The Highlands

Continuing care retirement community · Winneshiek · IA · Non profit - Corporation · 86 certified beds · CCN 165178 · AASE HAUGEN HOMES, INC.


The Highlands operates 86 certified beds in Decorah, Iowa. Its Medicare and Medicaid certification dates to 1993-01-01. It averages 75.4 residents a day.

What harm was found in the violations cited at The Highlands?

CMS lists 28 health-inspection deficiencies for The Highlands, all of them in the three years to 2026-08-01: the highest scope-and-severity letter on record is J; the most recent health inspection was 2026-06-18.

Survey dateTagDeficiencySeverity
2026-06-18F0689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.D
2025-09-23F0550, F0923Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. / Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.E
2025-06-12F0582, F0943Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. / Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.D
2025-06-12F0641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.B
2024-12-09F0684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.J
2024-09-25F0580, F0684Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. / Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.D
2024-07-25F0689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.G
2024-07-25F0800, F0802, F0812Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs. / Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service. / Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.E
2024-07-25F0644, F0684Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. / Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.D
2024-07-25F0801Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.C
2024-02-07F0689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.G
2024-02-07F0550, F0584, F0641, F0658, F0677Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. / Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. / Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. / Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. / Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.D
2023-09-18F0880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.E
2023-09-18F0550, F0578, F0656, F0684Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. / Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive. / Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. / Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.D
2023-09-18F0582Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.B

Why was The Highlands fined 2 times?

DateTypeAmount
2024-12-09Fine$50,211
2024-07-25Fine$43,628

Has The Highlands had payment denied by Medicare?

Payment denial startLength in days
2024-08-2110

How is The Highlands staffed?

MeasureThis facilityIA average
Total nurse staffing hours per resident per day3.898963.81506
Total nursing staff turnover (%)53.344.0
Average number of residents per day75.452.4

Who owns The Highlands?

The Highlands is registered with CMS as Non profit - Corporation, operates under the legal business name AASE HAUGEN HOMES, INC.

RoleOwnerAssociation date
W-2 MANAGING EMPLOYEEBJELLAND, SUSAN, ELSBERND, NANCYsince 02/22/2010
CORPORATE DIRECTORSCHMIDT, JEFFREYsince 05/20/2013
OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLCONTINUUM HEALTH CARE SERVICES LLCsince 01/17/2013

Were you or a family member harmed at The Highlands?