Life Care Center of the Willows
1000 Elizabeth Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383 · (219) 464-4858
Government - County · 92 certified beds
Life Care Center of the Willows has a 1-star overall rating from Medicare, out of 5. Its last standard inspection, in January 2026, found 13 citations (the Indiana average is 7.2). It hasn't been fined in the last three years.
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. | ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars · Average |
How to read a nursing home's star ratings
Most recent health inspection
The standard health inspection on January 27, 2026 found 13 citations. What an inspection citation means
- Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.January 27, 2026 · F0921 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Many
- Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.January 27, 2026 · F0812 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.January 27, 2026 · F0550 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.January 27, 2026 · F0552 · 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.January 27, 2026 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.January 27, 2026 · F0684 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.January 27, 2026 · F0688 · 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.January 27, 2026 · F0689 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.January 27, 2026 · F0693 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.January 27, 2026 · F0695 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.January 27, 2026 · F0757 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.January 27, 2026 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.January 27, 2026 · F0881 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Complaint inspections, last three years
Inspections after complaints found 7 citations.
- Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.March 25, 2026 · F0677 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.December 4, 2025 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.September 29, 2025 · F0842 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.September 29, 2025 · F0921 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.March 15, 2024 · F0609 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.January 3, 2024 · F0677 · 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.January 3, 2024 · F0689 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Fines and payment denials
No fines or payment denials in the last three years.
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 | Indiana average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing | 3.45 | 3.69 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.56 | 0.67 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 0.75 | 0.78 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aides | 2.14 | 2.24 | 2.32 |
| Total nursing staff turnover | 49.3% | 45.9% | 45.8% |
About this home
| Ownership | Government - County |
| Certified beds | 92 |
| Average residents per day | 66.4 |
| Inside a hospital | No |
| Continuing care retirement community | No |
Nursing homes nearby
- Life Care Center of Valparaiso Valparaiso · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- Brickyard Healthcare - Valparaiso Care Center Valparaiso · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
- Avalon Springs Health Campus Valparaiso · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
- Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation Valparaiso · ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars
- Addison Pointe Health & Rehabilitation Center Chesterton · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
Compare every nursing home in Valparaiso, IN · Nursing homes in Indiana · Home health agencies in Valparaiso, IN
Comparing nursing homes?
See whether help at home or assisted living fits better. Answer four questions and we'll suggest where to start: a medical alert, help at home, or assisted living.
Free for families. This isn't medical advice.
Care matcherStep 1 of 7
Who are you looking for help for?
Free for families. Your answers aren't saved.
Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from Life Care Center of the Willows on Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.