What Have Inspectors Found at Eldora Specialty Care?

State health inspectors documented 2 deficiencies at Eldora Specialty Care during 2022 to 2024. These included: 2 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Eldora Specialty Care?

Eldora Specialty Care is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by CARE INITIATIVES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 46 certified beds and approximately 38 residents (about 83% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Eldora, Iowa.

How Does Eldora Specialty Care Compare to Other Iowa Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Iowa, Eldora Specialty Care's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (33%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Eldora Specialty Care?

Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "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?"

Is Eldora Specialty Care Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, Eldora Specialty Care 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Iowa. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.

Do Nurses at Eldora Specialty Care Stick Around?

Eldora Specialty Care has a staff turnover rate of 33%, which is about average for Iowa 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 Eldora Specialty Care Ever Fined?

Eldora Specialty Care 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 Eldora Specialty Care on Any Federal Watch List?

Eldora Specialty Care 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.