Page 22 of Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 319 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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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Iowa.
319 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:
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: 46/ 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: 71The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

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. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home.
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.
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.
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.
Garnett Place
AL
IL
MC
RC
Cedar Rapids
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 71
Rank #221 / 334
Yes
69
Facility 69
IA AVG 46
Rank #82 / 424
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 18
Rank #68 / 258
26.5%
Facility 26.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #287 / 295
8
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 7
Rank #255 / 299
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #205 / 299
Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments
AL
IL
MC
Eldridge
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 71
Rank #293 / 334
Yes
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 46
Rank #137 / 424
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 18
Rank #119 / 258
41.7%
Facility 41.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #247 / 295
7
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 7
Rank #283 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Meadowview of Johnston
AL
IL
MC
Johnston
170
Facility 170
IA AVG 71
Rank #9 / 334
Yes-
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 18
Rank #223 / 258
48.2%
Facility 48.2%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #207 / 295
4
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
The Kindred House
AL
ADC
Ottumwa (Ottumwa Industrial Park)
62
Facility 62
IA AVG 71
Rank #169 / 334
No
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 46
Rank #328 / 424
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 18
Rank #236 / 258
-1
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Sunrise Hill Care Center
AL
IL
MC
NH
Traer
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 71
Rank #105 / 334
No
45
Facility 45
IA AVG 46
Rank #214 / 424
-
69.7%
Facility 69.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #135 / 295
19
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Gardens of Cedar Rapids
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Cedar Rapids
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 71
Rank #177 / 334
Yes-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 18
Rank #189 / 258
48.3%
Facility 48.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #205 / 295
3
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #59 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
The New Homestead Care Center
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Guthrie Center
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 71
Rank #188 / 334
No
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 46
Rank #221 / 424
-
81.0%
Facility 81.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #84 / 295
27
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 7
Rank #268 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Arlington Place Oelwein
AL
IL
MC
RC
Oelwein
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 71
Rank #129 / 334
No
11
Facility 11
IA AVG 46
Rank #387 / 424
23
Facility 23
IA AVG 18
Rank #87 / 258
24.3%
Facility 24.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #290 / 295
3
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #191 / 299
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #205 / 299
Bickford of Fort Dodge
AL
MC
Fort Dodge
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 71
Rank #221 / 334
Yes
22
Facility 22
IA AVG 46
Rank #348 / 424
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #38 / 258
46.9%
Facility 46.9%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #218 / 295
9
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 299
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #281 / 299
Hillcrest Home, INC
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Sumner
61
Facility 61
IA AVG 71
Rank #173 / 334
No
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 46
Rank #254 / 424
-
70.5%
Facility 70.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #132 / 295
21
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 7
Rank #255 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every IA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 319 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Garnett Place

202 35Th St Dr Se, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Overview of Garnett Place

Garnett Place is a retirement community in Iowa that strives to create magical experiences in the lives of retirees. Situated near Elmcrest Country Club and Golf Course and Riverside Park, this community offers unique mundane retirement living amidst the changing seasons of Cedar Rapids. Garnett Place offers a range of senior lifestyles, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. The open layout of the living spaces creates a personalized feel, with private bathrooms for added privacy. They also give access to a beautiful landscaped courtyard, allowing seniors to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. 

This home offers housekeeping, transportation, and dining services to make life easier for residents. They also provide wireless emergency pendants, 24-hour emergency response, garbage removal, and laundry services for added convenience. Seniors can even bring their furry friends along! Other amenities include a cinema, salon, and barber. The living spaces come equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a full kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave oven, and window coverings. If one wishes to live a meaningful and hassle free life, Garnett Place is the place to be.

Contact Garnett Place

Overview of Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments

Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Eldridge, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care. Because the community offers multiple care levels, it may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time and who may be able to move care levels without leaving the community.

The memory care program provides a secure setting and additional support for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The community has 36 beds, and Daniel Collins serves as administrator. Pets are allowed, so a resident can keep a pet at the community. Scheduled transportation is available for planned trips.

A Walk Score of 58 is somewhat walkable, meaning some errands can be done on foot, giving a resident who no longer drives the option to handle some errands independently.

Contact Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments

Overview of Meadowview of Johnston

Meadowview of Johnston is a 106-unit senior living community at 5555 Pioneer Parkway in Johnston, Iowa. Administered under license S0459, the facility serves Polk County and features a unified licensing model that allows residents to transition between independent and assisted living without moving apartments. The five-acre campus is situated near Merle Hay Road and provides specialized memory care alongside general residential services.

Regulatory records from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing indicate that this newer facility maintains active certification. In recent evaluations, the community has demonstrated a commitment to state standards, achieving a citations-per-inspection rate of zero during its most recent primary reviews. This performance aligns with its high third-party ratings, including a 9.2/10 score from resident and family satisfaction platforms.

Clinical care is delivered through a continuum model designed to promote resident comfort as health needs change. Staff members are described in family reviews as dedicated advocates who provide compassionate support for both introverted and extroverted residents. The facility features state-of-the-art air filtration in common areas and provides 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living.

The residential environment includes one- and two-bedroom floor plans with generous closet space and in-unit laundry. Common amenities feature a firepit courtyard, restaurant-style dining with chef-inspired meals, and direct access to local walking trails. As a newer construction in a Des Moines suburb, the community focuses on inclusive events and diverse activity programming without a large upfront buy-in requirement.

