The Waters of Dunkirk Skilled Nursing Facility is a 46-bed skilled nursing community in Dunkirk, Indiana, offering 24-hour skilled nursing care alongside memory care, rehabilitation services, respite care, comprehensive wound care, and respiratory services. The facility is operated by The Waters of Dunkirk Skilled Nursing Facility LLC under the umbrella of Johnson Memorial Hospital and governed by Jay County. It accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay.
The inspection record shows a pattern that families should weigh carefully. Over four years of available data, the facility averaged 8.8 deficiencies per year — roughly double Indiana’s average of 4.2. Standard inspections in February 2023, June 2024, March 2025, and April 2025 resulted in 27 citations, with recurring issues in life safety code compliance, food service sanitation, and resident notification practices.
Three complaints were substantiated: a dietary deficiency in early 2023; a June 2023 finding that medication was administered by an unlicensed individual; and a December 2024 complaint in which a resident sustained an ankle fracture due to inconsistent transfer practices. No fines or enforcement actions were listed. A June 2025 re-inspection found the facility in full compliance with life safety requirements.
On staffing, the facility’s 3-star Quality Measures and 17.6% above-average staffing rating reflect positively on resident care outcomes, though total nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 57 minutes per resident per day, which is 17% below Indiana’s average — a gap worth noting for residents with high daily care needs. The facility’s occupancy rate of 80% is well above the state average of 68%, indicating steady local demand. The facility also operates an on-site Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, as well as wound care and respiratory services for residents with complex clinical needs.
The Waters of Dunkirk is best suited for residents in Jay County seeking skilled nursing or post-acute care who require specialized wound or respiratory management. However, families should review the compliance record in light of the recent life-safety remediation.















