Thorne Crest Retirement Center
Nursing Home Facility
1201 Garfield Avenue, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Greetings and a warm Minnesota welcome from Thorne Crest, an American Baptist Homes of the Midwest senior living community. Built in 1975, Thorne Crest Retirement Community has been serving Albert Lea and the surrounding area for over 35 years. This unique senior community reflects the cherished hometown values and beliefs of Albert Lea itself; a commitment to community, a dedication to service and caring for others.
Operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, which runs 8 communities in our directory.
With 52 beds, Thorne Crest Retirement Center is smaller than most nearby options, senior care communities in Albert Lea average about 101 beds. Smaller communities often mean more consistent day-to-day staffing and a calmer environment, while larger ones may have more specialized services on site. Which suits a particular person depends on the level of care needed.
Federal reporting puts occupancy at about 83% of its licensed beds.
Medicare rates this community 1 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Communities in Albert Lea average about 2.5 stars. 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 January 2026 and recorded 22 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 3.8 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 1.0 hours from a registered nurse. Communities in Albert Lea average about 4.2 hours. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 73%, which is high and can affect continuity of care.
The community is located in Freeborn County, MN.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 36 problems at Thorne Crest Retirement Center. 3 findings involved harm to a resident, including 2 that put residents in immediate danger. 13 came from investigating complaints by residents or families.
In the last three years Medicare fined this home once, a total of $43,082.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
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Caused harm to a resident, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Infection Control
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
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.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Nursing and Physician Services
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Pharmacy Service
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Show 14 more
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Infection Control
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Environmental
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
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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.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
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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.
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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.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
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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.
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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
Pharmacy Service
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
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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.
Thorne Crest Retirement Center offers assisted living, nursing home care, independent living, continuing care (CCRC), retirement living, respite care, and senior living.
Facility details
- Organization type Non profit - Church related
- Beds / units 52
- Religious affiliation Church Based
- Occupancy 83%
- Nursing hours per resident/day 3.8
- Annual staff turnover 73%
- Last health inspection January 2026
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Thorne Crest Retirement Center yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.