Page 19 of Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Summit House Assisted Living is a 90-bed senior community located at 600 1st Street NW in Britt, Iowa. Administered by Terri Tweedy, the facility serves Hancock County under license S0336, which remains active through July 3, 2027. Current occupancy stands at 49%, with 44 residents, showing a gradual increase from previous years although it remains below the state average of 75.4%. The location has a Walk Score of 38, categorized as car-dependent for most local services.

Data from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights a record of high regulatory performance. Since 2014, the facility has recorded only three total deficiencies over seven inspections, an annual average of 0.3 that is 87% lower than the Iowa state average. Notably, the community has maintained a citations-per-inspection rate of zero across six consecutive years of reviews, including the most recent recertification in October 2025. No fines, license suspensions, or substantiated complaint investigations appear in the facility’s 12-year operational history.

Daily clinical services at this campus include assisted living and respite care supported by licensed nurses, CNAs, and 24-hour staffing. While recent inspections show no violations, a 2019 review identified two deficiencies regarding service plans that failed to address specific needs like wound care and CPAP use. The community provides emergency response pendants, monthly utilities, and two meals daily. Additionally, the facility was recognized as a Readers’ Choice Award recipient for retirement living in North Iowa.

The residential environment features common area access and a schedule of social activities designed for independent and assisted living residents. Maintenance and weekly light housekeeping are included in the service package to support resident independence. Historical records from the 2014 launch noted a single deficiency involving an expired food service license, but state documentation indicates that early administrative gaps were promptly corrected. The community currently offers employment opportunities through Community Health Partners.

Families should consider the facility’s exceptional 12-year compliance track record and its high performance in recent state evaluations. It is recommended to verify the current schedule of activities and to confirm that the daily meal plan meets the resident’s nutritional preferences during an on-site visit. Families may contact the administrative office to discuss the recent upward occupancy trend and to ensure the community’s 2026 care standards align with their long-term expectations.

Overview of Timberland Village

Timberland Village is a 48-bed assisted living community at 725 Timberland Drive in Story City, Iowa. Administered by Cindi Martin and owned by Bethany Life, the facility serves Story County under license S0162, which remains active through October 29, 2026. The community currently reports 44% occupancy with 21 of 48 beds filled, a figure lower than the Iowa state average of 75.4%. With a Walk Score of 56, the location is considered moderately walkable.

State-level oversight through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing shows a record of high regulatory performance and long-term stability. Since 2004, the facility has recorded 16 total deficiencies across 10 inspections, averaging 0.7 per year, a rate 42% below the state annual average. The four most recent recertifications in 2017, 2019, 2021, and September 2024 all resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero.

Daily clinical services at this 23-year-old campus include catered living and retirement support. While recent data demonstrates consistent compliance, historical records from 2008 identified a violation involving the falsification of initials on a medication administration record. Other past findings from 2004 and 2012 involved delayed cognitive evaluations and gaps in staff food safety training documentation. Professional support is provided in a setting that offers restaurant-style dining, chaplain services, and local transportation.

The residential environment includes diverse housing options such as twin homes and retirement living units. Shared features include a barber and beauty salon and dedicated activity spaces. Although the facility experienced a decline in occupancy from 2015 to 2021, recent figures show a slight increase to 21 residents in 2024. Management has successfully resolved prior documentation and evaluation concerns, according to the streak of clean inspections maintained over the last seven years.

Prospective residents should weigh the community’s established 23-year history and strong recent compliance against its ongoing occupancy challenges. It is recommended to verify the current schedule for cognitive evaluations and service plan updates during an on-site visit. Interested individuals can contact the Story City office to discuss the various living models and to ensure the facility’s clinical protocols meet their 2026 care expectations.

Happy Siesta Healthcare Center is a 62-bed skilled nursing facility at 423 Roosevelt Street in Remsen, Iowa. Administered by Jennifer Kuiken and operated as a non-profit corporation, the center serves Plymouth County with long-term care, memory care, and outpatient therapy. The facility maintains an occupancy rate of 81%, reflecting steady demand in its rural northwest Iowa community.

