Life Care Center of the Willows
1000 Elizabeth Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383 · Porter County · (219) 464-4858
92 certified beds, about 66 residents a day · Government - County · Medicare and Medicaid since 1974
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
1 of 5
Health inspections
1 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 155158 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on January 27, 2026, inspectors cited 13 health deficiencies (the Indiana average is 7.2, the national average 9.2).
None of its 37 health citations since January 2024 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 3.45 hours per resident per day, against 3.69 across Indiana and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.56 of those hours.
49.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Indiana average 45.9%).
CMS links it to Life Care Centers of America, an affiliated group of 194 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.
1301/24
103/24
611/24
209/25
112/25
1301/26
103/26
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 37 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
33D
3E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
March 25, 2026Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents who were dependent on staff for activities of daily living (ADL's) received bathing/showers at least twice a week for 1 of 4 residents reviewed for ADL's. (Resident C)
January 27, 2026Standard inspection · 13 citations
- F Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to maintain comfortable water temperatures. This had the potential to affect all 67 residents who resided in the facility.
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to serve food under sanitary conditions related to staff touching food directly with gloved hands after touching non-food items for 1 of 1 meal service observed in the main kitchen. (Cook 1)
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident's dignity was maintained related to the resident's back side being exposed while in the hallway for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for dignity. (Resident 24)
- D Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident and the resident's representative were informed of a change in treatment related to psychotropic medication for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications. (Resident 48)
- 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 observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to develop and implement a care plan related to a tracheostomy stoma site for 1 of 4 residents reviewed for respiratory care. (Resident 10)
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to obtain orders and document treatment changes for a non-pressure skin condition for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for non-pressure skin conditions. (Resident 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to provide treatment for limited range of motion related to a palm protector not in place for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for range of motion (ROM). (Resident 4)
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure safety was maintained related to smoking safety interventions, a smoking assessment, and fall interventions not in place for 3 of 7 residents reviewed for accidents (Residents 6, 38, and 3)
- D Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident with a gastrostomy tube (g-tube, the surgical insertion of a feeding tube) received the appropriate treatment related to administration of the tube feeding for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for tube feedings. (Resident 4)
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents received the necessary care and treatment related to oxygen administration for 2 of 4 residents reviewed for respiratory care. (Residents 51 and 74)
- D Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure weights were being checked and monitored for a resident who received medications for heart failure and failed to ensure medication was not administered in an excessive dose for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications and 1 of 1 resident reviewed for pain. (Residents 48 and 75)
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure infection control practices were in place and implemented related to lack of glove changes and performing hand hygiene during wound care for 1 of 3 wound care treatments observed. (Resident 64)
- D Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to promote antibiotic stewardship by ensuring appropriate use of antibiotic therapy to reduce antibiotic resistance related to ordering an antibiotic for prophylactic (preventative) use in a resident with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for antibiotic use. (Resident 5)
December 4, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure infection control guidelines were in place and implemented, related to improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to entering and leaving a droplet precautions room and staff not knowing why a resident was in isolation for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for infection control. (Resident B)
September 29, 2025Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- E Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure the residents' environment was clean and in good repair related to dirty and discolored vents, exposed electrical wiring, and a broken baseboard heating cover for 3 of 3 units and the dining room. (East Hall, Center Hall, [NAME] Hall, and Dining Room)
- D Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to maintain clinical records that were complete and accurately documented, related to incontinence care documentation for 3 of 3 residents reviewed for activities of daily living (ADL) care. (Residents B, C, and D)
November 13, 2024Standard inspection · 6 citations
- D Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure resident's privacy was maintained related to the electronic medication record left open and unlocked in the hallway during medication pass for 2 of 5 residents observed during medication pass. (Residents 113 and 6)
- 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 record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure care plans were implemented for 1 of 19 resident care plans reviewed. (Resident 9)
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident with a pressure ulcer received the necessary treatment and services to promote healing related to a treatment not provided as ordered for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for pressure ulcers. (Resident 39)
- D Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a nutritional supplement was offered during meal service and food consumption logs were completed for a resident with a history of weight loss for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for nutrition. (Resident 5)
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure infection control measures were implemented related to hand hygiene during medication pass for 2 of 5 residents observed during medication pass. (Residents 113 and 6, and LPN 1)
- D Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to promote antibiotic stewardship by ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotic therapy to reduce antibiotic resistance related to not following up on urine culture results in a timely manner for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for urinary tract infections. (Resident 40)
March 15, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure an allegation of abuse was reported to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for abuse. (Resident B)
January 3, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 13 citations
- E Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure the residents' environment was in good repair related to marred walls, a cracked toilet base, marred doors, chipped paint, dirty floors, and missing pieces of baseboard for 2 of 2 units. (East and West)
- D Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to honor a resident's preference related to dressing for 1 of 1 residents reviewed for choices. (Resident 21)
- D Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to develop an initial plan of care within 48 hours of admission related to Activities of Daily Living (ADL) for 1 of 19 residents whose care plans were reviewed. (Resident B).
