Page 16 of Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 310 assisted living communities in 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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We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Iowa.
310 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

Compare Assisted Living around Iowa

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.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
The Gardens of Cedar Rapids
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Cedar Rapids
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 73
Rank #225 / 289
Yes
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 45
Rank #283 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 18
Rank #223 / 232
87.5%
Facility 87.5%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #39 / 259
C+22
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #89 / 265
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #256 / 265
Senior Star at Elmore Place
AL
IL
MC
RC
Davenport
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 73
Rank #190 / 289
Yes
37
Facility 37
IA AVG 45
Rank #184 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 18
Rank #113 / 232
68.0%
Facility 68.0%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #88 / 259
A+10
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 6
Rank #245 / 265
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #265 / 265
Bickford of Clinton
AL
Clinton
65
Facility 65
IA AVG 73
Rank #138 / 289
Yes
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 45
Rank #169 / 302
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #29 / 232
61.5%
Facility 61.5%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #163 / 259
A+5
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 6
Rank #140 / 265
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #249 / 265
Thornton Heights Assisted Living
AL
HOS
NH
RC
SNF
Lansing
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 73
Rank #281 / 289
No
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 45
Rank #257 / 302
1 Bed / 2 Bed
22
Facility 22
IA AVG 18
Rank #81 / 232
-A+2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Edencrest at Riverwoods
AL
IL
MC
RC
Des Moines (Woodside Park)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 73
Rank #82 / 289
Yes
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 45
Rank #194 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 18
Rank #137 / 232
40.0%
Facility 40.0%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #219 / 259
A9
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 6
Rank #203 / 265
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #242 / 265
Maple Ridge Assisted Living
AL
Mt Ayr (Mount Ayr)
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 73
Rank #282 / 289
No
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 45
Rank #261 / 302
Private / Shared Rooms
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 18
Rank #61 / 232
-A+2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Arlington Place of Grundy Center
AL
MC
RC
Grundy Center
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 73
Rank #82 / 289
Yes
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 45
Rank #207 / 302
-
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 18
Rank #54 / 232
45.0%
Facility 45.0%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #235 / 259
B-6
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #89 / 265
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #180 / 265
Independence Village of Pella
AL
CCRC
IL
MC
Pella
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 73
Rank #287 / 289
Yes
21
Facility 21
IA AVG 45
Rank #242 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
23
Facility 23
IA AVG 18
Rank #71 / 232
35.7%
Facility 35.7%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #236 / 259
C5
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 6
Rank #188 / 265
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #261 / 265
Independence Village of Waukee
AL
IL
MC
Waukee
34
Facility 34
IA AVG 73
Rank #259 / 289
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 45
Rank #175 / 302
1 Bed / 2 Bed
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 18
Rank #122 / 232
41.2%
Facility 41.2%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #214 / 259
D-5
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 6
Rank #58 / 265
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #225 / 265
Bickford of Marion
AL
MC
Marion (Hickory Haven Estates Condos)
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 73
Rank #204 / 289
Yes
69
Facility 69
IA AVG 45
Rank #54 / 302
-
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #34 / 232
80.4%
Facility 80.4%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #84 / 259
D-8
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 6
Rank #257 / 265
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #225 / 265

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each assisted living community is ranked against every other IA assisted living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 310 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of The Gardens of Cedar Rapids

The Gardens of Cedar Rapids is a senior care community on Dean Road SW in the southwest part of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It offers a full continuum of care under one roof, spanning independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, which means a resident can often stay in a familiar place as their needs change over time. The community is owned by Jbrb Investments LLC and accepts both Medicare and private pay, giving families a couple of clear routes to cover short-term rehabilitation or longer-term nursing care.

This is a small, single-story community with 40 beds, and it tends to run comfortably occupied at around 88 percent. Housing comes in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options, and the single-level layout can make day-to-day movement easier for residents with mobility limitations. Pets are welcome, which matters to many families weighing a move for a loved one.

On the clinical side, total nursing care averages about 4 hours and 15 minutes per resident each day, so hands-on daily support is a meaningful part of the setting. State inspection themes over the years have centered on medication management and care-delivery practices, alongside stretches of clean compliance. Families touring the community can ask how those areas are handled day to day.

The community sits in a car-dependent pocket of Cedar Rapids, with a Walk Score of 7, so most errands and visits will involve a short drive. That residential setting can suit residents and family who prefer a quiet neighborhood over a busy commercial area.

Contact The Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Overview of Senior Star at Elmore Place

As a community that strives in exceedingly making its residents comfortable, Senior Star at Elmore Place has been awarded the Best Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care by the U.S. News and World Report offers the best balance of urban living and assistance with everyday living.  Offering a range of opportunities tailor-fit for its residents, seniors can surely feel inspired in creating a better life with the continuum of care being provided. Senior Star is an elegant senior living home that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of its residents. 

As an independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care. Their engaging activities and programs to name a few are the recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs available for residents to take part in at the library, media room, or social areas.

Contact Senior Star at Elmore Place

Overview of Bickford of Clinton

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.

