1 / 5CMS Care Compare
Families describe Bethany Life as a warm, homey skilled nursing and long-term care community with dedicated, compassionate staff and recently remodeled common spaces. One reviewer noted a staffing shortage that reportedly contributed to poor resident outcomes covered by local news, alongside overall high praise for the quality of care.
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Bethany Life is a senior living community in Story City, Iowa offering Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Outdoor Patio and Gathering / Activity Spaces. Families rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 66 reviews.
Bethany Life is a skilled nursing facility in Story City, Iowa, offering assisted living, independent living, and long-term care for older adults. The community has served the region since 1914 and provides a continuum of care to residents across Story, Hamilton, Hardin, Boone, and Marshall Counties.
The facility welcomes family visits and has established guidelines to maintain the safety of residents and staff during visits. The community also facilitates remote connections through Zoom calls for loved ones who cannot visit in person.
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Help Me Choose4.4overall · 66 ratings combined
4.4★ on Google (66)
Pam Skartvedt
Apr 2026
I was recently a patient at Bethany Life on their Skilled unit. The stay was amazing! The care, the concerns, the assistance was above and beyond!! As supervisor of the unit, Katie Erickson, does a supper job and all of her staff some of the most caring people I have been around! I worked in the medical field for a very long time so I know good care when I see it! I’m so very grateful to have this skilled unit so close to our home!
Stacy Peters
Aug 2025
The care and concern that staff provides to their residents is second to none!! The facility is beautiful, but even more important is the kindness, respect, and compassion that is felt when you walk through their doors.
Jeff Mathias
Sep 2024
Mom was a resident in long term care. The facility is clean and modern. The challenge is short staffing which has been a factor in bad resident outcomes that have been well publicized esp by KCCI TV. Unfortunately, it’s not like there are a lot of other options for our seniors.
Brian Bopp
May 2019
This place redefines elder care, beginning with their name. The Households of Bethany are just like home, nothing "institutional" anywhere. Hallway decor is filled with interesting antiques and the chapel is warm and inviting. Resident areas feature common living and dining rooms. Simply homey.
Michael Standfest
Jan 2017
I have been visiting with residents here for over eight years. The staff is friendly and kind. After the recent remodels, there are plenty of beautiful places to visit with your family and friends. If you need to find a care facility for your loved ones in the area, look into Bethany Manor.
15 inspection visits in the last three years, 58 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 24, 2026
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 25, 2026
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 12, 2026
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 5, 2026
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 5, 2026
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 24, 2026
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 24, 2026
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 24, 2026
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 24, 2026
Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 24, 2026
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 30, 2026
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jan 26, 2026
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 31, 2025
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 21, 2025
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 21, 2025
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 21, 2025
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Oct 9, 2025
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 25, 2025
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 28, 2025
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Aug 22, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 14, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity K of L: immediate jeopardy, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 14, 2024
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 14, 2024
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 14, 2024
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 19, 2024
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 14, 2024
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 14, 2024
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 7, 2024
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 7, 2024
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 11, 2024
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 11, 2024
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 7, 2024
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 21, 2024
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 11, 2024
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 13, 2024
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 22, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 18, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 27, 2023
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 22, 2023
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Bethany Life offers Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Bethany Life is located at 212 Lafayette Street in Story City, Iowa.
Families describe Bethany Life as a warm, homey skilled nursing and long-term care community with dedicated, compassionate staff and recently remodeled common spaces. One reviewer noted a staffing shortage that reportedly contributed to poor resident outcomes covered by local news, alongside overall high praise for the quality of care.
Bethany Life had 15 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 58 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
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Home care agencies serving Story City bring help to the house: daily living, companionship, and respite for family caregivers.
