facebook tracking The Cottages, Pella IA: CMS Ratings & Inspections
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The Cottages

All states › Iowa › Pella › The Cottages

1742 Main Street Pella, IA 50219 · Marion County

(641) 628-1244

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 100 certified beds Non profit Continuing care retirement community

CMS certification number 165607 · 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 The Cottages 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 The Cottages as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 23 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 3 penalties, including $52,060 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 4 out of 5; for long-term residents, 3 out of 5.

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 4.22 hours per resident per day at The Cottages, above the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.81 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.93 hours, 7% below its all-week average. 56.9% 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.

Nursing care per resident per day 4.22 hours
Above the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.81 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.93 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 56.9% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 55.6% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 1 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds100
Residents per day 91 About 91% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceMay 2014
Part of a chainWesleylife
Legal business nameHEARTHSTONE A MINISTRY OF WESLEYLIFE LLC

Paying for care at The Cottages: Medicare and Medicaid

The Cottages 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 August 25, 2025 and found 7 deficiencies, plus 6 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 23 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 23 citations at The Cottages across 7 inspection dates, 8 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on February 24, 2025 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (6) and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (3). 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 K, February 24, 2025). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

June 4, 2026 · 2 citations · 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 (May 18, 2026)

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 (Jun 12, 2026)

November 25, 2025 · 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.

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

August 25, 2025 · 9 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 (Sep 25, 2025)

DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0605 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 25, 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 (Sep 25, 2025)

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 (Sep 25, 2025)

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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 25, 2025)

DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0759 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 25, 2025)

DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 25, 2025)

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 (Sep 25, 2025)

DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0883 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 25, 2025)

February 24, 2025 · 1 citation, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection

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

Immediate jeopardy · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 25, 2025)

September 26, 2024 · 3 citations

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0578 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 21, 2024)

DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0692 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 21, 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 (Oct 21, 2024)

May 16, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2024)

June 29, 2023 · 5 citations

EProvide 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 20, 2023)

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 (Jul 20, 2023)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0803 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 20, 2023)

DEnsure 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 (Jul 20, 2023)

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 (Jul 20, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of The Cottages

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on February 24, 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 November 25, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. Nursing staff turnover was 56.9% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  4. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  5. 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

3 penalties in the last three years, including $52,060 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Jun 4, 2026 Fine $12,006
Aug 25, 2025 Fine $26,800
Feb 24, 2025 Fine $13,254

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 1/5 1/5 4/5 3/5
August 2026 1/5 1/5 4/5 4/5
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Location

Hospitals near The Cottages

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

  • 0.8 mi
    Pella Regional Health Center Pella
    Emergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 32m for patients treated and sent home
  • 12.8 mi
    Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Knoxville
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 18m for patients treated and sent home
  • 17.1 mi
    Mahaska Health Partnership Oskaloosa
    Emergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 21m for patients treated and sent home

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

Nearby nursing homes

Accura Healthcare of Knoxville Knoxville · 11.4 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 60 beds · Medicaid
West Ridge Specialty Care Knoxville · 12.9 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 78 beds · Medicaid
Oskaloosa Care Center Oskaloosa · 15.5 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 2/5 83 beds · Medicaid
Crystal Heights Care Center Oskaloosa · 15.9 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 2/5 72 beds · Medicaid
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Oskaloosa · 16.0 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 79 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near The Cottages ›   All nursing homes in Pella ›

Compare The Cottages with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Other Wesleylife nursing homes in Iowa

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 10 Wesleylife 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/pella/the-cottages/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.