Contact Bickford of Clinton

Overview of Thornton Heights Assisted Living

Make every moment count at Thornton Heights Assisted Living, a distinguished community in Lansing, IA, offering assisted living. Featuring beautifully furnished and secure one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Residents also receive exceptional care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock.

A jam-packed calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs is conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Delicious and well-balanced meals are also served three times daily to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Emergency pendants are also provided for convenience and safety. The community is ideal for those looking to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its nurturing and welcoming environment.

Contact Thornton Heights Assisted Living

Edencrest at Riverwoods

2210 E Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320
Overview of Edencrest at Riverwoods

Ideally set in the tranquil neighborhood of East Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA, is the reliable senior living community of Edencrest at Riverwoods that provides assisted living and memory care. Experience the highest quality of care and support with a compassionate and responsible team caring for residents’ needs and preferences around the clock. Featuring different levels of care for individuals with dementia and other memory-related needs, the community promotes a vibrant and welcoming environment where residents thrive.

Elevate your retirement with fun recreation and wellness programs, highlighting your interests and strengths. Delightful and healthy meals are also provided to foster comfort and meet dietary needs. With beautiful courtyards and pet-friendly spaces, residents enjoy a peaceful and happy retirement.

$2,900/Month

Contact Edencrest at Riverwoods

Overview of Maple Ridge Assisted Living

Beautifully located in the serene setting of Mount Ayr, IA, Maple Ridge is a blissful haven that offers assisted living. With its commitment to improving residents’ welfare, a compassionate and well-trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock. Residents are guaranteed the utmost comfort and safety with beautifully furnished and secure accommodations.

A thoughtfully curated calendar of enriching activities and stimulating programs is conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and maintain social connections. Delicious and healthy dining options are served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community is ideal for those needing assistance to live comfortably in retirement, especially with a nurturing and welcoming environment.

Contact Maple Ridge Assisted Living

Overview of Arlington Place of Grundy Center

Arlington Place of Grundy Center is an elegant home that is built based on the convenience and comfort of its residents. The services provided and designed in the community call on its residents to expand their vibrant social lives.  Management aims to raise the standard for assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Iowa. Edencrest is one of the trusted homes in the city that many families have gone to. 
Arlington Place’s a service based on convenience and flexibility; they want their residents to do more and think less at the same time– do more of what they love, and think less of the small stressful activities like housekeeping and laundry.

Contact Arlington Place of Grundy Center

Overview of Independence Village of Pella

Situated in Pella, IA, Independence Village of Pella is a reliable senior living community that offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. The community features an array of beautifully designed accommodations, ranging from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, providing a comfortable living space to residents. Care needs are fully met with personalized care plans and professionally trained employees available 24/7 to provide care and assistance.

There’s no shortage of enriching things to do with a vibrant calendar of activities, events, and programs offered by the community. Dining experience is improved with chef-prepared meals that are carefully curated to satisfy unique dietary needs and food preferences. Residents never have to worry about chores with housekeeping, laundry services, and other supportive services provided by a dedicated team. Here, residents have what they need to live a carefree and fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact Independence Village of Pella

Overview of Independence Village of Waukee

Independence Village of Waukee offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Waukee, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks while the resident keeps a private living space; independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care; memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering. Having all three care types on one campus may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since they may be able to move between care levels without leaving the community.

The community has 34 beds. That creates a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other, with one bedroom and two bedroom housing for someone living alone or a couple moving together. Pets are allowed, so a resident may be able to bring a pet when moving in. A Walk Score of 38 places the area in a car dependent setting, meaning most errands require a car or a ride rather than a short walk; Austin Williams serves as the administrator.

Contact Independence Village of Waukee

Overview of Bickford of Marion

At 46 beds, Bickford of Marion is a smaller community, and that scale is part of its identity. The two-story building on Linden Dr, part of the Bickford Senior Living Group network, offers assisted living and memory care in Marion’s Hickory Haven Estates neighborhood, 1.4 miles from the city center. Misty Cottrell serves as Executive Director.

The Montessori Memory Care program is the facility’s most distinctive offering. It’s a named, structured approach to cognitive care rather than a generic memory unit, and it’s the clearest signal of what the community is built around. Licensed nurses and CNAs staff the building, transportation is available, there’s a fitness area on-site, and the community is pet-friendly.

Occupancy sits at 76%, with 35 of 46 beds filled, in a building that has been operating for 27 years. The neighborhood is moderately walkable (Walk Score 69), with some day-to-day destinations reachable on foot. State inspections have tended to center on medication management, care planning and documentation, and food service, which are common operational focus areas rather than indicators of direct care concerns.

Bickford of Marion is a practical fit for families prioritizing a structured memory care approach within a mid-sized regional network, in a community small enough that residents are unlikely to get lost in the shuffle.

Contact Bickford of Marion

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.
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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 310 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.

Assisted Living in Iowa at a glance

Avg Monthly Cost: $5,500The average monthly cost across facilities in Iowa. Reflects published or estimated base rates and can vary with care level, room type, and amenities. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: $5,600
Avg Walk Score: 45/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Iowa. 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: 73The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90