Best Assisted Living in Fort Dodge, IA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 3 assisted living communities in Fort Dodge, IA using IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in IA
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Fort Dodge, IA our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Fort Dodge, IA.
3 homes
Other senior care options in Fort Dodge:
Avg Walk Score: 34/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Fort Dodge, IA. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 98The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Fort Dodge, IA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Fort Dodge

Info below is compiled from the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Inspection events categorized as complaint-related by the state regulator.
Count of incident-based investigations (e.g. reported events) in the regulatory record for the reporting period.
Marian Home
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Fort Dodge
90
Facility 90
IA AVG 71
Rank #72 / 334
No
62
Facility 62
IA AVG 46
Rank #115 / 424
--
77.8%
Facility 77.8%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #100 / 295
18
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #191 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Bickford of Fort Dodge
AL
MC
Fort Dodge
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 71
Rank #221 / 334
Yes
22
Facility 22
IA AVG 46
Rank #348 / 424
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #38 / 258
46.9%
Facility 46.9%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #218 / 295
9
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 299
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #281 / 299
Friendship Haven
AL
CCRC
HOS
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Fort Dodge
155
Facility 155
IA AVG 71
Rank #17 / 334
No
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 46
Rank #365 / 424
Private Rooms-
76.1%
Facility 76.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #110 / 295
---

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every IA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 3 analyzed for Fort Dodge. See how we rank facilities

Marian Home

2400 Sixth Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3541
Overview of Marian Home

Marian Home provides independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing in Fort Dodge, IA. Independent living offers a private living arrangement without daily care, while assisted living provides help with everyday tasks. Skilled nursing provides ongoing nursing care for residents with clinical needs, and the combination of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to another community.

Marian Home opened in 1960 and has 90 beds. Independent living, assisted living, and nursing care units are available, along with rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation for residents focused on recovery. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Medicare can help cover short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may assist when savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay means using personal funds. Tracy Trotter serves as the administrator.

Therapy services, a beauty shop, community living areas, social programs, group activities, transportation for residents, and daily church services are available. A Walk Score of 62 places the area in the somewhat walkable range, so some errands can be completed on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to handle certain nearby trips independently. These services and care options may suit someone who wants access to therapy, social activities, worship, and support with transportation while living in one community.

Contact Marian Home

Overview of Bickford of Fort Dodge

Nestled in the beautiful town of Forth Dodge, IA, the Bickford of Fort Dodge is a distinguished senior living community offering assisted living services. Here, residents can choose from spacious and stunning accommodations with several floor plans based on their preferences. Having a highly skilled and dedicated team, residents can receive round-the-clock personalized care and help depending on their immediate needs through its residents’ monitoring system.

Experience its top-tier amenities and services as this community is committed to providing higher standard of senior care. Indulge in 3-day delectable and nutritious meals, home maintenance, access to laundry facilities, weekly housekeeping, medication management, spiritual care, and transportation assistance. Engage in a full calendar of activities such as outings, community involvement programs, and theme days. With Bickford of Fort Dodge, seniors are assured of a classic retirement.

Contact Bickford of Fort Dodge

Overview of Friendship Haven

Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, IA, is a non-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that offers independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. With a nurturing, home-like environment, the community ensures older adults can live comfortably during their stay. Light housekeeping, nutritious meals, and medication management are among the excellent services provided to improve residents’ living experiences. Residents also receive the utmost attention and care to recover and return to their routines with ease through personalized care plans.

Strength exercises, social events, and various recreational activities ensure residents can make friends and have fun. Safe trails, accessible common areas, and a garden also provide residents with more opportunities for recreation and wellness. Located near the Fort Museum and Frontier Village and bus stops along Kenyon Road, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This CCRC has a wide range of care options and a clean setting, making it a great choice for senior living in Iowa.

Contact Friendship Haven

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Fort Dodge, IA

What is the average cost of assisted living in Fort Dodge, IA?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Fort Dodge, IA is approximately $4,500. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for assisted living in Fort Dodge, IA?

Assisted living in Fort Dodge, IA typically ranges from $4,000–$6,600 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at assisted living facilities in Fort Dodge, IA?

Assisted living facilities in Fort Dodge, IA typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:12.

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in Iowa?

Assisted living in Iowa supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Iowa?

Assisted living in Iowa is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does Iowa Medicaid cover assisted living?

Iowa Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including Iowa) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.