Find a nursing home

Home / Iowa / Estherville

Good Samaritan - Estherville

1646 Fifth Avenue North, Estherville, IA 51334 · Emmet County · (712) 362-3522

62 certified beds, about 45 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1993

Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
3 of 5
Health inspections
3 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
2 of 5

CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165192 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes

The record in brief

At its most recent standard inspection, on January 15, 2026, inspectors cited 5 health deficiencies (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).

None of its 26 health citations since August 2023 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.

CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.

Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.57 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.94 of those hours.

49.1% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).

CMS links it to Good Samaritan Society, an affiliated group of 92 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.

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 26 health citations on file.

Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
12D
13E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
January 15, 2026Standard inspection · 5 citations
  1. E
    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
    F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) February 5, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews and policy review, the facility failed to store food items according to professional standards and discard food items after product recommended date. The facility identified a census of 46 residents.
  2. D
    Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
    F605 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) February 5, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to complete a gradual dose reduction (GDR) for 1 of 5 residents (Resident #8) reviewed for unnecessary medications. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  3. D
    Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
    F656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) February 5, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinic record review, staff interviews, and policy review. The facility failed to develop a care plan to address risk factors and interventions for 2 of 13 residents reviewed. (Residents #7, and #10) for Comprehensive Care Plans. The facility reported a census of 46.
  4. D
    Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
    F658 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) February 5, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to provide care and services according to accepted standards of clinical practice for 1 of 13 residents reviewed (Resident #2) for Physician orders. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  5. D
    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
    F689 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) February 5, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record reviews, staff interviews and policy review, the facility failed to provide adequate nursing supervision to prevent accident and injuries for 1 of 2 residents reviewed (Resident #2) for falls. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
November 10, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
  1. D
    Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
    F609 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) December 10, 2025
    Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to report an allegation of abuse to the State Survey and Certification Agency/Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) for 1 of 3 residents reviewed (Resident #3). The facility reported a census of 50 residents.
October 31, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 5 citations
  1. F
    Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
    F851 · Administration · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) November 12, 2024
    Inspectors wroteBased on the Center for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) PBJ (Payroll Based Journal) Staffing Data Report for April 1 - June 30, 2024 report, facility schedules, and staff interview, the facility failed to submit complete and accurate staffing information to CMS. The facility reported a census of 51 residents.
  2. E
    Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
    F804 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) November 12, 2024
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, resident interview, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to provide food at an appetizing temperature to 2 of 8 residents reviewed (Residents #27, and #43). The facility reported a census of 51 residents.
  3. E
    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
    F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) November 12, 2024
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to prepare, serve and distribute food in accordance with professional standards. The facility reported a census of 51 residents.
  4. D
    Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
    F550 · Resident Rights · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) November 12, 2024
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, resident interview, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to treat residents with dignity, and respect throughout cares provided for 2 of 5 residents reviewed (Resident #2, and #43). The facility reported a census of 51 residents.
  5. D
    Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
    F657 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) November 12, 2024
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to update the resident's care plan to accurately reflect the resident for 1 of 3 residents reviewed (Resident #200). The facility reported a census of 51 residents.
November 30, 2023Complaint inspection · 4 citations
  1. E
    Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
    F725 · Nursing and Physician Services · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) December 15, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and staff interview, the facility failed to have sufficient nursing staff to complete individualized restorative nursing plans for 4 of 4 residents reviewed (Resident #1, #3, #4, and #7). The facility reported a census of 53 residents.
  2. E
    Ensure 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.
