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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.
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.
Northridge Village is a 68-bed continuing care community at 3300 George Washington Carver Avenue in Ames, Iowa. Managed by Pivotal Healthcare and led by Executive Director Kayla Zellmer, the facility offers a spectrum of care from independent living to a 38-bed skilled nursing unit. Current occupancy for the nursing component is reported at 63%, while the broader campus provides specialized memory care at “Maggie’s Place”. The property is conveniently located in Story County near local medical facilities and retail centers.
Oversight records from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing indicate a history of severe regulatory findings and resident harm. While the nursing unit achieved a citations-per-inspection rate of zero in January 2026, contributing to a high overall CMS rating, the facility has faced over $80,000 in fines for past failures. These violations include three resident deaths between 2021 and 2024 attributed to unaddressed infections, improper transfer protocols, and deactivated safety equipment. In February 2024, the community was fined $6,000 after a resident died following a fall where her emergency pendant had been mistakenly disabled.
Bedside care is currently managed by a staff that provides 4 hours and 27 minutes of nursing time per resident daily, a figure that exceeds the Iowa average. Despite this statistical strength, state investigators previously documented insufficient nursing coverage, noting instances where call-light responses were delayed by up to 34 minutes. Professional services include both long-term medical support and short-term rehabilitation, though past 2-star health inspection ratings suggest foundational gaps in care planning and infection control. Management has historically contested these findings, asserting that evidence of compliance was often overlooked during surveys.
The communal environment features a wellness center, spa, and fitness programs designed for diverse activity levels. Shared social features include on-site church services, card clubs, and movie nights intended to foster resident engagement. However, internal professional reviews from 2026 highlight ongoing concerns regarding management stability and periods of high staff turnover. The facility remains pet-friendly and continues to offer scheduled transportation for off-site appointments and community trips.
This campus fits seniors who want a full range of care levels and many on-site activities. Before deciding, families should ask about the fix for the 2024 emergency equipment failure and request recent records of how fast staff respond to call lights.
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.
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.
This home is ranked 72nd out of 241 homes 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.
| Staff type | Hours / Day / Resident | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
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.
| 54m per day | ▲ 23% State avg: 44m per day · National avg: 41m per day |
|
LPN / LVN
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.
| 33m per day | ▼ 3% State avg: 34m per day · National avg: 52m per day |
|
Nurse Aide
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.
| 2h 59m per day | ▲ 18% State avg: 2h 32m per day · National avg: 2h 20m per day |
|
Weekend Total Nursing
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.
| 4h 5m per day | ▲ 22% State avg: 3h 21m per day · National avg: 3h 26m per day |
|
Physical Therapist
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.
| 6m per day | ▲ 183% State avg: 2m per day · National avg: 4m per day |
|
Weekend RN
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.
| 34m per day | ▲ 14% State avg: 30m per day · National avg: 28m per day |
Higher than the Iowa average: 75.4%Northridge Village is administrated by Kayla Zellmer.
In Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducts unannounced health and safety surveys to monitor compliance and protect residents in long-term care settings.
This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Iowa state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Deficiencies
| This Facility | IA Average | vs. IA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
| 20 | 27 | This facility has 26% fewer total deficiencies than a typical Iowa nursing home (20 vs. IA avg 27).↓ 26% better |
|
Deficiencies per year
Average deficiencies per year since 2020.
| 3.3 | 4.5 | This facility has 27% fewer deficiencies per year than a typical Iowa nursing home (3.3 vs. IA avg 4.5).↓ 27% better |
|
Deficiencies per inspection
Average deficiencies per inspection.
| 1.3 | 1.8 | This facility has 28% fewer deficiencies per inspection than a typical Iowa nursing home (1.3 vs. IA avg 1.8).↓ 28% better |
Inspections
| This Facility | IA Average | vs. IA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
Combined count of all routine and focused inspections. Excludes complaint investigations.
| 15 | 15 | This facility has total inspections in line with the Iowa average (15 vs. IA avg 15).— At avg |
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
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.
1.60
8% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 1.48
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
0.80
62% better 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.
31.8%
49% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 21.3%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
17.5%
34% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 13.1%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
3.0%
294% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.8%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
82.1%
53% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 53.7%
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
48.1%
5% 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.
53% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
45% of new residents, often for short stays.
2% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #66 / 242Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 66th out of 242 homes in Iowa. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the Iowa average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: Two-storey
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.
Kayla Zellmer, LNHA, serves as the Executive Director at Northridge Village. She leads the community with a focus on providing quality senior living services, ensuring a supportive and caring environment for all residents.
3.2 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Ames's city center to Northridge Village's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 2.36 miles to nearest hospital (Mary Greeley Quality Management Department)
Add your location
Northridge Village is located in Ames, Iowa.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Iowa.
The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
| Northridge Village |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Ames | 68
Facility
68
IA AVG
71
Rank
#171 / 407 |
63.2%
Facility
63.2%
IA AVG
75.4%
Rank
#218 / 401 | -16% | 4.57
Facility
4.57
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#72 / 241 | -56% | +6% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 246 | 16
Facility
16
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#122 / 241 | 4.0
Facility
4.0
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#135 / 241 | 3 | 36 | A |
5
Facility
5
IA AVG
45
Rank
#488 / 528 | Kayla Zellmer | $12.4M
Facility
$12.4M
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#40 / 242 | $5.2M
Facility
$5.2M
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#66 / 242 | 41.6%
Facility
41.6%
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#207 / 242 | 165613 | ||||
| Green Hills Retirement Community |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Ames (Hamilton Drive) | 56
Facility
56
IA AVG
71
Rank
#234 / 407 |
78.6%
Facility
78.6%
IA AVG
75.4%
Rank
#134 / 401 | +4% | 5.86
Facility
5.86
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#10 / 241 | -11% | +36% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 246 | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#50 / 241 | 4.0
Facility
4.0
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#135 / 241 | - | 44 | - |
18
Facility
18
IA AVG
45
Rank
#430 / 528 | Green Hills Residents' Association | $8.6M
Facility
$8.6M
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#86 / 242 | $5.4M
Facility
$5.4M
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#56 / 242 | 62.6%
Facility
62.6%
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#61 / 242 | 165577 |
Northridge Village is in the Somerset neighborhood of Ames.
Northridge Village has a walk score of 44. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.
According to IA state health department records, Northridge Village's license number is 858462.
According to IA state health department records, Northridge Village's license expires on October 28, 2026.
Northridge Village's occupancy is 95%.
Yes — see the floorplan options available at Northridge Village on this page.
The team at Northridge Village can be reached at [email protected].
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