Heritage Estates
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska, has a Trust Grade of B+, which means it is above average and generally recommended for families considering care options. It ranks #51 out of 177 facilities in the state, placing it in the top half, and is the top-rated home among four options in Scott Bluff County. However, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with reported issues increasing from 2 in 2024 to 5 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, rated 5 out of 5 stars with a turnover rate of 40%, which is better than the state average of 49%, ensuring residents receive consistent care. While there are no fines recorded, which is good news, there have been concerning incidents noted during inspections. For example, the facility failed to ensure proper food safety practices, such as not having a trash can near the handwashing sink and not discarding expired food items, which could affect all residents. Additionally, there were issues with implementing care plans for residents at risk of pressure ulcers, indicating some lapses in care. Overall, Heritage Estates has strengths in staffing and no fines, but families should be aware of the recent increase in reported concerns.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Nebraska
- #51/177
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 40% 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 48 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Nebraska. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ○ Average
- 7 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (40%)
8 points below Nebraska average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Nebraska avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 7 deficiencies on record
Apr 2025
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to implement care plan interventions to prevent the development of pressure ulcers for 1 (Resident #10) of 2 sampled residents r...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure pressure ulcer treatment interventions were implemented in an effort to prevent new or worsening pressure ulcers for 1...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to store respiratory equipment when not in use to prevent contamination for 1 (Resident #9) of 3 sampled residents reviewed for ...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
Based on observation, interview, and review of the 2022 Food Code, the facility failed to ensure: 1) there was a trash can near the handwashing sink; 2) pots and pans were stored inverted; 3) expired ...
Read full inspector narrative →
Jan 2025
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Licensure Reference 175 NAC 12-06.09(J)(i)(1)
Based on record reviews and interviews, the facility staff failed to implement interventions to manage weight loss for 2 (Resident 1 and 2) of 3 sampled r...
Read full inspector narrative →
Apr 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
C. A review of an admission Record revealed the facility admitted Resident #60 on 08/22/2020. The admission Record revealed the resident had a diagnosis of need for assistance with personal care.
A re...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Dental Services
(Tag F0791)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.14
Based on observation, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide routine dental services for 1 (Resident #71) of...
Read full inspector narrative →
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 B+ (80/100). 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.
- • 40% turnover. Below Nebraska's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Heritage Estates's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Heritage Estates an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered 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 Heritage Estates Staffed?
CMS rates Heritage Estates's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 40%, compared to the Nebraska average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Heritage Estates?
State health inspectors documented 7 deficiencies at Heritage Estates during 2024 to 2025. These included: 7 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Heritage Estates?
Heritage Estates is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by VETTER SENIOR LIVING, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 102 certified beds and approximately 96 residents (about 94% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Gering, Nebraska.
How Does Heritage Estates Compare to Other Nebraska Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Nebraska, Heritage Estates's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (40%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Heritage Estates?
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 Heritage Estates Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Heritage Estates 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 4-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 Heritage Estates Stick Around?
Heritage Estates has a staff turnover rate of 40%, 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 Heritage Estates Ever Fined?
Heritage Estates 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 Heritage Estates on Any Federal Watch List?
Heritage Estates 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.