Northgate Care Center

    960 4th St NW, Waukon, IA, 52172
    3.0 · 5 reviews
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    2.0

    Unprofessional staff, some helpful programs

    I lived here and had a mixed experience. Too many staff were rude, lazy, and unprofessional-ignoring training and safety (often not wearing masks), not returning calls or even hanging up, and I was not paid for hours I worked; the place was short-staffed, rooms small, and bathroom waits long. On the plus side a few caregivers worked hard, the food was good, and transportation, exercise and therapy programs were helpful.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    3.00 · 5 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      2.0
    • Staff

      1.7
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      3.0
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Good food
    • Hard-working staff
    • Transportation to hospital
    • Exercise programs
    • Therapy services
    • Some caring/good staff

    Cons

    • Unprofessional behavior
    • Poor communication (not returning or hanging up on calls)
    • Payroll issues / unpaid hours
    • Failure to follow infection-control (not wearing masks)
    • Staff not following guidelines or training
    • Short staffing
    • Long waits for bathroom assistance
    • Small rooms
    • Rude or lazy staff

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the reviews is mixed but leans toward concern. Several concrete positives are repeatedly mentioned: residents receive good food, there are exercise programs and therapy services available, and the facility provides transportation to the hospital when needed. Multiple reviewers also specifically called out hard-working or good staff members, indicating that there are employees who provide solid direct care and support. These service-level strengths (dining, rehab/therapy, and transport) appear to be consistent bright spots across the feedback.

    However, significant and recurring problems dominate much of the commentary. Communication and professionalism are major areas of concern: reviewers reported that phone calls were not returned, staff sometimes hung up on callers, and some interactions were described as unprofessional. There are direct allegations of payroll problems (employees not being paid for hours worked), which is a serious operational and legal concern and contributes to distrust from staff and possibly families. Alongside these administrative complaints are multiple allegations that staff are not following required guidelines or training, including failure to wear masks to protect residents — an infection-control lapse that is particularly alarming in a senior care setting.

    Staffing and quality-of-care issues are tightly linked in the reviews. Reported short staffing appears to be contributing to longer response times and gaps in basic care, with long waits for bathroom assistance cited explicitly. Some reviewers called staff lazy or rude, while others praised hard-working caregivers; this contradiction suggests uneven staff performance and potential morale or management problems. Short staffing combined with inconsistent adherence to protocols likely exacerbates both resident experience and staff frustration.

    Facility-related comments are fewer but still notable: rooms were described as small, which may affect resident comfort and privacy. Despite space limitations, the availability of therapy and exercise programs is a positive counterbalance, indicating that residents have access to restorative services. Dining quality was consistently praised, which is an important component of daily life and resident satisfaction.

    Management and oversight emerge as central themes tying the negative feedback together. The combination of poor communication, unprofessional behavior, payroll complaints, noncompliance with training, and infection-control failures points to weaknesses in leadership, enforcement of policies, and human-resources practices. These systemic issues can undermine otherwise competent caregiving staff and the facility's strengths in food and therapeutic services.

    In summary, reviewers identify meaningful positives — notably good food, therapy and exercise offerings, hospital transportation, and several dedicated staff members — but these are overshadowed by patterns of administrative and operational failure. Key areas for improvement based on the reviews are reliable communication with families and employees, ensuring staff are paid and treated fairly, enforcing infection-control and training protocols (including mask use), and addressing staffing levels to reduce long waits and uneven care. Without attention to those management and staffing issues, the facility risks continued inconsistent care experiences despite having some strong service elements.

    Location

    Map showing location of Northgate Care Center

    About Northgate Care Center

    Northgate Care Center is a well-established care facility that is dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to its residents. The center offers a range of services to meet the individual needs of each resident, including skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, and memory care. With a team of compassionate and experienced caregivers, Northgate Care Center ensures that all residents receive personalized care in a warm and welcoming environment.

    At Northgate Care Center, residents can enjoy a comfortable and safe living environment with access to a variety of amenities and activities. The center features spacious rooms, nutritious meals, and recreational programs designed to promote social interaction and overall well-being. Whether residents are participating in group activities or simply relaxing in their rooms, Northgate Care Center strives to create a supportive and engaging atmosphere for all.

    The skilled nursing care provided at Northgate Care Center focuses on meeting the medical and emotional needs of residents with compassion and expertise. The facility is equipped to handle a variety of medical conditions and disabilities, with a team of skilled nurses and healthcare professionals on staff around the clock. Residents can rest assured that they are receiving high-quality care and attention at Northgate Care Center, allowing them to live comfortably and confidently.

    In addition to skilled nursing care, Northgate Care Center offers rehabilitation therapy services to help residents regain strength, mobility, and independence after illness or injury. The center's team of therapists work closely with residents to create personalized treatment plans that address their specific needs and goals. Through individualized therapy sessions and ongoing support, Northgate Care Center helps residents on their journey to recovery and improved quality of life.

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