Melrose Meadows Retirement Community
Assisted Living & Independent Living · Iowa City, IA

Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

Assisted Living & Independent Living · Iowa City, IA

Overview of Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

Located in the heart of Iowa City, Melrose Meadows Retirement Community stands as a welcoming haven for seniors seeking assisted living. Offering a range of private senior apartments, this community provides a sanctuary where residents are free from the burdens of upkeep and monotony. With a reputation that shines brightly over the years, Melrose Meadows prides itself on transparency in its fee structure and offers a blend of independent and assisted living facilities.

Its strategic proximity to the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics ensures seamless access to world-class healthcare, supported by a dedicated on-site staff available around the clock. Amidst the vibrant energy of Iowa City, Melrose Meadows Retirement Community thrives as a place where seniors experience a fulfilling and supportive environment. Thoughtfully designed spaces create a sense of warmth and comfort, encouraging residents to embrace life to the fullest.

Bed community size
52-bed community Rank #252 / 407Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 252nd out of 407 homes in Iowa for Bed Count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Iowa facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.
Years in operation
24 years in operation Rank #98 / 282Years in operation — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 98th out of 282 homes in Iowa for Years In Operation. Shows how long this facility has been in operation compared to other Iowa facilities. Longer operating histories may benefit residents, families, and staff.Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 23 / 100 Rank #405 / 528Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 405th out of 528 homes in Iowa for Walk Score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across Iowa facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Rankings are based only on facilities in Iowa that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
BBB Rating
BBB Rating: A+ (Accredited)
An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate
58%
Lower than the Iowa average: 75.4%
Occupied beds
30 / 52
Average occupied beds in Iowa homes 51 beds

License Details

Facility TypeAssisted Living Programs
StatusActive
IssuanceOctober 23, 2002
ExpirationOctober 23, 2026
CountyJohnson
License NumberS0159
Year Opened10/23/2002

Ownership & Operating Entity

Melrose Meadows Retirement Community is administered by Jody Thomas.

Staffing

Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.

Leadership

ContactJody Thomas, Executive Director (per BBB, record updated Jun 2026)

Staffing & Medical

1 service
24-Hour Staffing

Contact Information

Fax3192481183

Amenities & Lifestyle

Maintenance-Free Living
Social Opportunities
Delicious Dining Options
Touring HoursMonday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Contact Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

Inspection History

In Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducts unannounced health and safety surveys to monitor compliance and protect residents in long-term care settings.

Since 2003 · 23 years of data 18 deficiencies 14 inspections

Inspection Scorecard Info This scorecard compares key inspection, deficiency, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Iowa state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Since 2003 vs. Iowa state average
Overall vs. IA average 0 Worse No metrics in this bucket. 3 Better Metrics better than Iowa average:
• Total deficiencies (33% below)
• Deficiencies per year (33% below)
• Deficiencies per inspection (28% below)
Latest Inspection June 30, 2025

Deficiencies Info Deficiencies are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.

This FacilityIA Averagevs. IA Avg
Total deficiencies Info Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types. 1827 This facility has 33% fewer total deficiencies than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (18 vs. IA avg 27).↓ 33% better
Deficiencies per year Info Average deficiencies per year since 2003. 0.81.2 This facility has 33% fewer deficiencies per year than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (0.8 vs. IA avg 1.2).↓ 33% better
Deficiencies per inspection Info Average deficiencies per inspection. 1.31.8 This facility has 28% fewer deficiencies per inspection than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (1.3 vs. IA avg 1.8).↓ 28% better

Inspections Info State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.

This FacilityIA Averagevs. IA Avg
Total inspections Info Combined count of all routine and focused inspections. Excludes complaint investigations. 1415 This facility has had 7% fewer total inspections than the Iowa average (14 vs. IA avg 15). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 7% fewer

Inspection Reports Summary Info An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.

  • The most recent inspection on June 30, 2025, found no regulatory insufficiencies during the Assisted Living Program recertification visit.
  • The December 11, 2018 inspection cited three deficiencies related to inadequate staff training and incomplete service plans that failed to reflect tenant needs.
  • A substantiated complaint investigation on May 25, 2017, found service plans were not individualized or updated for multiple tenants, affecting care accuracy and responsiveness.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed

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Room Sizes: 385 / 526 / 608 - 627 / 771 / 845 sq. ft

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Care cost icon
Care cost icon

Care Cost

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Managed by Jody Thomas, RN

Executive Director

Jody Thomas, RN, serves as the Executive Director at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community. Recognized as the 2015 Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Assisted Living Association, Jody brings dedicated leadership and a commitment to wellness and quality care for residents.

