All states › Illinois › Zion › Alpine Care of Zion
2534 Elim Avenue Zion, IL 60099 · Lake County
All 2 nursing homes in Zion, IL (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 145665 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Alpine Care of Zion 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 Alpine Care of Zion 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 2.96 hours per resident per day at Alpine Care of Zion, below the Illinois median of 3.33 (US median: 3.72). About 0.43 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.58 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 45.1% of nursing staff left within a year (Illinois median 43.5%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Alpine Care of Zion: Medicare and Medicaid
Alpine Care of Zion 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 August 13, 2025 and found 5 deficiencies, plus 11 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 46 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 46 citations at Alpine Care of Zion across 17 inspection dates, 21 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on August 5, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (20) and infection control (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals" (tag F0684, level J, August 5, 2024). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 24, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
July 28, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
July 20, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
April 13, 2026 · 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.
March 27, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
December 5, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
November 14, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
September 22, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
August 13, 2025 · 5 citations
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
August 8, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
December 17, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
August 5, 2024 · 1 citation, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
July 19, 2024 · 10 citations
EHonor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
July 15, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
January 8, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
December 28, 2023 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
September 27, 2023 · 10 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Questions to ask on a tour of Alpine Care of Zion
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on August 5, 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 April 13, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 1 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
2 penalties in the last three years, including $43,156 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2025 | Fine | $13,142 |
| Jul 15, 2024 | Fine | $30,014 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Alpine Care of Zion
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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0.2 mi
Midwestern Region Med Center ZionEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 55m for patients treated and sent home
-
4.9 mi
Vista Medical Center East WaukeganEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 3h 9m for patients treated and sent home
- 7.7 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 Alpine Care of Zion › All nursing homes in Zion ›
Compare Alpine Care of Zion with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Waukegan Health and Rehab · Waukegan · 3 stars · 6.5 mi
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.