All states › Illinois › Waukegan › Elevate Care Waukegan
2222 Audrey Nixon Boulevard Waukegan, IL 60085 · Lake County
All 3 nursing homes in Waukegan, IL (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 145669 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Elevate Care Waukegan a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Elevate Care Waukegan as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Illinois average of 2.6.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 2.82 hours per resident per day at Elevate Care Waukegan, below the Illinois median of 3.33 (US median: 3.72). About 0.60 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.41 hours, 15% below its all-week average. 26.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Illinois median 43.5%). That is lower than most homes in Illinois, a sign of a steadier team.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Elevate Care Waukegan: Medicare and Medicaid
Elevate Care Waukegan is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Illinois's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on March 11, 2026 and found 22 deficiencies, plus 4 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 63 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 63 citations at Elevate Care Waukegan across 18 inspection dates, 19 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on October 8, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (24) and resident rights (10). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives" (tag F0678, level J, October 8, 2024). 8 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
July 22, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EHonor 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.
April 22, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DProvide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.
March 11, 2026 · 22 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor 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.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DHonor 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.
DHonor 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.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DEnsure 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.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DEducate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
November 19, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
July 19, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
June 23, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
April 8, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
January 15, 2025 · 10 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
November 15, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
October 18, 2024 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
October 8, 2024 · 1 citation, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProvide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
July 2, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
May 20, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
May 6, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DMake sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
January 22, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
December 13, 2023 · 12 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
DHonor 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.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
CPost nurse staffing information every day.
December 6, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
October 20, 2023 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor 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.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Questions to ask on a tour of Elevate Care Waukegan
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on October 8, 2024 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 11, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 1 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
5 penalties in the last three years, including $58,764 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2025 | Fine | $12,610 |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Fine | $14,333 |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Fine | $12,048 |
| Oct 8, 2024 | Fine | $5,340 |
| Oct 8, 2024 | Fine | $14,433 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Elevate Care Waukegan
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
-
1.9 mi
Vista Medical Center East WaukeganEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 3h 9m for patients treated and sent home
- 2.7 mi
- 3.7 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Elevate Care Waukegan › All nursing homes in Waukegan ›
Compare Elevate Care Waukegan with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Lake Forest Place · Lake Forest · 5 stars · 6.9 mi
- Avantara Libertyville · Libertyville · 5 stars · 8.3 mi
- Waukegan Health and Rehab · Waukegan · 3 stars · 0.1 mi
- The Village at Victory Lakes · Lindenhurst · 3 stars · 9.4 mi
Other Elevate Care nursing homes in Illinois
- Elevate Care Abington · Glenview · 4 stars
- Elevate Care Riverwoods · Riverwoods · 3 stars
- Elevate Care North Branch · Niles · 3 stars
- Elevate Care Niles · Niles · 3 stars
- Elevate Care Des Plaines · Des Plaines · 2 stars
- Elevate Care Regency · Niles · 2 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 14 Elevate Care nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.