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The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
| 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%
Facility
81.4%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#111 / 379 | - | 12 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
7
Rank
#57 / 348 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#250 / 348 |
| Mill Pond | AL IL MC NH SNF | Ankeny | 60
Facility
60
IA AVG
71
Rank
#214 / 407 | Yes |
16
Facility
16
IA AVG
45
Rank
#439 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 23
Facility
23
IA AVG
19
Rank
#107 / 282 |
98.3%
Facility
98.3%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#14 / 379 | - | 16 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
7
Rank
#158 / 348 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#250 / 348 |
| Green Hills Retirement Community | AL IL MC NH SNF | Ames (Hamilton Drive) | 56
Facility
56
IA AVG
71
Rank
#234 / 407 | Yes |
18
Facility
18
IA AVG
45
Rank
#430 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 40
Facility
40
IA AVG
19
Rank
#24 / 282 |
78.6%
Facility
78.6%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#130 / 379 | - | 11 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
7
Rank
#57 / 348 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#298 / 348 |
| Friendship Village | AL IL MC NH SNF | Waterloo | 72
Facility
72
IA AVG
71
Rank
#143 / 407 | No |
52
Facility
52
IA AVG
45
Rank
#202 / 528 | 2 Bed / 3 Bed | 50
Facility
50
IA AVG
19
Rank
#8 / 282 |
91.7%
Facility
91.7%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#50 / 379 | - | 17 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
7
Rank
#1 / 348 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#298 / 348 |
| Maple Ridge Assisted Living | AL NH | Mt Ayr (Mount Ayr) | 24
Facility
24
IA AVG
71
Rank
#398 / 407 | No |
13
Facility
13
IA AVG
45
Rank
#452 / 528 | Private / Shared Rooms | 24
Facility
24
IA AVG
19
Rank
#98 / 282 | - | - | 7 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
7
Rank
#31 / 348 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#1 / 348 |
| Cedar Ridge Village | AL IL NH SNF | West Des Moines (Heritage Bend) | 40
Facility
40
IA AVG
71
Rank
#325 / 407 | Yes |
5
Facility
5
IA AVG
45
Rank
#488 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
19
Rank
#202 / 282 |
95.0%
Facility
95.0%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#24 / 379 | A+ | 15 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
7
Rank
#93 / 348 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#250 / 348 |
| The Views of Marion | AL MC NH SNF | Marion | 60
Facility
60
IA AVG
71
Rank
#214 / 407 | No |
37
Facility
37
IA AVG
45
Rank
#315 / 528 | Private Rooms | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
19
Rank
#211 / 282 |
48.3%
Facility
48.3%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#282 / 379 | - | 4 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
7
Rank
#31 / 348 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#1 / 348 |
| Calvin Community | AL NH IL MC | Des Moines (Beaverdale) | 59
Facility
59
IA AVG
71
Rank
#226 / 407 | No |
61
Facility
61
IA AVG
45
Rank
#145 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
19
Rank
#268 / 282 |
93.2%
Facility
93.2%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#42 / 379 | - | 17 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
7
Rank
#57 / 348 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#298 / 348 |
| Independence Village of Waukee | AL NH IL MC SNF | Waukee | 34
Facility
34
IA AVG
71
Rank
#373 / 407 | Yes |
38
Facility
38
IA AVG
45
Rank
#305 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 15
Facility
15
IA AVG
19
Rank
#164 / 282 |
41.2%
Facility
41.2%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#332 / 379 | - | 12 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
7
Rank
#57 / 348 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#298 / 348 |
| Corridor Crossing Place | AL MC RESC RC | Cedar Rapids (Southwest Area) | 61
Facility
61
IA AVG
71
Rank
#210 / 407 | No |
44
Facility
44
IA AVG
45
Rank
#269 / 528 | Private Rooms | 31
Facility
31
IA AVG
19
Rank
#42 / 282 | - | - | 9 | 6
Facility
6
IA AVG
7
Rank
#187 / 348 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#1 / 348 |
| Amelia Senior Living | AL | Council Bluffs (Ferndale) | 62
Facility
62
IA AVG
71
Rank
#202 / 407 | Yes |
2
Facility
2
IA AVG
45
Rank
#500 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed | 31
Facility
31
IA AVG
19
Rank
#42 / 282 |
61.3%
Facility
61.3%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#218 / 379 | A+ | 10 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
7
Rank
#57 / 348 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#250 / 348 |
