Nursing Homes in Waukon, Iowa
Waukon has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 118 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.5 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 1 facility earns a B grade or better and is recommended for family consideration.
Compare 2 nursing homes · data
See the 1 recommended nursing homeWorth Considering
1
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
+0.44 vs state
Total Beds
118
across 2 facilities
High Risk Facilities
0
0 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
40 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
1
exceed staffing threshold
50% of facilities
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
✓ Start your search here
Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in Waukon
Northgate Care Center
Explore Nearby Cities
Northgate Care Center
★★★★★ · 95/100 · 50 beds
Good Samaritan Society - Waukon
★★★★★ · 48/100 · 68 beds
Showing 1–2 of 2 facilities
All 2 Nursing Homes in Waukon
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Waukon?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Waukon
Waukon, IA offers a mixed bag of options for families seeking nursing home care. The standout is Northgate Care Center, which boasts a commendable Grade A with a 5-star CMS rating and a high score of 95. Overall, Waukon presents good options, but the limited number of facilities means families should be diligent in their search.
In addition to Northgate Care Center, families might consider checking out Good Samaritan Society - Waukon, though it's important to approach with caution. While it does not have any major red flags, it received a Grade D, indicating significant areas for improvement. The clean records of both facilities, with zero fines over the last three years, reflect a generally safe environment. However, if you’re looking for more options, consider facilities in nearby towns like Decorah or Postville, which may offer better care and additional services.
Families should definitely skip Good Samaritan Society - Waukon due to its Grade D rating, which raises concerns about the quality of care provided. This facility's performance suggests potential issues that could affect your loved one's well-being. When visiting any facility, always trust your instincts and observe the interactions between staff and residents; this will give you valuable insight into the care environment.
Waukon at a Glance
Good News
- • 2 facilities with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • Waukon rates better than most Iowa cities
- • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
- • 1 facility has more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • 1 facility with critical staffing shortages
- • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
What's Changing
- → 2 facilities stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Waukon is stable
Questions Waukon 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; Waukon avg is 0.67 hrs (40 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
2 of 2 Waukon 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 Waukon, Iowa
Waukon, Iowa's Allamakee County seat, has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 118 beds. Families have good options, with many facilities exceeding state averages.
Waukon vs. Iowa: Above Average Quality
Waukon 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.
1 of 2 facility earns a B grade or better, giving families good options. While quality is generally high, the overall picture is positive for Waukon 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 Waukon, 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 Waukon
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.
Waukon facilities average 0.67 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Waukon resident receives approximately 40 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
1 Waukon 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
Waukon has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 1 for-profit facility. 2 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
- Marion — 6 facilities
- Sioux City — 6 facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes are in Waukon, Iowa?
Waukon has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 118 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 Waukon?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Waukon include:
- • Northgate Care Center — Grade A, 95/100 Trust Score
- • Good Samaritan Society - Waukon — Grade D, 48/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Waukon nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Waukon 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 Waukon Nursing Homes
Waukon offers above-average nursing home options compared to the rest of the state. Focus your search on the 1 facility graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.