Traverse Care Center
303 Seventh Street South, Wheaton, MN 56296 · Traverse County · (320) 563-8124
44 certified beds, about 26 residents a day · Non profit - Church related · Medicare and Medicaid since 2024
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 245638 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on January 14, 2026, inspectors cited 1 health deficiency (the Minnesota average is 7.1, the national average 9.2).
None of its 11 health citations since October 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 4.10 hours per resident per day, against 4.19 across Minnesota and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.30 of those hours.
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.
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.
July 27, 2026Complaint inspection · 3 citations
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to report an allegation of an injury of unknown origin to the State Agency (SA) within two hours for 1 of 1 resident (R1) investigated for injury of unknown origin.
- 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 document review, the facility failed to ensure a call light was within reach for 1 of 3 residents (R5) who had severe cognitive impairment and was at high risk for falling, leaving the resident unable to summon assistance.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to ensure proper hand hygiene was used after removal of gloves for 1 of 3 residents (R1) during toileting and personal cares. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations were followed during a high contact care activity and failed to ensure proper was followed when emptying a urine collection bag for 1 of 1 resident (R4) who required enhanced barrier precautions (EBP). R1R1's quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE], identified severely impaired cognition with no behaviors. R1 had lower bilateral extremity range of motion (ROM) impairment and used a walker and wheelchair for mobility. R1 was frequently incontinent of bladder and occasionally incontinent of bowel. [...]
January 14, 2026Standard inspection · 1 citation
- D Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure that nebulizer medications were administered safely for 3 of 3 residents (R14, R1, R2) who were observed to self-administer a nebulizer and had not been approved to self-administer medications. Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure that nebulizer medications were administered safely for 3 of 3 residents (R14, R1, R24) who were observed to self-administer a nebulizer and had not been approved to self-administer medications.
May 29, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review the facility failed to ensure hospital physician's discharge orders for a follow-up appointment with urology was scheduled upon admission from hospital and completed for all necessary care for
October 30, 2024Standard inspection · 6 citations
- F Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wrotePPE: Review of the facility resident matrix dated 10/28/24, identified R202 and R206 had an active covid infection. During an observation on 10/28/24 at 12:17 p.m., R202 and R206's door contained a sign that said Enhanced Respiratory Precautions Keep door closed if able: need to put on a gown, N95 or respirator, eye protection, one pair of gloves before entering. Hospice staff exited R206's room wearing a gown, gloves and an N95 mask wearing a surgical mask on over the N95 mask. The hospice staff removed the gown, gloves and surgical mask and threw them away. The hospice staff left the N95 mask on and proceeded down the hallway past other staff members and stopped in the hallway outside of R206's room. Hospice staff opened the plastic bin outside of R206's room, put on gloves, gown, goggles and a surgical mask over the N95 mask and entered R206's room. [...]
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to report immediately, no later than 2 hours, to the administrator and the State Agency (SA), in accordance with established policies and procedures, an allegation of staff to resident abuse for 1 of 1 resident (R204) who was reviewed for allegations of abuse.
- D Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure medications were administered in accordance with physician orders and standards of practice related to medication administration for 1 of 1 residents (R210) observed to receive medication.
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure timely assistance with repositioning occurred for 1 of 2 resident (R206) with a history of pressure ulcers and at risk for further development of pressure ulcers.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteR206 R206's quarterly MDS, dated [DATE], identified R206 had diagnoses which included Alzheimer's disease, dementia and anxiety. R206 required assistance of one staff for bed mobility and transfers. Requested a copy of R206's most recent CAA however was not provided. R206's care plan revised on 10/15/24, identified R206 was at risk for falls related to impaired cognition secondary to Alzheimer's disease, dementia, anxiety, depression and history of a pelvic fracture. R206 had an actual fall on 9/18/24. A goal was listed for R206 to remain free of falls with major injuries and several interventions were identified to help R206 meet this goal. These interventions included: - Revised 7/14/24, 30 minute checks. - Initiated 9/24/24, staff to assist with ambulation if R206 gets up on own and starts to walk. - Initiated 10/8/24, assist with toileting needs. [...]
