USA Healthcare Mason City

Pros

• The staff are wonderful, kind, and caring.
• The residents are amazing.
• The staff are friendly and residents seem well cared for.
• The facility is very clean and has great employees.
• There was a beautiful birthday party where everyone was nice and friendly.
• Good Shepherd supports the local emergency team by providing space on one of its buildings for a radio antenna used during emergencies.
• The staff are always very helpful and maintenance goes out of its way to ensure residents are cared for, contributing to overall safety.
• It is considered the best nursing facility in Mason City, Iowa.
• The transition from Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living to Good Shepherd was seamless, with furniture and personal items moved at no fee.
• Social Worker Kiley Logan went above and beyond to meet needs quickly and efficiently.

Cons

• The staff do not take care of people very well.
• The care provided was not impressive.
• There have been periods of questionable care over several years.
• Patients can be kept beyond the necessary length of stay.
• Showers were not promptly provided, with a patient waiting ten days.
• There is an accusation that Medicare is being abused for skilled nursing.
• A truck driver employed by the facility was on a cell phone and nearly hit someone.
• The reviewer would not have their mother return to the facility.
• The nursing staff did not meet expectations in assisting families.

Review

Good Shepherd emerges in these accounts as a place where warmth, daily care, and community life push through a wide range of experiences. Across several visits and stays, people describe the staff as wonderfully kind and caring, with visitors noting that the residents they were visiting seemed well taken care of. One observer characterized the staff as "Wonderful, kind, and caring," while another simply observed that "Their staff are friendly and the friend I was visiting seem well taken care of." The location itself also gets a nod from guests who appreciate its setting and convenience for family members who come to visit.

For many families, the most meaningful measure is how their loved ones are doing day to day. One reviewer shared that "My dad lives here. The staff is always friendly and helpful when it comes to catching up on him. Thank you to the wonderful staff!" There is a sense that the people who live there benefit from attentive staff who check in, share updates, and treat residents with kindness. In addition to ongoing attentiveness, several visitors note positive social moments - such as celebrating life events - like a "beautiful birthday party there," where everyone was "so nice and friendly." The overall impression in several entries is of a clean, well-kept environment with employees who take pride in their work.

Yet not every experience aligns with those very positive notes. A thread running through the reviews is that some residents and their families feel the care could be improved in certain areas. Phrases like "They don't take care of people very well" and "Nice people but need more help" point to concerns about staffing levels and the consistency of care. There are also sharper criticisms about specific incidents, including a claim that a staff member's truck driver was on the phone and almost caused an accident, underscoring worries about safety and professionalism. These sentences reflect real fears and frustrations that accompany the day-to-day realities of long-term care, even in facilities otherwise described with warmth.

Beyond individual anecdotes, several reviews highlight the facility's role in the broader community and its operational ethos. One reviewer notes that Good Shepherd "support[s] of local emergency team by providing space on one of their buildings for a radio antenna that is used during emergencies." This detail paints a picture of a campus that serves as more than just a residence; it is a local hub that contributes to safety and resilience. Another reviewer emphasizes that "Every time I call the staff is always very helpful," and that maintenance teams "go out of their way to make sure we are taken care of," which in turn "helps to keep the entire Community safe." The sense of a connected, responsive operation recurs as a point of pride for supporters.

Sustained praise is also directed at the facility's reputation and resilience. Claims such as "Best nursing Facility of mason city iowa" appear alongside assurances that, "Regardless of all the negative going on about good Shepherd lately due to covid-19 I love it there and for the most part everyone there is very very friendly." These lines underline a belief that, despite broader challenges, the core culture remains compassionate and welcoming, with many staff members who consistently demonstrate care and courtesy.

There are equally vivid accounts of positive transitions and dedicated staff members who go above and beyond. One family describes a particularly smooth move from another community - "I recently moved a family member into Good Shepherd from Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living and was extremely impressed with the seamless transition." They add that furnishings and personal items were moved "at no fee," a kindness that relieved a lot of stress. Importantly, Social Worker Kiley Logan is singled out for going "above and beyond to make sure that all our needs were met quickly and efficiently." Such testimonials showcase the kind of thorough, person-centered support that many families hope to find in a facility.

