Page 8 of Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Westview Acres Care Center is a 58-bed skilled nursing facility in Leon, Iowa, providing long-term care, short-term stays, and respite care. The center has been locally owned and operated by Stegotek Inc. since 1966 and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

CMS rates the facility well above the Iowa average overall, driven by strong health inspection and staffing sub-ratings. Total nursing hours average 5 hours and 3 minutes per resident per day — roughly 14% above the Iowa average of 4 hours and 25 minutes, ranking the facility 47th among 241 Iowa SNFs. One staffing note worth flagging: registered nurse staffing is 29 minutes per resident per day, below the state’s 44-minute average, while LPN staffing is 50% above the state figure.

Across 17 inspections since 2020, the facility logged 5.8 deficiencies per year — 32% above the Iowa average of 4.4. One complaint was substantiated in February 2024, involving a staff member’s early return to work following a positive COVID-19 test in violation of facility policy. No fines, Immediate Jeopardy findings, or license actions appear in the record. The trajectory is improving: the most recent annual survey in June 2025 produced a single documentation deficiency, down from seven in the prior year’s survey.

On-site therapy services include physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy. The facility offers 24-hour staffing.

Westview Acres is best suited for residents seeking long-term skilled nursing care or post-acute stays in a small, locally rooted facility in Decatur County — particularly those whose care needs are well-served by strong total nursing hours and established Medicare and Medicaid acceptance.

Overview of Golden Age Care Center

Golden Age Care Center operates a 46-bed skilled nursing community at 1915 South 18th Street in Centerville, Iowa. The location works at an 87 percent occupancy rate, using traditional out-of-pocket billing alongside conventional Medicare and state Medicaid network authorizations. Resident intervals average roughly 160 days, establishing a standard operational balance between long-term residential oversight and quick-paced, post-hospital physical recoveries.

Floor staff schedules ensure an average of 4 hours and 12 minutes of direct care for each day. Registered nurses and certified nursing aides cover this 24-hour medical timeline, running a dedicated Rehab to Home track alongside specialized physical services like wound care, IV therapies, and dialysis treatments.

For everyday comfort, the property features a beauty salon, basic laundry programs, and communal activities, while the surrounding neighborhood scores a 66 out of 100 for walkability, placing multiple local hospitals and basic services within a short drive.

Families can contact the main office to check on open room configurations, request information about the clinical therapy options, or schedule a convenient afternoon to look around the facility. The administrative desk can also assist with insurance cross-referencing to detail how personal funds or public benefit programs apply to monthly care fees.

Maple Manor Village is a 36-bed facility at 345 Parriott Street in Aplington, Iowa. Administered by Jordan Kampman, the community serves Butler County and provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and short-term rehabilitation. Current reports indicate a census of 34 residents, which is near its capacity and reflects steady community demand. The property is centrally located, offering easy access to local Aplington services and a cozy, small-town atmosphere.

Recent monitoring from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing shows a history of minor regulatory findings. While the facility achieved a citations-per-inspection rate of zero during a March 2026 recertification revisit, the initial February 2026 survey identified one deficiency. Earlier reviews in late 2025 documented two deficiencies related to protecting residents from the wrongful use of their belongings or money. Despite these recent administrative citations, the facility operates significantly below the state average for annual deficiencies.

Clinical care at this 26-year-old campus is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team providing 24-hour nursing support and therapy services. Data highlights that LPN staffing hours are 18% higher than the state average, which supports routine medical monitoring and post-acute recovery. Professional services include physical therapy and mobile rehabilitative support, alongside personalized daily assistance with activities such as dressing and bathing.

The residential environment includes ADA-accessible bathrooms, furnished suites, and common areas like a fireside lounge and an enclosed courtyard. Shared social amenities feature a beauty salon, a library, and a computer lounge to help residents stay connected with family. The community maintains a smoke-free facility and uses a secured entrance with an intercom system to ensure resident safety. Payment arrangements include private pay and Iowa Medicaid programs.

This environment suits seniors seeking small-scale living with high nurse-to-resident ratios and rehabilitation support. Families evaluating Maple Manor Village should ask directly about the corrective actions taken following the February 2026 survey and the 2025 financial oversight issues before making a placement decision.

Overview of New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center

New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center is a 46-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in New Hampton, Iowa. Privately owned and serving Chickasaw County residents, the facility offers skilled nursing, memory care, rehabilitation, and respite care. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. On-campus assisted living community Kensington Place extends the available continuum.

The inspection record shows a mixed picture. Over six years on file, the facility averaged 2.7 deficiencies annually, 39 percent below Iowa’s 4.4 average, with no immediate jeopardy findings, fines, or enforcement actions. Two surveys carry significant weight. A January 2025 complaint investigation substantiated physical abuse of two residents, found the facility failed to report the allegations to the state agency timely, and cited insufficient nursing staff as a contributing factor; all deficiencies corrected by February 2025, and the July 2025 annual survey was clean. A November 2022 incident investigation substantiated failure to monitor anticoagulation therapy for a newly admitted resident for 35 days until bleeding complications appeared, with an INR reaching 13.56, an actual harm finding. The August 2022 annual survey, also significant at eight deficiencies, cited a missing fentanyl patch not reported to a physician, additional abuse reporting failures, and a resident who didn’t receive ordered diuretic medication. Quality Measures run 15.6 percent above Iowa average, and staffing sits modestly above state benchmark, both counters to the health inspection picture. Occupancy at 52 percent runs well below Iowa’s 75.4 percent average, signaling current availability.

The community is built for long-term skilled nursing and post-acute rehabilitation in New Hampton, with an on-campus assisted living option for residents needing a lower level of care.