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

2 bedroom
1 Bedroom
1 Bedroom
Studio
2 bedroom

Places of interest near Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

Address 2.9 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Iowa City's city center to Melrose Meadows Retirement Community's address, calculated via Google Maps. — 1.88 miles to nearest hospital (UI Department of Pathology | University of Iowa College of Medicine)

Calculate Travel Distance to Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

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Address

Compare Assisted Living around Iowa City

The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

FeatherStone at Hickory Hill
AL
MC
Iowa City (Hoover)
170
Facility 170
IA AVG 71
Rank #10 / 407
Yes
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 45
Rank #452 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 19
Rank #268 / 282
29.4% -2
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Legacy Senior Living
AL
IL
Iowa City (Lucas)
136
Facility 136
IA AVG 71
Rank #26 / 407
Yes
23
Facility 23
IA AVG 45
Rank #405 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 19
Rank #87 / 282
52.2% A+17
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #147 / 306
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #258 / 306
Oaknoll Retirement Residence
AL
IL
NH
Iowa City (Roosevelt)
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 71
Rank #156 / 407
No
33
Facility 33
IA AVG 45
Rank #344 / 528
Private Rooms
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 19
Rank #13 / 282
81.4% -12
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #55 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Melrose Meadows Retirement Community
AL
IL
Iowa City (Weber)
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 71
Rank #252 / 407
Yes
23
Facility 23
IA AVG 45
Rank #405 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 19
Rank #98 / 282
57.7% A+14
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #187 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Stirlingshire of Coralville
AL
MC
Coralville (Weber)
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #325 / 407
Yes
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 45
Rank #495 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 19
Rank #232 / 282
50.0% -8
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #122 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in Iowa

Melrose Meadows Retirement Community is located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Iowa.

Get Financial aid guidance

Elderly Waiver

Iowa Medicaid Elderly Waiver

Age 65+
General Iowa resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
IA

Rural focus; waitlists possible.

Benefits
In-home care (5-7 hours/day) Meals ($6/meal) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care ($60/day)

Iowa Family Caregiver Support

IA NFCSP

Age Caregiver of someone 60+
General Iowa resident.
Income Limits No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits Not applicable.
IA

Limited slots; rural emphasis.

Benefits
In-home respite (4-6 hours/day) Adult day care (~$60/day) Short-term facility care (up to 5 days)

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Iowa Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General Iowa resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
IA

Three tiers; no waitlist.

Benefits
Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Iowa PACE

Age 55+
General Iowa resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, Medicaid-eligible
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
IA

Limited to western Iowa (e.g., Council Bluffs); expanding slowly.

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Medical care Meals Transportation Therapy Respite

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Iowa VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General Iowa resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth limit
IA

High veteran demand in rural areas.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living)

Able Up Iowa

Able Up Iowa

Age 65+ or disabled
General Iowa resident, ability to repay loan, need for assistive tech or mods.
Income Limits (2025) No strict limit; must demonstrate repayment capacity.
Asset Limits Not specified; credit-based.
IA

Loans up to $25,000; statewide via Easterseals partnership.

Benefits
Loans for wheelchairs Ramps Walk-in tubs (~$500-$10,000 avg.) Reducing reliance on paid care

Frequently Asked Questions about Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

What neighborhood is Melrose Meadows Retirement Community in?

Melrose Meadows Retirement Community is in the Weber neighborhood of Iowa City.

Is Melrose Meadows Retirement Community in a walkable area?

Melrose Meadows Retirement Community has a walk score of 23. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

What is the license number of Melrose Meadows Retirement Community?

According to IA state health department records, Melrose Meadows Retirement Community's license number is S0159.

When does Melrose Meadows Retirement Community's license expire?

According to IA state health department records, Melrose Meadows Retirement Community's license expires on October 23, 2026.

What is the occupancy rate at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community?

Melrose Meadows Retirement Community's occupancy is 58%.

What is the best email address for Melrose Meadows Retirement Community?

The team at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community can be reached at jthomas@melrosemeadows.com.

Who is the administrator of Melrose Meadows Retirement Community?

Jody Thomas is the administrator of Melrose Meadows Retirement Community.

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