facebook tracking Cherokee Specialty Care, Cherokee IA: CMS Ratings
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Cherokee Specialty Care

All states › Iowa › Cherokee › Cherokee Specialty Care

1011 North Roosevelt Cherokee, IA 51012 · Cherokee County

(712) 225-5189

All 3 nursing homes in Cherokee, IA (3 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 62 certified beds Non profit

CMS certification number 165330 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

Is Cherokee Specialty Care 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 Cherokee Specialty Care as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 26 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time.

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 3.25 hours per resident per day at Cherokee Specialty Care, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.38 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.90 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 38.6% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%).

Nursing care per resident per day 3.25 hours
Below the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.38 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 2.90 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 38.6% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 40% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds62
Residents per day 47 About 76% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceJune 1997
Part of a chainCare Initiatives
Legal business nameCARE INITIATIVES

Paying for care at Cherokee Specialty Care: Medicare and Medicaid

Cherokee Specialty Care 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 Iowa'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 July 15, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 26 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 26 citations at Cherokee Specialty Care across 8 inspection dates, 14 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on January 30, 2025. The most common areas cited were freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (5) and nutrition and dietary (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents" (tag F0689, level G, January 30, 2025). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

July 15, 2026 · 3 citations

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 7, 2026)

DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 7, 2026)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 7, 2026)

May 22, 2025 · 3 citations

EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0804 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 9, 2025)

DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 9, 2025)

DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 9, 2025)

January 30, 2025 · 7 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2025)

DGive residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0572 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 21, 2025)

DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0600 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2025)

DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2025)

DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0610 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2025)

DProvide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0691 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 20, 2025)

DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2025)

July 18, 2024 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection

EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0804 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

EHave the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0868 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0690 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 9, 2024)

May 16, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 20, 2024)

March 20, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 9, 2024)

January 4, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProtect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0602 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 15, 2024)

November 9, 2023 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

EDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0607 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 8, 2023)

DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 8, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Cherokee Specialty Care

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on January 30, 2025 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on January 30, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  4. 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

CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5
August 2026 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5
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Location

Hospitals near Cherokee Specialty Care

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Cherokee · 0.5 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 44 beds · Medicaid
Accura Healthcare of Cherokee Cherokee · 0.6 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 44 beds · Medicaid
Accura Healthcare of Aurelia Aurelia · 6.2 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 41 beds · Medicaid
Heartland Care Center Marcus · 13.7 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 38 beds · Medicaid
Methodist Manor Retirement Community Storm Lake · 18.6 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 93 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Cherokee Specialty Care ›   All nursing homes in Cherokee ›

Compare Cherokee Specialty Care with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Other Care Initiatives nursing homes in Iowa

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 43 Care Initiatives 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.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/iowa/cherokee/cherokee-specialty-care/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.