    F803 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) December 15, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, menu review and staff interview, the facility failed to serve the menu as written for 4 of 4 meals observed. The facility reported a census of 53 residents.
  3. E
    Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
    F809 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) December 15, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to assure meals were served at regular times comparable to normal mealtimes in the community. The facility reported a census of 53 residents.
  4. D
    Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
    F802 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) December 15, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, schedule review, and staff interview, the facility failed to assure sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service. The facility reported a census of 53 residents.
August 30, 2023Standard inspection · 11 citations
  1. E
    Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
    F585 · Resident Rights · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, facility policy, admission packet, resident interviews, and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide a way for residents to submit an anonymous grievance. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  2. E
    Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
    F657 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interview and facility policy the facility failed to revise and update care plans to include and address high risk medications and side effects to watch for in 2 out of 15 sampled residents reviewed for comprehensive care plans (Resident #11 and #33) and the facility failed to revise and update care plans after a pressure ulcer was healed and a high risk medication was discontinued (Resident #25 and #37). The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  3. E
    Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
    F804 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, facility record review and resident and staff interviews the facility failed to ensure proper temperatures for foods served to residents. The facility reported a census of 46 residents. Finding Include: 1. Interview on 8/27/23 at 10:20 a.m., with Resident #10 revealed he eats his meals in the dining room and most of the meals served are cold. 2. On 8/27/23 at 12:41 p.m., lunch meal arrived covered with a hard plastic cover. The meal consisted of mixed vegetables with a temperature of 118.4 degrees Fahrenheit (F), slice of ham with a temperature of 101.6 degrees F, stuffing with a temperature of 126.2 degrees F. The stuffing was dry with hard chunks mixed throughout. 3. On 8/28/23 at 12:17 p.m., lunch meal arrived with aluminum foil over the plate which was covered with a hard insulated plastic cover. [...]
  4. E
    Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
    F805 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, resident and staff interviews the facility failed to ensure residents received the proper diet texture to meet the residents needs. The facility reported a census of 46 residents. Findings Include: Observation on 8/29/23 at 11:02 a.m., of Staff B, dietary aide was dividing puree sugar cookie into 4 separate cups. Observation on 8/29/23 at 11:07 a.m., with Staff C, cook. Staff C took 4 portions of beets out of the steamer and placed them into the blender and pureed them. Staff C took the puree beets and placed them into a metal pan and without measuring or checking the temperature placed the pan into the steam table. Staff C took 4 portions of beef stroganoff and added it to the blender with whole milk. Staff C took the puree beef stroganoff and placed it into the metal pan and without measuring or checking a temperature placed into the steam table. [...]
  5. E
    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
    F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations and staff interviews the facility failed to ensure food was covered during storage, labeled with dates after opening, maintain a clean sanitizable surface on cutting boards, and maintain a clean food storage area. The facility identified a census of 46 residents.
  6. E
    Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
    F868 · Administration · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on facility records, facility policy, and staff interview, the facility failed to hold QAPI meetings with the required members at a minimum of quarterly. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  7. E
    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
    F880 · Infection Control · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews and facility policy the facility failed to test the water for legionella disease, failed to review the infection control policy and procedures on a yearly basis and perform proper hand hygiene during resident tube feeding procedure (Resident #7). The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  8. D
    Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
    F641 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record and chart review the facility failed to accurately document a resident's specific needs for 1 of 15 residents reviewed (Resident #33). The facility reported a census on 46 residents.
  9. D
    Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
    F644 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to refer a resident with a negative Level I result for the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR), who was later identified with newly evident or possible serious mental disorder, intellectual disability, or other related condition, to the appropriate state-designated authority for Level II PASRR evaluation and determination for 1 out of 1 residents (Resident #17) reviewed for PASRR requirements. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  10. D
    Provide 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.
    F688 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record, facility policy, resident interview, and staff interview, the facility failed to perform restorative therapy for 2 of 2 residents reviewed (Resident #25 and #27). The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
  11. D
    Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
    F758 · Pharmacy Service · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 22, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record, facility policy, and staff interview, the facility failed to attempt a gradual dose reduction (GDR) for 2 of 5 residents reviewed (Resident #15 and #25). The facility reported a census of 46 residents.

