2/5
CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that rates nursing home quality. Its Overall Rating runs from 1 to 5 stars, combining health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most heavily.
2/5
CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that rates nursing home quality. Its Overall Rating runs from 1 to 5 stars, combining health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most heavily.
Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare is a 44-bed skilled nursing facility located at 725 North Second Street in Cherokee, Iowa. Administered by Leah Nelson and operated by Ensign Services, the center provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and memory care for Cherokee County residents. The campus is highly accessible with a Walk Score of 72, allowing for pedestrian proximity to local errands and central city services.
State and federal regulators currently assign the facility a 2-star overall rating, which indicates performance categorized as “Below Average”. Between 2021 and 2026, the community has undergone multiple inspections, with a November 2025 complaint investigation identifying two deficiencies regarding wound treatment and clinical assessments. While the center carries a 2-star health inspection rating, it has recorded zero citations for infection control over recent fiscal cycles. To date, federal data shows no fines or payment denials issued against this specific facility in the past three years.
Professional care is delivered under a staffing model that provides 3 hours 1 minute of daily nursing time per resident, performing approximately 14% below the state average. Registered Nurse (RN) hours are 47 minutes per resident day, while weekend RN coverage stands at 34 minutes. Quality measures are a clinical strength, carrying a 3-star rating with long-stay outcomes rated at 4 stars due to strong performance in physical function and pain management. The nursing staff turnover rate is 55.2%, which is higher than the Iowa average of 44.4%.
The campus environment provides a residential setting with 24-hour medical oversight and individualized therapy programs. Shared amenities include on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as nutritional meal services and hospice support. Residents have access to spiritual services and recreational activities designed to facilitate community engagement in a home-like atmosphere. Medicare and Medicaid are both accepted to support varied financial needs for those seeking transitional or long-term placement.
Representatives should evaluate the current bedside care standards and staffing stability during an on-site visit. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details regarding the corrective actions taken after the November 2025 citations and to confirm that the clinical coverage is sufficient to meet the resident’s specific recovery or long-term care goals for 2026.
The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
Staffing hours
Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.
Hours per resident per day vs Iowa averages
Total nursing care
This home is ranked 142nd out of 231 homes we track in Iowa for nurse hours. Total adjusted nursing hours per resident per day, combining RN, LPN, and aide time. CMS adjusts this for case-mix so facilities can be fairly compared.
4h 1m
6% below state avg
RNs hold the highest nursing license and can assess residents, interpret test results, and direct care plans. More RN hours per day often signals stronger clinical oversight and faster response to health changes.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver routine hands-on care — medication administration, wound dressing, and monitoring vital signs. They work under RN supervision and make up a large share of daily bedside care.
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) provide the most direct day-to-day assistance: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. Nurse aide hours are typically the largest staffing category and directly affect residents' quality of life.
Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours.
Hours per resident per day provided by licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants. PT services help residents recover mobility after injury or illness and are especially important for post-acute (short-stay) rehabilitation.
Registered nurse hours specifically on weekends. Facilities sometimes reduce RN presence on Saturdays and Sundays — a low weekend RN figure compared to weekday hours can indicate reduced clinical oversight when most administrative staff are absent.
3 of 6 metrics below state avg
May offer a more intimate, personalized care environment.
Average number of days residents stay at this facility, based on CMS cost report data. Shorter stays often reflect post-acute or rehab care; longer stays reflect long-term care.
Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.
Source: CMS Penalties Database
No penalties in the past 3 years
No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.37
7% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 1.48
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
4.55
118% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 2.09
CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
14.1%
34% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 21.3%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
4.3%
67% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 13.1%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
0.0%
100% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.8%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
50.0%
7% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 53.7%
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
44.7%
12% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 50.6%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
40% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
42% of new residents, often for short stays.
18% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Net patient revenue — what the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts are subtracted from its gross charges (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It covers resident care only; money the home earns from other sources is shown separately as "Other income."
Net patient income: net patient revenue minus the home's total operating expenses. A positive figure means it earns more from resident care than it spends to deliver it; a negative figure means the opposite. It excludes non-operating "other income."
Net patient revenue — what the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts are subtracted from its gross charges (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It covers resident care only; money the home earns from other sources is shown separately as "Other income."
Net patient income: net patient revenue minus the home's total operating expenses. A positive figure means it earns more from resident care than it spends to deliver it; a negative figure means the opposite. It excludes non-operating "other income."
Money the home earns outside of resident care — such as investments, grants, rentals and other non-operating sources (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It is tracked separately from net patient revenue: it is not part of that figure, and it is not included in net patient income.
Staff salaries plus wage-related costs — benefits such as payroll taxes, health insurance and retirement — from the home's own accounting records (CMS cost report, Worksheet A). Contract or agency labor is counted separately, under other operating costs.
Rank #182 / 224Payroll costs — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 182nd out of 224 homes we track in Iowa. Shows total staff payroll — salaries plus wage-related benefits — benchmarked to the Iowa average, among facilities reporting a recent fiscal year. Higher payroll relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on contract labor.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Iowa that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
Payroll as a share of revenue: staff salaries and wage-related benefits divided by net patient revenue. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay.
