Best Assisted Living in Iowa

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 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.

Financing for the 58-bed nursing home at 100 Sixth Street in Nevada, Iowa, is coordinated through private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid. Residents generally stay for about three months on average, balancing temporary rehabilitation patients with traditional long-term residents. The building currently runs at a lower occupancy rate, allowing the administration to offer immediate room availability and flexible placement options for incoming individuals.

Hands-on care is provided by a floor staff that delivers an average of 4 hours and 14 minutes of direct attention to each resident daily. A strong presence of nurse aides anchors this round-the-clock clinical schedule, with the team focusing on orthopedic recovery, physical rehabilitation, and daily personal care to help people regain their independence. For visitors traveling to the property, the surrounding neighborhood scores a 71 out of 100 for walkability, which means basic day-to-day errands can easily be managed on foot.

Interested individuals can get in touch with the main office to find out about current room availability, ask about the orthopedic therapy schedules, or set up a time to visit the building. The administration can also help review your insurance benefits and explain how Medicare or Medicaid applies to short-term recovery stays.

Overview of Grand Living at Indian Creek

Grand Living at Indian Creek is a 64-bed assisted living facility at 325 Collins Road SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Administered by Dara Fishnick, the community offers a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and a dedicated “Luminations” memory care program under license S0401. The facility currently reports approximately 47% occupancy with 30 residents, which is significantly lower than the state average of 75.4%. Its location carries a Walk Score of 44, making the community’s chauffeured transportation necessary for most local errands.

Records from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing indicate a pattern of regulatory challenges. Since 2019, the campus has recorded 36 total deficiencies, an annual average of 5.1 that exceeds the state benchmark by 31%. A February 2025 inspection identified nine deficiencies, including unsecured narcotics and failures in fall response protocols. While no fines have been issued, earlier audits between 2021 and 2022 documented issues with staff training and incomplete background checks.

Care delivery at this facility is supported by a wellness center and professional staff available for 24-hour assistance. Recent state evaluations cited medication administration errors affecting multiple residents and incomplete service plan reviews. Despite these documentation gaps, the facility achieved a citations-per-inspection rate of zero for more severe “immediate jeopardy” categories in its most recent major survey. The care model emphasizes aging in place, allowing residents to receive increased support without changing apartments.

The residential environment is modeled after a hotel, featuring multiple dining venues, a grand library, and a private chapel. Shared amenities include a “Legends Club,” a spa, and an auditorium for social entertainment. While the building was sold in August 2025 as a “Class-A” asset, internal employee reviews highlight concerns regarding management stability and occasional food supply issues. The comunity remains pet-friendly and continues to offer diverse fitness and arts programs.

This environment suits seniors seeking a high-amenity, resort-style campus with integrated care transitions. Families evaluating Grand Living at Indian Creek should ask directly about the corrective actions taken following the February 2025 medication security citations and request a copy of the current staff training log for dementia care before making a placement decision.

Assisi Village, located in Dubuque, Iowa, aims to create a supportive and independent community for seniors, offering Assisted Living as the perfect choice for those seeking a balance between autonomy and assistance. The mission is to provide a welcoming environment where residents feel comfortable and content. A full-time Registered Nurse customizes programs, ensuring safety and independence. The community values individual needs, offering a continuum of care services and priority access to higher levels of assisted living care. 

Assisi Village boasts a range of amenities to enrich residents’ lives. With a compassionate staff available 24/7, personalized services include assistance with daily activities. Amenities include restaurant-style dining, daily mass, and wellness programs. The community provides social, educational, and cultural spaces, ensuring a vibrant and engaging environment. Residents enjoy access to a fully equipped Wellness Center, while the outdoor areas, including patio and gardens, contribute to a pleasant living experience at Assisi Village.

A proud member of the Jaybird Senior Living Community, Vintage Hills is an elegant home that is built based on the convenience and comfort of its residents. The services provided and designed in the community call on its residents to expand their vibrant social lives.  Management aims to raise the standard for assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Des Moines. Vintage Hills is one of the trusted homes in the city that many families have gone to. 
Vintage Hills services are delivered in an exceptional way; offering gracious amenities that make everyday living easier. A full-service salon and barbershop, outdoor common areas, spacious lounge areas, an elegant dining room with delicious meals served, enriching activities, and specialized programs offered.

Ensconced within the charming ambiance of Iowa City, Legacy Senior Living stands as a pinnacle of retirement living on the east side. This vibrant community offers a harmonious blend of residential assisted living with memory care options, ensuring a holistic and dignified lifestyle for its residents. What sets Legacy Pointe apart is its dedication to continuous learning, exemplified by its specialized memory care training, empowering staff to provide compassionate and professional care to seniors.

The community’s commitment to excellence is underscored by its welcoming of respite stays and its efforts to cater to various dietary needs. The scenic campus boasts a pet-friendly environment, accompanied by splendid common areas, a beauty salon, a cutting-edge computer and media center, and a dynamic fitness hub. Engaging activities in the game room further enhance the sense of camaraderie and fulfillment.

Overview of Monticello Nursing & Rehab Center

Located in Monticello, Iowa, Monticello Nursing & Rehab Center is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. The 75-bed community is in a highly walkable area, so many local services and amenities are within walking distance. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families different options for covering both rehabilitation and long-term care.

The facility has an occupancy rate of 64%, and residents stay an average of 214 days, including those recovering from surgery, illness, and injury, and receiving longer-term care. Rehabilitation services are a major part of daily operations. Skilled nursing care is available alongside structured rehabilitation programs. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 11 minutes per resident. Nurse aides provide about 2 hours and 31 minutes of care each day.

Pennington Square Assisted Living is affiliated with the facility, so families have another option when care needs change over time. Respite care is also available for those who need to stay temporarily. These services are best during care transitions or when a caregiver needs time away from daily responsibilities.

State inspections have documented findings related to resident supervision and care protocols. The facility was able to address these concerns through follow-up corrections. It also has ongoing improvements to safety and care coordination procedures.

Ideally situated in the thriving setting of Oakland, IA, Oakland Heights is an outstanding community that offers assisted living. With a compassionate and well-trained team available around the clock, residents receive exceptional care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs. Purposely built and secure accommodations are also provided in a nurturing and welcoming environment, ensuring residents feel at ease during their stay.

Dedicated to residents’ happiness and well-being, a jam-packed calendar of enriching activities and fun recreational programs is conducted. Mealtimes promote social interactions and meet nutritional needs with delicious and well-balanced dining options. For convenience and safety, medication management is also available. The community is a great option for those looking to maintain their independence without hassles, especially with its top-notch services and state-of-the-art amenities.