Lutheran Care Center
702 West Cumberland, Altamont, IL 62411 · Effingham County · (618) 483-6136
96 certified beds, about 46 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1979
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 145380 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on September 30, 2025, inspectors cited 3 health deficiencies (the Illinois average is 12.6, the national average 9.2).
Of 11 health citations since June 2023, 3 were rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents (1 immediate jeopardy).
CMS lists 3 fines totaling $36,553 in the last three years; the largest was $17,345, and the latest is dated September 30, 2025.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.51 hours per resident per day, against 3.45 across Illinois and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.72 of those hours.
20.5% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Illinois average 44.5%).
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.
306/23
207/24
211/24
103/25
309/25
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
1J
0K
0L
Actual harm
2G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
5D
1E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
2B
0C
September 30, 2025Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 3 citations
- J Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review the facility failed to safely transfer a resident using a mechanical lift for 1 of 3 residents (R53) reviewed for accidents in a sample if 29. The Immediate Jeopardy began on 9/14/2025 at 7:45AM, when the facility failed to provide a safe transfer using a mechanical lift. The failure resulted in (R53) falling from the mechanical lift and sustaining a head injury leading to R53's death. V1(Administrator), V2 (Director of Nursing/DON), and V14 (Licensed Practical Nurse/ Quality Assurance Nurse/QAC) were notified of the Immediate Jeopardy on 9/26/25 at 10:10AM. The surveyor confirmed by observation, interview and record review that the Immediate Jeopardy was removed, and the deficient practice corrected on 9/15/25, prior to the start of the survey and was therefore past noncompliance. Past noncompliance-no plan of correction required.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide aseptic catheter care for one of one residents (R5) reviewed for catheters in the sample of 29.
- B Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to provide at least 80 square feet of living space for 2 of 2 residents (R8 and R28) reviewed for room size in a sample of 29. The Findings Include: On 9/26/25 at approximately 9:30 AM, R13 was sitting in her room. R13 was noted to not have a roommate. The room was a smaller sized bedroom with one bed, a recliner, an overbed table, 1 nightstand, two chairs, and an inset closet inside the room. On 9/26/25 at approximately 10:00 AM, R17 was sitting in his room. R17 was noted to not have a roommate. The room was smaller in size with one bed, recliner, overbed table, a chair, two nightstands, and an inset closet inside the room. On 09/26/25 at 10:30AM, V14 (Quality Assurance Nurse) measured R13 and R17's bedroom sizes. [...]
March 28, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- G Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review the facility failed to follow implemented fall interventions for one of three (R1) residents reviewed for accidents in a sample of three. This failure resulted in R1 sustaining a fracture of the distal left radius. This past non-compliance occurred between 03/13/25 and 03/17/25.
November 15, 2024Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident was free from staff to resident verbal abuse for one (R1) of five residents reviewed for abuse in the sample of five.
- 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 immediately report an allegation of staff to resident verbal and physical abuse to the facility's Abuse Coordinator for one resident (R1) of five residents reviewed for abuse in the sample of five.
July 26, 2024Standard inspection · 2 citations
- G Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, observation, and record review, the facility failed to supervise a confused resident during toileting for 1 of 2 residents (R32) reviewed for falls in the sample of 25. This failure resulted in R32 falling and sustaining skin tears to the right hand and a laceration to the forehead which required 13 sutures to close.
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to follow enhanced barrier precautions for 8 of 12 residents (R5, R6, R8, R12, R18, R25, R35 and R41) reviewed for infection control in the sample of 25. The Findings Include: On the initial tour of the facility on 07/23/2024 beginning at 9:25 AM, there was one resident (R21) observed in the facility with signage indicating enhanced barrier precautions. During the tour of the facility R5, R6, R8, R12, R18, R25, and R35 were all observed to have indwelling catheters. On 07/23/2024 a Matrix for Providers (Form CMS 802) was provided by the facility with no residents marked for transmission-based precautions. On the same form documented under number 5 under pressure ulcers, R12 and R21 are the only two residents listed. [...]
June 9, 2023Standard inspection · 3 citations
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to add fall prevention interventions for a resident at high risk for falls for 1 of 2 (R8) residents reviewed for falls in the sample of 25.
- D Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to administer prescribed medication per physicians orders and manufacturers directions for two residents of ten residents (R9, R8) reviewed for medication errors in the sample of 25. There were thirty medication opportunities observed with a total of three administration errors, making the error rate 10 percent.
- B Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews, observation, and record review the facility failed to provide at least 80 square feet of living space per resident bed for 2 of 2 residents (R18 and R196) reviewed for room size in a sample of 25.
Fire safety inspections
15 fire safety citations on file: 4 on September 30, 2025, 4 on July 26, 2024, 7 on June 9, 2023.
Every fire safety citation15 citations
- F Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- E Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- F Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.
- F Implement emergency and standby power systems.
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- F Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- F Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Install a two-hour-resistant firewall separation.