Other entries highlight long-tenured employees and a culture of caring that persists even amid the inevitable busy days. One remark - "Mother-In-Law works, for 20 sum years here lots of friendly folks in this here wrinkle ranch" - speaks to continuity and familiarity that can be both comforting and reassuring for families. Another says, "The staff cares so much for each patient. They can't be everywhere all of the time but when they show up...so sweet," capturing a common sentiment: genuine care is evident when it's present, even if resource constraints sometimes limit what can be done in the moment. Together, these perspectives sketch a landscape in which dedicated, kindhearted staff strive to balance compassion with the practical demands of running a skilled nursing or assisted-living operation.

Taken as a whole, the collection of experiences at Good Shepherd reveals a facility with many strengths: friendly and caring staff, clean and welcoming surroundings, meaningful social moments for residents, and a notable commitment to the wider community and emergency services. At the same time, it does not shy away from acknowledging real challenges - occasional lapses in care, demands on staff, and specific incidents that have left families frustrated. The mix of glowing praises, practical praises, and pointed criticisms suggests a complex, lived reality: a place where many residents and families find warmth, connection, and dependable support, but where ongoing attention to staffing, communication, and care protocols remains essential to ensure consistently high-quality experience for every resident and every family member.

This part of Mason City, Iowa, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities that would be beneficial for senior living. With multiple pharmacies located within close proximity, access to healthcare services is easily accessible. Additionally, there are reputable physicians and hospitals nearby for any medical needs. The area also boasts a variety of restaurants offering different dining options, as well as cafes for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. For outdoor recreation, there are parks nearby where seniors can enjoy nature walks or spend time with their pets at the dog park. Places of worship are also readily available for spiritual fulfillment. Transportation services such as cab companies and rental trucks make getting around town convenient. Lastly, if seniors are looking to catch a movie or enjoy some entertainment, there are theaters within a short drive from the area. Overall, this part of Mason City provides a well-rounded community with essential services and amenities for comfortable senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• Mercy Family Pharmacies (0.3 miles)
• Houck Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• HyVee Wine and Spirits (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• MercyOne Westside Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Mercy Family Pharmacy-Westside (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Mason City Clinic Imaging Service (0.2 miles)
• Radiologists Of North Iowa (0.2 miles)
• North Iowa Anesthesia Associates PC (0.2 miles)
• Mercy Vascular Center (0.2 miles)
• Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center (0.3 miles)
• MercyOne Forest Park Imaging (0.3 miles)
• Mercy Family Clinic-Forest Park (0.3 miles)

Restaurants

• KFC (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Daniel Mumby (0.5 miles)
• Burke's Bar & Grill (0.6 miles)
• Pete's Kitchen (0.6 miles)
• Burger King (0.6 miles)
• Gyro Hut (0.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Family Healthline (0.3 miles)
• Anchor Family Health Center (1.2 miles)
• MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center West (2.2 miles)
• North Iowa Mercy Health Center - West Campus (2.2 miles)
• Mercy Family Care Center (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Parkers Woods (0.6 miles)
• Mason City Dog Park (1.6 miles)
• Prairie Playground (1.9 miles)
• East Park Mason City Ia (1.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Harvestime Church (0.7 miles)
• Adas Israel Synagogue (1 miles)
• Holy Family Catholic Church (1.1 miles)
• First Baptist Church (1.2 miles)
• Fifth Street Church of Christ (1.2 miles)
• North Iowa Catholic Youth Community (1.3 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Suzie-Q Cafe (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)

Transportation

• Budget Truck Rental (1.2 miles)
• K C Cab (1.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.5 miles)

Theaters

• Cinema West (2.6 miles)
• Cinema West (2.6 miles)