State regulators currently assign the facility a 3-star overall rating, which signifies an “Average” performance level according to CMS benchmarks. Historical data shows a citations-per-inspection rate that is consistently below state averages, though a June 2025 standard survey identified four administrative and clinical deficiencies.

While these findings were corrected, the record includes a 2023 elopement risk incident that led to an Immediate Jeopardy tag, which was cleared following physical security upgrades. A more recent October 2025 complaint investigation concluded with zero citations.

Professional care is guided by a staffing model that provides 3 hours 48 minutes of nursing time per resident daily. Registered Nurse (RN) presence is a notable metric, as daily hours exceed state averages, though weekend coverage levels are lower. Medical services coordinate skilled nursing and a 17-bed enclosed Alzheimer’s wing, supplemented by the “Dreams Program” which addresses resident quality of life. Clinical quality measures carry a high 4-star rating, supported by strong outcomes in physical function for long-stay residents.

The campus provides a residential atmosphere where residents have access to both private suites and specialized common areas. Unique to this facility is the Willoway Pool and Fitness Center, which supports both resident rehabilitation and community exercise. Social life involves 24-hour medical support, nutritional meal plans, and a seasonal “Diners Club” that facilitates outings to local restaurants. For mobility beyond the campus, the facility utilizes a handicapped-accessible bus for regional excursions.

Interested individuals should assess the current safety and training protocols during a facility tour. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on the staff training updates implemented following the 2024 transportation incident and to confirm that the door security enhancements for the memory care unit remain in full compliance for 202

Overview of Madrid Home for the Aging

Madrid Home for the Aging is a 64-bed non-profit skilled nursing community in Madrid, Boone County, Iowa. Occupancy at 81 percent exceeds Iowa’s 75.4 percent average. Operated by Western Home Services Inc, the facility offers skilled nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation along with independent living and assisted living services. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay accepted.

Over six years on file, the facility averaged 4.2 deficiencies annually, essentially at the Iowa average of 4.4, with no immediate jeopardy findings, fines, or enforcement actions. Medication management is the clearest recurring theme in the record: errors were cited in the 2021 and 2023 annual surveys, an August 2025 complaint was substantiated for missing fentanyl patches and inaccurate narcotic counts affecting both residents reviewed, and narcotic destruction procedures were also cited in 2021. The March 2023 annual survey cited medication errors in all four residents reviewed for that area. Care planning gaps and food safety deficiencies have each appeared in multiple surveys as well. The CMS staffing sub-rating reflects case-mix adjusted hours 19.1 percent below Iowa’s average, meaning the resident acuity outpaces what the staffing hours deliver relative to peers, the one metric consistently below average in an otherwise mid-range profile. Quality Measures run 15.6 percent above Iowa average which is a positive clinical outcome signal.

Madrid Home for the Aging fits Boone County residents wanting skilled nursing, memory support, or post-acute rehabilitation within a non-profit continuum that extends from independent and assisted living through skilled care.

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.

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.

Homesteaders at Holland Farms is an 80-bed senior living community at 2800 Sunset Drive in Norwalk, Iowa. Administered by Blake Dodd, the facility serves Warren County under an active Iowa Assisted Living Programs for People with Dementia license (S0449) issued May 14, 2021, and valid through May 15, 2027. The campus maintains a Walk Score of 70, reflecting a very walkable area where most errands are accessible on foot.

State oversight from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing shows a history of regulatory challenges. Since 2021, the facility has undergone five inspections resulting in 21 total deficiencies, a rate of 5.3 per year. While a 2023 recertification resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero, the most recent survey on September 29, 2025, identified 10 critical deficiencies. These findings included the failure of a newly hired RN to complete delegation training before an abrupt resignation, incomplete tenant cognitive evaluations, and a lack of required 90-day nurse reviews for medications and health status.

Professional care is provided through independent living, assisted living, and memory care programs. Recent data shows a current occupancy of 43%, with 34 of 80 beds filled, which is below the Iowa state average of 75.4%. Clinical services are coordinated under a 24-hour model, though recent state reports noted failures to follow healthcare orders and document health status assessments at required frequencies.

The campus environment includes an in-house movie theater, a bistro, and walking trails with views of Echo Valley Country Club. Although the facility has received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as Best Assisted Living and Best Memory Care, these honors contrast with recent 2025 regulatory findings regarding staff training and care planning. Apartments are available in various layouts, though specific pricing information is not currently documented in state records.

