Ria Madden
Jun 2026
Love staying at LCC of Willows. The staff where great and attentive and took excellent care of me.
1 / 5Quick Facts
- Total units
- 92
- Medicare rating
- 1 of 5
- Ownership
- Government, County
- Certified beds
- 92
- Inspections
- View history (81 citations)
- Specialized care
- Offers Closed Pulse Irrigation wound care and VitalStim therapy
- Nearby hospital
- Minutes from Porter Health Care System locations
- Rehab services
- Provides both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
CMS Care Compare
What Families Think
Reviews for Life Care Center of the Willows are largely positive, praising the friendliness and dedication of nursing and therapy staff, though a couple of reports raise serious concerns about staffing levels and cleanliness. Families note strong physical therapy support and generally good communication, but experiences appear to vary from patient to patient.
The Good
- Staff described as friendly, attentive, and caring
- Physical therapists explain exercises clearly to families
- Speech therapy helped a patient regain speech and eating ability
- One family praised cleanliness and a homey atmosphere
- Reassuring communication about resident's care and progress
The Bad
- One report of severe understaffing affecting basic care needs
- One report described the facility as unclean at admission
- One family had difficulty reaching the resident's doctor for updates
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Life Care Center of the Willows is a senior living community in Valparaiso, Indiana offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Gathering / Activity Spaces, Housekeeping and Laundry Service. Families rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 83 reviews.
About Life Care Center of the Willows
Life Care Center of the Willows is a skilled nursing home and rehabilitation facility in Valparaiso, Indiana, offering 24-hour skilled nursing care along with inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services.
The community provides specialized treatments including Closed Pulse Irrigation wound care, VitalStim therapy, and orthopedic rehabilitation. An in-house team of therapists and nurses develops personalized care plans for each patient and resident, tailored to their individual needs and goals.
Located in a cozy part of town, Life Care Center of the Willows is situated minutes away from Porter Health Care System locations and the area's shopping and entertainment options.
Types of Care at Life Care Center of the Willows
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Amenities
Room Amenities
- Emergency Call System
- Private Bathroom
- Private Rooms
- Wheelchair Accessible
Meals & Dining
- Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)
Community Amenities
- 24-Hour Staff
- Gathering / Activity Spaces
- Housekeeping
- Laundry Service
- Medication Management
- On-Site Nurse (RN)
- Security
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Help Me ChooseReviews of Life Care Center of the Willows
4.4overall · 83 ratings combined
4.4★ on Google (83)
ROSEMARIE YAGELSKI
May 2026
Best therapy ever
David Flores
May 2026
Nice staff and clean
Colin Laviolette
May 2026
Lots of mixed reviews on this place so i felt this was a necessary post . Let me start by saying that every medical facility/hospital/office is understaffed ,period .with that being said , My father has a short stay here to complete some PT. We are there with him daily multiple times. Not once have i ran into any of the situations referenced in the poor reviews . Not saying they didn’t happen, BUT i am saying it’s usually a one off situation. The nurses and staff are some of the most hospitable people around. They care . They remember. They show up. My dad has his marbles still (most of them at least) and he said he is enjoying the help in physical therapy and all staff helping him are great. They talk to him while we walk the hallways and ask quick check up questions in passing , even tho they are in route to another task. They answer the call button before he can even tell me what he was calling for . The staff is all smiles , always . They ALWAYS introduce themselves to my family when we visit him. And make sure we also understand and Dont have any questions before they leave . The physical therapist is nothing short of a personal trainer , very patient and calm while also providing physical and emotional support to push them to where they need to be . Not pushy and over the top to get the job done .
Diane krzanowsky
Oct 2025
Every employee in the facility is amazing! They are always smiling, helpful and friendly. Thank you for all you do!
Government Inspection History
7 inspection visits in the last three years, 81 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Mar 25, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 10, 2026
Jan 27, 2026Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard36 citations
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Establish emergency prep training and testing.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Develop a communication plan.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 2, 2026
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 20, 2026
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 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 23, 2026
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 23, 2026
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 23, 2026
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 Feb 20, 2026
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 23, 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 Feb 20, 2026
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 Feb 20, 2026
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 2026
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 Feb 20, 2026
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 Feb 20, 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.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 2026
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, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 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.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 2026
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 2026
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 20, 2026
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 23, 2026
Dec 4, 2025Health Complaint1 citation
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025Health Complaint2 citations
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Oct 24, 2025
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 Oct 24, 2025
Nov 13, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard14 citations
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 12, 2025
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 12, 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 Jan 12, 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 Jan 12, 2025
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 12, 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 Jan 12, 2025
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 12, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 6, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 6, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 6, 2024
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, isolatedCorrected Dec 6, 2024
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 6, 2024
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 12, 2025
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 6, 2024
Mar 15, 2024Health Complaint1 citation
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 Apr 11, 2024
Jan 3, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth ComplaintHealth Standard26 citations
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Have corridors or aisles that are unobstructed and are at least 8 feet in width.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 14, 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 Feb 14, 2024
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 14, 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 Feb 1, 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 Feb 1, 2024
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.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 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 Feb 1, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
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, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 1, 2024
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 14, 2024
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 Life Care Center of the Willows offer?
Life Care Center of the Willows offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Where is Life Care Center of the Willows located?
Life Care Center of the Willows is located at 1000 Elizabeth Dr in Valparaiso, Indiana.
What do families say about Life Care Center of the Willows?
Reviews for Life Care Center of the Willows are largely positive, praising the friendliness and dedication of nursing and therapy staff, though a couple of reports raise serious concerns about staffing levels and cleanliness. Families note strong physical therapy support and generally good communication, but experiences appear to vary from patient to patient.
How did Life Care Center of the Willows do on recent health and safety inspections?
Life Care Center of the Willows had 7 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 81 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 Life Care Center of the Willows?
Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Life Care Center of the Willows and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.
Work at Life Care Center of the Willows? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.
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