ANALYSIS
The 10 Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa
Discover the worst nursing homes in Iowa, identified for their substandard care, regulatory violations, and overall poor performance.
Finding the Right Nursing Home in Iowa: Why It Matters
When it comes to choosing a nursing home for your loved ones in Iowa, it's crucial to have access to accurate and comprehensive information. Our "Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa" page aims to provide you with insights into the facilities that have fallen short in various aspects of care. Understanding these ratings can help you make more informed decisions and ensure the well-being of those who matter most.
Top Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa
Our state rankings highlight the nursing homes in Iowa that have received the lowest quality scores based on a variety of factors, including health inspections, staffing levels, and resident care. These scores are designed to give you a clear picture of which facilities may require closer scrutiny.
Factors Considered:
- Health and safety inspections
- Staffing ratios
- Resident care and outcomes
- Compliance with federal and state regulations
Our scoring methodology is transparent and designed to provide an unbiased look at each facility's performance. Nursing Homes with the warning icon () have been flagged by CMS for abuse.
| Nursing Home | Rating |
|---|---|
|
Chapters Living of Council Bluffs 3000 Risen Son Blvd Council Bluffs, IA |
630.00 |
|
Ivy at Davenport 800 East Rusholme Street Davenport, IA |
461.00 |
|
Garden View Care Center 1200 West Nishna Road Shenandoah, IA |
459.50 Rating Not Available / |
|
Bishop Drumm Retirement Center 5837 Winwood Drive Johnston, IA |
275.25 |
|
Azria Health Park Place 2401 East Eighth Street Des Moines, IA |
264.50 |
|
Harmony West Des Moines 5010 Grand Ridge Drive West Des Moines, IA |
261.25 |
|
Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation 5608 SW 9th Street Des Moines, IA |
251.50 / |
|
Aspire of Perry 2625 Iowa Street Perry, IA |
239.00 |
|
Caring Acres Nursing and Rehab Center 1000 Hillcrest Drive Anita, IA |
227.00 / |
|
Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center 1501 Office Park Road West Des Moines, IA |
222.25 Rating Not Available |
Disclaimer: Our rankings are based on data collected from reputable sources, including government reports and independent evaluations. While we strive for accuracy, we encourage you to visit facilities and conduct your own research before making any decisions.
Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa By City
Every city in Iowa has its own set of challenges and standards when it comes to nursing home care. To help you find the information most relevant to your location, we've compiled city-specific rankings of the worst-rated nursing homes. Click on the links below to explore the detailed lists for each city.
Worst Nursing Homes in Des Moines
-
Puget Sound Transitional Care (186.25)
- Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. (2026-05-29)
- Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube. (2026-03-31)
-
Judson Park Health Center (99)
- Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. (2025-10-21)
- Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive. (2025-10-21)
-
Wesley Homes Des Moines Health Center (72)
- Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed. (2026-04-16)
- Address subsistence needs for staff and patients. (2026-04-10)
Worst Nursing Homes in Davenport
-
Davenport Nursing and Rehab Center (39)
- PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities (2026-03-02)
- Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2026-03-02)
Worst Nursing Homes in Cedar Rapids
-
Hallmar Village (66)
- Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. (2026-05-06)
- Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2025-10-10)
Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa City
Worst Nursing Homes in Waterloo
-
Accolade Healthcare of Waterloo (43)
- Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. (2025-08-28)
- Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2025-08-15)
Related Lists and Resources
While it's important to be aware of the lowest-rated facilities, we also provide resources to help you find the best care available. Check out our other lists to find top-rated nursing homes and facilities that excel in specific areas.
Making Informed Decisions
Understanding our rankings and how they are derived can empower you to make better choices for your loved ones. Remember, a low rating in one area doesn't necessarily mean a facility is entirely unsuitable; it's a starting point for further investigation.
Tips for Evaluating Nursing Homes in Iowa:
- Schedule visits to potential facilities
- Speak with staff and residents
- Review recent inspection reports
- Consider the specific needs of your loved one
Disclaimer: NursingHomeDatabase.com does not have a relationship, either commercial or otherwise, with any of the skilled nursing facilities referred to on this site. This is an independent resource that tries to make more and better information available to the public.
More Resources for Families
Navigating the world of nursing home care can be overwhelming. Here are some resources to help you make the best decisions for your family:
How We Compile Nursing Home Ratings in Iowa
Every month, we rank all of the skilled nursing facilities in Iowa. These rankings are based on data provided by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid measures ("CMS"), including the CMS 5-Star Rating System and the Health Inspection Scores. The list of the Worst Skilled Nursing Facilities in Iowa is based on the weighted overall health inspection score which is a composite of CMS's three most recent skilled nursing home inspection scores weighted to give the most recent inspection more importance.
The CMS 5-Star Rating System rates skilled nursing facilities from one to five stars, with one star being the lowest and five stars being the highest. The rating system also rates Iowa nursing homes across five different dimensions including overall rating, health inspection rating, quality measures rating, overall staffing rating, and RN staffing rating (RN is an acronym for Registered Nurse).