Fire safety inspections

18 fire safety citations on file: 5 on January 15, 2026, 10 on October 31, 2024, 3 on August 30, 2023.

Every fire safety citation18 citations
  1. F
    Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
    K 321 · January 15, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  2. F
    Ensure that waiting areas, nurse’s stations, gift shops, and cooking facilities, open to the corridor are properly protected.
    K 361 · January 15, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  3. F
    Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
    K 363 · January 15, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  4. F
    Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
    K 712 · January 15, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  5. F
    Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
    K 921 · January 15, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  6. F
    Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
    E 4 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  7. F
    Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
    K 211 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  8. F
    Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
    K 321 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  9. F
    Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
    K 324 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  10. F
    Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
    K 345 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  11. F
    Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
    K 711 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  12. F
    Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
    K 712 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  13. F
    To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
    K 761 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  14. F
    Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
    K 921 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  15. E
    Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
    K 363 · October 31, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  16. F
    Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
    K 324 · August 30, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  17. F
    Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
    K 345 · August 30, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  18. F
    Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
    K 355 · August 30, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)

Fines and payment denials

CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.

Staffing

Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.

MeasureThis homeIowaUnited States
All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides)3.573.823.86
Registered nurses0.940.740.69
All nursing staff on weekends3.013.373.42
Nurse aides2.18
Licensed practical nurses0.45
Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year)49.1%44.0%45.8%
Registered nurse turnover53.8%42.1%42.9%
Administrators who left0

CMS expects 3.55 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 3.79 on weekdays and 3.01 on weekends, 21% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 2.1% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.33 in April to June 2025 to 3.57 in January to March 2026.

QuarterAll nursing staffRegistered nursesWeekdaysWeekendsContract staff shareDays with no RN hoursResidents a day
Jan to Mar 20263.570.943.793.01 2.1%0 of 9045
Oct to Dec 20253.510.923.782.84 2.5%0 of 9248
Jul to Sep 20253.490.983.742.84 5.3%0 of 9253
Apr to Jun 20253.330.753.572.71 7.5%1 of 9153
United States, Jan to Mar 20263.750.623.923.335.3%0.5% of days
Iowa, Jan to Mar 20263.800.713.983.364.7%0.3% 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.

Staff pay reports

Staff pay at this home

No staff pay figure for this home has passed review yet. A figure appears only after at least 5 reports from at least 3 different people, sent over at least 60 days, have passed review.

Official wage estimates for Iowa

JobMedianMiddle halfEmployed
Iowa, all employers
CNAs (nursing assistants)$18.92$17.96 to $21.9522,670
LPNs and LVNs$30.11$27.12 to $34.065,510
Registered nurses$37.80$32.83 to $41.3234,420
United States, nursing care facilities
CNAs (nursing assistants)$20.67$17.91 to $22.55534,270
LPNs and LVNs$33.86$30.05 to $37.40188,210
Registered nurses$41.11$37.85 to $47.68142,270

Hourly wages; the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. BLS has no separate estimate for medication aides. These are survey estimates for whole occupations, not figures for any one home.

How staff pay reports work · CNA pay by state

Quality measures

The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.

MeasureThis homeIowaUS
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
22.017.113.9
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
3.91.50.8
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
1.62.41.6
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
5.23.83.2
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
5.92.11.6
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
15.416.614.1
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
1.14.24.6
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
16.219.415.4
Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days
Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
1.51.51.9
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days
Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
5.32.11.8

Owners and operators

Legal business name: THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY. CMS links this home to Good Samaritan Society, a group of 92 nursing homes averaging 3.1 stars overall.

NameRoleTypeShareSince
Sanford5% or greater direct ownership interestOrganization100%01/01/2019
Tangen, LorraineContracted managing employeeIndividual12/01/2023
Berry, PatrickW-2 managing employeeIndividual12/02/2018
Morrison, TonyW-2 managing employeeIndividual01/01/2019
Cain, JamesCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Dykhouse, DanaCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Engbrecht, WesleyCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Gassen, WilliamCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Gulsvig, NeilCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Herseth Sandlin, StephanieCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Lundeen, MarkCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Molbert, LaurisCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
North, AndrewCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Rogers, MichaelCorporate directorIndividual06/13/2022
Shulkin, DavidCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Teiken, BrentCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Ventling-Herrmann, MarnieCorporate directorIndividual05/30/2024
Fluit, JoelCorporate officerIndividual10/01/2022
Gassen, WilliamCorporate officerIndividual05/30/2024
Middleton, AimeeCorporate officerIndividual01/27/2022
Olson, NicholasCorporate officerIndividual04/08/2024
Schema, NathanCorporate officerIndividual01/01/2022
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan SocietyOperational/managerial controlOrganization01/01/2019

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.

  1. Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 9 problems in this area, most recently on January 15, 2026: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
  2. When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 6 problems in this area, most recently on January 15, 2026: "Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured."
  3. How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on January 15, 2026: "Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function."
  4. How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on January 15, 2026: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
  5. Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.01 hours per resident per day, below the Iowa average of 3.37.

Other nursing homes nearby

Iowa contacts for a concern about a nursing home

These are the official offices in Iowa. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.

Common questions

What is Good Samaritan - Estherville's Medicare star rating?
CMS rates Good Samaritan - Estherville 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 2 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
How many deficiencies did Good Samaritan - Estherville get at its last inspection?
5 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on January 15, 2026. The Iowa average is 6.5.
Has Good Samaritan - Estherville been fined?
CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
Does Good Samaritan - Estherville 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 Good Samaritan - Estherville?
CMS lists 23 owners and managers, and links the home to Good Samaritan Society. Legal business name: THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY.

Sources

Find a nursing home Read an inspection