Best Assisted Living in Iowa

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.

Overview of Kahl Home for Aged & Infirm

Kahl Home for Aged & Infirm is a nonprofit nursing facility in Davenport, Iowa, with 112 beds, operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, and provides long-term care, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, memory care, and respite placements to residents in Scott County.

CMS rates the facility 2 stars overall, mainly due to its Health Inspection record. In the past six years, the facility underwent 32 inspections, more than twice Iowa’s average of 15, pushing total deficiencies to 74% above the state mean. At the individual survey level, though, the facility performs somewhat better: deficiencies per inspection are 17% below the Iowa average.

Substantiated complaints in the record include a medication error that led to hospitalization, a resident elopement, and more recent findings involving pressure ulcer care and unsafe mechanical lift transfers. No fines or license suspensions are available in the reports.

The facility’s Quality Measures are stronger, with a 4-star CMS rating, with long-stay outcomes and short-stay measures above the state’s averages. Hospitalizations and emergency department visits among long-stay residents are well below state norms. Nurse staffing averages 12% below the Iowa average at 3 hours and 52 minutes per resident each day.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 93%, well above Iowa’s average of 75.4%, a consistent signal of strong local demand. Amenities available on-site are a bistro, pub, courtyards, and common living areas. In 2026, the facility received the Locals Love Us award for Best Nursing Home in the Quad Cities for the 13th consecutive year.

Kahl Home for Aged & Infirm serves residents seeking long-term or post-acute care under mission-driven, nonprofit operations in Davenport, particularly those for whom strong quality-measure performance and high occupancy are meaningful indicators alongside an elevated inspection footprint.

Owned by Ian Christy, Granger Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a skilled nursing community that serves residents through Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. The 67-bed facility has an occupancy rate of 60%. Residents stay an average of 148 days, including short-term rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care.

Clinically, Granger offers a broad range of specialized services, including skilled and intermediate nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care. There’s also round-the-clock staffing support. The facility can manage complex medical needs such as IV therapy, ostomy care, diabetic management, enteral nutrition, tracheotomy care, and pain management. It’s best for residents requiring intensive nursing support and therapies.

Total nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 41 minutes per resident each day, providing substantial hands-on clinical support. Residents are also supported by registered nurse coverage of 25 minutes per resident daily, nurse aide assistance of 25 minutes, and LPN/LVN support of 24 minutes per day.

State inspections historically focused on medication management, resident dignity, and infection control practices. The facility has demonstrated substantial compliance, indicating that these areas are well managed.

The facility has comfortable rooms and peaceful common areas, with dining options available to residents. It’s located in a car-dependent area, so most errands require transportation. The facility’s focus on comprehensive skilled care and rehabilitation services makes it a great choice for families seeking intensive nursing and therapy support.

Overview of Community Memorial Health Center

Community Memorial Health Center, a 62-bed nursing community, provides clinical care at 909 West 1st Street in Hartley, Iowa. The location functions under the local guidance of the Community Memorial Healthcenter Association and carries an average occupancy baseline of 76 percent. Families can route regular billing through a mix of private funding streams, traditional Medicare, or state Medicaid cards. Individual residential timelines average roughly 184 days, signaling a stable, day-to-day balance between ongoing medical housing and temporary physical rehab stays.

The building’s care teams deliver an average of 4 hours and 50 minutes of direct, hands-on attention to every resident each day. Certified nursing aides manage the largest share of this floor time at 2 hours and 37 minutes, while registered nurses add 1 hour and 2 minutes, and licensed practical nurses supply 23 minutes to oversee medication distributions and clinical treatments. On-site services include three meals daily and structured monthly recreational calendars, while the surrounding neighborhood records a walkability score of 43 out of 100, which means visiting guests generally use personal cars to run local tasks.

Official surveys conducted by state regulatory agencies have routinely evaluated administrative documentation, resident housing setups, and floor treatment procedures to confirm compliance with basic healthcare rules. Internal managers follow these recurring public evaluations to refine the facility’s day-to-day care patterns and keep staff clinical protocols aligned with state-level updates.

Prospective residents can call the main business phone to double-check immediate room availability, request a copy of the monthly calendar, or book an afternoon walkthrough of the property.

