megan summerlin
Dec 2025
Grandma gets excellent care. Thank you!!
Southern Hills Specialty Care
444 North West View Drive3.8(24 ratings)
Part of Care Initiatives · 43 communities · 3.6★ average
1 / 5Quick Facts
- Medicare rating
- 3 of 5
- Ownership
- Non profit, Corporation
- Certified beds
- 90
- Inspections
- View history (18 citations)
- Operator
- Run by nonprofit Care Initiatives, statewide nonprofit provider
- Licensed capacity
- Licensed for up to 90 residents
- Staff size
- More than 100 staff members on site
- Rehab services
- On-site rehab therapy for short- or long-term recovery
CMS Care Compare
What Families Think
Reviews of Southern Hills Specialty Care are sharply divided: many families praise the compassionate, attentive staff and cleanliness, while several others report serious lapses in monitoring, hygiene, and communication. Overall it holds a 3.8 rating from a small pool of 24 reviews, reflecting this mix of strong personal care and troubling incidents.
The Good
- Staff described as loving and compassionate
- Facility kept clean, no 'nursing home smell'
- Regular, clear communication with families in several reviews
- Comfort-focused end-of-life care praised
- Long-term relationships with returning residents' families
The Bad
- Multiple reports of inadequate monitoring for wandering or exit-seeking residents
- One report of missed pneumonia diagnosis before hospital transfer
- One report of poor hygiene care and unexplained safety concerns
- Some families cite unclear or inconsistent answers from administration
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Southern Hills Specialty Care is a senior living community in Osceola, Iowa offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 3.8 out of 5 across 24 reviews.
About Southern Hills Specialty Care
Southern Hills Specialty Care is a skilled nursing and long-term care community located in Osceola, Iowa. It is licensed to serve up to 90 residents around the clock, drawing residents from Clarke County and surrounding areas.
The community offers both long-term and short-term care options for individuals experiencing chronic diseases or debilitating medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's or heart disease. Onsite rehabilitation therapy services are also available, using a variety of approaches tailored to each resident, whether for short-term recovery or ongoing long-term rehabilitation needs.
Southern Hills Specialty Care emphasizes an active and engaging quality of life for residents through daily programming, social and educational activities, and services designed to promote physical health, provide mental stimulation, and increase engagement in a home-like setting.
The community is staffed by more than 100 team members dedicated to providing compassionate, quality care alongside engaging activities meant to enhance residents' overall quality of life.
Southern Hills Specialty Care operates under Care Initiatives, a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 and recognized as Iowa's largest nonprofit provider of skilled nursing care. Care Initiatives operates 43 skilled nursing locations, two assisted living locations, seven independent living locations, and eight hospice offices across the Midwest.
Types of Care at Southern Hills Specialty Care
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Amenities
Room Amenities
- Cable or Satellite TV
- Emergency Call System
- Private Bathroom
- Private Rooms
- Wheelchair Accessible
Meals & Dining
- Restaurant style Dining Room
Community Amenities
- 24-Hour Staff
- Gathering / Activity Spaces
- Housekeeping
- Laundry Service
- Medication Management
- On-Site Nurse (RN)
- Security
Activities
- Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)
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Help Me ChooseReviews of Southern Hills Specialty Care
3.8overall · 24 ratings combined
3.8★ on Google (24)
Iliana D
Apr 2025
My grandma was placed here from Lantern Park Specialty Care in Coralville Iowa because my grandma had suffered a stroke causing dementia and to be wheelchair-bound. Compare to the Coralville location she was better taken care of here, well dressed everyday and didn’t smell of urine. She was here during Covid and weren’t able to have an in-person visit and the one time they did allow us to see her face to face we had to keep our distance. The staff were nice but didn’t interact much with them much. Because we lived in Iowa City and weren’t really able to see her in person due to Covid we decided to bring her home and take turns taking care of her. When we picked her up we noticed she had a cough but didn’t think much of it. When we were signing documents to release her she continued to cough a little more and had coughed up blood. I told them about it but the two ladies looked at each other and said they had called us about it. Our family is very close and communicative when it came to my grandmother, nobody had received report of this. She was very weak and when we got to Iowa City we decided to take her to the University of Iowa Hospital emergency department. They told us she had a few spots on her lungs, I can’t recall what else they found and no longer have access to her MyChart to pull up the medical report. It was very infuriating that they lied about contacting us, and should have had a provider check on her, especially if she was coughing up blood. When you place a family member in a facility like this you expect them to take care of them like their own. Very neglectful and would not recommend placing your loved one here.
Diana Nagel
Jan 2023
We could not ask for a better place for my son! Southern Hills Specialty Care is a down home, close knit, loving "family" staff! They are always on top of things, along with compassion and great care for our loved one! Highly recommend them and refer them to anyone looking for a Care Center that will give you peace of mind you're in good hands. Thank you so much for being our Guardian Angel over my son!
Robin Matherly
Jan 2023
The staff here are great! Super caring and hardworking.
Cristal Thomas
Jan 2023
I have had my grandma, Emma Myers and my mother -in-law, Karen Voshell both receive care at this facility at different stages in thier lives. Both received excellent care and the staff was amazing. I will continue to advocate for this facility. Without them I would have been lost. Thanks again!!!!!
Government Inspection History
5 inspection visits in the last three years, 18 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Aug 21, 2025Fire Safety StandardHealth ComplaintHealth Standard6 citations
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 21, 2025
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 25, 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 Aug 25, 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 Aug 25, 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, isolatedCorrected Aug 25, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 25, 2025
Apr 10, 2025Health Complaint1 citation
Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 11, 2025
Sep 12, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard4 citations
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 Sep 27, 2024
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 23, 2024
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Sep 19, 2024
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 30, 2024
May 2, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard6 citations
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 16, 2024
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 20, 2024
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 20, 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 May 16, 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 May 16, 2024
Use approved construction type or materials.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 16, 2024
Dec 12, 2023Health Complaint1 citation
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 30, 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 Southern Hills Specialty Care offer?
Southern Hills Specialty Care offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Where is Southern Hills Specialty Care located?
Southern Hills Specialty Care is located at 444 North West View Drive in Osceola, Iowa.
What do families say about Southern Hills Specialty Care?
Reviews of Southern Hills Specialty Care are sharply divided: many families praise the compassionate, attentive staff and cleanliness, while several others report serious lapses in monitoring, hygiene, and communication. Overall it holds a 3.8 rating from a small pool of 24 reviews, reflecting this mix of strong personal care and troubling incidents.
How did Southern Hills Specialty Care do on recent health and safety inspections?
Southern Hills Specialty Care had 5 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 18 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 Southern Hills Specialty Care?
Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Southern Hills Specialty Care and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.
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