facebook tracking Elm Crest Retirement Community, Harlan IA: CMS Ratings
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Elm Crest Retirement Community

All states › Iowa › Harlan › Elm Crest Retirement Community

2104 12th Street Harlan, IA 51537 · Shelby County

(712) 755-5174

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 50 certified beds Non profit Continuing care retirement community

CMS certification number 165372 · 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 Elm Crest Retirement Community 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 Elm Crest Retirement Community as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 21 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 2 penalties, including $14,380 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 4 out of 5; for long-term residents, 2 out of 5. Those results differ a lot, so ask about the unit your family member would be on.

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 4.02 hours per resident per day at Elm Crest Retirement Community, above the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.98 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.41 hours, 15% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 75.4% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there. 2 administrators left in the past year.

Nursing care per resident per day 4.02 hours
Above the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.98 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.41 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 75.4% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 50% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 2 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds50
Residents per day 45 About 90% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Other
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceOctober 1997
Part of a chainAmerican Baptist Homes of the Midwest
Legal business nameAMERICAN BAPTIST HOMES OF THE MIDWEST

Paying for care at Elm Crest Retirement Community: Medicare and Medicaid

Elm Crest Retirement Community 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 January 14, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies, plus 4 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 21 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 21 citations at Elm Crest Retirement Community across 7 inspection dates, 8 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on June 10, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (8) and nutrition and dietary (5). 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, June 10, 2026).

August 10, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 25, 2026)

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 (Aug 25, 2026)

June 10, 2026 · 1 citation, 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 · Past Non-Compliance

January 14, 2026 · 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 (Feb 12, 2026)

EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0805 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 12, 2026)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 12, 2026)

November 13, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 6, 2026)

November 14, 2024 · 8 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 (Dec 3, 2024)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 3, 2024)

EProvide 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 (Dec 3, 2024)

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 3, 2024)

DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0636 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 3, 2024)

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 (Dec 3, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0688 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 3, 2024)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 3, 2024)

July 21, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

EDevelop 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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 21, 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 21, 2024)

October 5, 2023 · 4 citations

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 3, 2023)

EProvide 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 (Nov 3, 2023)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 3, 2023)

DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0755 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 3, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Elm Crest Retirement Community

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on June 10, 2026 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. Weekend staffing is 15% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
  3. Nursing staff turnover was 75.4% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  4. Several administrators left in the past year. What has changed for residents since then?
  5. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  6. 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 $14,380 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Jun 10, 2026 Fine $14,380
Nov 14, 2024 Payment Denial 8 days of payments denied

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 3/5
August 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 4/5
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Location

Hospitals near Elm Crest Retirement Community

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

Avoca Specialty Care Avoca · 10.3 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 46 beds · Medicaid
Salem Lutheran Home Elk Horn · 14.3 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 64 beds · Medicaid
Dunlap Specialty Care Dunlap · 19.3 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 5/5 46 beds · Medicaid
Azria Health Rose Vista Woodbine · 20.8 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 76 beds · Medicaid
Friendship Home Association Audubon · 21.1 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 46 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Elm Crest Retirement Community ›   All nursing homes in Harlan ›

Compare Elm Crest Retirement Community with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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/harlan/elm-crest-retirement-community/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.