Comparison Chart
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
24/7 care needed
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Hospice Care
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
24/7 care needed
Respite Care
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
24/7 care needed
Respite Care
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
24/7 care needed
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Respite Care
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
24/7 care needed
For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Oldorf Hospice House
Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Oldorf Hospice House radiates unparalleled beauty in its profound mission and physical presence. As a sanctuary dedicated to hospice, the house offers a nurturing, homely ambiance where seniors can spend their final moments in tranquility and respect, enveloped by the embrace of their cherished ones. This cherished residence emanates a profound sense of serenity and solace, poised to meet the unique needs of individuals and families navigating the delicate journey of end-of-life care with unwavering independence and grace.
Providing hospital-standard medical resources ensures that each patient receives the utmost compassionate care. All visitors are greeted with open arms, and patients are assured of continuous, round-the-clock care delivered by the seasoned and compassionate Hospice of Mercy team. This community also extends a temporary refuge for caregivers needing a respite.
Type of Care Available
Riverside Manor
Riverside Manor in Ames, Iowa, is a prime choice for seniors with diverse levels of disabilities, offering dedicated nursing care tailored to their needs. Within the heart of Ames, this facility goes above and beyond, aiming to create an exceptional memory care experience within a warm and home-like atmosphere. With a license for 59 beds, Riverside Manor is recognized as a large care community, ensuring a comprehensive range of services.
The facility boasts a vigilant 24-hour awake staff, ensuring residents have access to engaging activities such as entertainment, exercise, and wellness programs. Riverside Manor offers a plethora of enriching experiences, including outdoor excursions, pet therapy, music therapy, and more. Apart from the vibrant social life, residents benefit from essential services like housekeeping, meal preparation, and health-related services, including medication management and various therapies such as radiation therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy.
The Lindens at Green Hills
At The Lindens at Green Hills, the vision is to provide premier Assisted Living in Ames, Iowa, ensuring residents can continue doing what they love with just the right amount of support. With a specially trained care team, they prioritize individual choice and assist with daily activities like bathing, grooming, and medication management.
Their mission revolves around offering comprehensive services and amenities that empower residents to maintain their lifestyles, fostering dignified independence and comfort.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 536 / 644 / 816 / 1,489 sq. ft
Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: Mid-rise
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Type of Care Available
Heritage Court Assisted Living
Heritage Court Assisted Living in West Des Moines offers a comfortable and safe environment. Residents are guaranteed to feel welcomed in a friendly atmosphere; once can experience graceful aging thanks to the commitment of the staff to do everything for them. The assisted living home also offers an independent living program and nursing care services.
The cozy home-like setting of Heritage Court offers a range of services focused on the holistic wellness of its residents– weekly excursions, recreational activities, specialized programs, meals served daily, housekeeping, and transportation services provided.
What does this home offer?
Building Type: Single-story
Fitness and Recreation
Type of Care Available
Vintage Cooperative of Iowa City
Enjoy the best of your retirement at Vintage Cooperative of Iowa City, a distinct community in Iowa City, IA, offering cooperative living. Featuring thoughtfully furnished and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Residents also have a convenient lifestyle with convenient apartment features and maintenance services.
A variety of engaging activities and communal spaces are available, ensuring residents can interact with their surroundings and live actively. Residents enjoy delectable and healthy dining options with friends in the community room with a kitchen and a cafe. Pets are also welcome to accompany residents to ease their loneliness. The community’s vibrant and welcoming environment, alongside state-of-the-art amenities, creates the ideal setting for residents to thrive in their golden years.
What does this home offer?
Minimum Age: 55 Years Old
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 1,417 sq. ft
Housing Options: 2 Bed
Building Type: 3-story
Social and Recreational Activities
Exercise Programs
Type of Care Available
Slate at Grays Landing
Live a vibrant lifestyle at Slate at Grays Landing, a welcoming 55+ community in Des Moines, IA, offering independent living. The community has cozy and well-thought-out one- and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring residents’ comfort and safety. Residents enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with plenty of convenient apartment features and maintenance services.
Promoting social interactions, cozy communal spaces, and wellness opportunities are available to keep residents active and well-engaged. With a fully equipped kitchen in each unit, residents can prepare meals based on their dietary needs and preferences. The community’s extensive amenities and exceptional services help residents downsize in retirement without hassles.
What does this home offer?
Minimum Age: 55 Years Old
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 720 - 961 / 1,339 sq. ft
Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: Mid-rise
Exercise Programs
Swimming Pool
Parking Available
Type of Care Available
Calvin Community
With a rich history spanning over 50 years, Calvin Community has been a beacon of exceptional senior living since its establishment in 1965. Tucked in the vibrant city of Des Moines, Iowa, this community radiates a unique charm that captivates both residents and staff. Guided by Christian values, the home offers a wide range of services, including assisted living memory care and skilled care, and cost could be paid through a one-time buy-in fee or monthly fees.