| Edencrest at The Tuscany | AL IL MC RC | Altoona | 40
Facility
40
IA AVG
71
Rank
#325 / 407 | Yes |
14
Facility
14
IA AVG
45
Rank
#444 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
19
Rank
#232 / 282 |
92.5%
Facility
92.5%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#44 / 379 | - | 7 | 4
Facility
4
IA AVG
7
Rank
#131 / 348 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#1 / 348 |
| Independence Village of Ames | AL MC RC | Ames | 30
Facility
30
IA AVG
71
Rank
#390 / 407 | No |
51
Facility
51
IA AVG
45
Rank
#213 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 25
Facility
25
IA AVG
19
Rank
#87 / 282 |
100.0%
Facility
100.0%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#1 / 379 | A+ | 21 | 11
Facility
11
IA AVG
7
Rank
#279 / 348 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#281 / 348 |
| Thornton Heights Assisted Living | AL NH | Lansing (Main Street) | 26
Facility
26
IA AVG
71
Rank
#397 / 407 | No |
14
Facility
14
IA AVG
45
Rank
#444 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 22
Facility
22
IA AVG
19
Rank
#120 / 282 | - | - | 7 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
7
Rank
#31 / 348 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#1 / 348 |
| Northridge Village | AL IL MC NH SNF | Ames (Somerset) | 38
Facility
38
IA AVG
71
Rank
#352 / 407 | Yes |
44
Facility
44
IA AVG
45
Rank
#269 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 10
Facility
10
IA AVG
19
Rank
#189 / 282 |
94.7%
Facility
94.7%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#28 / 379 | A | 15 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
7
Rank
#93 / 348 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#281 / 348 |
Providing short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled care, Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a nursing home with 45 beds. It is owned by Karah Appleget and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have several options for covering both post-acute recovery and ongoing nursing care. The facility has an occupancy rate of 93%. Residents stay an average of 137 days, which includes rehabilitation admissions and longer-term care residents.
Clinical support is a central part of daily operations. Licensed nurses are available 24 hours a day, and physicians make regular visits to oversee medical care. The facility offers restorative rehabilitation, dietary and nutritional counseling, and disease management programs to reduce preventable hospital readmissions.
Vision and dental services are available on-site. Staff also develop individualized care plans based on each resident’s needs.
The facility has a Walk Score of 70. Visiting family members can easily navigate the neighborhood on foot and access nearby services. It’s a walkable community where many errands can be completed without a car, which is less common in many rural care settings.
Families considering Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center should take a tour of the facility to see the environment, meet staff members, and learn more about the home’s rehabilitation services and care programs.
Set along Highway 18 West in Clear Lake, Iowa, Oakwood Care Center functions as an 80-bed church-affiliated nonprofit nursing home. The community covers patient expenses through private pay networks alongside standard Medicare and Medicaid authorizations. With a steady base of 60 residents, the everyday routine balances transitional rehabilitation therapy with longer-term skilled nursing attention, maintaining a stable average length of stay around 134 days.
Clinical care routines are structured around a floor team that provides an average of 3 hours and 25 minutes of direct attention per resident daily. Registered nurses deliver 28 minutes of this hands-on schedule, collaborating with licensed practical nurses and nursing aides to direct both indoor recovery sessions and ongoing physical check-ups.
The community features practical features like open dining configurations, cable television, and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building, while the surrounding neighborhood provides a moderate layout where basic retail services are reachable on foot.
State files from the local health department indicate a reliable administrative history, with overall inspection outcomes showing solid compliance with medical safety rules. The facility currently operates at about a two-thirds census baseline, allowing the management to offer flexible room matching and immediate placement openings for incoming admissions.
Prospective residents can get in touch with the admissions manager to check on current room layouts, learn about the physical therapy setups, or schedule a morning to walk through the building.