- D Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure insulin pens were accurately dated when opened for 3 of 5 residents (R54, R152, and R202) who received insulin injections. Further, the facility failed to ensure Tubersol solution (a solution that is injected under the skin to test for tuberculosis) was discarded after 30 days per manufacturer's recommendations.
Fire safety inspections
9 fire safety citations on file: 6 on January 14, 2026, 3 on October 30, 2024.
Every fire safety citation9 citations
- F Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- 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 Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Provide properly sized and located linen or trash receptacles.
- C Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- D Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
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 | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 4.10 | 4.19 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.30 | 1.06 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.72 | 3.71 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.65 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.14 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | not reported | 42.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | not reported | 38.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | not reported |
CMS expects 3.08 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 4.25 on weekdays and 3.72 on weekends, 12% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 22.4% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.74 in April to June 2025 to 4.10 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 | 4.10 | 1.30 | 4.25 | 3.72 | 22.4% | 0 of 90 | 26 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.35 | 0.69 | 3.42 | 3.17 | 34.4% | 0 of 92 | 30 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.74 | 0.57 | 3.92 | 3.29 | 47.6% | 4 of 92 | 31 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.74 | 1.03 | 3.99 | 3.14 | 50.7% | 0 of 91 | 31 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Minnesota, Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.19 | 1.05 | 4.38 | 3.73 | 5.2% | 0.8% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Staff pay reports
Staff pay at this home
No staff pay figure for this home has passed review yet. A figure appears only after at least 5 reports from at least 3 different people, sent over at least 60 days, have passed review.
Official wage estimates for Minnesota
| Job | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota, all employers | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $22.44 | $19.39 to $23.72 | 29,120 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $30.65 | $28.83 to $34.26 | 12,840 |
| Registered nurses | $48.80 | $42.76 to $55.17 | 70,110 |
| United States, nursing care facilities | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $20.67 | $17.91 to $22.55 | 534,270 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $33.86 | $30.05 to $37.40 | 188,210 |
| Registered nurses | $41.11 | $37.85 to $47.68 | 142,270 |
Hourly wages; the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. BLS has no separate estimate for medication aides. These are survey estimates for whole occupations, not figures for any one home.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 20.0 | 18.2 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 20.6 | 20.5 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.4 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.9 | 17.1 | 15.4 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: MINNEWASKA COMMUNITY HOMECARE LLC.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnewaska Lutheran Home | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 08/02/2019 |
| Anderson, Faith | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/27/2019 | |
| Aslagson, Kayo | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/25/2007 | |
| Gallagher, Stanley | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Hendrickson, Robert | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/26/2012 | |
| Prause, Bruce | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 02/27/2022 | |
| Ranum, Robert | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/31/2021 | |
| Reese, Alice | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/24/2013 | |
| Sletten, Melody | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 02/24/2021 | |
| Stark, Stanley | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/28/2016 | |
| Minnewaska Lutheran Home | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 08/02/2019 | |
| Ehrenberg, Michelle | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 06/01/2019 | |
| Knoll, Christopher | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 06/14/2014 | |
| Ehrenberg, Michelle | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 06/01/2019 | |
| Gallagher, Stanley | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 03/20/2025 | |
| Knoll, Christopher | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 06/14/2014 |
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 3 problems in this area, most recently on July 27, 2026: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- 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 July 27, 2026: "Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities."
- 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 July 27, 2026: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on May 29, 2025: "Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Essentia Health Grace Home Graceville, 16.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Browns Valley Health Center Browns Valley, 21.6 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 9 citations
Minnesota contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Minnesota. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- State inspection reports: MDH Nursing and Boarding Care Home Survey and Complaint Inspection Findings, where Minnesota publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Traverse Care Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Traverse Care Center 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Traverse Care Center get at its last inspection?
- 1 health deficiency at the standard inspection on January 14, 2026. The Minnesota average is 7.1.
- Has Traverse Care Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Traverse 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 Traverse Care Center?
- CMS lists 16 owners and managers. Legal business name: MINNEWASKA COMMUNITY HOMECARE LLC.
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.