Prospective residents should prioritize a review of corrective actions taken after the 10 deficiencies identified in late 2025. It is advisable to ask the administrator for direct verification of current nursing staffing levels and the status of dementia-specific staff education. Interested individuals can inquire about remediation progress and admission protocols by contacting the community at (515) 981-1888 for 2026 placement planning.

Overview of Stonebridge Suites of Milford

Stonebridge Suites of Milford is a 44-bed assisted living facility at 1401 H Avenue in Milford, Iowa. Administered by Daren Butcher, the community serves Dickinson County under license S0298, which is active through October 9, 2027. The facility reports a current occupancy rate of 57%, with 25 residents, a figure below the Iowa state average of 75.4%. The location holds a Walk Score of 62, indicating a moderately walkable area with some nearby services.

State monitoring through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing reveals a record of exceptional regulatory compliance. Since 2010, the facility has recorded only two total deficiencies across 11 inspections, an annual average of 0.1, which is 94% lower than the state average. The most recent recertification in September 2025 resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. This clean record has been sustained for over a decade, with every major inspection since 2013 yielding no regulatory findings.

Daily operations at this 16-year-old campus focus on providing independent and assisted living through personalized care and resident engagement. While the recent history is nearly flawless, state records from 2011 documented a $1,000 civil penalty related to a failure to report suspected dependent adult abuse within the required 24-hour timeframe. A 2015 monitoring visit also identified a single deficiency for a lack of annual food protection training for food service staff, which was subsequently corrected.

The residential environment is managed under the parent organization, Stonebridge Suites of Rock Rapids. The community has successfully resolved historical administrative gaps, and multiple complaint investigations, including reports regarding resident wandering and financial exploitation, were found to be unsubstantiated by state inspectors. Available documentation shows that occupancy has trended upward since 2010, indicating steady community growth over the facility’s 16-year history.

Prospective residents should note the facility’s 93% below-average deficiency rate and its consistent record of perfect inspections since 2017. It is recommended to verify current staffing levels and observe the meal service during a tour to ensure high operational standards remain in effect. Families can contact the administrative office to discuss current availability and to confirm that the community’s safety protocols meet their 2026 residential expectations.

Terrace Park Sr Living is a 32-bed assisted living facility at 201 SW Lorraine in Leon, Iowa. Managed by Jonda Mericle, the community serves Decatur County under license S0109, which remains active until February 4, 2026. The facility reports a 47% occupancy rate with 15 residents, falling below the Iowa state average of 75.4%. A Walk Score of 53 indicates that the area is moderately walkable for daily needs.

Data from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights a record of exceptional regulatory performance. Since 2005, the facility has recorded only four total deficiencies across nine inspections, an annual average of 0.2 that is 85% lower than the state average. Notably, every inspection conducted between 2012 and September 2024 has resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. This 13-year streak of clean evaluations includes multiple recertifications and complaint investigations that yielded no regulatory findings.

Daily clinical services at this 25-year-old campus include monthly health checks, 24-hour on-call nursing, and wellness programs. While the recent history is without violation, records from 2011 identified three deficiencies involving delayed tenant evaluations and non-individualized service plans. The community accepts Medicaid and provides essential support including laundry, housekeeping, and transportation within Leon. Monthly pricing is listed at $3,762.50 for a studio and $4,300 for a one-bedroom unit, with a $750 refundable deposit.

The residential environment offers private kitchenettes and bathrooms with three family-style meals served every day. Shared amenities include beautician services and organized social activities designed to support resident engagement. Early monitoring in 2005 noted a single deficiency regarding unsecured medication storage, but this was resolved as the facility established its long-term track record of care consistency. The community currently operates without any history of fines, enforcement actions, or license suspensions.

Older adults should note the facility’s near-flawless inspection record and its standing as one of the state’s highest-performing communities by regulatory metrics. It is recommended to verify the current availability of specific apartment styles and to observe the family-style dining service during an on-site visit. Interested individuals can contact the administrator to discuss Medicaid eligibility and to confirm that the community’s high care standards meet their 2026 residential requirements.