Page 3 of Best Nursing Homes in Nebraska

Overview of South Haven Living Center

South Haven Living Center is a nursing home in Wahoo, Nebraska, owned by Sara Casey. The 85-bed facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, providing families multiple ways to cover short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care. The center is located in a very walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 80. Families can easily navigate the area on foot.

The community has an occupancy rate of 98%. Most residents stay for an average of 258 days, including post-acute rehabilitation residents and those requiring ongoing skilled care. Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 54 minutes per resident, supported by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides. This nursing support is important in the facility’s focus on rehabilitation and skilled nursing services.

The home specializes in short-term rehabilitation and sub-acute care. It has dedicated programs in occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Memory care services and hospice support are also available for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Residents also have access to short-term in-house therapy and both inpatient and outpatient therapy options as they work toward recovery without leaving the facility for appointments.

Amenities include spacious private and companion rooms. There are also deluxe private options and a beauty and barber shop. There are regularly scheduled physician visits for residents. They also have access to wireless technology in common areas and transportation services.

Residents receive spiritual support through an on-site chapel, pastoral services, and Bible studies. There are also individual and group activities designed for their emotional well-being. For dining, they enjoy quality meals, and snacks are prepared on-site.

Overview of Cloverlodge Care Center

Cloverlodge Care Center is a 47-bed skilled nursing home owned by Theresa Naber in St Edward, Nebraska. The facility operates under a payment framework that accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. For visitors, the surrounding rural neighborhood is car-dependent, meaning family members will generally need a personal vehicle to travel to the property or manage daily errands.

Stays average around 226 days, indicating an operational mix of extended long-term care and short-term post-acute recovery. This steady patient rotation keeps the building running at a 68 percent occupancy level. Around-the-clock staffing delivers an average of 4 hours and 22 minutes of total nursing care per resident each day, utilizing a combined team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides to handle occupational, physical, speech, and dementia therapies alongside standard hospice services.

State health department inspection logs confirm that the property complies with regional public health and environmental guidelines. Oversight records verify that the facility resolved past tracking gaps, resulting in zero deficiencies on its latest renewal evaluations and leaving the center with an overall cumulative citations-per-inspection rate of zero.

Families choose between private or companion room layouts and have access to multidenominational pastoral services, an on-site salon, transportation assistance, and wireless technology in common areas. The kitchen prepares daily meals served during flexible dining windows to match personal schedules. The weekly calendar integrates structured therapy sessions with individual and group activities, laundry routines, and open visitation hours for relatives.

Overview of The Ambassador Nebraska City

The Ambassador Nebraska City is a 71-bed skilled nursing facility in Nebraska City, Nebraska, providing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, extended care, and assisted living services. It is owned and operated by Loretta Paul Allen and accepts both Medicare and Medicaid.

Across its recent inspection record, the facility holds a 5-star overall CMS rating — with 5 stars in health inspection, staffing, and quality measures, each ranking 44 to 47% above the Nebraska average. Over the past three years, three health inspections resulted in 6 citations, well below the Nebraska average of 18.2, ranking the facility 8th out of 122 Nebraska skilled nursing homes. No civil money penalties have been issued during that period.

Nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 53 minutes per resident per day — 13% above the Nebraska average — and physical therapist staffing is double the state average, a meaningful signal for facilities with a strong post-acute caseload.

On-site services include wound care and hemodialysis, both important for residents with medically complex admissions. The resident council meets regularly, and the facility’s short-stay quality measures show that 71% of residents meet or exceed expected self-care ability at discharge, compared to the Nebraska average of 54%. The facility’s occupancy rate is 61%, roughly 9 points below the Nebraska average, indicating current availability.

The facility is best suited for residents in Otoe County recovering from illness, injury, or surgery who need short-term post-acute rehabilitation. Its rehabilitation services, stronger therapy staffing, and admission mix — with 49% of new admissions covered by Medicare and typical stays lasting one to two months — point toward a stronger focus on short-term recovery care.

