Mount Carmel Bluffs

Mount Carmel Bluffs

1040 Carmel Dr, Dubuque, IA 52003 View Map

Mount Carmel Bluffs is a Senior Living Home in Iowa

Mount Carmel Bluffs is a Senior Living Home in Iowa

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Overview of Mount Carmel Bluffs

Enjoy the best of your golden years at Mount Carmel Bluffs, an outstanding community in Dubuque, IA, offering independent living. The community also offers enriched living, memory care, and long-term care to meet residents’ healthcare needs. Residents can also keep their peace of mind with housekeeping and other maintenance services.

Plenty of local shops and recreational spaces surround the area, providing residents with unending leisure and wellness opportunities. Residents can also prepare meals according to their dietary needs and preferences with a fully furnished kitchen in each unit. The community’s extensive amenities and exceptional services create the ideal setting for the finest retirement experience.

(515)-671-2444
Home Information Mount Carmel Bluffs
  • Occupancy levels track close to the statewide midpoint, indicating balanced availability. Bed capacity aligns with the typical community size in the state, allowing steady admissions. Residents tend to stay here longer than similar facilities across the state.

  • Home revenue sits below most peers, indicating modest billing throughput. Payroll spending sits in the top tier, showing a strong investment in staffing resources. Total income trails most communities, suggesting tighter operating margins.

  • Medicare nights run higher than most peers, indicating robust short-stay referrals. Medicaid nights fall below most peers, pointing to lighter Medicaid reliance. Private pay nights trail most peers, signaling limited market-rate volume.

Occupancy
Beds
60
Occupancy
81.8%
Total Bed Days Available
21900
Avg. Length of Stay
270 days
Avg. Residents per Day
51
Finance
Home Revenue
$3,887,257.00
Payroll Costs
$4,799,355.00
Profit
$-2,337,282.00
Total Home Costs
$11,870,796.00
Payroll % of Revenue Info Percentage of home revenue spent on payroll costs.
123.5%
House Specifics:
CCN
165792
Owner Name
RENTZ, SARAH
Rural vs. Urban
Urban
County
Dubuque
Type of Control
Proprietary — Individual
Operations
Total Admissions
52
Total Discharges
48
% Medicaid Admissions
40%
% Medicare Admissions
40%
% Private Pay Admissions
19%
% Medicaid Discharges
69%
% Medicare Discharges
10%
% Private Pay Discharges
21%
Quality Ratings
Overall Rating Info CMS 5-star rating based on health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
5 / 5
Health Inspection Rating Info Rating based on deficiencies found during state health inspections.
4 / 5
Staffing Rating Info Rating based on nurse staffing hours per resident per day.
5 / 5
QM Rating Info Quality Measures rating based on clinical outcomes for residents.
2 / 5
Nurse Hours / Resident / Day Info Total nurse staffing hours per resident per day.
5.43 hrs
Medicaid, Medicare & Private
Medicare Nights Info Number of resident nights paid by Medicare for short-term or rehab care.
10511
Medicaid Nights Info Resident nights covered by Medicaid for long-term care or support services.
362
Free Market Nights Info Nights paid privately by residents or families, without Medicare/Medicaid coverage.
2100
Bed community size
60-bed community
A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.
Years in operation
4 years in operation
An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 2 / 100
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

About this community

License Status
Active
License Date
February 22, 2025
License Expiration
February 22, 2026

Additional licensing details

License number: 310978
Year opened: 02/22/2021
CMS Certification Number: 165792
County: Dubuque

Ownership & operating entity

Mount Carmel Bluffs is administrated by Sarah Rentz.

Administrator: Sarah Rentz
Nonprofit ownership: No

Contact Information

What does this home offer?

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Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: 2-story

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Dining Services

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Beauty Services

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Social and Recreational Activities

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Exercise Programs

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Parking Available

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Swimming Pool

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Types of Care at Mount Carmel Bluffs

Independent Living Memory Care
Contact Mount Carmel Bluffs

Inspection History

In Iowa, the Department of Social Services (for ALFs) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.

11 visits/inspections

6 visits/inspections triggered by complaints

5 other visits

Latest inspection

Date:November 25, 2025

Inspection history

Visit Date Visit Type
Revisit
11/25/2025 Complaint
09/02/2025 Complaint Revisit, Incident Revisit
Yes
07/09/2025 Complaint, Incident
02/20/2025 Recertification, Incident
01/08/2025 Incident
05/08/2024 Recertification Revisit, Complaint Revisit
Yes
04/04/2024 Recertification, Complaint
12/29/2022 Recertification
11/01/2022 Incident
08/21/2021 Initial Revisit, Complaint Revisit, Incident Revisit
Yes

