Creekside
Scout 94Grundy Center, IA · 55 beds
5.0CMS rating
Skilled NursingUsually has openings
One of Grundy Center's top-rated skilled nursing communities.
Est. $8,420–$10,540/mo
View full evaluation →Skilled NursingCMS verified
Northcrest Specialty Care
2001Health Street, Waterloo, IA 50703 · Black Hawk County
51
FairHaven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates fair.Photos via google places.
Availability outlook● Fills quickly
Typically 93% full (87 of 94 beds occupied on an average day).
If this community is on your shortlist, checking current openings sooner rather than later genuinely matters here.
Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.
Our evaluation
An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.
A below-average federal rating — worth a careful look in Waterloo
Northcrest Specialty Care is a non-profit skilled nursing facility in Waterloo, IA, with 94 certified beds and an average of about 87 residents per day. It operates as part of the Care Initiatives network.
Medicare rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall — below the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 2/5 on health inspections, 3/5 on staffing, 4/5 on quality measures.
Staff provide about 3.28 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.70 of them from registered nurses), below the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 51.1%, better than the ~52% national average — a sign of staffing stability. On the safety record, CMS notes 8 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.
Strengths
- ✓No federal fines on record
- ✓Full sprinkler system
- ✓Active resident & family council
Things to ask about
- •Below-average 2-star overall CMS rating
- •Below-average health-inspection rating
- •Below-average nurse staffing (3.28 hrs/resident/day)
Best for: Families considering this community should tour in person, request the latest survey, and weigh it against higher-rated Waterloo options — our advisors can help you compare.
At a glance
- Certified beds
- 94
- Avg. residents/day
- 87
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Part of a chain
- Care Initiatives
- Continuing care
- No
- CMS provider #
- 165165
Federal quality ratings
From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.
Overall rating
Health inspections
Staffing
Quality measures
Pricing & cost
We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.
| Level of care | Monthly cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nursing | $8,420–$10,540/mo (median $9,220) | Local market estimate |
2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Waterloo prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs
Staffing & care
More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.
- Total nurse hrs / resident / day
- 3.28
- National avg ≈ 3.9
- RN hrs / resident / day
- 0.70
- National avg ≈ 0.75
- Nursing staff turnover
- 51.1%
- National avg ≈ 52%
Safety & inspection record
Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.
- Health deficiencies (last survey)
- 8
- Federal fines
- None on record
- Total penalties
- 0
- Last standard survey
- 2026-02-12
- Sprinkler system
- Yes
- Resident & family council
- Resident
What inspectors found
The most recent findings from federal health inspections (32 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.
2026-02-12Severity E — potential for harmEnvironmental Deficiencies
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
2026-02-12Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
2026-02-12Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
2026-02-12Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
2026-02-12Severity D — potential for harmInfection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
2026-02-12Severity D — potential for harmEnvironmental Deficiencies
Have policies on smoking.
2026-02-12Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident Rights Deficiencies
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.
2025-06-04Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.
Services & amenities
- ✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
- ✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
- ✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
- ✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
Location
2001Health Street, Waterloo, IA
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Reviews & reputation
We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.
Verified family reviews
No verified family reviews yet for Northcrest Specialty Care.
Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.
Talk to an advisor about this communityCommon questions about Northcrest Specialty Care
How much does Northcrest Specialty Care cost?
Northcrest Specialty Care does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Waterloo, IA area typically runs $8,420–$10,540 per month (median $9,220, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.
What is Northcrest Specialty Care's Medicare rating?
Medicare (CMS) rates Northcrest Specialty Care 2 out of 5 stars overall, including 2/5 for health inspections, 3/5 for staffing, 4/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.
How is the staffing at Northcrest Specialty Care?
Staff provide about 3.28 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 51.1% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.
What did inspectors find at Northcrest Specialty Care?
Northcrest Specialty Care has 32 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2026-02-12). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.
Does Northcrest Specialty Care have availability?
Typically 93% full (87 of 94 beds occupied on an average day). Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.
What types of care does Northcrest Specialty Care offer?
Northcrest Specialty Care in Waterloo, IA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 94 beds.
The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you
Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.
- Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Waterloo.
- The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
- Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.
Your next steps — this week
- 1Confirm the fitCheck the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
- 2Get exact pricing & availabilityRequest current rates for Northcrest Specialty Care — takes one minute, answered same day.
- 3Tour 2–3 communitiesCompare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
- 4Hold a spotMost communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.
Data sources:CMS verifiedGoogle
Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.
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