Nursing Homes in Elma, Iowa
Elma has 1 Medicare-certified nursing home with 46 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.0 stars, which is at Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 0 facilities earn a B grade or better and are recommended for family consideration.
Compare 1 nursing home · data
Worth Considering
0
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
-0.06 vs state
Total Beds
46
across 1 facility
High Risk Facilities
0
0 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
34 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
1
exceed staffing threshold
100% of facility
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
✓ Start your search here
Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in Elma
Colonial Manor Of Elma
Explore Nearby Cities
Showing 1–1 of 1 facilities
All 1 Nursing Homes in Elma
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Elma?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Elma
Nursing home care in Elma, IA, presents a limited but stable market for families seeking options for their loved ones. The standout is Elma Nursing and Rehab, which while not without concerns, maintains a clean record with zero fines. In this small city, the overall rating hovers around an average of 3.0 stars, indicating that while there are no glaring red flags, families may want to consider other nearby cities for more robust choices in senior care.
Though Elma does not have multiple recommended facilities, Elma Nursing and Rehab is the only option available, and it is worth visiting for its well-staffed environment. However, families should be aware that this facility operates as a for-profit entity, which can sometimes influence the level of care. If you're exploring other options, consider facilities in neighboring towns like Cresco or Decorah, which may provide a wider range of choices and potentially better ratings.
Fortunately, there are no facilities in Elma that families need to avoid due to major issues. However, it’s essential to approach your visit to any nursing home with a critical eye. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the facility and how staff interacts with residents. Make sure to ask pointed questions about care procedures and staff training during your visit to ensure your loved one will receive the best possible care.
Elma at a Glance
Good News
- • 1 facility has more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
What's Changing
- → 1 facility stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Elma is stable
Questions Elma 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; Elma avg is 0.57 hrs (34 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
0 of 1 Elma 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 Elma, Iowa
Elma, Iowa's Howard County seat, has 1 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 46 beds. Families have solid options to choose from.
Elma vs. Iowa: Near State Average
Elma nursing homes perform near the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 3.00 stars is close to Iowa's statewide average of 3.06 stars.
0 of 1 facilities earn a B grade or better. Families should still research carefully, as quality varies by facility.
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 Elma, 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 Elma
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.
Elma facilities average 0.57 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Elma resident receives approximately 34 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
1 Elma 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: An All For-Profit Market
Elma has no non-profit nursing homes—all 1 facility with reported ownership data are for-profit operations. 1 of 1 facility is chain-owned, meaning these facilities are part of larger corporate systems rather than independently operated.
Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average. The absence of non-profit options in Elma may be worth noting. Families seeking non-profit care should consider facilities in surrounding areas.
Ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Several for-profit facilities in Elma perform well. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports rather than ownership type alone.
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 Elma, Iowa?
Elma has 1 Medicare-certified nursing home with a total of 46 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.0 stars, which is below Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars.
What are the best nursing homes in Elma?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Elma include:
- • Colonial Manor Of Elma — Grade C+, 63/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Elma nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Elma 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 Elma Nursing Homes
Elma offers typical nursing home options for the state. Focus your search on the 0 facilities graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.