Independence House
1000 Independence Rd, Fostoria, OH 44830 · Hancock County · (419) 435-8505
50 certified beds, about 31 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1992
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 365860 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on September 5, 2024, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the Ohio average is 10.5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 11 health citations since June 2019 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 3.50 hours per resident per day, against 3.69 across Ohio and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.88 of those hours.
63.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Ohio average 48.7%).
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.
506/19
002/22
209/24
202/26
204/26
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 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
10D
0E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
April 28, 2026Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, review of wound clinic notes, staff interview and review of the facility policy, the facility failed to ensure non-pressure ulcer wound treatments were completed according to physician orders and further failed to monitor ongoing effectiveness of wound treatments by not conducting ongoing assessments of the wounds. This affected one (#8) of four residents reviewed for wound care. The facility census was 29.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, review of the facility's fall investigations, staff interview and review of the facility policy, the facility failed to ensure a complete and thorough fall investigation for one (#8) resident and further failed to ensure post fall monitoring was completed for two (#8 and #13) residents. This affected two (#8 and #13) of three residents reviewed for falls. The facility census was 29.
February 17, 2026Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure physician orders were followed regarding wound care. This affected one (#33) of three residents reviewed for wounds. The facility census was 32.
- D Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure physician orders were followed as ordered. This affected one (#33) of three residents reviewed for physician orders. The facility census was 32.
September 5, 2024Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of the medical record, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure a resident's care plan was revised for advanced directive orders. This affected one (#12) of 13 residents reviewed for care planning. The facility census was 37.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, resident and staff interviews, observations, and policy review, the facility failed to timely obtain physician orders for a wound dressing change and complete wound dressing changes as physician ordered. This affected one (#23) of one resident reviewed for skin conditions. The facility census was 37.
February 10, 2022Standard inspection · 0 citations
June 13, 2019Standard inspection · 5 citations
- F Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of a Legionella environmental assessment form, staff interviews and policy review, the facility failed to complete a Legionella risk assessment and failed to implement a water management program with defined control measures and testing protocols based on standards from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tool kit, Developing a Water management Program to Reduce Legionella Growth and Spread in Buildings, dated 06/05/17. This had the potential to affect all 40 residents residing 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 observation, staff interview, and medical record review, the facility failed to provide a dignified dining experience while assisting a resident with eating. This affected one (#12) of 14 residents observed dining on the secured unit. The facility identified Resident #12 as the only resident on the secured unit who required feeding assistance. The facility census was 40.
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident who was dependent on staff for fingernail care received adequate fingernail care as care planned. This affected one (#9) of one resident reviewed for activities of daily living. This had the potential to affect three residents identified by the facility who were dependent on staff assistance with personal hygiene. The facility census was 40.
- 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to provide documentation of a rationale and an extended timeframe for extending the use of an as needed psychotropic medication beyond 14 days. This affected one (#1) of five residents reviewed for unnecessary medications with potential to affect nine residents identified by the facility with orders for as needed psychotropic medications. The facility census was 40.
- D Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to obtained laboratory values as ordered by the physician. This affected one (#4) of five residents reviewed for unnecessary medications with potential to affect 31 residents identified by the facility with orders to obtain laboratory values. The facility census was 40.
Fire safety inspections
8 fire safety citations on file: 3 on September 5, 2024, 5 on June 13, 2019.
Every fire safety citation8 citations
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
- E 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.
- F Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- E Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations.
- E To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
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 | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.50 | 3.69 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.88 | 0.64 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.06 | 3.28 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.15 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.47 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 63.3% | 48.7% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 44.4% | 43.9% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.56 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 3.68 on weekdays and 3.06 on weekends, 17% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 4.13 in April to June 2025 to 3.50 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 | 3.50 | 0.88 | 3.68 | 3.06 | 0.0% | 1 of 90 | 31 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.69 | 1.18 | 4.99 | 3.91 | 14.3% | 0 of 92 | 30 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.17 | 0.97 | 4.36 | 3.68 | 21.4% | 0 of 92 | 36 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.13 | 0.89 | 4.32 | 3.67 | 23.3% | 0 of 91 | 38 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Ohio, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.64 | 0.60 | 3.80 | 3.24 | 4.6% | 0.4% 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 | Ohio | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.5 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 22.8 | 6.1 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 7.5 | 3.4 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.5 | 8.8 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 21.1 | 24.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 9.1 | 12.9 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: BLANCHARD VALLEY CONTINUING CARE SERVICES.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanchard Valley Health System | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 12/31/2007 |
| Brough, Michael | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Cosiano, Frank | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2015 | |
| Dowling, James | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2018 | |
| Edgington, Annette | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Hopkins, William | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| Jones, Ginger | Corporate director | Individual | 05/01/2015 | |
| Kennard, Dan | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Kroetz, Elizabeth | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Lause, Thomas | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Lewis, Myron | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Longo, Joseph | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Malarky, Donald | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Overton, Kirby | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Polder, Richard | Corporate director | Individual | 08/30/2012 | |
| Reineke, John | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2018 | |
| Shrader, Jeffery | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Webb, Adele | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2018 | |
| Beidelschies, Tim | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 02/24/2003 | |
| Cytlak, David | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2010 | |
| Scherer, Amy | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/16/2017 | |
| Brough, Michael | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Cosiano, Frank | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2015 | |
| Dowling, James | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2018 | |
| Edgington, Annette | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Hopkins, William | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| Jones, Ginger | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 05/01/2015 | |
| Kennard, Dan | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Kroetz, Elizabeth | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Lause, Thomas | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Lewis, Myron | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Longo, Joseph | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Malarky, Donald | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Overton, Kirby | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Polder, Richard | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 08/30/2012 | |
| Reineke, John | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2018 | |
| Shrader, Jeffery | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Webb, Adele | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2018 | |
| Beidelschies, Tim | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/24/2003 | |
| Cytlak, David | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2010 | |
| Lewis, Myron | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Scherer, Amy | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/16/2017 |
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 5 problems in this area, most recently on April 28, 2026: "Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on February 17, 2026: "Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on September 5, 2024: "Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals."
- 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 June 13, 2019: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.06 hours per resident per day, below the Ohio average of 3.28.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Good Shepherd Home Fostoria, 1.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 33 citations
- St. Catherine's C C of Fostoria Fostoria, 1.7 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- The Manor at Greendale Findlay, 11.4 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- The Willows at Tiffin Tiffin, 12.1 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 6 citations
- Briar Hill Health Campus North Baltimore, 12.5 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Heritage the Findlay, 12.9 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 44 citations
- Fox Run Manor Findlay, 13.2 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 43 citations
- Birchaven Retirement Village Findlay, 13.2 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 29 citations
Ohio contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Ohio. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Ohio Department of Health, Nursing Homes and Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Ohio Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 1-800-282-1206. 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: Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator (Ohio Department of Aging), where Ohio publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Independence House's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Independence House 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Independence House get at its last inspection?
- 2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on September 5, 2024. The Ohio average is 10.5.
- Has Independence House been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Independence 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 Independence House?
- CMS lists 42 owners and managers. Legal business name: BLANCHARD VALLEY CONTINUING CARE SERVICES.
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.