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Bethany Lutheran Health Services

Seven Elliott Street

3.1(14 ratings)· Council Bluffs average: 4.4

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.

Bethany Lutheran Health Services is a senior living community in Council Bluffs, Iowa offering Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 3.3 out of 5 across 13 reviews.

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 at Bethany Lutheran Health Services

Assisted LivingMemory CareSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Emergency Call System
  • Private Rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Meals & Dining

  • Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)
  • Restaurant style Dining Room

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Chapel / Religious Services
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Nurse (RN)
  • Transportation Services

Activities

  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Reviews of Bethany Lutheran Health Services

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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Government Inspection History

9 inspection visits in the last three years, 56 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

May 21, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
  • Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionPast Non-Compliance

Oct 2, 2025Fire Safety StandardHealth ComplaintHealth Standard12 citations
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity J of L: immediate jeopardy, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jul 21, 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 Oct 1, 2025

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 25, 2025

  • Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 1, 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 E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 25, 2025

  • To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Oct 1, 2025

  • 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 Nov 25, 2025

  • 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 Nov 25, 2025

  • Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2025

  • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Oct 1, 2025

  • Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2025

  • Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2025

May 30, 2025Health Complaint2 citations
  • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

    Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 5, 2025

  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 12, 2025

Mar 13, 2025Health Complaint4 citations
  • 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 Mar 24, 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 Feb 14, 2025

  • Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 24, 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 Feb 14, 2025

Oct 31, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard13 citations
  • Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 7, 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 Nov 19, 2024

  • Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 2, 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 E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 13, 2024

  • Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 27, 2024

  • Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 2, 2025

  • Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 5, 2024

Aug 12, 2024Health Complaint2 citations
  • 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 Aug 20, 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, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Aug 20, 2024

May 14, 2024Health Complaint2 citations
  • Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 30, 2024

  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 30, 2024

Nov 2, 2023Health Complaint2 citations
  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Severity J of L: immediate jeopardy, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Nov 3, 2023

  • 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 Nov 3, 2023

Aug 21, 2023Fire Safety StandardHealth ComplaintHealth Standard18 citations
  • Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

    Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Sep 6, 2023

  • 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 Sep 14, 2023

  • 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 Sep 14, 2023

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • 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 Sep 14, 2023

  • 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, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • 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 Sep 14, 2023

  • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 6, 2023

  • Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 6, 2023

  • 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, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 6, 2023

  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 2023

  • Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 14, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does Bethany Lutheran Health Services offer?

Bethany Lutheran Health Services offers Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

How much does Bethany Lutheran Health Services cost?

Bethany Lutheran Health Services has not published its pricing. For context, communities in Council Bluffs that publish rates start around $4,125 per month at the median. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment selection, so contact the community for a quote.

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.

How did Bethany Lutheran Health Services do on recent health and safety inspections?

Bethany Lutheran Health Services had 9 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 56 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.

How can families visit Bethany Lutheran Health Services?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Bethany Lutheran Health Services and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

Work at Bethany Lutheran Health Services? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.

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