At Calvin Community, the living spaces are meticulously designed to harmonize comfort and style. The choice of one or two-bedroom apartments and private entry townhomes provides residents with a sense of freedom and independence. These thoughtfully crafted floor plans offer spaciousness and serenity, serving as a canvas for residents to create their haven. With an emphasis on promoting an active lifestyle, they encourage residents to engage in meaningful activities that inspire joy and fulfillment. For those who wish to retain their vehicles, the availability of garages adds an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind. Additionally, convenient transportation services are provided, facilitating easy access to nearby destinations and appointments.
What does this home offer?
Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: 3-story
Type of Care Available
Holiday Illahee Hills
Holiday on Illahee Hills is an exceptional senior living community settling in Colby Parkway, Urbandale, IA, that offers independent living. Featuring a wide range of floor plans including studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments, the community provides warm and cozy residences. Holiday Illahee Hills ensures a comfortable and safe residence with its round-the-clock care and assistance from a well-trained and dedicated team.
Moreover, the community provides safety rails and wheelchair-accessible spaces for the seniors’ safety within the grounds. The community promotes a warm and friendly environment, conducting activities that encourage seniors to engage and interact. Moreover, Holiday Illahee Hills provides healthy and delicious meals three times daily that can be enjoyed with wonderful conversations at their patio dining. The community is equipped with a gym, a beauty salon, a library, a lounge area, a community center, an activity room, a game room, a scenic patio, a beautiful garden, and serene walking paths for its residents’ entertainment and wellness.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 310 - 475 / 510 - 686 / 910 / 600 - 910 sq. ft.
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / Cottage
Building Type: 2-story
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Type of Care Available
Villas at Stoney Point
Experience a worry-free retirement at Villas at Stoney Point, an astounding community in Cedar Rapids, IA, offering independent living. Dedicated to the comfort of those 55+, the community features cozy and specially designed one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Residents can also keep their peace of mind with plenty of convenient apartment features and maintenance services.
Exciting events and engaging programs are conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Continental breakfast is also served daily, ensuring residents start their days with a delightful meal. The community is equipped with a bistro, a movie theater, an arts studio, a heated indoor pool, a physical therapy room, a fitness studio, pickleball courts, a putting green, a fishing pond, and serene walking paths, creating the perfect setting for residents’ recreation and wellness.
What does this home offer?
Minimum Age: 55 Years Old
Room Sizes: 672 / 763 / 935 / 960 / 1,171 sq. ft
Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: Mid-rise
Dining Services
Social and Recreational Activities
Exercise Programs
Type of Care Available
Walden Place Senior Living
Elevate living experience with Walden Place Senior Living located in Iowa City, IA, offering independent living services. Spacious and cozy accommodations are available for its residents based on their needs. The community is dedicated to promoting a people-focused lifestyle wherein freedom and convenience are always the top priority for its residents to freely choose any care and services they need throughout their stay.
Committed to providing higher quality service and unparalleled care, residents can enjoy the following amenities and services: daily events and entertainment, housekeeping, maintenance, restaurant dining, transportation, and many more. Meet new companions by visiting its beautifully created shared spaces such as the bistro, lounge, and game room. With Walden Place Senior Living, seniors can truly acquire a glorious retirement.
What does this home offer?
Building Type: 2-story
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Type of Care Available
Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology
View Full Ranking MethodologyHow Assisted Living Magazine Evaluates & Scores Nursing Homes
Assisted Living Magazine ranks nursing homes using a rigorous, data-driven scoring model built specifically for skilled nursing.
Because this care level is regulated, clinical outcomes and compliance carry significantly more weight than transparency or digital presence.
Each community receives a ranking based on the factors below, weighted according to their importance in predicting resident safety, care quality, and long-term stability.
Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.
What We Prioritize MostThe largest share of every nursing home’s score — 45% of the total weighting — comes from clinical and regulatory indicators, including:
- Overall, staffing, and inspection ratings
- Long-stay and short-stay quality measures
- Nurse-to-resident and staff-to-resident ratios
- Health deficiencies and regulatory history
- Accreditations and positive local news reporting
These factors directly reflect resident safety, care quality, and compliance.
Operational Stability & Resident SupportAnother 35% of the score comes from operational and stability signals, such as:
- Nurse hours per patient per day
- Occupancy levels and cleanliness citations
- Administrative stability and ownership quality
- Readmission rates and registered-nurse turnover
The remaining 20% of the score includes contextual elements such as:
- Year built or renovated
- Penalties, fines, and preventable readmissions
- Revenue per bed
- Administrator tenure
These factors help round out the overall picture but carry less weight because our methodology prioritizes clinical outcomes and regulatory consistency above all else.
The result is a clear, data-driven ranking system that elevates nursing homes delivering exceptional care and long-term resident safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
- Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
- Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
- State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
- Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
- Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.
Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.
We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up.
- Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
- Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
- Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
- Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
- Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
- Senior-focused concierge medicine
- Senior-focused nutritionist
- Senior-focused personal training
- Memory care specialists
- Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
- Custom hearing aids
- Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
- Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
- Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Check out our resident interviews
Check out our cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
- Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
- Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
- State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
- Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
- Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.
Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.
Check out our cost guide.
We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up.
- Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
- Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
- Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
- Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
- Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
- Senior-focused concierge medicine
- Senior-focused nutritionist
- Senior-focused personal training
- Memory care specialists
- Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
- Custom hearing aids
- Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
- Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
- Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Check out our resident interviews
Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way
We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.
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