- 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 observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a comprehensive care plan was developed and in place for a resident with a history of dehydration for 1 of 19 resident care plans reviewed. (Resident G)
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents received the necessary care for activities of daily living care (ADL) related to not receiving bathing after admission and twice weekly, dirty fingernails, and the lack of shaving a beard for 3 of 3 residents reviewed for ADL care. (Residents D, B, and C)
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents received the necessary treatment and services related to the lack of a Physician's Order for a neck brace, the lack of monitoring and assessments of skin discolorations, and skin treatments not signed out as ordered for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for positioning and limited range of motion and 2 of 4 residents reviewed for non-pressure skin conditions. (Residents D, 36, and 19)
- 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident received the necessary treatment to prevent a decrease in range of motion related to a hand splint not in place as ordered for 1 of 1 residents reviewed for positioning and mobility. (Resident 1)
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview the facility failed to ensure safety measures were in place to prevent accidents related to seizure precautions not in use, fall precautions not implemented, and a post-op helmet not in use as ordered for 3 of 3 residents reviewed for accidents. (Residents G, F and E)
- D Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents' hydration and nutritional needs were met related to providing fluids to a dependent resident and weights being monitored for a resident with weight loss for 2 of 6 residents reviewed for hydration and nutrition. (Residents G and 37)
- D Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure each resident's medication regimen was managed and monitored to promote or maintain the resident's highest practicable mental, physical, and psychosocial well-being related to non-pharmacological interventions provided prior to administering pain medications and not following Pharmacy recommendations for 2 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications (Residents 4 and 48) and 1 of 1 residents reviewed for pain. (Resident 105)
- 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 record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a gradual dose reduction (GDR) was attempted for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications. (Resident E)
- D Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure an ordered urine culture was obtained and sent to the laboratory timely for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications(Resident E).
- D Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to promote antibiotic stewardship by ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotic therapy to reduce antibiotic resistance related to a physician prescribing antibiotics for a urinary tract infection without a urinalysis and culture completed for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications. (Resident E).
Fire safety inspections
44 fire safety citations on file: 23 on January 27, 2026, 8 on November 13, 2024, 13 on January 3, 2024.
Every fire safety citation44 citations
- F Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- F Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
- F Develop a communication plan.
- F Establish emergency prep training and testing.
- F Establish staff and initial training requirements.
- F Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- F Implement emergency and standby power systems.
- F Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
- F Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- F Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- F Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
- E Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
- E Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- E Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- E Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- D Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
- F Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- F Implement emergency and standby power systems.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- D Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- D Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- F Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- F Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- F Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
- E Have corridors or aisles that are unobstructed and are at least 8 feet in width.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- E Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- C Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
- C Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- C Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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 | Indiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.45 | 3.69 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.56 | 0.67 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.10 | 3.25 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.14 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.75 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 49.3% | 45.9% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 45.5% | 40.3% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.73 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 3.59 on weekdays and 3.10 on weekends, 14% 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 3.57 in April to June 2025 to 3.45 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 | 3.45 | 0.56 | 3.59 | 3.10 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 66 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.46 | 0.65 | 3.62 | 3.05 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 65 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.67 | 0.80 | 3.86 | 3.18 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 62 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.57 | 0.75 | 3.76 | 3.09 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 61 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Indiana, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.63 | 0.62 | 3.80 | 3.19 | 3.4% | 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 | Indiana | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.5 | 11.0 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 10.8 | 11.9 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.7 | 13.6 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 27.6 | 22.2 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 5.7 | 10.8 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: HENDRICKS COUNTY HOSPITAL. CMS links this home to Life Care Centers of America, a group of 194 nursing homes averaging 3.4 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engels, Erin | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Gentry, Mark | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/12/2022 | |
| Starkey, Tyler | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 08/01/2020 | |
| Waite, John | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 08/01/2020 | |
| Whicker, Timothy | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/12/2022 | |
| Fenoughty, Deanna | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/10/2023 | |
| Consolidated Resources Health Care Fund I LP | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 10/01/2018 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 10/01/2018 | |
| Adams, Tami | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Cross, Cindy | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Fenoughty, Deanna | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/10/2023 | |
| Fletcher, Todd | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Henry, Terry | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Lay, Lisa | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Mirochna, Michael | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 02/01/2019 | |
| Preston, Aubrey | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Swanker, Richard | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Thurmond, Joan | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Ziegler, James | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Engels, Erin | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Gentry, Mark | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 01/12/2022 | |
| Starkey, Tyler | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 08/01/2020 | |
| Waite, John | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 08/01/2020 | |
| Whicker, Timothy | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 01/12/2022 | |
| Consolidated Resources Health Care Fund I LP | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2018 | |
| Hendricks County Hospital | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 02/24/2025 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 03/14/2025 | |
| Adams, Tami | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 10/01/2018 | |
| Mirochna, Michael | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/01/2019 | |
| Preston, Forrest | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 10/01/2018 |
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 13 problems in this area, most recently on March 25, 2026: "Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 6 problems in this area, most recently on January 27, 2026: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 5 problems in this area, most recently on January 27, 2026: "Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on January 27, 2026: "Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.10 hours per resident per day, below the Indiana average of 3.25.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation Valparaiso, 1 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 30 citations
- Avalon Springs Health Campus Valparaiso, 1.2 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 28 citations
- Brickyard Healthcare - Valparaiso Care Center Valparaiso, 1.3 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 14 citations
- Life Care Center of Valparaiso Valparaiso, 1.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 17 citations
- Ignite Medical Resort Chesterton Chesterton, 7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 68 citations
- Addison Pointe Health & Rehabilitation Center Chesterton, 8 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Chesterton Manor Chesterton, 8.2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 33 citations
- Brickyard Healthcare - Portage Care Center Portage, 9.1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 29 citations
Indiana contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Indiana. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Indiana Department of Health, Division of Long-Term Care, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 800-622-4484. 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: Indiana Department of Health, Nursing Home Report Cards, where Indiana publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Life Care Center of the Willows's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Life Care Center of the Willows 1 out of 5 stars overall, with 1 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Life Care Center of the Willows get at its last inspection?
- 13 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on January 27, 2026. The Indiana average is 7.2.
- Has Life Care Center of the Willows been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Life Care Center of the Willows 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 Life Care Center of the Willows?
- CMS lists 31 owners and managers, and links the home to Life Care Centers of America. Legal business name: HENDRICKS COUNTY HOSPITAL.
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.