Salem Lutheran Home
2027 College Avenue, Elk Horn, IA 51531
Salem Lutheran Homes is the mission of 14 congregations that was founded as a not-for-profit corporation in 1932. The Rev. Anders Hansen, pastor of Elk Horn Lutheran Church, saw the need for senior care for people without family members capable of caring for them. A gift of $3,000 started the project. Today we provide a variety of care and services to meet the changing needs of seniors.
Operated by Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, which runs 230 communities in our directory.
Salem Lutheran Home is licensed for 64 beds, about typical for the area, where senior care communities in Shelby County average about 58 beds.
Federal reporting puts occupancy at about 75% of its licensed beds. That is below the Shelby County average of roughly 84%.
Medicare rates this community 1 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. The individual scores differ noticeably: 4 stars for staffing against 1 star for health inspections, so it is worth reading both before deciding. Its most recent standard health inspection was in June 2025 and recorded 17 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 3.9 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.6 hours from a registered nurse. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 63%, which is high and can affect continuity of care.
The community is located in Shelby County, IA.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 46 problems at Salem Lutheran Home. 3 findings involved harm to a resident. 16 came from investigating complaints by residents or families.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
-
Caused harm to a resident, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Nursing and Physician Services
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Show 9 more
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident 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.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
-
Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Infection Control
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
A citation on its own does not mean poor care, and most are corrected within weeks. What matters most is how serious the findings were and whether the same problems keep coming back. When you visit, it is fair to ask the administrator what inspectors found and what has changed since.
Salem Lutheran Home offers memory care, nursing home care, hospice care, and senior living.
Facility details
- Organization type Non profit - Other
- Beds / units 64
- Religious affiliation Lutheran
- Occupancy 75%
- Nursing hours per resident/day 3.9
- Annual staff turnover 63%
- Last health inspection June 2025
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Salem Lutheran Home yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.