Continuing careMemory careIndependent livingAssisted living
The Highlands
0.00 reviews · 0 verifiedDecorah, IALic. 165178
JKLRecent citation with immediate-jeopardy / high severity (J/K/L)Source: CMS Health Citations
FINECMS fine: $50,211Source: CMS Penalties
DENYCMS payment denial (10 days)Source: CMS Penalties
FINECMS fine: $59,840Source: CMS Penalties
FINECMS fine: $43,628Source: CMS Penalties
VBP-THigh nursing staff turnover in VBP period (69%)Source: CMS SNF VBP (PDC)
Provided by facility
The Highlands is a vibrant senior living community in Decorah, Iowa, offering a full continuum of care designed to support residents through every stage of life. With maintenance-free apartments and personalized support, residents can enjoy their days with dignity and a sense of belonging. The facility provides assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and long-term care, all within a safe and secure campus. Families choose The Highlands for its compassionate staff, engaging opportunities, and commitment to quality care.
DiningRestaurant-Style Dining
TherapiesOn-Site Rehabilitation Services
Inside AmenitiesSwimming Pool
Safety & SecuritySecured Memory Care Unit
CMS Care CompareView on Medicare.gov →
Medicare overall
2/5Medicare.gov Care Compare stars are shown for context only. They are never part of the Unbeatable composite score.
Staffing (PBJ)
3.11 total HPRDRN 0.54 · weekend 90%Oct 2025 – Dec 2025
Survey history
11 inspections60 deficiencies on record
Federal IDs
CCN 165178
Overall: 2/5 · Health: 2/5 · Staffing: 3/5 · QM: 4/5
Unbeatable ratings come only from verified family, staff, and professional reviews on this site. CMS stars, staffing, and citations are public regulatory signals — useful for context, not blended into our score.
Recent inspections
Health surveySep 2025 · CMS2 deficiencies
- F-550SS E — Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
- F-923SS E — Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.
Fire safetyJun 2025 · STATE FIRE MARSHAL8 deficiencies
- E-29SS F — Develop a communication plan.
- E-39SS F — Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- K-291SS F — Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- K-345SS F — Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- K-353SS F — Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- K-354SS F — Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- K-711SS F — Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
- K-712SS F — Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Health surveyJun 2025 · CMS3 deficiencies
- F-582SS D — Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
- F-641SS B — Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
- F-943SS D — Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Health surveyDec 2024 · CMS1 deficiencies
- F-684SS J — Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Health surveySep 2024 · CMS2 deficiencies
- F-580SS D — Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
- F-684SS D — Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Fire safetyJul 2024 · STATE FIRE MARSHAL14 deficiencies
- E-26SS F — Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.
- E-30SS F — List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
- E-39SS F — Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- E-4SS F — Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- E-6SS F — Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
- K-291SS F — Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- K-321SS D — Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- K-345SS F — Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- K-347SS F — Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
- K-354SS F — Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- K-712SS F — Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- K-761SS D — To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- K-918SS F — Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- K-921SS F — Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Health surveyJul 2024 · CMS7 deficiencies
- F-644SS D — Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
- F-684SS D — Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- F-689SS G — Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- F-800SS E — Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
- F-801SS C — Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
- F-802SS E — Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
- F-812SS E — Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Health surveyFeb 2024 · CMS6 deficiencies
- F-550SS D — Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
- F-584SS D — Honor 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.
- F-641SS D — Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
- F-658SS D — Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
- F-677SS D — Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
- F-689SS G — Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Fire safetySep 2023 · STATE FIRE MARSHAL4 deficiencies
- K-131SS F — Meet requirements for sections of health care facilities separated by fire resistive construction.
- K-222SS F — Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
- K-511SS D — Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- K-920SS E — Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Health surveySep 2023 · CMS6 deficiencies
- F-550SS D — Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
- F-578SS D — Honor 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.
- F-582SS B — Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
- F-656SS D — Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- F-684SS D — Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- F-880SS E — Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Health surveyJul 2023 · CMS7 deficiencies
- F-580SS D — Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
- F-584SS E — Honor 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.
- F-656SS D — Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- F-677SS E — Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
- F-684SS J — Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- F-725SS E — Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
- F-880SS D — Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No reviews from this reviewer type yet.
No questions yet. Ask the first one — a member of our team or someone who knows this community will answer.
Have a question about this community?
Ask anything — pricing, care, staffing, daily life. Our team answers, and questions are reviewed before they appear.Ownership
Write a reviewOperated by Unverified operator (CMS) (privately held) since 1993.