Fines and payment denials
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | Fine | $17,345 |
| March 28, 2025 | Fine | $11,190 |
| July 26, 2024 | Fine | $8,018 |
A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stopped paying for new admissions for that period.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.51 | 3.45 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.72 | 0.72 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.16 | 3.07 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.27 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.51 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 20.5% | 44.5% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 11.1% | 41.8% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.03 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 3.65 on weekdays and 3.16 on weekends, 13% 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 3.74 in April to June 2025 to 3.51 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 | 3.51 | 0.72 | 3.65 | 3.16 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 46 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.57 | 0.71 | 3.69 | 3.26 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 43 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.59 | 0.73 | 3.75 | 3.18 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 43 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.74 | 0.76 | 3.88 | 3.39 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 41 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Illinois, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.26 | 0.65 | 3.40 | 2.92 | 5.4% | 0.6% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Illinois | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 30.6 | 13.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 8.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 28.3 | 14.3 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.5 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 12.2 | 21.7 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 29.2 | 26.1 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 10.9 | 13.8 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: LUTHERAN CARE CENTER.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 02/20/2012 |
| Immanuel Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 07/23/2012 |
| St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 04/28/2003 |
| St. John Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 11/28/2011 |
| St. John's Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| St. John's Lutheran Church of Shelbyville | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Elca | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| St. Paul Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| St. Peter's Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Trinity Lutheran Church Nalc | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Zion Lutheran Church | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 5% | 10/01/1980 |
| Aherin, Diane | Corporate director | Individual | 01/25/2021 | |
| Behrns, Dorothy | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Biggs, Charles | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Blievernicht, Dennis | Corporate director | Individual | 01/26/2015 | |
| Braasch, Susan | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Bray, Frederick | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Corder, Kathryn | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Garbe, Vera | Corporate director | Individual | 01/26/2015 | |
| Givens, Joann | Corporate director | Individual | 01/25/2016 | |
| Hanfland, Susan | Corporate director | Individual | 01/26/2023 | |
| Hanson, Deborah | Corporate director | Individual | 01/27/2020 | |
| Hastings, Jack | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Heiden, Douglas | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Heiden, Sandra | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Hoffmeister, Cheryl | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Kirchhoff, Mike | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Magnus, Twila | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Miller, Emily | Corporate director | Individual | 04/02/2021 | |
| Opilka, John | Corporate director | Individual | 07/30/2001 | |
| Reynolds, Beth | Corporate director | Individual | 01/26/2023 | |
| Schroeder, Kimberly | Corporate director | Individual | 08/25/2025 | |
| Soltwedel, Beverly | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Stremming, Kurt | Corporate director | Individual | 01/26/2015 | |
| Stuckmeyer, Lea | Corporate director | Individual | 01/25/2022 | |
| Traub, David | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Wetherell, Diane | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Williams, Robert | Corporate director | Individual | 01/26/2015 | |
| Wohltman, Norma | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Wyckoff, Gerald | Corporate director | Individual | 01/25/2022 | |
| Wyckoff, Kathy | Corporate director | Individual | 01/25/2022 | |
| Miller, Emily | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/02/2021 | |
| Stremming, Jeff | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Asbell, Mariya | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/14/2023 | |
| Clifton, Joni | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Cornett, Alexis | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/29/2025 | |
| Feldhake, Dawn | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/30/2021 | |
| Harris, Samantha | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 11/23/2022 | |
| Herrmann, Krystle | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/30/2012 | |
| Huntley, Kathryn | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/11/2016 | |
| Milburn-Gehle, Marcia | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/19/2012 | |
| Miller, Emily | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/02/2021 | |
| Mulvaney, Ronald | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 02/10/2025 | |
| Opilka, John | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/30/2001 | |
| Reeter, Tamyra | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/23/2022 | |
| Workman, Christine | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/16/2017 | |
| Cliftonlarsonallen LLP | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 09/30/2013 | |
| Asbell, Mariya | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/14/2023 | |
| Clifton, Joni | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Cornett, Alexis | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/29/2025 | |
| Feldhake, Dawn | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/30/2021 | |
| Harris, Samantha | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 11/23/2022 | |
| Herrmann, Krystle | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/30/2012 | |
| Huntley, Kathryn | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/11/2016 | |
| Milburn-Gehle, Marcia | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/19/2012 | |
| Miller, Emily | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/15/2025 | |
| Mulvaney, Ronald | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/10/2025 | |
| Opilka, John | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/25/2025 | |
| Reeter, Tamyra | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/23/2022 |
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 4 problems in this area, most recently on September 30, 2025: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on September 30, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- Can we see a resident room, a shower room and the dining room on this visit?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on September 30, 2025: "Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms."
- 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 November 15, 2024: "Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody."
Other nursing homes nearby
- The Haven of St. Elmo St. Elmo, 5.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 28 citations
- Effingham Healthcare & Senior Living Effingham, 11.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 46 citations
- Lakeland Rehab & Healthcare Center Effingham, 11.9 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 28 citations
- Evergreen Nursing & Rehab Center Effingham, 12 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 16 citations
- Fayette County Hospital Vandalia, 19.4 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 6 citations
- Vandalia Healthcare & Senior Living Vandalia, 20.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 35 citations
- Heartland Senior Living Neoga, 24.3 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 26 citations
- Shelbyville Healthcare & Senior Living Shelbyville, 24.6 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 38 citations
Illinois contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Illinois. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Illinois Department of Public Health, Nursing Homes, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Illinois Department on Aging, 1-800-252-8966. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: IDPH Quarterly Reports of Nursing Home Violators, where Illinois publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Lutheran Care Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Lutheran Care Center 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 Lutheran Care Center get at its last inspection?
- 3 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on September 30, 2025. The Illinois average is 12.6.
- Has Lutheran Care Center been fined?
- Yes. CMS lists 3 fines totaling $36,553 in the last three years.
- Does Lutheran Care Center 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 Lutheran Care Center?
- CMS lists 74 owners and managers. Legal business name: LUTHERAN CARE CENTER.
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.