The Cottages
1742 Main Street, Pella, IA 50219 · (641) 628-1244
Non profit - Corporation · 100 certified beds
The Cottages has a 1-star overall rating from Medicare, out of 5. Its last standard inspection, in August 2025, found 9 citations, 1 for actual harm or immediate jeopardy (the Iowa average is 6.5). It was fined 3 times in the last three years, $52,060 in all.
Medicare ratings
| Overall ratingStarts from the health inspection rating, then goes up or down a star for a 5-star or 1-star staffing or quality rating. | ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars · Much below average |
| Health inspectionsFrom the two most recent standard inspections and three years of complaint inspections, compared with other homes in the same state. | ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars · Much below average |
| Quality measuresFrom 15 measures of how residents do, such as falls with major injury, pressure ulcers, hospital stays and getting home after a short stay. | ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars · Above average |
| StaffingFrom payroll records of nurse hours per resident, adjusted for how much care residents need, and staff turnover. | ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars · Above average |
How to read a nursing home's star ratings
Most recent health inspection
The standard health inspection on August 25, 2025 found 9 citations. What an inspection citation means
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.August 25, 2025 · F0689 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.August 25, 2025 · F0605 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.August 25, 2025 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.August 25, 2025 · F0695 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.August 25, 2025 · F0755 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.August 25, 2025 · F0759 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.August 25, 2025 · F0760 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.August 25, 2025 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.August 25, 2025 · F0883 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Complaint inspections, last three years
Inspections after complaints found 8 citations.
- Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.June 4, 2026 · F0550 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.June 4, 2026 · F0689 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.November 25, 2025 · F0600 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.November 25, 2025 · F0609 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.August 25, 2025 · F0689 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.August 25, 2025 · F0755 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.February 24, 2025 · F0689 · Level of harm: Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety · Residents affected: Some
- Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.May 16, 2024 · F0677 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Fines and payment denials
- Fine of $12,006June 4, 2026
- Fine of $26,800August 25, 2025
- Fine of $13,254February 24, 2025
Nurse staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, as the home reports them to Medicare through payroll records.
| Hours per resident per day | This home | Iowa average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing | 4.18 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.92 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 0.63 | 0.56 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aides | 2.63 | 2.52 | 2.32 |
| Total nursing staff turnover | 50% | 44% | 45.8% |
About this home
| Ownership | Non profit - Corporation |
| Certified beds | 100 |
| Average residents per day | 87 |
| Inside a hospital | No |
| Continuing care retirement community | Yes |
Nursing homes nearby
- West Ridge Specialty Care Knoxville · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
- Accura Healthcare of Knoxville, LLC Knoxville · ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars
- Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville, LLC Pleasantville · ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars
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Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from The Cottages on Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.