About The Highlands
The Highlands, located in Decorah, IA, is a non-profit organization that accepts Medicare and Medicaid. This facility is part of a continuing care retirement community.
Why Families Choose The Highlands
Key Performance Indicators
- CMS Overall Rating 2 Stars
- Nursing Hours 3.57 hrs
- Safety Record Clean
Chain Affiliations & Network
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Nursing Staff Analysis
Staffing levels are a critical indicator of quality care. We analyze the daily hours of care provided by Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
Below Average Staffing
The Highlands provides less care hours than the state average and less than the national average.
Registered Nurses (RN)
Licensed Practical Nurses
Certified Assistants
CMS Quality Ratings
| Category | Rating | Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 2 |
|
| Health Inspection | 2 |
|
| Quality Measures | 4 |
|
| Staffing | 3 |
|
Health Inspection History
| Inspection Cycle | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 (Most Recent) | 24 | Jun 12, 2025 |
| Weighted Average | 90 | Combined Score |
Detailed Quality Measures
Rates are from CMS quality measures (claims-based and MDS-based) for the reporting period ending Jun 01, 2026. Some measures may be omitted when CMS does not report a numeric rate for this facility.
Medicare claims-based measures
Typically includes short-stay outcomes, hospitalizations, and ED use from Medicare claims.
| Measure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursi... (QM521) | 16.1% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency depar... (QM522) | 10.9% |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days (QM551) | 1.0% |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resi... (QM552) | 2.2% |
MDS-based measures
Resident assessment data; often used for long-stay care quality.
| Measure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activit... (QM401) | 27.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight (QM404) | 5.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in t... (QM406) | 1.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection (QM407) | 0.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms (QM408) | 1.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained (QM409) | 0.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with ma... (QM410) | 1.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the p... (QM415) | 87.4% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the... (QM430) | 58.3% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic m... (QM434) | 0.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently wo... (QM451) | 21.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnoti... (QM452) | 17.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the s... (QM454) | 95.2% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately g... (QM472) | N/A |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers (QM479) | 5.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder... (QM480) | 27.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medicati... (QM481) | 24.4% |
Complaints & Deficiencies
Complaint History by Year
This chart shows the number of complaints filed each year.
Summary:
- 2023: 7 complaints
- 2024: 9 complaints
- 2025: 2 complaints
- Total: 18 complaints on record
Recent Complaints (Since Jan 2023)
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Sep 24, 2025 | Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both. |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. |
| Feb 08, 2024 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. |
| Feb 08, 2024 | Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. |
| Feb 08, 2024 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. |
| Feb 08, 2024 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. |
| Feb 08, 2024 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. |
| Feb 08, 2024 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. |
| Jul 26, 2023 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. |
Nearby Hospitals
REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES OF HOWARD COUNTY
CRESCO, IA
WINNMED
DECORAH, IA
GUNDERSEN PALMER LUTHERAN HOSPITAL AND CLINICS
WEST UNION, IA
VETERANS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
WAUKON, IA
Owner & Operator Information
Business Entity
AASE HAUGEN HOMES, INC.
Ownership Structure
Management & Direction
- SUSAN BJELLAND W-2 MANAGING EMPLOYEE
- CONTINUUM HEALTH CARE SERVICES LLC OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL
- NANCY ELSBERND W-2 MANAGING EMPLOYEE
- JEFFREY SCHMIDT CORPORATE DIRECTOR
Associated Doctors
Local Comparison
| Facility | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Evans Senior Living Community | N/A | 5 |
| Gundersen Harmony Care Center | N/A | 5 |
| Good Samaritan - West Union | N/A | 4 |
| Wellington Place | N/A | 3 |
| Good Samaritan - Waukon | N/A | 3 |
| Ossian Care Center | N/A | 3 |
| The Highlands | N/A | 2 |
| Accura Healthcare of Cresco | N/A | 1 |
| Green Lea Senior Living | N/A | 1 |
| Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Center | N/A | 1 |
Related Analysis
Best Nursing Homes in Decorah, IA
Compare The Highlands to the top-rated facilities in the area.
Ownership Details
Complete list of registered owners, including direct and indirect ownership.
Noted Deficiencies
Detailed history of deficiencies with descriptions and correction dates.
Nursing Hours Analysis
Detailed breakdown of staffing hours per resident by role.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Skilled Nursing Care: 24/7 medical supervision and complex medical treatments
- Long-term Residential Care: Assistance with daily living activities for extended stays
- Short-term Rehabilitation: Recovery services after hospital stays or surgeries
- Memory Care: Specialized programs for residents with dementia and Alzheimer's disease
- Level of care needed (skilled nursing vs. long-term care)
- Room type (private vs. semi-private)
- Insurance coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance)
- Length of stay and specific services required
For current rates and to discuss payment options, contact The Highlands directly at 5633823603. Their admissions team can help determine coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.
Environment & Cleanliness
- Overall cleanliness and odors
- Resident room conditions
- Common area maintenance
- Safety features and accessibility
Staff & Care Quality
- Staff-to-resident ratios
- How staff interact with residents
- Response time to resident needs
- Staff knowledge and professionalism
Ask to speak with current residents and their families, tour at different times of day, and review the facility's most recent inspection reports.