Thorne Crest Retirement Center
1201 GARFIELD AVENUE, Albert Lea, MN 56007
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 & Family Councils Active
Active councils indicate resident empowerment and facility transparency.
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Free guide: the exact questions to ask Thorne Crest Retirement Center, 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 Thorne Crest Retirement Center Compares
Thorne Crest Retirement Center is a 52-bed nonprofit nursing facility in Albert Lea, Minnesota. It holds an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the Minnesota average of 3.2 stars. Its strongest area is quality measures (4 stars), while health inspections (1 star) is its weakest. Its rate of short-stay residents returning to the hospital (7.6%) is below the Minnesota average of 22.9%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 52 certified beds, it maintains moderate occupancy at roughly 86% occupied.
Among the 3 nursing facilities ElderVoice tracks in Albert Lea, the local average is 2.7 stars.
By the numbers vs. Minnesota average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 14.7% — better than the Minnesota average of 17.0%.
- Falls with major injury: 4.9% — worse than the Minnesota average of 4.0%.
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 4.5% — better than the Minnesota average of 5.3%.
- Short-stay rehospitalization: 7.6% — better than the Minnesota average of 22.9% (67% lower).
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated June 5, 2026) measured against Minnesota averages across 338 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask Thorne Crest Retirement Center
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing Thorne Crest Retirement Center with other nursing homes in Albert Lea.
How is Thorne Crest Retirement Center addressing its health inspections rating?
CMS currently rates this category 1 out of 5 stars, so ask what specific improvements are underway and when the next survey update is expected.
What is Thorne Crest Retirement Center doing to reduce falls with major injury?
Falls with major injury is 4.9% here versus 4.0% across Minnesota. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What practices help Thorne Crest Retirement Center keep high-risk pressure ulcers below the state average?
High-risk pressure ulcers is 4.5% here versus 5.3% across Minnesota. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at Thorne Crest Retirement Center?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
Where does Thorne Crest Retirement Center lag behind other Albert Lea options?
Its 1-star overall rating is below the local average of 2.7 stars across 3 facilities. Ask administrators what differentiates this home despite the rating gap.
What would the first 30 days look like for a new resident at Thorne Crest Retirement Center?
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 Albert Lea
Albert Lea sits in Freeborn County, where adults 65 and older make up about 22.2% of the population — a higher share of seniors than Minnesota as a whole (15.8% statewide). The area's median household income is lower than the state average, reflecting a more affordable area.
- Residents 65+
- 6,750 (22.2%)
- Median age
- 44.5 years
- Median household income
- $54,628
- Median home value
- $121,600
Demographics for Freeborn County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Albert Lea.
Facility Details
Other Facilities in Albert Lea
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