Iowa City Rehab-Health Care

Pros

• The staff were amazing, very caring, and took the time to get to know the patient.
• The facility was tidier than before and kept clean, including the rooms and bathrooms.
• The care plan conference was welcoming and professional.
• The food was good.
• Physical therapy did wonders and helped restore strength, mobility, and confidence.
• The therapy staff explained what was being done and was available to provide assistance.
• The social services director and office staff helped plan how the patient would get home and arranged in-home care.
• The staff were consistently described as helpful, compassionate, and going above and beyond.
• The facility's collaboration with hospitals and hospice to fulfill a dying wish was deeply appreciated.

Cons

• They warned others not to send loved ones to the facility, calling it a "hell hole."
• They stated they would give the place a lower rating than any other.
• They described it as a death trap that needs to be shut down.
• They reported that no one would answer the phone, making communication impossible.
• They described the building as in disrepair, old, and unupdated - like a 1970s rest home.
• They recounted near-death experiences and infections due to neglect, including amputation.
• They claimed a family member received better treatment in a maximum-security prison than here.
• They criticized the staff as unprofessional and noted phone attendants mocked callers.
• They called it the worst nursing home ever.
• They described it as filthy, with a urine odor and poor cleaning.

Review

The collection of words about Iowa City Rehab and Health Care Center paints a portrait of a facility that elicits wildly divergent experiences. On the one hand, a recent August 2025 visit described the site as tidier than it had been in years, with staff who were welcoming, helpful, and informative. The person praising the place highlighted a care plan conference that felt warm and attentive, and noted that the building, while old, did not get in the way of excellent care. The writer spoke highly of the father's experience: staff who truly got to know him, demonstrated patience with his limited speech, ensured his needs and desires were met, and supported him through what was described as a meaningful physical therapy program. Food was praised as well, and the overall impression was of a facility that had found its footing and was delivering compassionate, professional care.

Another thread through the accounts is the sense that individual staff members can make a profound difference. Several reviews emphasize how certain CNAs, nurses, therapists, and social workers went above and beyond. One reader singled out therapists and caregivers who took time to explain therapy, acknowledge progress, and provide steady support; another described therapy helping a loved one regain mobility and independence. There is also gratitude for social services staff who helped arrange home care and for moments when the facility came through in special ways - such as coordinating with hospitals and hospice to fulfill a dying friend's wish to be with his wife. Taken together, these threads suggest that many of the people inside the building are genuinely committed to residents' well-being.

But the stories also contain stark warnings and harsh crises, offering a completely different picture. A number of reviewers recount years of chaos, anger, and neglect that left families feeling unsafe and frustrated. They describe a building that felt disorganized or rundown, with frequent yelling between patients and staff, and even accounts of staff looking exhausted or disengaged. Some reviews recount what they perceived as improper medical procedures, resistance to facilitating timely transfers, and moments of emotional distress for family members who felt they could not leave a loved one there. A particularly strong voice warned others not to send anyone they love to the facility, calling it a "hell hole" and a "death trap." The fear and anger in these passages are hard to ignore, underscoring a history that many readers found deeply troubling.

Concerns about safety and upkeep appear repeatedly as well. Several reviewers described a facility that felt unsafe or poorly maintained: old, disrepair-prone construction; strong odors; rotting wood; open gaps in the structure; and even reports of live rats near important entrances. Some wrote of alarming incidents that allegedly occurred under the facility's watch, including a window detaching and causing harm to a patient, and warnings that a patient had developed serious infections that were inadequately handled. The tone in these comments ranges from alarm to outright condemnation, with a chorus urging state intervention or even shutdown to protect residents.

Interwoven with praise and alarm are candid assessments of management and staffing. A recurring theme is the belief that the quality of care varied dramatically with who happened to be working and which leadership was in charge. Some reviewers fault the company's motives, alleging that the owners focus on profits, staffing levels, and cost-cutting measures at the expense of patient care. They argue that even if there are caring, capable workers on the ground, the environment is undermined by decisions at higher levels that overwork staff and underpay them, making compassionate, consistent care hard to sustain. Others acknowledge these frustrations but still point to dedicated individuals who persevere despite systemic challenges.

Despite the downsides, there are moments of hope and humanity that recur in several stories. For families who experienced improvement, the facility offered genuine relief: a caregiver who listened, a therapy team that explained and celebrated progress, and social services that helped chart a path home. The difference between the positive and negative experiences often seemed to hinge on personal interactions and the day-to-day dynamics between staff and residents more than on one single policy or practice. The personal touch - the willingness to sit with a resident, to communicate clearly with families, to coordinate with outside providers - appears to be what saves some residents from the heavier frustrations described elsewhere.

Taken as a whole, these accounts reveal a facility where care is a mosaic of warmth and strain, dedication and fatigue, competence and neglect. For some families, Iowa City Rehab and Health Care Center represents a capable, compassionate place where staff members make a tangible, positive difference in the lives of their loved ones. For others, the same environment has become a source of fear, disappointment, and outrage, with serious questions raised about safety, maintenance, and accountability. The contrast is stark: moments of human connection and professional excellence sit alongside perceptions of chaos, neglect, and danger, leaving prospective families with a complicated picture that begs thorough, independent review and clear priorities for improvement.

This particular area of Iowa City, Iowa offers a variety of convenient amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and well-connected neighborhood. With multiple physicians' offices, pharmacies, and hospitals located within a short distance, residents can easily access healthcare services when needed. Additionally, there are several reputable restaurants and cafes nearby for enjoyable dining experiences. The presence of parks like Scott Park and Creekside Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Moreover, the close proximity to the Sycamore Cinema and FilmScene at The Chauncey offers entertainment options for those interested in movies. Overall, this area boasts a balance of essential services, recreational activities, and cultural attractions suitable for senior living.

Physicians

• Ui Health Care (0.2 miles)
• Peak Performance Chiropractic (0.8 miles)
• Iowa City Dermatology (1.3 miles)
• Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center (1.3 miles)
• Urologic Associates of Iowa City PC (1.3 miles)
• Sleep Center Of Iowa City (1.4 miles)
• Facial Rejuvenation Center (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Short's Burgers Eastside (0.2 miles)
• BlackStone (0.3 miles)
• Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon (1.4 miles)
• Los Agaves Mexican Grill (1.6 miles)
• Jimmy John's (1.7 miles)
• 2 Dogs Pub (2.3 miles)
• Deluxe Cakes & Pastries (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Pharmacy Matters (0.8 miles)
• Pharmacy Matters Ltc (1.2 miles)
• Drug Town (1.2 miles)
• Hy-Vee Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Quality Associates (2.7 miles)

Parks

• Scott Park (1.1 miles)
• Creekside Park (2 miles)
• Weatherby Park (3.2 miles)
• Riverfront Crossings Park (3.2 miles)
• Lower City Park (3.3 miles)
• Thornberry Off Leash Dog Park (3.8 miles)
• Terry Trueblood Recreation Area (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Iowa City Family Practice Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Mercy Services Iowa City (2.6 miles)
• Mercy Hospital (2.6 miles)
• PICU University Of Iowa Childrens Hospital (3.6 miles)
• 4JPEast (3.6 miles)
• University Of Iowa Hospital Neurosurgery Department (3.7 miles)
• Uihc-Department of Otolaryngology (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Java House (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Sidekick Coffee And Books (4.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.5 miles)

Theaters

• Sycamore Cinema Iowa City, Ia (2.5 miles)
• FilmScene at The Chauncey (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• First United Methodist Church (2.8 miles)

Transportation

• Iowa City Municipal Airport (3.9 miles)