Make the most of your best years at Keystone Senior Suites, a distinguished community in Keystone, IA, offering assisted living. Residents can keep their peace of mind with a compassionate and well-trained team that provides top-notch care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock. With housekeeping and laundry services, residents enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle.

Dedicated to enhancing residents’ living experience, a thoughtfully curated calendar of enriching activities and stimulating programs is conducted. Mealtimes are something to look forward to, with delicious and healthy dining options served to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community is a good option for those needing assistance to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its quality services and well-maintained amenities.

Countryside Health Care Center is an esteemed facility in Sioux City, Iowa. This privately-owned center offers a diverse range of care options, including Reliant Rehab therapy, short-term and long-term skilled nursing, and respite care, ensuring specialized attention for each resident. Their holistic approach caters to residents’ physical, mental, and social needs, creating a fulfilling experience for each individual. Conveniently located near Highway 20 in Sioux City, this senior care facility serves families across the Siouxland areas, fostering a supportive community. 

At Countryside Health Care Center, a dedicated team with extensive knowledge and experience ensures personalized and compassionate care for every resident. This assisted living community’s unwavering commitment to residents’ well-being creates a welcoming environment where seniors can thrive and achieve optimal health and happiness. 

Overview of The Keystones of Cedar Rapids

The Keystones of Cedar Rapids, a family-owned senior living community, provides a serene country resort living experience every day. The community offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care options with activities that encourage seniors to stay fit, sharp, connected, and inspired. The community takes a holistic approach to care, with trained care associates available 24/7, valet service, and personalized assistance to ensure that every activity for seniors is free of worry.

The home features seasonal chef-prepared menus, housekeeping, linen services, and scheduled transportation for all residents. The spacious 1 and 2-bedroom apartments are designed for comfort, while the fitness center, indoor pool, hotel-style clubhouse, theater, and pub ensure plenty of activities for seniors to bond over. The community also allows residents to bring their cars and offers free parking. Not to mention the flexibility of month-to-month rentals means that residents can also be free of stressful financial demands. The Keystones of Cedar Rapids is truly a comforting haven where seniors can thrive and take pleasure in.

Overview of Edencrest at Beaverdale

Lead a meaningful life with the idyllic senior living community of Edencrest at Beaverdale in Des Moines, IA, providing assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Individuals with dementia and other memory-related needs are well-cared for through different levels of care provided to meet their unique needs. With its commitment to understanding residents, the community crafts personalized care plans for their comfort.

Residents receive the utmost care and support with a care team attending to them 24/7, ensuring they enjoy every moment of their best years. With fun recreation and wellness programs, residents experience fun-filled days. The community promotes a pet-friendly and welcoming environment, making it ideal for those aiming to optimize their independence.

Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Jefferson is a 46-bed skilled nursing facility at 100 Ram Drive in Jefferson, Iowa. Administered by Jana Cates, the community provides specialized clinical support including tracheotomy care, IV therapy, and wound management, a broad service range for a rural facility of its size. It is centrally located with a Walk Score of 75 and maintains a high occupancy rate of 93%, significantly above the Iowa average of 75.4%.

The facility is CMS-certified and holds a 3-star overall rating, reflecting “Average” performance as of early 2026. While quality measures are rated at a high 5 stars, the staffing component carries a 1-star rating, indicating performance “Much Below Average”. Between 2020 and 2025, state inspections yielded 30 total deficiencies, resulting in an average of 1.4 per inspection—22% below the Iowa state average. The most recent survey on December 31, 2025, identified 5 deficiencies across food sanitation, oxygen care, and infection prevention.

Staffing levels are currently below state averages across most categories. Registered Nurse (RN) hours are 40 minutes per resident day, and nurse aide hours are 2 hours 15 minutes, both falling slightly below Iowa means. Quality metrics show that 90.9% of short-stay residents experience significant functional improvement, which is notably higher than the state average of 73.3%. However, the 50% staff turnover rate and low staffing star rating suggest a need for continued focus on personnel stability.

The campus offers a residential atmosphere with 24/7 licensed nursing and individualized care plans.

Shared amenities and features include an on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy, nutritious meals with dietary manager oversight, pet-friendly policies and housekeeping services, and scheduled transportation for medical and social needs.

Individuals should evaluate the current bedside care standards during an on-site visit. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on current narcotic storage protocols following 2024 discrepancies and to confirm that the food safety and infection control measures cited in the December 2025 survey have been fully corrected.