Citadel of Sterling,the
105 East 23rd Street, Sterling, IL 61081 · Whiteside County · (815) 626-4264
121 certified beds, about 88 residents a day · For profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1974
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
3 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
1 of 5
Quality measures
2 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 145278 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on April 30, 2026, inspectors cited 3 health deficiencies (the Illinois average is 12.6, the national average 9.2).
Of 22 health citations since November 2023, 2 were rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists 1 fine totaling $11,213 in the last three years; the largest was $11,213, and the latest is dated June 12, 2024.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.20 hours per resident per day, against 3.45 across Illinois and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.47 of those hours.
31.8% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Illinois average 44.5%).
CMS links it to Citadel Healthcare, an affiliated group of 16 nursing homes.
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
111/23
101/24
406/24
111/24
1205/25
304/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 22 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
2G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
15D
2E
3F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
April 30, 2026Standard inspection · 3 citations
- F Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, record review the facility failed to ensure the 3-compartment sink was at the correct sanitization level, failed to serve cold food below 41 degrees Fahrenheit and failed to wash hands and change gloves after touching contaminated surfaces for all 87 residents reviewed for dietary services residing in the facility.
- E Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure pureed food was palatable for 11 of 11 residents (R10, R18, R19, R20, R42, R50, R54, R55, R56, R83, R89) reviewed for puree in the sample of 40.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure safety measures were in place for a resident at risk for falling for 1 of 7 residents (R21) reviewed for safety in the sample of 40.
May 22, 2025Standard inspection · 12 citations
- F Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to provide proper fitting plate lids to keep foods hot during transport and failed to ensure palatable food temperatures. These failures have the potential to affect all 96 residents who receive meals in the facility.
- F Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure a clean/sanitary dishwashing area, failed to ensure safe refrigerator temperatures for cold foods, failed to provide serving trays in a presentable and safe manner and failed to ensure dietary staff wore hair coverings properly. These failures have the potential to affect all 95 residents who receive meals in the facility.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide 2 residents (R6, R39) with dignity. This applies to 2 of 2 residents reviewed for dignity in the sample of 23.
- D Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide privacy for a resident (R39) during dressing. This applies to 1 of 1 residents reviewed for privacy in the sample of 23.
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to protect 2 residents (R28, R49) from physical abuse, and failed to provide sufficient protection to prevent resident to resident abuse. These failures apply to 2 of 3 residents reviewed for resident-to-resident abuse in the sample of 23.
- D Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to do quarterly assessments for a resident with a lap buddy restraint in place for 1 of 1 resident (R60) reviewed for restraints in the sample of 23.
- D Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to provide appropriate indications for use of antipsychotic medications for three residents with diagnosis of Dementia (R3, R17, R78) of six residents reviewed for unnecessary medications in the sample of 23.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to apply tube dressings as ordered by a physician for 2 of 5 residents (R94 and R48) reviewed for physician orders in the sample of 23.
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure a preventative device was inflated to provide offloading for 1 of 5 residents (R29) reviewed for pressure injuries in the sample of 23.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure the safety of a resident dependent on staff for cares for 1 of 7 residents (R60) reviewed for safety in the sample of 23.
- D Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure a residents catheter tubing was secure, free of entrapment, and drainage bag was off the floor for 1 of 4 residents (R28) reviewed for catheters in the sample of 23.
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to obtain orders for a residents (R9) CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, failed to document respiratory assessments for a resident utilizing a CPAP machine. These failures apply to 1 of 2 residents reviewed for respiratory care in the sample of 23.
November 13, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to provide physical therapy services to a resident as ordered for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for specialized rehabilitation services in the sample of 5.
June 12, 2024Standard inspection · 4 citations
- G Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure there was no delay in notifying a dietitian of severe weight loss in residents and failed to ensure there was no delay in implementing the dietitian's recommendations for residents with severe weight loss. This failure resulted in the delayed treatment and monitoring of residents with severe weight loss. This applies to 3 of 3 residents (R27, R339, R61) reviewed for severe weight loss in the sample of 18.
- E Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure residents were treated in a dignified manner. This applies to 4 of 18 residents (R68, R64, R51, R66) reviewed for dignity in the sample of 18.
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure a resident who requires extensive assistance was assisted with washing her hands after having a bowel movement. This applies to 1 of 18 residents (R64) reviewed for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in the sample of 18.