Rank #88 / 224Payroll % of net patient revenue — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 88th out of 224 homes we track in Iowa. Shows payroll as a percentage of net patient revenue versus the Iowa average, among facilities reporting a recent fiscal year. Below 25% may signal understaffing or heavy agency use — read with Staffing ratings.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Iowa that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
Everything it costs to run the home apart from payroll — food, utilities, supplies, maintenance, contract labor and administration. Calculated as total operating expense minus payroll (staff salaries and wage-related benefits).
The home's total operating expense for the year — all the costs of running it, salaries included (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3).
This home supports both short-term rehab and long-term care, with residents staying for a wide range of durations.
New residents most often arrive under private pay (42% of admissions), and a typical private pay stay runs around 7 - 8 months.
Coverage residents most often arrive under.
Coverage residents most often leave under.
0.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Cherokee's city center to Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare's address, calculated via Google Maps.
Add your location
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
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CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
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Care Types in This Table
AL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
ADC (Adult Day Care):
Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home.
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Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
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Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
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Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
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This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
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CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
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CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
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CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
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CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
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Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
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Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
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Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
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Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
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Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
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Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
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Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
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Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
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Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
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The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
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What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
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Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
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Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Iowa average is: 60.3% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
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CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley Acres | NH ADC AL IL MC SNF | Des Moines (Greenwood) | 80
Facility
80
IA AVG
72
Rank
#105 / 403 |
91.3%
Facility
91.3%
IA AVG
67%
Rank
#43 / 362 | +36% | 4.16
Facility
4.16
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#120 / 231 | +43% | -3% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 239 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#17 / 232 | 1.7
Facility
1.7
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#15 / 232 | - | 73 | - |
72
Facility
72
IA AVG
47
Rank
#89 / 504 | Damon Buskohl | $29.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$29.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$6.9M
Rank
#1 / 224 | $20.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$20.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$4.2M
Rank
#1 / 224 | 71%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
71%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
60.3%
Rank
#31 / 224 | 165487 | ||||
| Meth Wick Community | NH AL IL MC RC SNF | Cedar Rapids | 69
Facility
69
IA AVG
72
Rank
#167 / 403 |
83.0%
Facility
83.0%
IA AVG
67%
Rank
#103 / 362 | +24% | 5.76
Facility
5.76
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#9 / 231 | +23% | +34% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 239 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#8 / 232 | 1.5
Facility
1.5
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#12 / 232 | - | 57 | - |
23
Facility
23
IA AVG
47
Rank
#404 / 504 | Meth Wick Community | $18.2MFiscal year ending 03/2024
Facility
$18.2MFiscal year ending 03/2024
IA AVG
$6.9M
Rank
#6 / 224 | $10.3MFiscal year ending 03/2024
Facility
$10.3MFiscal year ending 03/2024
IA AVG
$4.2M
Rank
#8 / 224 | 56.4%Fiscal year ending 03/2024
Facility
56.4%Fiscal year ending 03/2024
IA AVG
60.3%
Rank
#130 / 224 | 165542 | ||||
| Sunrise Retirement Community | NH AL IL MC RC SNF | Sioux City | 74
Facility
74
IA AVG
72
Rank
#136 / 403 |
90.5%
Facility
90.5%
IA AVG
67%
Rank
#49 / 362 | +35% | 5.70
Facility
5.70
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#13 / 231 | -23% | +33% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 239 | 11
Facility
11
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#72 / 232 | 3.7
Facility
3.7
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#107 / 232 | - | 67 | A+ |
22
Facility
22
IA AVG
47
Rank
#410 / 504 | Samantha Roth | $13.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$13.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$6.9M
Rank
#11 / 224 | $8.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$8.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$4.2M
Rank
#14 / 224 | 62.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
62.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
60.3%
Rank
#80 / 224 | 165473 | ||||
| Mill Pond | NH AL IL MC SNF | Ankeny | 60
Facility
60
IA AVG
72
Rank
#213 / 403 |
98.3%
Facility
98.3%
IA AVG
67%
Rank
#6 / 362 | +47% | 5.21
Facility
5.21
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#30 / 231 | -16% | +21% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 239 | 9
Facility
9
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#56 / 232 | 3.0
Facility
3.0
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#73 / 232 | - | 59 | - |
16
Facility
16
IA AVG
47
Rank
#437 / 504 | Phs Management, LLC | $6.8MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility
$6.8MFiscal year ending 09/2023
IA AVG
$6.9M
Rank
#92 / 224 | $6.5MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility
$6.5MFiscal year ending 09/2023
IA AVG
$4.2M
Rank
#29 / 224 | 96.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility
96.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
IA AVG
60.3%
Rank
#6 / 224 | 165261 |
Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare has a walk score of 72. Very walkable. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and many essentials are within a short walk.
Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare's occupancy is 81.5%.
No, Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare has a no-pet policy.
Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare is registered as a for-profit.
Yes — there are 24 photos of Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare in the photo gallery on this page.
Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare is located at 725 North Second Street, Cherokee, IA 51012-1229.
(712) 225-2561 will put you in contact with the team at Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare.
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