Page 8 of Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 310 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.
310 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

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. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
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.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
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.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
Grand Living at Indian Creek
AL
IL
MC
Cedar Rapids
264
Facility 264
IA AVG 73
Rank #1 / 289
Yes
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 45
Rank #279 / 302
-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 18
Rank #168 / 232
51.1%
Facility 51.1%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #151 / 259
-5
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Homesteaders at Holland Farms
AL
IL
MC
Norwalk
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 73
Rank #82 / 289
No
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 45
Rank #50 / 302
-
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 18
Rank #187 / 232
46.3%
Facility 46.3%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #207 / 259
-6
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #89 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
3801 Grand
AL
IL
MC
Des Moines (East Village)
106
Facility 106
IA AVG 73
Rank #51 / 289
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 45
Rank #1 / 302
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #29 / 232
40.6%
Facility 40.6%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #217 / 259
-6
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #203 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Heartland Care Center
AL
HOS
NH
SNF
Fenton Marcus
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 73
Rank #247 / 289
No
31
Facility 31
IA AVG 45
Rank #210 / 302
-
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 18
Rank #22 / 232
71.1%
Facility 71.1%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #83 / 259
B+15
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #58 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Mount Carmel Bluffs
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Dubuque (South Switch Junction)
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 73
Rank #158 / 289
No
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 45
Rank #297 / 302
1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 18
Rank #187 / 232
91.7%
Facility 91.7%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #17 / 259
?14
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 6
Rank #58 / 265
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 265
Prairie Vista Village
AL
IL
NH
SNF
South Altoona
68
Facility 68
IA AVG 73
Rank #126 / 289
Yes
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 45
Rank #214 / 302
-
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 18
Rank #137 / 232
50.0%
Facility 50.0%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #152 / 259
?3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Newton Village INC
AL
HOS
IL
MC
NH
SNF
West Newton
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 73
Rank #115 / 289
Yes
67
Facility 67
IA AVG 45
Rank #60 / 302
-
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 18
Rank #182 / 232
52.9%
Facility 52.9%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #140 / 259
?2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Ruthven Community Care Center
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Ruthven
30
Facility 30
IA AVG 73
Rank #274 / 289
Yes
33
Facility 33
IA AVG 45
Rank #200 / 302
-
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 18
Rank #61 / 232
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #1 / 259
?2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #121 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Holy Spirit Retirement Home
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Sioux City
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 73
Rank #184 / 289
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 45
Rank #1 / 302
-
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #34 / 232
28.8%
Facility 28.8%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #253 / 259
?7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #225 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Rotary Senior Living
AL
IL
MC
NH
RESC
Eagle Grove
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 73
Rank #225 / 289
No
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 45
Rank #233 / 302
Private Rooms
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 18
Rank #168 / 232
77.5%
Facility 77.5%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #77 / 259
?4
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #180 / 265

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each assisted living community is ranked against every other IA assisted living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 310 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Grand Living at Indian Creek

Grand Living at Indian Creek offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Cedar Rapids, IA. Independent living means private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, so the range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time without leaving the community.

The community has 264 beds, bringing together more residents, staff, and usually more programming than a smaller community. Respite care offers a short stay when a resident’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving in.

Multiple restaurant-style dining venues serve chef-prepared meals, giving residents more than one on-site setting for meals. A pool and wellness center provide places for exercise, while salon services support personal care and outdoor recreation areas offer space for outdoor activity. Chauffeured transportation is available for scheduled travel, and LUMINATIONS® memory care and FACETS® Events and Activities are among the community’s named programs.

Dara Fishnick serves as the administrator.

Contact Grand Living at Indian Creek

Overview of Homesteaders at Holland Farms

Homesteaders at Holland Farms offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Norwalk, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks while a resident keeps their own apartment, independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

The community opened in 2021 and has 80 beds. Its range of care levels may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time, since changing care can happen without leaving the community. Respite care is available for short stays, which can suit a family caregiver who needs to travel or recover.

Residents can watch films in the in-house movie theatre, visit the bistro, and use walking trails within the community. A Walk Score of 70 places the area in the very walkable band, so most errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Blake Dodd serves as the administrator.

Contact Homesteaders at Holland Farms

3801 Grand

3801 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-2800
Overview of 3801 Grand

3801 Grand offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Des Moines, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident maintains their own apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering.

Having all three care types in one community may make 3801 Grand a good fit for a resident whose needs could grow over time, because a move to another care level may not require leaving the community. The community has 106 beds, and Angie Wadle serves as administrator.

A Walk Score of 91 out of 100 makes the area a walker’s paradise, meaning daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Social, dining, and wellness programming gives residents organized activities connected to those parts of daily life.

Contact 3801 Grand

Overview of Heartland Care Center

Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa, delivers long-term nursing home care, assisted living support, skilled nursing services, and hospice care. Assisted living plans help residents manage daily routines such as bathing, dressing, and medication administration. On-site hospice programs offer dedicated end-of-life support, while short-term rehabilitation therapies address specific physical recovery needs.

Operating since 1994 under administrator Tim Nielsen, the 38-bed residence provides a smaller, close-knit setting. Clinical services include wound management, routine medication administration, and hands-on assistance with everyday tasks. Total nurse staffing registers at 5 hours and 48 minutes per resident per day.

