Northern Mahaska Specialty Care

Pros

• The environment at Northern Mahaska is beautiful and well-maintained.
• The majority of the food served is delicious, with three meals a day and snacks available.
• The staff members are caring and loving towards the residents.
• There are plenty of activities for residents to enjoy.
• The facility is very clean, providing a pleasant living space.
• Residents are treated with kindness by everyone at the facility.
• The large private room offers comfort and privacy for residents.

Cons

• The response time for assistance is often longer than advertised, with waits of 15 to 20 minutes reported.
• The staff leaves residents unattended in the bathroom, expecting them to remember to call for help, which is problematic for individuals with dementia.
• There was a concerning incident where the resident fell after being left alone without assistance.
• It appears that the facility may be understaffed, leading to delays in care.
• Despite the overall positive environment, there are significant concerns regarding timely support for residents with special needs.

Review

Northern Mahaska has garnered much praise from visitors, particularly for its beautiful environment and the caring nature of its staff. The facility is described as being very clean, which adds to the overall positive impression of the living conditions. The commitment to maintaining a pleasant atmosphere extends beyond just cleanliness; residents and their families appreciate that the facility offers a range of activities. This focus on keeping residents engaged contributes significantly to their quality of life.

One standout feature highlighted by family members is the food served at Northern Mahaska. Described as delicious about 90% of the time, meals appear to be well-thought-out and satisfying for most residents. Additionally, three meals are provided daily along with snacks, ensuring that nutritional needs are met while also offering some variety throughout the day. The dining experience seems to enhance residents’ enjoyment of their time in the facility, adding a touch of homeliness that many might miss.

However, not everything is perfect at Northern Mahaska. A significant concern raised relates to response times for assistance, particularly for individuals with specific care needs such as those suffering from incontinence or dementia. While potential new residents were informed during tours that response times would typically be around seven minutes, real-life experiences have shown that waits can extend from 15 to even 20 minutes before help arrives. This discrepancy in expected versus actual service can lead to distressing situations for both residents and their families.

A particular incident involving a resident struggling with dementia highlights this issue poignantly. Despite staff assurances regarding timely assistance when pressing call buttons for help, there have been instances where this expectation was not met. One alarming situation involved a resident who forgot how to summon aid after using the bathroom, leading her to attempt returning alone only to fall due to weakness in her knees upon reaching her bed. Such occurrences underscore concerns about staffing levels at Northern Mahaska; family members feel strongly that more personnel are needed on hand to provide consistent care and reassurance, especially for vulnerable individuals who may require extra support.

The communication between family members and nursing staff has been open; concerns regarding staffing and response times have been discussed with administrative personnel like the director of nursing. In conversations about operational standards in Iowa facilities, responses indicated that waiting up to 15 minutes is permissible—which raises alarms among families who advocate for quicker responses based on individual residents' unique needs for constant supervision given their health conditions.

Ultimately, while Northern Mahaska shines in several areas—cleanliness, food quality, range of activities offered, and loving staff—families wish for improvements in staffing ratios and efficiency when it comes to assisting residents needing immediate help. Ensuring every resident feels secure knowing they will receive timely attention could dramatically enhance their experiences within this warm community atmosphere they have established so well thus far. Balancing these strengths against pressing challenges remains vital as management changes evolve over time within such facilities dedicated to providing exceptional elder care.

Places of Worship

• St John Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• Oskaloosa Community Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (1.2 miles)
• Oskaloosa Central UMC (1.3 miles)
• Oskaloosa Community Church (1.3 miles)
• Lifehouse Community Church (1.4 miles)
• St James Episcopal Church (1.4 miles)
• First Baptist Church (1.5 miles)

Physicians

• Iowa Skin Clinic (1.3 miles)
• General Surgeons MHP (1.3 miles)
• Eric Miller, DO (1.3 miles)
• Concept By Iowa Hearing Aid Centers (1.4 miles)
• Pediatric & Young Adult Clinic (1.5 miles)
• Family EyeCare Center, PC (15.4 miles)
• Kayser Hearing Aid & Audiology (15.4 miles)

Parks

• Edmundson Park Oskaloosa Iowa (1.3 miles)
• City Square Park (1.4 miles)
• Edmundson Park (2.3 miles)
• Edmunson dog park (2.4 miles)
• Pella Recreation Commission (15.4 miles)
• Sunken Gardens Park (15.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Family Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Mahaska Health Partnership Home Health & Haspice S (1.3 miles)
• Mahaska Hospital Foundation (1.3 miles)
• Oskaloosa Foot Clinic (1.4 miles)
• New Sharon Medical Center-Mahaska Health Partnership (7.7 miles)
• Pella Regional Health Center (15.4 miles)
• Pella Regional Hospital (15.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Mahaska Drug (1.3 miles)
• Medicap Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Pella Regional Health Center Pharmacy (15.6 miles)

Cafes

• Scotters Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Smokey Row (1.4 miles)
• Julie's Homestyle Cafe (1.5 miles)
• Third Place Cafe (14.6 miles)
• Brew Coffee House (15.4 miles)
• Smokey Row Coffee (15.4 miles)
• Windmill Cafe (15.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Wendy's (1.4 miles)
• Hot Shotz (1.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.4 miles)
• Maid-Rite (1.4 miles)
• Klub House (1.4 miles)
• Chuong Garden (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• Fen's Hauling & Taxi Service (1.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (14.9 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (15.6 miles)

Theaters

• Penn Centre Theatre (1.5 miles)
• Capri Theater (10.7 miles)