Nursing Homes in Northwood, Iowa
Northwood 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
52 min
RN time per resident daily
Meets 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 Northwood
Lutheran Retirement Home
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Showing 1–1 of 1 facilities
All 1 Nursing Homes in Northwood
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Northwood?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Northwood
NORTHWOOD, IA, is not the best market for nursing home care. The standout is Lutheran Retirement Home, but it carries a troubling Grade F. Overall, families should be cautious as the options available are limited and concerning, with no facilities fully meeting quality standards.
As for facilities worth considering, unfortunately, there are no good options in NORTHWOOD. Families are strongly encouraged to explore neighboring cities for better alternatives, as Lutheran Retirement Home does not offer any compelling strengths to recommend it. With no non-profit facilities and all options being for-profit, the quality of care may be compromised.
When it comes to facilities to avoid, skip Lutheran Retirement Home entirely due to its Grade F rating and the serious issues that arise from it. Families should also be wary of any reports of neglect or inadequate care. A practical tip for visiting any facility: always take the time to speak with residents and their families to get firsthand accounts of their experiences. This can provide invaluable insight that goes beyond official ratings.
Northwood at a Glance
Good News
- • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
- • 1 facility has more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • Always check recent inspection reports before visiting
What's Changing
- → 1 facility stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Northwood is stable
Questions Northwood 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; Northwood avg is 0.87 hrs (52 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
0 of 1 Northwood 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 Northwood, Iowa
Northwood, Iowa's Worth County seat, has 1 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 46 beds. Families have solid options to choose from.
Northwood vs. Iowa: Near State Average
Northwood 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 Northwood, 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: Meeting Standards in Northwood
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.
Northwood facilities average 0.87 RN hours per resident day, which meets the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Northwood resident receives approximately 52 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
1 Northwood 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
Northwood has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 0 for-profit facilities. 0 of 1 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 Northwood, Iowa?
Northwood 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 Northwood?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Northwood include:
- • Lutheran Retirement Home — Grade F, 30/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Northwood nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Northwood 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 Northwood Nursing Homes
Northwood 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.