Amenities feature an on-site salon and spa, regular religious services, and daily dining options tailored to special dietary needs. Financial coverage includes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay options, while a 31 Walk Score indicates that local travel requires a vehicle.

Older adults seeking long-term residential care or specialized health support can contact Heartland Care Center to check current openings, inquire about payment options, or schedule a campus walkthrough.

Contact Heartland Care Center

Overview of Mount Carmel Bluffs

Enjoy the best of your golden years at Mount Carmel Bluffs, an outstanding community in Dubuque, IA, offering independent living. The community also offers enriched living, memory care, and long-term care to meet residents’ healthcare needs. Residents can also keep their peace of mind with housekeeping and other maintenance services.

Plenty of local shops and recreational spaces surround the area, providing residents with unending leisure and wellness opportunities. Residents can also prepare meals according to their dietary needs and preferences with a fully furnished kitchen in each unit. The community’s extensive amenities and exceptional services create the ideal setting for the finest retirement experience.

Contact Mount Carmel Bluffs

Overview of Prairie Vista Village

Prairie Vista Village, in Altoona, IA, has assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care. Independent living is a private home with no daily care attached to it. Assisted living adds dressing, bathing, and medication management, the last of which is the one with a schedule.

Long-term care is what the nursing home side means. Skilled nursing is on site, which is to say the nurse’s commute already happened before anybody needed one. Four levels under one address suit somebody whose needs increase, and staying put becomes possible as they do.

Sixty-eight beds fall under the license. Daily nursing per resident totals 4 hours and 49 minutes. Two payers work here, Medicare and private pay, for covered care or residence costs.

Short-term rehabilitation covers a time-limited stay for somebody recovering and working toward the next level of function. Pets are allowed, so a resident may keep one. John Freeman administers the village, and the fit is somebody who wants independent living now and may want more later.

Contact Prairie Vista Village

Newton Village INC

122 North 5Th Avenue West, Newton, IA 50208
Overview of Newton Village

Newton Village in Newton, Iowa, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, hospice care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing. Independent living gives residents private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living helps with tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication management. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Hospice care supports residents who need end of life care. Respite care is available for a short term stay when a family’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. With several care levels in one community, Newton Village may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since moving between care levels may be possible without leaving the community. Newton Village has 70 beds.

Medicare and private pay are accepted. Medicare covers short term skilled care after a hospital stay, rather than long term residence, while private pay lets a family pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 9 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident.

Landscaped gardens, patios, and walking paths give residents outdoor areas to use. A fitness center supports exercise, while the beauty salon and barber shop offer on site grooming services. Chef inspired meals are served in a communal dining setting, creating a shared place to eat, and pets are allowed. Skilled nursing rehabilitation for short term stays and long term care are available. A Walk Score of 67 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Dan Donohue serves as the administrator.

Contact Newton Village INC

Overview of Ruthven Community Care Center

Ruthven Community Care Center in Ruthven, Iowa, accommodates residents across nursing home care, assisted living, and independent living options. Assisted living plans help residents with routine tasks like dressing, bathing, and managing medications, while independent living offers private residential units paired with shared community amenities.

Administrator Rebecca Miner leads the 30-bed property. Daily nurse staffing records list 4 hours and 2 minutes per resident per day. Payment choices cover Medicare, Medicaid, and direct private pay. The residence allows pets, enabling individuals to keep their companion animals. Location metrics show a walk score of 33, indicating that neighborhood errands require driving or organized transportation.

Individuals exploring multi-level senior living options can reach out to Ruthven Community Care Center to learn about current vacancies, evaluate accepted funding sources, or arrange a property tour.

Contact Ruthven Community Care Center

Overview of Holy Spirit Retirement Home

Opened in 1999, Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Along with support with daily tasks, residents receive ongoing clinical support from licensed nurses on-site. The community also provides specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

With 52 beds, the community allows staff and residents to get to know each other. Residents also receive a total of 4 hours and 41 minutes of nursing care daily. Meanwhile, a Walk Score of 91 out of 100 places the area in the walker’s paradise band. This also suggests that daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can get out independently.

Rehabilitation services, spiritual life programming, and religious services are available for residents who need rehabilitation support or want to participate in spiritual activities. Payment options also include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families public and direct payment routes for eligible care.

Contact Holy Spirit Retirement Home

Overview of Rotary Senior Living

Find all the care you need with the astounding senior living community of Rotary Senior Living in Eagle Grove, IA, which offers an array of care options including assisted living, independent living, memory care, long-term care, and rehabilitation. With its dedication to delivering the highest quality of care and support, the community provides a team of licensed and well-trained professionals helping seniors with their needs 24/7. Families can also rest easy with the knowledge that their loved ones are well-cared for.

The community fosters a vibrant and welcoming environment, ensuring residents have the freedom to live as they please. Healthy and delicious meals await residents every mealtime for a delightful dining experience. Rotary Senior Living is great for seniors looking to enjoy their golden years in one place.

Contact Rotary Senior Living

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 310 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.

Assisted Living in Iowa at a glance

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: 45/ 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: 73The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90