Nursing Homes in Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 254 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.0 stars, which is at Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 1 facility earns a B grade or better and is recommended for family consideration.
Compare 3 nursing homes · data
See the 1 recommended nursing homeWorth Considering
1
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
-0.06 vs state
Total Beds
254
across 3 facilities
High Risk Facilities
0
0 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
44 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
2
exceed staffing threshold
67% of facilities
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
✓ Start your search here
Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in Ottumwa
Vista Woods Care Center
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Vista Woods Care Center
★★★★★ · 75/100 · 60 beds
Ridgewood Specialty Care
★★★★★ · 46/100 · 60 beds
Good Samaritan Society - Ottumwa
★★★★★ · 15/100 · 134 beds
Showing 1–3 of 3 facilities
All 3 Nursing Homes in Ottumwa
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Ottumwa?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Ottumwa
The nursing home market in Ottumwa, IA, presents a mixed bag for families seeking care for their loved ones. The standout is Vista Woods Care Center, which boasts a solid B grade and a 4-star CMS rating, making it a reliable option amidst limited choices. However, the overall situation is concerning, as families may find good options scarce in this area.
When considering facilities, Vista Woods Care Center should be at the top of your list due to its clean record with zero fines in the past three years, indicating a commitment to quality care. Although Ridgewood Specialty Care has a Grade D rating, it’s worth noting that it is well-staffed, which can sometimes mitigate potential issues. However, be prepared to explore nearby cities for better alternatives, as Ottumwa has limited commendable options.
Families should be cautious and avoid Good Samaritan Society - Ottumwa, which has incurred a staggering $92K in fines and holds a dismal Grade F. Additionally, Ridgewood Specialty Care is another facility to skip due to its low rating. When visiting any nursing home, always ask to see the facility's most recent inspection report to ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Ottumwa at a Glance
Good News
- • 1 facility with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • 2 community-run facilities (non-profit)
- • 2 facilities have more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • 1 facility with critical staffing shortages
- • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
What's Changing
- → 3 facilities stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Ottumwa is stable
Questions Ottumwa 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; Ottumwa avg is 0.74 hrs (44 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
1 of 3 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa, Iowa's Wapello County seat, has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 254 beds. Families have solid options to choose from.
Ottumwa vs. Iowa: Near State Average
Ottumwa 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.
1 of 3 facility earns 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 Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa
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.
Ottumwa facilities average 0.74 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Ottumwa resident receives approximately 44 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
2 Ottumwa 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
Ottumwa has 2 non-profit nursing homes and 1 for-profit facility. 2 of 3 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 Ottumwa, Iowa?
Ottumwa has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 254 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 Ottumwa?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Ottumwa include:
- • Vista Woods Care Center — Grade B, 75/100 Trust Score
- • Ridgewood Specialty Care — Grade D, 46/100 Trust Score
- • Good Samaritan Society - Ottumwa — Grade F, 15/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Ottumwa nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa Nursing Homes
Ottumwa offers typical nursing home options for the state. Focus your search on the 1 facility graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.