The Highlands
607 Highland Drive, Decorah, IA, 52101
Yes. Federal inspectors cited 5 deficiencies against The Highlands in Decorah, Iowa at its most recent standard inspection on 2025-06-12, 2 of them arising from complaints. 2 findings have been recorded at the immediate-jeopardy level, the most serious CMS uses, meaning a resident was placed in immediate danger. Medicare has fined it 2 times, totalling $93,839. Medicare rates it 2 out of 5 overall.
Every deficiency on record, by how serious CMS judged it
CMS grades each finding from A to L on two axes: how badly residents were affected, and how many. These are its bands, not ours. The figures cover every standard and complaint survey on record, which is a longer window than the rating cycle above.
The last 20 findings, newest first
Each is the federal requirement the home was found not to meet, in CMS’s own wording, with the tag number so it can be looked up against the inspection report.
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies · F0550 · 2025-09-23 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.
Environmental Deficiencies · F0923 · 2025-09-23 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Resident Rights Deficiencies · F0582 · 2025-06-12 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F0943 · 2025-06-12 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F0641 · 2025-06-12 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for minimal harm
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F0684 · 2024-12-09 · from a complaint · Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies · F0580 · 2024-09-25 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F0684 · 2024-09-25 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F0689 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · Actual harm to a resident
Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F0800 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F0802 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F0812 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F0644 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F0684 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F0801 · 2024-07-25 · standard survey · No actual harm, potential for minimal harm
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F0689 · 2024-02-07 · from a complaint · Actual harm to a resident
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies · F0550 · 2024-02-07 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Resident Rights Deficiencies · F0584 · 2024-02-07 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F0641 · 2024-02-07 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F0658 · 2024-02-07 · from a complaint · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm
How CMS scores this home
These stars are Medicare’s, not ours — we publish no rating of our own. They are reproduced here because they are part of the public record.
What Medicare has fined this home
Who owns The Highlands
Nursing homes are frequently owned through layers of companies, and the name over the door is rarely the one that holds the licence. This is the ownership CMS has on file.
| Owner | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| BJELLAND, SUSAN | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | since 02/22/2010 |
| ELSBERND, NANCY | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | since 02/22/2010 |
| SCHMIDT, JEFFREY | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | since 05/20/2013 |
| CONTINUUM HEALTH CARE SERVICES LLC | Organization | NOT APPLICABLE | since 01/17/2013 |
Ask The Highlands a question
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Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Nursing Home Care Compare. Retrieved 2026-07-29. Facility number 165178.
Figures reproduce the state’s own totals and are not re-aggregated. Methodology · Report a correction