Life Care Center of the Willows
1000 Elizabeth Dr · Valparaiso, IN · 46383 · 2194644858
92 certified beds Government - County Chain: Life Care Centers of America
Why this verdict
- Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
The composite number cleared 71 points, but Recommended is gated: inspection record below the Recommended bar; CMS rates its health inspections "much below average". That rule is part of the published method.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
No red flags in the current CMS record. Genuinely good news — pair it with an in-person tour before deciding.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 3 of 5 Quality measures: 4 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.46 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.65 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.05 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 47% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (37 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D March 25, 2026 · found via complaint
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected April 10, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E January 27, 2026
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D January 27, 2026
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · F January 27, 2026
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Corrected February 20, 2026 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D December 4, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected December 29, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D September 29, 2025 · found via complaint
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected October 24, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E September 29, 2025 · found via complaint
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Corrected October 24, 2025 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2024
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2024
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2024
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D March 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected April 11, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D January 3, 2024
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Corrected February 1, 2024 · Resident Rights
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 155158 · certified since July 15, 1974. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.