Places of interest near Mount Carmel Bluffs

Address 3 miles from city center

Address 1040 Carmel Dr, Dubuque, IA 52003

Calculate Travel Distance to Mount Carmel Bluffs

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Comparison Chart

The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
Compare Senior Living around Dubuque
Applewood IV Senior Apartments
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Dubuque
-
No
62
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 Bed / 2 Bed
Windsor Park Retirement Apartments
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Dubuque
-
No
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 Bed / 2 Bed
Bethany Home Retirement Center
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Dubuque
66
No
69
BRANNON, MIKE
97.0%
$8,389,564.00
$5,265,896.00
62.8%
65.80
5/5
4.1892
5/5
5/5
4/5
1 Bed / 2 Bed
Asbury Senior Apartments
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Dubuque
-
Yes
53
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 Bed / 2 Bed
Mount Carmel Bluffs
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Dubuque
60
No
2
RENTZ, SARAH
81.8%
$3,887,257.00
$4,799,355.00
123.5%
51.30
5/5
5.4272
4/5
5/5
2/5
1 Bed / 2 Bed

Staffing Data

Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal (Q2 2025)

128
Total Staff
117
Employees
11
Contractors
29,107
Total Hours (Quarter)
45
Avg Staff/Day
7.1
Avg Shift (hrs)
Nursing Staff Breakdown
Role Count Avg Shift (hrs) Uses Contractors?
Registered Nurse97.9 No
Licensed Practical Nurse48.2 Yes
Certified Nursing Assistant666.6 Yes
Staff by Category
Administration
3 staff
7.3hs shift avg
Nursing Staff
88 staff
7hs shift avg
Physicians & Practitioners
4 staff
8.1hs shift avg
Therapy Services
17 staff
7.4hs shift avg
Activities & Recreation
0 staff
0hs shift avg
Social Services
3 staff
6.2hs shift avg
Dietary Services
12 staff
7.4hs shift avg
Other Services
1 staff
8.3hs shift avg
Contractor Analysis
1.8%
of total hours from contractors
532 contractor hours this quarter
Certified Nursing Assistant: 2 Medication Aide/Technician: 2 Licensed Practical Nurse: 2 Physical Therapy Assistant: 2 Medical Director: 1 Occupational Therapy Aide: 1 Occupational Therapy Assistant: 1
Role Employees Contractors Total Staff Total Hours Days Worked % of Days Avg Shift (hrs)
Certified Nursing Assistant6426612,51191100%6.6
Registered Nurse9094,07891100%7.9
Medication Aide/Technician7292,24991100%7.9
Respiratory Therapy Technician5051,6856470%7.7
Other Dietary Services Staff8081,5717582%7.4
Clinical Nurse Specialist3031,4706369%8.1
Dietitian4041,1556673%7.4
Administrator2021,0086369%8
Licensed Practical Nurse2247496875%8.2
Speech Language Pathologist4046426369%6.9
Nurse Practitioner1015046369%8
Qualified Social Worker3033695864%6.2
Dental Services Staff1013584347%8.3
Physical Therapy Aide4043554954%6.8
Physical Therapy Assistant0222803741%7.6
Occupational Therapy Aide011711011%7.1
Occupational Therapy Assistant0113933%12.9
Medical Director011161415%1.1

Health Inspection History

Source: CMS Health Citations (Apr 2024 – Jul 2025)

2
Inspections
6
Total Citations
0
Critical (J-L)
0
Serious (G-I)
3
Citations/Inspection
Jul 2025
Last Inspection
Citation Severity Distribution
Minor (A-C)
0
Moderate (D-F)
6
Serious (G-I)
0
Critical (J-L)
0
What do these levels mean?
Top Deficiency Categories
Quality of Life & Care
2
33% of total
Resident Rights
1
17% of total
Citation Sources
Standard Inspections 3
Complaint Investigations 3
State Comparison (IA)
Avg Citations (State)
21.7
This Facility: 6
Avg Critical (State)
0.6
This Facility: 0
Recent Citations (Last 3 Years)
DateSeverity ?CategoryTagStatus
Jul 09, 2025 D Quality of CareF0684 Corrected
Jul 09, 2025 E Quality of CareF0689 Corrected
Jul 09, 2025 D Resident RightsF0550 Corrected
Apr 04, 2024 D NutritionF0803 Corrected
Apr 04, 2024 E NutritionF0812 Corrected
Apr 04, 2024 D Care PlanningF0658 Corrected

Facility Characteristics

Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)

Ownership: For-Profit LLC
Resident Census by Payment Source
49 Total Residents
Medicare 3 (6.1%)
Medicaid 38 (77.6%)
Private Pay/Other 8 (16.3%)
Programs & Services
Residents' Group
Nurse Aide Training
CCRC
Family Engagement

Active councils help families stay involved in care decisions and facility operations.

Check out this article

Guides for Better Senior Living

From costs to care, explore the most important topics to make informed decisions about your future.