Overview of Ambassador Health of Omaha

Ambassador Health of Omaha is a 146-bed Nursing Home at 1540 North 72nd Street, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. Administrated by Jake Bleach and owned by SNF/NF Distinct, the facility is Medicare-certified. Ambassador Health of Omaha is a healthcare facility focused on post-hospital rehabilitation and skilled nursing with extended care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, and specialized wound care.

Ambassador serves post-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing populations. Occupancy is 58 percent, significantly below the Nebraska state average of 70.3 percent, with 85 of 146 beds occupied. Low occupancy suggests market or reputation challenges for a large facility.

CMS quality rating data is not prominently displayed in the public profile. Overall, Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures ratings are not clearly presented, preventing standard benchmarking against Nebraska averages.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health conducted 22 documented inspection visits. The most recent inspection on November 18, 2024 was a renewal inspection. The facility received 95 deficiencies versus the Nebraska average of 52, significantly above average. The inspection report notes the facility met statutory requirements for license renewal. The above-average citation count warrants careful review of compliance status and corrective actions.

Staffing is exceptional in clinical categories but unbalanced. Registered Nurse hours total 2 hours 8 minutes per day, 198 percent above the state average of 43 minutes, representing exceptionally high RN coverage. Licensed Practical Nurse hours total 2 hours 50 minutes per day, 295 percent above the state average of 43 minutes, representing exceptionally high LPN coverage. Certified Nursing Aide hours total 1 hour 47 minutes per day, 36 percent below the state average of 2 hours 46 minutes, below average. Weekend nursing totals 6 hours 8 minutes per day, 70 percent above the state average of 3 hours 37 minutes, exceptionally high. Weekend Registered Nurse hours total 1 hour 48 minutes per day, 272 percent above the state average of 29 minutes, a standout metric with exceptional weekend RN coverage. Physical Therapist hours total 6 minutes per day, 100 percent above the state average of 3 minutes, above average. Staffing profile shows exceptional clinical oversight with outstanding RN and LPN presence, particularly on weekends, offset by below-average CNA support.

Ambassador Health of Omaha operates as a for-profit community. Revenue, profitability, and payroll details are not disclosed. The 146-bed size represents a large facility.

Families should request information on the 95 deficiencies identified at the November 2024 renewal inspection, and the significantly low occupancy rate before placement.

Overview of Wakefield Health Care Center

Located on Ash Street in the rural Nebraska community of Wakefield, Wakefield Health Care Center is a skilled nursing facility with 40 beds. It serves residents who require nursing care, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical support. Its current occupancy is 55%. Owned by Wakefield Care Center, it accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay, providing families several ways to cover both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled care.

The facility provides daily nurse staffing averaging 5 hours and 25 minutes per resident. It includes registered nursing care, nurse aide care, and licensed practical nursing. This nursing support is an important part of the care provided at the facility.

The home also offers rehabilitation services and partners with PMC Outpatient Therapy. This allows residents to receive therapeutic care either on-site or through outpatient appointments. Those transitioning toward greater independence will benefit from the facility’s Independent Ash Street Apartments on the same campus.

Residents stay an average of 372 days, suggesting that many remain for ongoing care rather than short-term recovery. Wakefield is located in a moderately walkable community with a Walk Score of 50. Visiting family members can run some errands on foot, but most trips require a short drive.

Overview of Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home

Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home is a 64-bed nursing home at 220 Park Avenue, Hebron, Thayer County, Nebraska, administered by Donnavan Jacobitz and owned by Blue Valley Lutheran Homes, a faith-based organization. The facility provides nursing care, long-term care, respite care, and rehabilitation services, emphasizing spiritual services and a home-like atmosphere.

Staffing shows mixed performance against state standards. Registered nurses provide 40 minutes per resident per day, 7 percent below the Nebraska average of 43 minutes. Licensed practical nurses deliver 1 hour 1 minute per day, 42 percent above the state average of 43 minutes. Nurse aides work 2 hours 18 minutes per day, 17 percent below the Nebraska average of 2 hours 46 minutes. Weekend total nursing hours reach 3 hours 2 minutes per day, 16 percent below the state average of 3 hours 37 minutes. Occupancy runs at 48 percent with 31 residents in 64 beds, substantially below the Nebraska state average of 70.3 percent and indicating significant available capacity.

