Page 25 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.
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.
Navigate MC at Featherstone at Hickory Trail
AL
MC
Iowa City (Lemme)
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 71
Rank #308 / 334
Yes
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 46
Rank #278 / 424
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 18
Rank #236 / 258
-3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
Meadowview of Davenport
AL
IL
MC
Davenport
156
Facility 156
IA AVG 71
Rank #16 / 334
Yes-
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 18
Rank #230 / 258
-2
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
Copperwood at Prairie Trail
AL
MC
Ankeny
182
Facility 182
IA AVG 71
Rank #4 / 334
Yes
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 46
Rank #271 / 424
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 18
Rank #236 / 258
-2
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus
AL
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Perry
77
Facility 77
IA AVG 71
Rank #103 / 334
No
74
Facility 74
IA AVG 46
Rank #65 / 424
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 18
Rank #77 / 258
40.3%
Facility 40.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #254 / 295
14
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #150 / 299
MJ Estates
AL
Exira
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 71
Rank #308 / 334
No
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 46
Rank #355 / 424
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 18
Rank #169 / 258
62.5%
Facility 62.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #150 / 295
3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
Creekside
AL
IL
MC
NH
Grundy Center
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #261 / 334
No
63
Facility 63
IA AVG 46
Rank #109 / 424
--11
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
Westhaven Community
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Boone
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #261 / 334
No
83
Facility 83
IA AVG 46
Rank #28 / 424
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 18
Rank #147 / 258
42.5%
Facility 42.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #242 / 295
12
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 299
Regency Assisted Living
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Norwalk
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 71
Rank #177 / 334
No
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 46
Rank #78 / 424
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 18
Rank #114 / 258
41.7%
Facility 41.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #247 / 295
5
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #175 / 299
Bettendorf Health Care Center
AL
NH
SNF
Bettendorf
86
Facility 86
IA AVG 71
Rank #81 / 334
No
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 46
Rank #175 / 424
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 18
Rank #151 / 258
73.3%
Facility 73.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #123 / 295
37
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 7
Rank #275 / 299
Primrose Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
RC
Council Bluffs (Kane Township)
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 71
Rank #158 / 334
Yes-
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 18
Rank #125 / 258
54.7%
Facility 54.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #165 / 295
5
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 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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Overview of Navigate Mc at Featherstone at Hickory Trail

Navigate Mc at Featherstone at Hickory Trail offers assisted living and memory care in Iowa City, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident maintains a private living space. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having both care levels can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because care can change without leaving the community or starting over socially. The community has 32 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, while short term rehabilitation supports temporary recovery needs.

Pets are allowed, so a resident can keep a pet as part of the move. Tracy Sherzer serves as the administrator. Rehabilitation services are available, and the community has dining venues with wellness programming.

A Walk Score of 35 places the area in a setting dependent on a car, so most errands require a car or a ride. Navigate Mc at Featherstone at Hickory Trail is in the Lemme neighborhood of Iowa City, IA.

Contact Navigate MC at Featherstone at Hickory Trail

Overview of Meadowview of Davenport

Meadowview of Davenport provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Davenport, IA. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps an apartment. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering. Having all three care levels in one community can support a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move elsewhere.

The community has 156 beds, accommodating more residents, staff, and programming than a smaller setting. Restaurant-style dining gives residents meals served in a restaurant setting, and the salon and barber shop provide on-site grooming. Residents can spend time in the courtyard patio with fire pit, fireside lounge, and movie theater, while arts and crafts rooms support creative activities. The fitness center, therapy and fitness support, mobile library, and permission to keep pets add options for exercise, therapy, reading, and companionship, and Sarah Coy serves as the administrator.

Contact Meadowview of Davenport

Overview of Copperwood at Prairie Trail

Copperwood at Prairie Trail offers assisted living and memory care in Ankeny, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps their own apartment; memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Respite care is available for short stays, which can suit a family caregiver who needs time to travel or recover. The community has 182 beds, placing it among larger communities with more residents, staff, and usually more programming. Multiple care levels can also suit a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to a different community.

The area has a car-dependent Walk Score of 36, so most errands require a car or a ride. Pets are allowed, enabling residents to keep a pet with them. Dylan Dyer serves as the administrator.

Contact Copperwood at Prairie Trail

Overview of Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus
Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offering a full continuum of services and care with personalized, faith-filled, and intergenerational living. It provides joyful living, meaningful connections, and compassionate care for every season of life. The campus offers services such as long-term care, memory care, assisted living, and rehabilitative therapy.

Contact Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus

MJ Estates

411 S. Carthage Street, Exira, IA 50076
Overview of Mj Estates

Enjoy your best years at Mj Estates, a blissful haven in Exira, IA, offering assisted living. With 37 specially designed and cozy accommodations, residents are guaranteed the utmost comfort and safety. A compassionate and well-trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their personal needs around the clock.

Residents are encouraged to make new friends and have fun with a jam-packed calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs that highlight their interests and capabilities. Delicious and well-balanced meals are also served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Medication management is also provided to ensure residents will not miss taking their medicines. The community is ideal for those seeking a blissful retirement, especially with its warm and nurturing environment.

Contact MJ Estates

Creekside

503 Wical Way, Grundy Center, IA 50638-2096
Overview of Creekside

Creekside handles local senior care through a 40-bed property located at 503 Wical Way in Grundy Center, Iowa. The building runs with a steady 92 percent occupancy rate, meaning open rooms are well-utilized by local residents. Families can handle regular bills through a mix of private payments, Medicare coverage, or state Medicaid programs. Stays here average about 164 days, which shows the campus balances quick post-hospital therapy turnarounds with traditional, extended nursing care setups.