Hawkeye Care Center Dubuque manages an 80-bed medical campus on Pennsylvania Avenue under the guidance of administrator Tracey Long. The community runs with a stable occupancy rate near 89 percent, balancing public program coverage via Medicare and Medicaid with traditional private accounts. Admissions track to an average length of stay around 87 days, reflecting a fluid daily mix of transitional, post-hospital physical therapy patients and individuals requiring ongoing nursing supervision.
Clinical floor procedures provide an average of 4 hours and 18 minutes of daily direct care per resident. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing aides manage this 24-hour medical schedule to administer on-site speech, occupational, and physical therapies alongside specialized respite and palliative care treatments. For daily programming, the building contains a dedicated therapy gym, a courtyard, and a customized dining system, while the surrounding neighborhood records a walkability score of 52 out of 100, which means visiting guests can manage a handful of regional errands on foot.
Recent health assessments from state oversight entities focused on internal compliance patterns, highlighting quality reviews of standard infection prevention techniques and clinical care chart updates. Administrative coordinators use these regular health survey documents to update floor protocols and align continuing staff training logs with current safety regulations.
Prospective residents can connect with the admissions department to check on immediate room availability, look over the current therapy schedules, or arrange a time to visit the common areas.
Clearview Home delivers long-term medical housing and short-term post-acute therapy at 406 West Washington Street in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Managed by administrator Gary Routh, the 82-bed facility functions with a consistent occupancy rate of 89 percent. Billing processes adapt to diverse customer financial models, balancing regular out-of-pocket payments with standard state Medicaid and federal Medicare network coverages. Stays average 196 days per individual, establishing a daily census where brief convalescent turnarounds are integrated with ongoing skilled nursing placements.
Floor nursing schedules distribute a round-the-clock shift routine providing an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes of direct hands-on care per resident daily. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants manage these floor hours to coordinate specialized intermediate therapy tracks, respite strategies, and a dedicated memory care environment for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Basic internal features include a barber shop, specialized dietary plans, and nutrition counseling, while the surrounding town environment records a walkability score of 52 out of 100, indicating that while visitors can navigate a few common tasks on foot, everyday travel relies on local driving.
Public health inspections executed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing track internal quality patterns, certifying that the facility operates in substantial compliance with state rules. Local management uses historical corrective updates on care delivery and resident safeguarding systems to shape current employee training modules and adjust daily clinical workflows.
Prospective residents can call the administrative office to double-check active room availability, ask about specialized dietary options, or set up a time to view the dedicated memory care units. The desk coordinators can also assist with medical coverage, cross-referencing to detail how personal funds, private insurance policies, or state health benefits apply to monthly statements.
Discover a treasure nestled in the stunning surroundings of Cedar Rapids. This exceptional home offers a unique blend of sister-living and memory care, designed to provide an unparalleled living experience. With a dedicated and compassionate staff available round the clock, residents can enjoy enhanced support and peace of mind throughout their retirement years. Even for those facing memory impairments, this home is a haven where seniors can thrive and make the most of their golden years.
The range of living options at this remarkable home includes assisted living apartments, where residents can find the perfect balance between independence and assistance. Additionally, senior apartments for independent living are available, allowing residents to enjoy a self-reliant lifestyle while still having access to a supportive community. Weekly housekeeping and laundry services are thoughtfully provided, allowing residents to focus on the things that truly matter. Transportation services are readily available as well, ensuring that residents can embark on countryside drives or enjoy convenient grocery outings. With 24-hour certified staff on-site, safety and assistance are always within reach.
Located in the welcoming neighborhood of Clinton, IA, the Bickford of Clinton is a distinguished senior living community offering assisted living services. Here, residents can choose from spacious and stunning accommodations with several floor plans. With a highly skilled and compassionate team, residents can receive round-the-clock personalized care and help depending on their immediate needs through its residents’ monitoring system.
Discover 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 Clinton, seniors are assured of a living experience worth remembering.
Bickford of West Des Moines is known for its outstanding assisted living facilities and memory care services. They recognize the challenges that aging can bring and offer valuable support in your area. Providing an intimate and transparent environment to seniors, they go beyond traditional nursing homes, fostering a vibrant community with engaging activities like art, baking, and music, creating a tight-knit and uplifting atmosphere.