This campus fits seniors seeking a modern continuum of care where they can age in place within the same apartment. Families evaluating Meadowview of Johnston should ask directly about current occupancy and pricing for the unified licensing model, specifically regarding how care costs adjust as residents transition from independent to assisted living, before making a placement decision.

Contact Meadowview of Johnston

The Kindred House

2824 N Ct St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Overview of The Kindred House

Peacefully settled in the tranquil area of Ottumwa, IA, The Kindred House is a tight-knit senior living community that offers assisted living and adult day care services. The community is intentionally designed to accommodate only a select number of residents and guests, ensuring focused and attentive care. Residents can choose among beautifully designed studios and one-bedroom apartments with a kitchenette and walk-in shower and easy access to main services and amenities.

The community handles the laundry and housekeeping combined with the convenience of concierge services, ensuring residents are free of tedious chores and worries and have more time for enjoyment and relaxation. Chef-prepared meals that can be enjoyed in the vibrant dining area or delivered to the room are provided to ensure residents never miss out on their daily nourishment. Residents also enjoy access to a heated pool, on-site salon services, and a robust calendar of activities curated to the interests and strengths of the residents. At The Kindred House, they deeply understand the needs and goals of their residents and provide them with the support and services that help them achieve the experiences they desire.

Contact The Kindred House

Overview of Sunrise Hill Care Center

Sunrise Hill Care Center is a nursing home in Traer, IA offering nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Nursing care supports residents who require ongoing nursing attention, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision.

The combination of care types may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to another community. Sunrise Hill Care Center has 76 beds. Care and Rehab is a named program, and rehabilitation services are available for residents who need therapy as part of their care.

Total nurse staffing is 3h 56m per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nurse staffing time allocated to each resident. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Daniel Larmore serves as administrator.

A Walk Score of 45 places the area in a car dependent setting, meaning most errands require a car or a ride. A resident who no longer drives would need one of those options for errands.

Contact Sunrise Hill Care Center

Overview of Gardens of Cedar Rapids
The Gardens of Cedar Rapids is a senior living community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It offers Independent and Assisted Living options, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Memory Care services. The community promotes social interaction and a sense of belonging among its residents.

Contact Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Overview of The New Homestead Care Center

The New Homestead Care Center offers independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in Guthrie Center, IA. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks. Nursing home and skilled nursing services provide nursing care for residents who need ongoing clinical support, so a resident’s needs can change without requiring a move to another community.

The community has 58 beds, placing it in the smaller community range where staff and residents may get to know each other. Its programs include skilled rehabilitation and long term nursing care. Residents can therefore receive rehabilitation services or ongoing nursing support within the same community.

Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 21 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover eligible care costs. The area has a Walk Score of 44 and depends on cars, so most errands require a car or a ride rather than a short walk.

Hilaree Stringham serves as administrator. The community may be a good fit for someone whose care needs could grow from independent or assisted living to nursing care over time.

Contact The New Homestead Care Center

Overview of Arlington Place Oelwein

Arlington Place Oelwein operates a 70-bed senior housing property at 1101 3rd Street SW in Oelwein, Iowa. The multi-story complex utilizes an accessible layout with internal elevators, ensuring residents can access the dining room, private rooms, and shared social lounges without climbing stairs. The daily program spans independent living, assisted care, memory support, and short-term respite care.

The standard monthly routine incorporates prepared meals, scheduled card games, live music programs, and organized group trips into town. State regulatory inspection records indicate ongoing compliance challenges with employee training documentation and service record practices, while the current occupancy is 24 percent, with 17 residents.

The neighborhood carries a walkability score of 11 out of 100, signifying a car-dependent setting where visitors and staff require a vehicle for standard local errands. Prospective families seeking a quiet, small-town care setting can call the management office to request details on current floor plans.

Contact Arlington Place Oelwein

Overview of Bickford of Fort Dodge

Nestled in the beautiful town of Forth Dodge, IA, the Bickford of Fort Dodge is a distinguished senior living community offering assisted living services. Here, residents can choose from spacious and stunning accommodations with several floor plans based on their preferences. Having a highly skilled and dedicated team, residents can receive round-the-clock personalized care and help depending on their immediate needs through its residents’ monitoring system.

Experience 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 Fort Dodge, seniors are assured of a classic retirement.

Contact Bickford of Fort Dodge

Hillcrest Home, INC

915 West First Street, Sumner, IA 50674-1271
Overview of Hillcrest Home

Owned by Mission Interests Committee Inc., Hillcrest Home is a 61-bed nursing facility providing short-term rehabilitation and longer-term care. The facility has an occupancy rate of 70%. Residents stay an average of 160 days. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families multiple ways to cover care costs.

Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 22 minutes per resident each day. Residents are supported by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses on staff. This level of hands-on support shows the facility’s commitment to daily clinical care/

In recent inspections, Hillcrest has demonstrated substantial compliance with regulatory standards. The facility has worked through earlier challenges with medication administration and grievance handling, and those areas show marked improvement in regulatory findings.

The location has a Walk Score of 38, so some nearby services are within walking distance. However, most visits and errands are more convenient with transportation. Residents and families will find that the neighborhood is a quiet, accessible part of Iowa for daily life and visits.

Contact Hillcrest Home, INC

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 319 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.