Residents receive an average of 5 hours and 11 minutes of hands-on attention from the floor nursing staff every day. Registered nurses dedicate 56 minutes of this daily routine to handle medical tracking and treatments, working alongside licensed practical nurses and certified assistants who cover standard medication distribution and daily tasks. For normal routines, the facility has its own dining options, while the surrounding neighborhood has a decent layout that allows visiting family members to handle a few local errands on foot.

These regular surveys look at administrative logs and floor workflows to make sure everything lines up with baseline public health guidelines. Local supervisors use these state reports as a tool to adjust internal policies and keep continuing education programs up to date for the floor shifts.

Prospective representatives can contact the intake desk to check on open room availability, ask about the current therapy programs, or arrange a time to look around the building. The front office can also help you look over insurance coverage details and explain how state aid networks coordinate with standard monthly housing fees.

Contact Creekside

Overview of Westhaven Community

Westhaven Community offers nursing home care, assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing in Boone, Iowa. Having several care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because moving to a different level of care does not require leaving the community.

Independent living supports private living without daily care. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing clinical support. With these options, the community may be a good fit for someone who wants to remain in one place if their care needs change.

Westhaven Community has 40 beds and opened in 2012. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours 4 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may help with longer-term care when savings do not cover the full stay, and private pay means paying directly. An on-site salon gives residents access to personal grooming without arranging an off-site visit. A Walk Score of 83 places the area in the very walkable band, meaning most errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Breanna Streeter serves as the administrator.

Contact Westhaven Community

Overview of Regency Assisted Living

Regency Assisted Living operates a 60-bed skilled nursing property at 815 High Road in Norwalk, Iowa. Owned by Carla Hall and managed under administrator Victoria Lehman, the facility maintains a quiet baseline census, currently holding an occupancy rate around 42 percent with roughly 25 residents. Financial coordinators process transactions through individual out-of-pocket billing channels alongside state Medicaid options and standard federal Medicare programs. Stays here average about 151 days, which reflects an everyday operational design that merges brief physical therapy rehabilitation cases with extended clinical nursing placements.

State safety logs map out historical compliance patterns over the facility’s 20-year operating history. Regular public health evaluations handled by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlighted several repeat administrative themes, pointing out explicit procedural gaps in medication management practices, general resident supervision, and health record documentation. Local supervisors use these periodic regulatory summaries to shape employee skill training modules and adjust daily clinical workflows across the floor shifts to meet public healthcare codes.

For local transit, the surrounding town layout records a walkability score of 70 out of 100, showing a highly accessible neighborhood environment where visiting family members can complete routine errands on foot. On-site shift routines support this setting by providing a daily average of 3 hours and 10 minutes of direct, hands-on care to each individual. Certified nurse aides cover the largest block of this bedside timeline at 2 hours and 17 minutes, working alongside licensed practical nurses who provide 1 hour and registered nurses who add 21 minutes of clinical tracking, respite support, and continuous treatment monitoring.

Prospective residents can call the main office desk to check on current bed layouts, ask about the details of the short-term rehabilitation therapies, or schedule a day to see the grounds.

Contact Regency Assisted Living

Overview of Bettendorf Health Care Center

Located in Bettendorf, Iowa, Bettendorf Health Care Center is a nursing home owned by MLS Resources. The 86-bed facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several options to access short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care. The community has an occupancy rate of 73%, which houses 63 residents. Residents stay an average of 142 days, which includes post-acute patients and those receiving ongoing nursing support.

Residents receive about 2 hours and 50 minutes of nursing care each day. Registered nurses and nurse aides are part of the team that provides daily hands-on support. It’s an important part of care for residents with rehabilitation needs and those requiring continued nursing services.

The facility has a Walk Score of 51. Some nearby errands and services are within walking distance, but most outings and visits require transportation.

Families considering Bettendorf Health Care Center should take time to visit the community and learn more about how it handles resident care and safety. State inspection reports are available for review, and they’re a useful source of information when comparing care options.

Contact Bettendorf Health Care Center

Primrose Retirement Community

1801 East Kanesville Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Overview of Primrose Retirement Community

Primrose Retirement Community is a 64-bed senior living campus at 1801 East Kanesville Boulevard in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Administered by Tiffany Eggett and certified as a dementia-specific assisted living program, the facility serves Pottawattamie County with a clinical continuum ranging from independent townhome villas to specialized memory care. The campus maintains a current occupancy rate of approximately 55%, with private room rates starting near $4,900 per month.

State inspection records show a deficiency rate that is 6% more favorable than the Iowa state average. While a May 2024 recertification audit was completed with zero deficiencies, a November 2024 follow-up cited three concerns regarding service plan accuracy and memory care unit door alarms. Long-term data indicate a per-inspection citation rate that is 17% below the state mean, though the community remains a private-pay facility and does not currently participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

On-site nursing, personal aid, and therapy are managed through a 24-hour staffing framework. This model emphasizes individualized cognitive support, addressing various stages of memory loss within a secure environment. Though residents utilize regular wellness monitoring and restorative programs, the rural-style location is car-dependent with a Walk Score of zero. Notably, the facility has maintained its license without any suspensions since it began operations in 2008.

A home-like residential setting is supported by three daily meals and specialized social spaces like a 1950s-style ice cream parlor. Common areas available to residents include a chapel, wellness center, billiard room, and library. The service package also features weekly housekeeping, laundry, and local transportation, alongside pet-friendly housing options that offer quiet views. For convenience, basic cable and Wi-Fi access are fully integrated into the monthly residency costs.

Interested individuals should examine the current protocols for service plan updates and perimeter security during a tour of the grounds. It is recommended to consult with the administrator regarding the specific remedies applied to the 2024 citation findings and to ensure current staffing ratios are sufficient for the resident’s 2026 care requirements.

Contact Primrose Retirement Community

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 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.