Blue Valley Lutheran’s inspection record reflects substantial improvement. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, conducted 20 inspections over the facility’s history. The inspection on March 25, 2025, found the facility met all statutory requirements for licensure renewal with no deficiencies noted. Earlier inspections documented deficiencies centered on environmental safety, fall prevention, care plan updates, resident dignity, and life safety code compliance. Complaint investigations were predominantly unsubstantiated, though some substantiated findings involved failure to update care plans, pressure ulcer prevention, and medication security. The facility was placed on 90-day probation in March 2019 due to safety and fall prevention violations. No fines or license suspensions appear in available records. The facility has incurred no federal penalties in the past three years.

The recent clean renewal inspection marks documented improvement following the earlier probationary period. However, the low occupancy rate warrants discussion about the facility’s current operational status and staffing stability.

Families considering Blue Valley Lutheran for long-term care should ask administrators directly about fall prevention protocols and care plan procedures given the earlier deficiency pattern.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – Osceola

Good Samaritan Society – Osceola is a 47-bed nonprofit nursing home in Osceola, Nebraska, serving a mix of short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents in Polk County. It is operated by the Good Samaritan Society under the administration of Melissa Vandewalle. The facility holds dual SNF/NF certification and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

CMS rates the facility 4 stars overall, anchored by a 5-star Health Inspection rating — 44.9% above the Nebraska average. Since 2022, four inspections have produced 16 total citations against a state average of 18.2, with zero critical or serious findings and no federal penalties in the past three years. The staffing picture is more qualified: total nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 15 minutes per resident per day, roughly 25% below the Nebraska average, though LPN hours are 30% above the state norm.

Rehabilitation services and respite care are available on-site. Amenities include a community room, library, dining room, and salon. An active Resident Council meets regularly, along with caregiver support and home-based service programs. The facility’s starting cost is approximately $3,526 per month.

The facility’s 2-star Quality Measures rating warrants attention for families considering long-term placement: the facility’s UTI rate and weight-loss figures run well above Nebraska averages, which accounts for the gap between its strong inspection record and the QM sub-score. The facility’s occupancy rate is 74%, modestly above the state average of 70%.

Good Samaritan Society – Osceola is best suited for residents in Osceola and rural Polk County seeking post-acute rehabilitation or long-term skilled nursing care within a nonprofit, church-affiliated setting. Families considering longer-term placement may want to ask about clinical outcomes tied to nutrition and infection management.

Overview of Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Tucked away in the neighborhood of Lincoln, NE, Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a respected senior care provider, offering excellent skilled nursing, rehabilitation care, and long-term care. Residents here are provided with a reliable nursing team that offers assistance with daily living activities or rehabilitation experts to support those in the process of healing or recovery. The community carefully curates personalized care plans tailored to residents’ unique needs and preferences, ensuring they are met with the appropriate care and services.

Constantly receiving high ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, along with excellent client satisfaction scores, the community proves its excellence in delivering excellent care and services. Here, residents also enjoy a wide array of engaging activities designed to make their lives more active and enjoyable. With excellent care services, a kind and caring team, and a nurturing environment, the community guarantees residents quickly get back on their feet as soon as possible.

Emerald Columbus envisions Assisted Living as the ideal solution for those seeking support in daily living. The community maximizes residents’ independence by providing tailored assistance and engaging in daily activities. With a commitment to creating a home-like environment, Emerald Columbus organizes pet visits and recreational outings. In Emerald, residents maintain mobility and independence, receiving minimal attendant care or supervision. 

At Emerald Columbus’ Assisted Living, residents experience a range of amenities and facilities designed to enhance their well-being. The community is staffed with professionally trained and compassionate personnel who provide 24-hour assisted care and continuous health monitoring. Residents enjoy daily life enrichment activities tailored to their interests, including regular outings. Essential services such as laundry, housekeeping, social and pastoral services, personal attendant care, and three delicious meals daily contribute to a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle. Emerald Columbus ensures residents’ independence while fostering a supportive and enriching atmosphere.