Claim What’s Yours: Financial Aid for Iowa Seniors

Program
State Program Name
Eligibility
Benefits
Elderly Waiver
Iowa Medicaid Elderly Waiver
Official government program page
  • General: Age 65+, Iowa resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
  • Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
  • Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
  • IA Specifics: Rural focus; waitlists possible.
  • Services: In-home care (5-7 hours/day), meals ($6/meal), respite (240 hours/year), adult day care ($60/day).
Iowa Family Caregiver Support
IA NFCSP
  • General: Caregiver of someone 60+, Iowa resident.
  • Income Limits: No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
  • Asset Limits: Not applicable.
  • IA Specifics: Limited slots; rural emphasis.
  • Services: In-home respite (4-6 hours/day), adult day care (~$60/day), short-term facility care (up to 5 days).
Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Iowa Medicare Savings Program
Official government program page
  • General: Age 65+ or disabled, Iowa resident, Medicare Part A/B.
  • Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
  • Asset Limits: $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
  • IA Specifics: Three tiers; no waitlist.
  • Services: Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month), deductibles ($240/year), copays (~20%).
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
  • General: Age 55+, Iowa resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
  • Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, Medicaid-eligible).
  • Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
  • IA Specifics: Limited to western Iowa (e.g., Council Bluffs); expanding slowly.
  • Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), medical care, meals, transportation, therapy, respite.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
  • General: Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, Iowa resident.
  • Income Limits (2025): ~$1,983/month (125% FPL).
  • Asset Limits: Not specified; income-focused.
  • IA Specifics: Priority for veterans, rural residents.
  • Services: Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour), job placement.
VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits
Iowa VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound
  • General: Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse, Iowa resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
  • Income Limits (2025): Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
  • Asset Limits: ~$155,356 (net worth limit).
  • IA Specifics: High veteran demand in rural areas.
  • Services: Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living).
Able Up Iowa
  • General: Age 65+ or disabled, Iowa resident, ability to repay loan, need for assistive tech or mods.
  • Income Limits (2025): No strict limit; must demonstrate repayment capacity.
  • Asset Limits: Not specified; credit-based.
  • IA Specifics: Loans up to $25,000; statewide via Easterseals partnership.
  • Services: Loans for wheelchairs, ramps, walk-in tubs (~$500-$10,000 avg.), reducing reliance on paid care.

Claim What’s Yours Financial Aid for Iowa Seniors

Iowa Medicaid Elderly Waiver

Elderly Waiver

Requirements:
  • General:
    Age 65+, Iowa resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
  • Income Limits (2025):
    ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
  • Asset Limits:
    $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
  • IA Specifics:
    Rural focus; waitlists possible.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: In-home care (5-7 hours/day), meals ($6/meal), respite (240 hours/year), adult day care ($60/day).
IA NFCSP

Iowa Family Caregiver Support

Requirements:
  • General:
    Caregiver of someone 60+, Iowa resident.
  • Income Limits:
    No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
  • Asset Limits:
    Not applicable.
  • IA Specifics:
    Limited slots; rural emphasis.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: In-home respite (4-6 hours/day), adult day care (~$60/day), short-term facility care (up to 5 days).
Iowa Medicare Savings Program

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Requirements:
  • General:
    Age 65+ or disabled, Iowa resident, Medicare Part A/B.
  • Income Limits (2025):
    ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
  • Asset Limits:
    $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
  • IA Specifics:
    Three tiers; no waitlist.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month), deductibles ($240/year), copays (~20%).
Iowa PACE

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Requirements:
  • General:
    Age 55+, Iowa resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
  • Income Limits (2025):
    ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, Medicaid-eligible).
  • Asset Limits:
    $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
  • IA Specifics:
    Limited to western Iowa (e.g., Council Bluffs); expanding slowly.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), medical care, meals, transportation, therapy, respite.
Iowa SCSEP

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Requirements:
  • General:
    Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, Iowa resident.
  • Income Limits (2025):
    ~$1,983/month (125% FPL).
  • Asset Limits:
    Not specified; income-focused.
  • IA Specifics:
    Priority for veterans, rural residents.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour), job placement.
Iowa VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Requirements:
  • General:
    Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse, Iowa resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
  • Income Limits (2025):
    Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
  • Asset Limits:
    ~$155,356 (net worth limit).
  • IA Specifics:
    High veteran demand in rural areas.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living).
Able Up Iowa

Able Up Iowa

Requirements:
  • General:
    Age 65+ or disabled, Iowa resident, ability to repay loan, need for assistive tech or mods.
  • Income Limits (2025):
    No strict limit; must demonstrate repayment capacity.
  • Asset Limits:
    Not specified; credit-based.
  • IA Specifics:
    Loans up to $25,000; statewide via Easterseals partnership.
Benefits without Contact:
  • Services: Loans for wheelchairs, ramps, walk-in tubs (~$500-$10,000 avg.), reducing reliance on paid care.

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