All states › Oregon › Wheeler › Nehalem Valley Care Center
280 Rowe Street Wheeler, OR 97147 · Tillamook County
CMS certification number 385244 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Nehalem Valley Care Center 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 Nehalem Valley Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Oregon average of 3.2.
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 4.65 hours per resident per day at Nehalem Valley Care Center, below the Oregon median of 4.98 (US median: 3.72). About 0.45 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.41 hours, 5% below its all-week average. 63.9% of nursing staff left within a year (Oregon median 40.8%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Nehalem Valley Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Nehalem Valley Care Center 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 Oregon'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 September 4, 2026 and found 5 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. 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 Nehalem Valley Care Center across 5 inspection dates, 3 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 26 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were nursing and physician services (6) and nutrition and dietary (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift" (tag F0725, level F, September 4, 2026). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
September 4, 2026 · 5 citations
FProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
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 and implement an infection prevention and control program.
February 19, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
June 26, 2025 · 6 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
FHave a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
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.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
November 12, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EHave a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
March 7, 2024 · 13 citations
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 enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
EHave a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
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.
EEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DArrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
Questions to ask on a tour of Nehalem Valley Care Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on September 4, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Nursing staff turnover was 63.9% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 2 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- The home averages about 55% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
- 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
1 penalty in the last three years, including $16,801 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 7, 2024 | Fine | $16,801 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Nehalem Valley Care Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 15.9 mi
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21.0 mi
Providence Seaside Hospital SeasideEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 28m 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.
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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.