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Bethany Lutheran Health Services

Seven Elliott Street

3.1(14 ratings)· Council Bluffs average: 4.5

Bethany Lutheran Health Services — photo 11 / 2

Quick Facts

Medicare rating
1 of 5

CMS Care Compare

Ownership
Non profit, Other
Certified beds
112
Founding
Founded in 1975 by 15 Lutheran churches
Faith basis
Christian mission roots, open to all faiths
Laundry service
Free laundry facilities provided for residents

What Families Think

Reviews of Bethany Lutheran Health Services are sharply divided, with several families praising the physical therapy team, nursing care, and food quality, while others describe rude office staff and a serious lapse in medical follow-up during a rehab stay. The community has served Council Bluffs since 1975 and includes skilled nursing, memory care, and an assisted living wing called Bethany Heights.

The Good

  • Physical therapy staff praised as fantastic
  • Food described as varied, good quality
  • Nursing care praised by some reviewers
  • Memory care unit kept active and social
  • Flexible visiting hours for families
  • Long-standing campus operating since 1975

The Bad

  • Multiple reports of rude, argumentative office/nursing staff
  • One serious report of missed doctor visits and neglected pain management
  • One account of long wait time for basic care assistance
  • One report of threats of arrest when family sought to remove a resident

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

About Bethany Lutheran Health Services

Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, has served the community since 1975, when it was founded and sponsored by 15 area Lutheran churches. While rooted in a Christian Mission focus, the community welcomes people of all faiths today.

The Home offers comprehensive skilled nursing programs, with particular focus on rehabilitation, memory care, and long-term care. Staff are trained to support residents with a variety of health needs, including Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and orthopedic rehabilitation, among others. Care is described as person-centered, aiming to treat each resident with dignity and respect.

Bethany Heights Assisted Living, part of the campus, provides apartment homes along with services designed around each resident's individual needs. The goal is to build a personalized care plan that allows residents to remain as independent as possible while receiving support.

Assisted living services include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, van transportation, social and recreational activities, housekeeping, and free laundry facilities. The memory care unit is described by long-tenured staff as active and social, with structured activities that keep residents engaged rather than confined to their rooms.

Types of Care

Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care

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Reviews

3.1overall · 14 ratings combined

3.3★ on Google (13) · 1★ on Yelp (1) · Yelp page ↗

Anita Sprinkel

Jun 2023

via Google

My husband was sent there by Sanford west in Fargo for rehab. What a mistake!!! We were told he would see the doctor every Friday. Well we were there from June 17 though July 29 and saw the “doctor” once. He has pain and instead of trying to find the reason for it was ignored. Only trying to mask the pain. He was left to lay there and get worse. The food was almost chewed for you. Have you ever had minced watermelon? Therapy was twice a week unless he was in pain. One of the workers told him on his third night that he needed to get OUT of there, he didn’t belong there. I tried extremely had to get him moved. Couldn’t do it! Finally after paying out of pocket for most of his time there I made arrangements to take him home. They threatened to have me arrested. When we got home he lasted almost three hours before our doctor said to call the rescue and have him taken to bergan. Found out the Septis was back with a vengeance!!!!! If he would have stayed there he would not have made it home. Finally came home in October and getting help. Don’t take anyone here not even your worse enemy.

Rick Hensley

Apr 2023

via Google

I did not have a choice where my siblings put my mother. But I would not put her in Bethany Lutheran Home. The majority of the people in the office are rude.

Joan Sanders

Nov 2022

via Google

The physical therapy staff is fantastic. I had wonderful care from nursing and generally all staff. Food is very good and contained a wide variety. I was in rehab for 2 weeks and don’t think I had the same meal twice. I would highly recommend Bethany!

Kelley Hook

Nov 2019

via Google

Mom’s first day at facility and she had to wait over 17 minutes to get staff in so she could use the restroom. Staff came in argumentative and saying if there was a problem we could go speak to the director of nursing. The DON went and talked to staff and then walked right by my father and I on the way back to her office and did not say or word. A very bad first impression.

Irene Masters (Ladyxxx)

Sep 2017

via Google

I recommend this home if you're looking for a great place for grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, sister, brother ect... Bethany Lutheran Home will help care for your loved one, most important you can visit with them anytime

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does Bethany Lutheran Health Services offer?

Bethany Lutheran Health Services offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

Where is Bethany Lutheran Health Services located?

Bethany Lutheran Health Services is located at Seven Elliott Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

What do families say about Bethany Lutheran Health Services?

Reviews of Bethany Lutheran Health Services are sharply divided, with several families praising the physical therapy team, nursing care, and food quality, while others describe rude office staff and a serious lapse in medical follow-up during a rehab stay. The community has served Council Bluffs since 1975 and includes skilled nursing, memory care, and an assisted living wing called Bethany Heights.

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