Elm Crest Retirement Community

Official Government Ratings

Care Quality Indicators

How Elm Crest Retirement Community Compares

Elm Crest Retirement Community is a 50-bed nonprofit nursing facility in Harlan, Iowa. It holds an overall CMS rating of 3 out of 5 stars, roughly in line with the Iowa average of 3.1 stars. Its strongest area is quality measures, rated 4 stars. Its rate of short-stay residents returning to the hospital (13.0%) is below the Iowa average of 21.6%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 50 certified beds, it operates near capacity at roughly 95% occupied.

By the numbers vs. Iowa average

• Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 12.2% — better than the Iowa average of 19.4% (37% lower).
• Falls with major injury: 2.6% — better than the Iowa average of 3.7% (29% lower).
• High-risk pressure ulcers: 3.7% — better than the Iowa average of 4.3%.
• Short-stay rehospitalization: 13.0% — better than the Iowa average of 21.6% (40% lower).

Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated May 4, 2026) measured against Iowa averages across 390 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.

The Senior Community Around Harlan

Harlan sits in Shelby County, where adults 65 and older make up about 23.1% of the population — a higher share of seniors than Iowa as a whole (17.1% statewide). The area's median household income is consistent with state averages.

Residents 65+

2,664 (23.1%)

Median age

46.5 years

Median household income

$60,139

Median home value

$120,700

Demographics for Shelby County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Harlan.

Facility Details