In addition to these engaging activities, Bickford excels in culinary offerings, accommodating special diets with high culinary standards and restaurant-style dining. Their services encompass medication management, a resident monitoring system, transportation, and a pet-friendly environment. Notably, they have designed spaces tailored to the unique needs of seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s, creating a harmonious facility. Discover their exceptional assisted living and memory care options in your area.
Wellington Place is a 68-bed nursing home that operates as a continuing care campus, allowing residents to transition between independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing. The community has been operating for 19 years and handles financial coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay sources. Given its mix of temporary post-acute recovery clients and permanent long-term nursing placements, the facility logs an extended 288-day average length of stay. The property is built in a highly walkable area with a walkability score of 84 out of 100, meaning visiting families and staff can easily manage daily errands on foot.
Files from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing display a minimal citation history alongside solid daily nursing resources. Caregivers supply an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes of direct care per resident each day, with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants splitting the floor coverage. On the compliance side, official health records show a consistently clean multi-year track record where the few documented citations were minor and resolved. On-site physical therapy and rehabilitation programs are also available to support short-term recovery goals for individuals stepping down from local hospital stays.
Prospective residents searching for a regional multi-level care community or a small-scale nursing home can look through these state reports to examine the building’s historical baseline. The public documentation shows a stable, highly accessible campus backed by consistent daily caregiver hours and an exceptional regulatory track record with minimal paperwork issues.
Westhaven Community is a 40-bed nonprofit skilled nursing facility in Boone, Iowa, offering independent living, assisted living, and skilled care. The community is operated as a ministry of the Evangelical Free Church and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Across inspections since 2017, the facility has averaged approximately 2 deficiencies per year — 55% below the Iowa average of 4.4 — a strong long-term compliance picture. That record includes two notable exceptions: a 2023 inspection that found an Immediate Jeopardy citation for failure to re-evaluate a resident’s advance directives and code status.
A separate complaint investigation that year in which a resident sustained a fatal fall and staff were cited for inadequate supervision. The April 2025 standard inspection recorded 8 deficiencies covering medication management, infection control, and respiratory care. The most recent visit, a September 2025 complaint investigation, found no regulatory issues.
CMS rates Westhaven 4 stars overall, with staffing hours 34.8% above the Iowa average — nurse staffing averaging 5 hours and 20 minutes per resident per day places the community 24th out of 241 Iowa skilled nursing facilities. Occupancy is significantly below the state average at 43%, indicating current availability.
The on-site salon is the one amenity listed on the profile; the facility’s broader lifestyle programming is not detailed on the page.
Westhaven Community is best studied for residents seeking independent, assisted, or skilled nursing care in a small, faith-affiliated residential setting in Boone County, with immediate availability across bed types. However, families should review the facility’s prior Immediate Jeopardy finding and fall-related complaint history.
Serving the Sioux City community for nearly three decades, Holy Spirit Retirement Home is a small nursing home owned and operated by The Diocese of Sioux City. The home provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation support. Pastoral attention to spiritual needs is also available. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, so families have different ways to arrange care coverage.
Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 57 minutes of total nursing support each day. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses are all part of the care team. Daily hands-on support is a central part of the nursing model, and residents have access to consistent clinical care throughout their stay.
The facility has 52 beds, which maintains a smaller, residential feel while supporting a dedicated rehabilitation program. Residents stay an average of 190 days, including those recovering through post-acute rehabilitation and receiving longer-term care. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 91. Many nearby services and destinations are within walking distance, which can make visits easier for family members.
Spiritual care is part of daily life through the home’s Spiritual Life program. The program exists because of the facility’s religious identity and the values associated with Diocese ownership. The community also offers independent apartment-style housing, so residents have an option as their care needs change over time.
State inspections focused on documentation practices, staff training in areas such as dementia care, and the completeness of resident agreements and care plans. The facility continues to address and monitor these areas as part of its daily operations. Families touring the home may want to ask how these matters are monitored daily.
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.
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 Iowa
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.
How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?
This page features 333 assisted living facilities in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right assisted living facility in Iowa?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Iowa, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in Iowa?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.













