The CMS Centers (Medicare & Medicaid Services) publishes a monthly list highlighting the worst nursing homes nationwide. However, after Donald Trump took office in January, the creation of the list was suspended for three months before being reinstated in April 2025. During the three months the list was paused, four Iowa nursing home facilities with repeated serious quality-of-care violations were added to the nation’s worst nursing homes, making them eligible for special-focus status.
This development raises serious concerns for Iowa families with loved ones in nursing homes. At PKSD, we have seen firsthand, the devastating impact of nursing home abuse. Our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers are deeply committed to helping these vulnerable elderly victims seek justice in Iowa, Wisconsin, and New Mexico.
Call PKSD today to discuss your situation in a FREE, no-risk case review. 414-333-3333
What Is the Special-Focus Facility Program?
A Special Focus Facility designation means a nursing home has demonstrated a pattern of serious quality issues that pose harm to residents. These facilities face more frequent inspections (about twice as many as standard facilities), escalating penalties for continued violations, and potential termination from Medicare and Medicaid programs if they fail to improve.
The four Iowa facilities recently added to the eligibility list include:
- Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville
- Aspire of Perry
- Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center
- Harvest Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
All facilities have failed to have proper infection control, staff oversight, and records stating abuse. These facilities join Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant and Aspire of Gowrie on the national list. They are currently enrolled in the program and have been receiving additional oversight for two years.
Alarming Violations at Additional Iowa Facilities
Six other Iowa nursing homes remain on the eligibility list from 2024, each with documented serious incidents.
- Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah (on list for four months)
- Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation in Des Moines (on list for 32 months)
- Harmony West in West Des Moines (on list for 17 months)
- The Ivy in Davenport (on list for 18 months)
- Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center in West Des Moines (on list for 12 months)
- Via of Des Moines (on list for 12 months)
As reported by the Iowa Dispatch, these facilities have a history of putting residents in harm’s way. Some examples of the serious violations at these facilities include:
- Failure to protect and isolate residents from infected individuals during a COVID-19 outbreak.
- Failure to properly assess and treat a resident who suffered a head injury during a fall, resulting in the resident’s death.
- Failure to provide enough staff to sufficiently meet residents’ needs
- Failure to protect residents from abuse
- Failure to provide a safe and clean living environment
The For-Profit Nursing Home Problem
Many Iowa nursing homes added to this list operate under for-profit business models. Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville belongs to a for-profit chain. Aspire of Perry operates under a Florida-based for-profit corporation. Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center is owned by a California real estate investment trust (REIT). Harvest Acres falls under the management of Florida-based Mission Health.
Chronic understaffing and fraudulent financial practices stand as the most pervasive and dangerous problems in for-profit nursing facilities. At Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville, inspectors cited “failing to provide sufficient nursing staff to meet residents’ needs” alongside a substantial $44,190 federal fine. This pattern repeats across numerous for-profit facilities on Iowa’s watch list.
How Understaffing Directly Harms Nursing Home Residents:
- Increased Falls and Injuries: Without adequate supervision, residents fall more frequently, often resulting in serious injuries like the fatal head trauma that occurred at Harvest Acres
- Medication Errors: Overworked staff are are more likely to make mistakes when administering medication, as documented at Clarion Wellness, where a resident missed potentially life-saving cancer treatments
- Neglected Personal Hygiene: Residents suffer from infrequent bathing, unchanged soiled clothing, and oral care neglect
- Pressure Ulcers and Infections: Immobile residents develop painful bedsores when staff fail to do proper repositioning
- Malnutrition and Dehydration: Residents who need feeding assistance receive inadequate nutrition when staff rushes through meals
- Delayed Response to Call Buttons: Medical emergencies go unaddressed for dangerous periods of time
- Increased Resident-to-Resident Conflicts: Insufficient supervision leads to physical altercations between residents
- Social Isolation and Depression: Minimal staffing means reduced social interaction for already vulnerable seniors
- Poor Infection Control: As evidenced at Accura Healthcare, where COVID-positive staff worked while protective equipment remained unavailable
Suspect Nursing Home Abuse In Your Loved Ones Nursing Home? Contact A PKSD Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect in your loved one’s nursing home, document everything and seek legal guidance immediately.
At, PKSD trusted law firm has been helping victims of nursing home abuse and neglect for decades. Our legal team has extensive knowledge of nursing home regulations, and a proven track record of holding negligent facilities accountable.
Contact us to discuss your situation today, or complete our confidential case evaluation form online. Your initial consultation is completely free. We accept nursing home abuse and neglect cases on contingency, so there are no upfront costs or fees to pay to engage our services.
PKSD We are here to fight for you. Call 414-333-3333 today.