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure treatments were in place for residents with pressure injuries. This applies to 2 of 4 residents (R68 and R64) reviewed for pressure injuries in the sample of 18.
January 25, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- G Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and record review the failed to prevent a resident from developing pressure injuries and failed to identify pressure injuries prior to becoming stage 3, and unstageable for 1 of 3 residents (R1) reviewed for pressure injuries in the sample of 3.
November 3, 2023Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review the facility failed to monitor the removal and placement of a pain patch. This applies to one of three residents (R1) reviewed for medications in the sample of 10.
Fire safety inspections
9 fire safety citations on file: 1 on April 30, 2026, 4 on May 22, 2025, 4 on June 12, 2024.
Every fire safety citation9 citations
- F Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- F Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- E Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
- F Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- E Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- E Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Fines and payment denials
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2024 | Fine | $11,213 |
A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stopped paying for new admissions for that period.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.20 | 3.45 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.47 | 0.72 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.05 | 3.07 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.95 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.78 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 31.8% | 44.5% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 33.3% | 41.8% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 5.05 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 3.27 on weekdays and 3.05 on weekends, 7% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.9% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.29 in April to June 2025 to 3.20 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.20 | 0.47 | 3.27 | 3.05 | 0.9% | 0 of 90 | 88 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.27 | 0.61 | 3.34 | 3.07 | 0.1% | 0 of 92 | 91 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.38 | 0.54 | 3.48 | 3.13 | 0.9% | 0 of 92 | 92 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.29 | 0.48 | 3.41 | 2.99 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 97 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Illinois, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.26 | 0.65 | 3.40 | 2.92 | 5.4% | 0.6% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Illinois | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 7.7 | 13.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 14.7 | 14.3 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 12.2 | 21.7 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 30.1 | 26.1 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 25.4 | 13.8 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: CITADEL CARE CENTER - STERLING LLC. CMS links this home to Citadel Healthcare, a group of 16 nursing homes averaging 2.9 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stern Family Investment Tr | Direct ownership interest | Organization | 04/01/2023 | |
| Aaron, Adina | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Aaron, Fred | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Aaron, Jonathan | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Graf, Marcella | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 02/01/2018 | |
| Gross, Shoshana | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Kohen, Yakov | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 02/01/2018 | |
| Proctor, Katherine | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Stern, Raphaela | Direct ownership interest | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Aaron, Jonathan | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/01/2025 | |
| Graf, Marcella | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 02/01/2018 | |
| McMahon, Michael | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/02/2023 | |
| Robin, Jason | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/01/2024 | |
| Omnia Healthcare Group LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 01/01/2023 | |
| Graf, Marcella | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/01/2018 | |
| McMahon, Michael | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/02/2023 | |
| Robin, Jason | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/01/2024 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 11 problems in this area, most recently on April 30, 2026: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on April 30, 2026: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on May 22, 2025: "Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights."
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on May 22, 2025: "Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.05 hours per resident per day, below the Illinois average of 3.07.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Allure of Sterling Sterling, 0.4 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 38 citations
- La Bella of Sterling Sterling, 1.2 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 20 citations
- Heritage Square Dixon, 11.3 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Dixon Rehab & HCC Dixon, 11.8 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 21 citations
- La Bella of Morrison Morrison, 13.2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 46 citations
- Resthave Home-Whiteside County Morrison, 13.4 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 36 citations
- Polo Rehabilitation & HCC Polo, 13.8 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 29 citations
- Winning Wheels Prophetstown, 15.1 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 51 citations
Illinois contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Illinois. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Illinois Department of Public Health, Nursing Homes, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Illinois Department on Aging, 1-800-252-8966. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: IDPH Quarterly Reports of Nursing Home Violators, where Illinois publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Citadel of Sterling,the's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Citadel of Sterling,the 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 1 for staffing and 2 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Citadel of Sterling,the get at its last inspection?
- 3 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on April 30, 2026. The Illinois average is 12.6.
- Has Citadel of Sterling,the been fined?
- Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $11,213 in the last three years.
- Does Citadel of Sterling,the accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Citadel of Sterling,the?
- CMS lists 17 owners and managers, and links the home to Citadel Healthcare. Legal business name: CITADEL CARE CENTER - STERLING LLC.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.