Overview of Wheatland Manor

Owned by Janyce Buchannan, Wheatland Manor is a nursing home in Iowa that has served residents for 42 years. With 44 beds, the facility operates at full occupancy. Residents stay an average of 241 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term nursing care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering care expenses.

The facility’s nursing support is substantial. Daily nurse staffing averages nearly 4 hours per resident. The care team is composed of registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed vocational nurses. Rehabilitation services are a central part of the community’s care model.

Residents can also participate in structured daily activities such as exercise classes, gardening programs, and book clubs for physical activity and social engagement. Dining is offered in a restaurant-style setting with wholesome ingredients and shared mealtime experiences.

The facility’s location has a Walk Score of 28. A few nearby destinations may be accessible on foot, but most trips require transportation. On-site amenities include a salon and barbershop, fitness equipment, housekeeping services, and flexible all-day dining options that support day-to-day comfort and convenience.

State inspections in recent years highlighted the importance of resident transfer procedures and ongoing supervision practices. Families considering the facility should take a tour and ask how staff work on these areas.

Overview of Elkader Care Center

Serving the community for many years, Elkader Care Center is a 40-bed nursing home in Iowa owned by Kristin Dunlap. Residents stay an average of 429 days, including those admitted for post-acute rehabilitation and receiving longer-term care.

The home has 70% occupancy and provides rehabilitation services alongside skilled nursing care. Daily nursing support averages 3 hours and 20 minutes per resident. Registered nurses and nurse aides are part of that. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted, so families have different options when arranging coverage.

Elkader Care Center is in a moderately walkable area with a Walk Score of 59. Some errands and nearby services are within walking distance, but most trips require driving. It’s a quieter small-town setting.

Inspection records from the past six years show periods of compliance challenges and at the same time, improvement. Training protocols and timely care delivery have been recurring areas noted during inspections, but the facility has worked to address those findings. Recent inspection data shows movement toward substantial compliance with all surveyed regulatory standards. That’s part of the facility’s ongoing effort to strengthen operations.

Families considering Elkader Care Center should keep that history in mind when evaluating the home. Taking a tour can provide a better understanding of current operations and the facility’s approach to care.

Overview of Suites of Ankeny

Administered by Scott Marnin, Suites of Ankeny is an assisted living and independent living community in Ankeny, Iowa. The 68-bed community is housed in a two-story building and has been operating for 9 years. It currently has an occupancy rate of about 47%.

Residents can choose from one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ranging from about 674 to 971 square feet. Each apartment has a private kitchen, microwave, and in-apartment laundry. Housekeeping services are provided every two weeks. In this community, a family member can move in with a resident for an additional monthly fee, which can be a practical option for couples or families who want to remain together.

Residents have access to 24-hour nursing support, along with short-term and respite stays for those recovering from an illness or for families considering longer-term care. Transportation services and fitness and recreation programs are also available. Residents can bring their pets.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing oversees the community. Inspection reports have most often focused on staff training documentation and carrying out individual resident service plans. Other inspections found no deficiencies.

The area has a Walk Score of 52 out of 100, which is moderately walkable. Some errands can be completed on foot, along with some nearby amenities. Families touring Suites of Ankeny should ask how staff training and resident care plans are managed daily.

Overview of The Summit of Coralville

Age without worries at The Summit of Coralville, a blissful retreat in Coralville, IA, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Committed to improving residents’ living experiences, a compassionate and highly skilled team provides top-notch care tailored to their needs 24/7. Purposely built and spacious studio to two-bedroom floor plans are available in a nurturing and pet-friendly environment, ensuring residents feel a sense of belonging during their stay.

Here, residents will not run out of things to do with a thoughtfully curated calendar of fun recreational activities and stimulating programs that highlight their interests and capabilities. Delectable and healthy meals are also served in an all-inclusive, restaurant-style dining, catering to residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Amenities include a library, a fitness center, a pool, a theater, and a spacious courtyard, creating the ideal setting for older adults to thrive in retirement.

Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, IA, is a non-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that offers independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. With a nurturing, home-like environment, the community ensures older adults can live comfortably during their stay. Light housekeeping, nutritious meals, and medication management are among the excellent services provided to improve residents’ living experiences. Residents also receive the utmost attention and care to recover and return to their routines with ease through personalized care plans.

Strength exercises, social events, and various recreational activities ensure residents can make friends and have fun. Safe trails, accessible common areas, and a garden also provide residents with more opportunities for recreation and wellness. Located near the Fort Museum and Frontier Village and bus stops along Kenyon Road, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This CCRC has a wide range of care options and a clean setting, making it a great choice for senior living in Iowa.

Overview of Ruthven Community Care Center

Ruthven Community Care Center runs a 30-bed nursing and rehabilitation property at 2701 Mitchell Street in Ruthven, Iowa. Operating with a 23-year history in the local region, the facility stands out by running at a 100 percent occupancy level. The business office processes regular statements using private payment options, traditional federal Medicare, and standard state Medicaid paths. Individual stays average roughly 136 days, creating a daily population profile that shifts between short-term physical therapy and permanent skilled nursing placements.

The clinical floor structure delivers an average of 3 hours and 54 minutes of total hands-on nursing attention to each resident daily. Registered nurses cover 28 minutes of this bedside schedule to handle specialized medical oversight, working in tandem with the broader nursing staff to coordinate functional maintenance programs, speech therapy, and post-hospital recovery tracks. This medical team serves a wider community-owned campus that integrates independent living apartments and assisted living services alongside the primary skilled nursing wing, allowing individuals to access multiple care tiers within a single rural property.

Interested individuals can get in touch with the admissions office to double-check waiting list timelines, ask about the independent villa apartments, or schedule an afternoon walkthrough of the campus.