Northern Mahaska Specialty Care
2401 Crestview Drive, Oskaloosa, IA 52577
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.
Vetting This Facility? Get Answers They Don't Volunteer
Free guide: the exact questions to ask Northern Mahaska Specialty Care, 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 Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Compares
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care is a 79-bed nonprofit nursing facility in Oskaloosa, 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 staffing (4 stars), while health inspections (2 stars) is its weakest. Its rate of high-risk residents with pressure ulcers (1.1%) is below the Iowa average of 4.2%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 79 certified beds, it operates near capacity at roughly 96% occupied.
Among the 3 nursing facilities ElderVoice tracks in Oskaloosa, the local average is 1.7 stars.
By the numbers vs. Iowa average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 16.6% — better than the Iowa average of 19.5%.
- Falls with major injury: 3.5% — better than the Iowa average of 3.8%.
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 1.1% — better than the Iowa average of 4.2% (73% lower).
- Short-stay rehospitalization: 22.6% — 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 Northern Mahaska Specialty Care
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing Northern Mahaska Specialty Care with other nursing homes in Oskaloosa.
How is Northern Mahaska Specialty Care 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 Northern Mahaska Specialty Care keep high-risk pressure ulcers below the state average?
High-risk pressure ulcers is 1.1% here versus 4.2% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How does Northern Mahaska Specialty Care maintain staffing when occupancy is high?
The facility reports roughly 96% occupancy across 79 certified beds, so ask how staffing is adjusted during full census periods.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at Northern Mahaska Specialty Care?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
What explains Northern Mahaska Specialty Care's rating advantage in Oskaloosa?
Its 2-star overall rating is above the local average of 1.7 stars across 3 facilities. Ask which practices families can observe during a tour.
What would the first 30 days look like for a new resident at Northern Mahaska Specialty Care?
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 Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa sits in Mahaska County, where adults 65 and older make up about 18.1% of the population — a share of seniors in line with Iowa as a whole (17.1% statewide). The area's median household income is consistent with state averages.
- Residents 65+
- 4,041 (18.1%)
- Median age
- 38.8 years
- Median household income
- $56,417
- Median home value
- $113,100
Demographics for Mahaska County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Oskaloosa.
Facility Details
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