Heritage House
1200 Brookridge Circle, Atlantic, IA 50022 · Cass County · (712) 243-1850
61 certified beds, about 59 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 2005
CMS high performing icon Part of a continuing care retirement community Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
5 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
5 of 5
Quality measures
3 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165561 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on September 11, 2025, inspectors cited 4 health deficiencies (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 11 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 3.96 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.67 of those hours.
33.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).
CMS links it to Wesleylife, an affiliated group of 10 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.
708/23
010/24
409/25
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 11 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
6D
5E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
September 11, 2025Standard inspection · 4 citations
- E Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, resident interview, staff interview, document review and policy review the facility failed to provide food that was appetizing to eat and palatable to 4 of 16 residents reviewed (Resident #3, #5, #10 and #17). The facility reported a census of 55 residents.
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews and policy review, the facility failed to ensure open items were dated, covered and labeled. The facility further failed to maintain clean surfaces and flooring in the kitchen and food preparation areas and failed to ensure the thermometer used to test food temperatures was clean and sanitized to prevent cross contamination. The facility reported a census of 55 residents.
- D Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, resident interview and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide food in a form to meet the resident needs for 1 of 14 residents reviewed (Resident #44). The facility reported a census of 55 residents. Findings Include:The Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE] documented Resident #44 had a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 15, indicating intact cognition. The MDS included diagnoses of stroke, anemia, renal insufficiency, malnutrition, unspecified mononeuropathy of left upper limb and hemiplegia affecting left nondominant side. [...]
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, Electronic Health Records (EHR) review, policy review and staff interview the facility failed to provide appropriate infection prevention practices when providing care to a resident with a catheter, that was on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for 1 of 3 reviewed (Resident #3). The facility reported a census of 55 residents.
October 10, 2024Standard inspection · 0 citations
August 10, 2023Standard inspection · 7 citations
- 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to maintain a clean environment throughout the length of resident room accessed hallways, when multiple stains were observed on 1 out of 3 that accessed resident rooms. The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
- E Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interview, and document review and a facility policy review, the facility failed to provide a well balanced diet that meets nutritional and special dietary needs by use of incorrect serving size portions for meals for 4 of 56 residents reviewed. The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, and document review, the facility failed to store and prepare food in accordance with professional standards for 56 of 56 residents. Resident food had not been prepared under sanitary conditions and with clean sanitary equipment. The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
- D Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to notify a resident of charges for services provided for 1 of 3 residents reviewed (Resident #49). The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, resident interview and staff interviews the facility failed to represent an accurate assessment of the resident's status during the observation period of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) by not accurately recording diagnosis to 1 of 8 residents reviewed (Resident #26). The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, clinical record review and staff interviews the facility failed to implement the care plan for transfers for 1 of 8 residents reviewed (Resident #20). The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
- D 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on document review and staff interview the facility failed to employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service by not having a certified dietary manager for 56 of 56 residents. The facility reported a census of 56 residents.
Fire safety inspections
12 fire safety citations on file: 4 on September 11, 2025, 4 on October 10, 2024, 4 on August 10, 2023.
Every fire safety citation12 citations
- F Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- F Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- D Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
- D Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- F Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- F Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- D Install proper backup exit lighting.
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.
| Measure | This home | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.96 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.67 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.54 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.60 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.70 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 33.3% | 44.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 40.0% | 42.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.06 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 4.13 on weekdays and 3.54 on weekends, 14% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 6.6% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 4.32 in April to June 2025 to 3.96 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 | 3.96 | 0.67 | 4.13 | 3.54 | 6.6% | 0 of 90 | 59 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.11 | 0.77 | 4.30 | 3.61 | 2.5% | 0 of 92 | 57 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.12 | 0.47 | 4.28 | 3.69 | 1.3% | 0 of 92 | 57 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.32 | 0.75 | 4.53 | 3.81 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 54 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Iowa, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.80 | 0.71 | 3.98 | 3.36 | 4.7% | 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.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Iowa | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 13.6 | 17.1 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.6 | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.5 | 3.8 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 7.2 | 16.6 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 16.2 | 19.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 14.6 | 20.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 12.9 | 13.2 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: WESLEY RETIREMENT SERVICES INC. CMS links this home to Wesleylife, a group of 10 nursing homes averaging 3.7 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesleylife | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 09/21/2010 |
| Simpson, Janet | W-2 managing employee | Individual | 01/01/2016 | |
| Albertson, Kermit | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2018 | |
| Hoeksema, Nicole | Corporate director | Individual | 12/31/2017 | |
| Kretzinger, Robert | Corporate director | Individual | 06/01/2005 | |
| Lagree, Roger | Corporate director | Individual | 06/01/2005 | |
| Rasmussen, Chad | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2011 | |
| Ruch, Robert | Corporate director | Individual | 06/01/2005 | |
| Stout, David | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2011 | |
| Taylor, Christina | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2018 | |
| Watson, Susan | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2014 | |
| Wesley Retirement Services Inc | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 06/08/1992 |
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.
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 6 problems in this area, most recently on September 11, 2025: "Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on August 10, 2023: "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."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on August 10, 2023: "Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on September 11, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Atlantic Specialty Care Atlantic, 0.5 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 42 citations
- Caring Acres Nursing and Rehab Center Anita, 12.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 52 citations
- Salem Lutheran Home Elk Horn, 13.8 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 46 citations
- Exira Care Center Exira, 14.4 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 21 citations
- Oakland Manor Oakland, 21 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 67 citations
- Avoca Specialty Care Avoca, 21.3 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 59 citations
- Friendship Home Association Audubon, 22.2 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 14 citations
- Elm Crest Retirement Community Harlan, 24.1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 19 citations
Iowa contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Iowa. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Health Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Iowa Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 866-236-1430. 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: Iowa Health Facility Database, Entity Search, where Iowa publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Heritage House's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Heritage House 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 3 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Heritage House get at its last inspection?
- 4 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on September 11, 2025. The Iowa average is 6.5.
- Has Heritage House been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Heritage House 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 Heritage House?
- CMS lists 12 owners and managers, and links the home to Wesleylife. Legal business name: WESLEY RETIREMENT SERVICES INC.
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.