Elm Crest Retirement Community
2104 12th Street, Harlan, IA 51537
Based on 2026 CMS Data
Official Government Ratings
Health Inspections
Frequency & severity of deficiencies
Staffing Levels
Nurse hours per resident per day
Quality Measures
Clinical outcomes & care quality
Resident Council Active
Active councils indicate resident empowerment and facility transparency.
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Free guide: the exact questions to ask Elm Crest Retirement Community, how to pull the public records (ownership, inspections, penalties), and how to request the info that isn't online — like the medical director.
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Care Quality Indicators
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
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 2 out of 5 stars, below the Iowa average of 3.1 stars. Its strongest area is quality measures (4 stars), while health inspections (2 stars) is its weakest. Its rate of falls resulting in major injury (1.9%) is below the Iowa average of 3.8%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 50 certified beds, it operates near capacity at roughly 92% occupied.
By the numbers vs. Iowa average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 13.4% — better than the Iowa average of 19.5% (31% lower).
- Falls with major injury: 1.9% — better than the Iowa average of 3.8% (49% lower).
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 3.7% — better than the Iowa average of 4.2%.
- Short-stay rehospitalization: 22.5% — worse than the Iowa average of 20.8%.
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated September 9, 2026) measured against Iowa averages across 387 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask Elm Crest Retirement Community
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing Elm Crest Retirement Community with other nursing homes in Harlan.
How is Elm Crest Retirement Community addressing its health inspections rating?
CMS currently rates this category 2 out of 5 stars, so ask what specific improvements are underway and when the next survey update is expected.
What practices help Elm Crest Retirement Community keep long-stay antipsychotic medication use below the state average?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 13.4% here versus 19.5% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What practices help Elm Crest Retirement Community keep falls with major injury below the state average?
Falls with major injury is 1.9% here versus 3.8% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How does Elm Crest Retirement Community maintain staffing when occupancy is high?
The facility reports roughly 92% occupancy across 50 certified beds, so ask how staffing is adjusted during full census periods.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at Elm Crest Retirement Community?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
What would the first 30 days look like for a new resident at Elm Crest Retirement Community?
Ask who builds the care plan, how medication changes are communicated, how often families receive updates, and who to call after hours.
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
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