Dunklau Gardens
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
Dunklau Gardens in Fremont, Nebraska, has received an impressive Trust Grade of A, indicating it is highly recommended and performing excellently compared to other nursing homes. It ranks #13 out of 177 facilities statewide, placing it in the top half, and is the best option among the three homes in Dodge County. However, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with issues increasing from 1 in 2024 to 3 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, earning a 5 out of 5 stars rating, with a turnover rate of 35%, significantly lower than the state average, and there is more RN coverage than 91% of Nebraska facilities. On the downside, there were specific concerns noted, such as food being prepared without following recipes, which risks the nutritional quality, and the failure to implement necessary pressure-reducing devices for residents at risk of skin breakdown. Overall, while there are notable strengths, families should be aware of these weaknesses and ongoing issues.
- Trust Score
- A
- In Nebraska
- #13/177
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 35% turnover. Near Nebraska's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Nebraska facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 68 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Nebraska nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 4 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
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5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (35%)
13 points below Nebraska average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
10pts below Nebraska avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 4 deficiencies on record
May 2025
3 deficiencies
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** Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12.006.09(H)(iii)(3)
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12.006.09(A)(ii)
Based on observation...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12.006.18(B)
Based on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0804
(Tag F0804)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Licensure reference: 175 NAC12-006.11D
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure food was prepared according to the recipe to conserve the nutritive value. This ...
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Apr 2024
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12.006.11E
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12.006.11D
Based on observation, interview, and record review; the facility failed to ensure recipes were followed duri...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
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
- • Grade A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Nebraska.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Nebraska facilities.
- • Only 4 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Dunklau Gardens's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Dunklau Gardens an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Nebraska, 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 Dunklau Gardens Staffed?
CMS rates Dunklau Gardens's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 35%, compared to the Nebraska average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Dunklau Gardens?
State health inspectors documented 4 deficiencies at Dunklau Gardens during 2024 to 2025. These included: 4 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Dunklau Gardens?
Dunklau Gardens is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 106 certified beds and approximately 82 residents (about 77% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Fremont, Nebraska.
How Does Dunklau Gardens Compare to Other Nebraska Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Nebraska, Dunklau Gardens's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (35%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Dunklau Gardens?
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 Dunklau Gardens Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Dunklau Gardens 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 Nebraska. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Dunklau Gardens Stick Around?
Dunklau Gardens has a staff turnover rate of 35%, which is about average for Nebraska 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 Dunklau Gardens Ever Fined?
Dunklau Gardens 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 Dunklau Gardens on Any Federal Watch List?
Dunklau Gardens 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.