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Other Senior care options in Harlan:

Best Assisted Living in Harlan, IA

Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Weiss
Updated Apr 2026

Sources: CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Iowa Department of Health, Office of Aging and Long Term Care.

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Video Tour: Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Harlan, Iowa.

Watch this Video to see Harlan's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg. Monthly cost: $4,300
National average: $5,600
Monthly cost range: $3,800–$6,400
National average: $3,400 – $8,200
Avg. Staff-to-Resident ratio: 1:6 to 1:15
National average: 1:6

Compare Assisted Living around Harlan

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

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Hansen House Harlan
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

IL

Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.

MC

Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk.

Harlan
118No 32 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed15 44.9% 731
Elm Crest Senior Living Community
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

NH

Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).

Harlan (12Th Street)
50No 50 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed- 94.0% 1414
Elm Crest Retirement Community
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

NH

Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).

Harlan
64No 50 -32 39.1% 168-
Overview of Hansen House Harlan

Enjoy the finest retirement with the esteemed senior living community of Hansen House Senior Living in Dye Street, Harlan, IA, providing independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community features snug and sophisticated residences with various floor plans, ensuring seniors live comfortably and safely. With a cheerful and reliable team, seniors can rest assured of having fun companions and genuine care in their golden years.

Explore new interests and meet people with diverse backgrounds through carefully planned activities and programs. Here, residents enjoy mealtimes that satisfy dietary needs and tastes with healthy and delicious meals. Hansen House Senior Living is ideal for seniors in need of assistance to live every day without trouble.

What does this home offer?

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: Single-story

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Fitness and Recreation

Contact Hansen House Harlan

Overview of Elm Crest Senior Living Community

Committed to enhancing seniors’ quality of life, Elm Crest Senior Living Community is a distinct senior living community set in the harmonious city of Harlan, IA, providing a wide array of living options such as assisted living, independent living, memory care, health center, and rehabilitation therapy services. The community doubles its efforts to foster a warm and welcoming environment for seniors to make the most out of their days in beautifully designed and cozy one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Receive top-notch care and support from a reliable and highly qualified team and live a glorious retirement without worries with Elm Crest.

With over 65 years of experience in helping seniors, Elm Crest continuously provides the finest experience to create wonderful moments. Moreover, the community meticulously crafts care plans that best fit residents’ unique needs and preferences to ensure they are well-cared for. Surrounded by refreshing spaces and placed near hospitals, Elm Crest provides easy access to medical needs and the utmost comfort that seniors deserve.

What does this home offer?

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Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: 3-story

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Transportation Services

Contact Elm Crest Senior Living Community

Overview of Elm Crest Retirement Community
Elm Crest Retirement Community is a senior living community in Harlan, Iowa. It offers a variety of living options including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation therapy. The community is committed to providing quality care and a comfortable living environment for seniors.

Contact Elm Crest Retirement Community

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these assisted living communities

Every community above is evaluated across six weighted categories using public data including state inspection records, review platforms, BBB profiles, and operator-published materials.

Public data 6 weighted categories Updated quarterly
Full methodology

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
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Harlan, IA

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

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Harlan, IA is approximately $4,300. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

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

Assisted living in Harlan, IA typically ranges from $3,800–$6,400 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

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

Assisted living facilities in Harlan, IA typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:15.

How many licensed assisted living facilities are there in Harlan, IA?

According to state licensing records, there are approximately ~5–7 licensed assisted living facilities in Harlan, IA.

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.