Page 13 of Best Senior Communities in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 512 senior communities in IA using IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank senior communities in IA
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We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every senior community provider in Iowa.
512 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

Compare Senior Communities 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. HC (Home Care): Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. SC (Senior Communities):
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.
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.
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.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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.
Homestead of Albia
SC
AL
Albia
70-Yes 55 -13 44.3% -63-
River Valley Place of Ottumwa
SC
AL
MC
RC
Ottumwa
100-Yes 77 -19 30.0% -95-
Better Living of Walcott
SC
AL
IL
MC
RC
Walcott
67-No 40 -7 34.3% -41-
Ridgeview Assisted Living
SC
AL
Cedar Rapids
88?No 47 -21-A+39-
Calvin Community AL
SC
AL
IL
MC
SNF
Des Moines (Lower Beaver)
162-No 57 -7 21.0% -3--
Clarence Nursing Home
SC
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Clarence
46ANo 34 -- 91.3% A+183-
Midlands Living Center LLC
SC
HOS
NH
RC
SNF
Council Bluffs
94A-No 77 -23 70.2% A+2611-
Bethany Home Retirement Center
SC
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Dubuque (Eagle Point District)
66?No 69 1 Bed / 2 Bed- 95.5% -1442
NewAldaya Lifescapes
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Cedar Falls
112?No 64 -1 86.6% -2462
Davenport Lutheran Home
SC
AL
HC
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Davenport
98?No 44 Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms1 67.3% -2391
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Overview of Homestead of Albia

Homestead of Albia is an assisted living community in Albia, IA. Residents can receive help with daily activities such as dressing and bathing, along with medication management, while living in private apartments. Homestead of Albia has 70 beds.

Daily home-cooked meals give residents prepared food as part of the community routine, and a salon and spa are available on site. Pets are allowed, so a resident may be able to bring a pet when moving into the community. Sam Brink serves as the administrator.

A Walk Score of 55 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still handle certain nearby errands independently. Homestead of Albia may be a good fit for an older adult who needs help with daily tasks but wants a private apartment and the ability to keep a pet.

Contact Homestead of Albia

Overview of River Valley Place of Ottumwa

River Valley Place of Ottumwa offers assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Ottumwa, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision. Respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

The combination of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, as well as a family needing short term support while a primary caregiver travels or recovers. River Valley Place of Ottumwa has 100 beds, and Shelby Frank serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 77 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Pets are allowed, enabling a resident to bring a pet when moving into the community.

Contact River Valley Place of Ottumwa

Overview of Better Living of Walcott

Better Living of Walcott provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and respite care in Walcott, IA. Having several care levels in one community can allow a resident whose needs grow to move to a different level without leaving the community or starting over socially.

Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Respite care offers a short stay for a resident whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, and the community may be a good fit for a family needing that temporary support.

The community has 67 beds. A Walk Score of 40 places Better Living of Walcott in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride. Taylor Thorpe serves as the administrator.

Contact Better Living of Walcott

Overview of Ridgeview Assisted Living

Administered by Bella Curtis, Ridgeview Assisted Living is an 88-bed assisted living community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With Michelle Van Dolah serving as administrator, the community sits on F Avenue NW, about 2.6 miles from the city center. Over its 26 years in operation, the home has become a settled part of the local care landscape, maintaining an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The neighborhood scores 47 for walkability, meaning some nearby services are within walking distance, while most errands and appointments require transportation. The community’s location is easily accessible to shopping, dining, banking, and other daily needs in Cedar Rapids. The home offers a set of specialized care services: diabetic care, non-ambulatory care, and ancillary services alongside core assisted living support. 24-hour-staffing ensures help is there all the time. It bolsters an active lifestyle with on- and off-site activities, comprising devotional programming for occupants who cherish spiritual connection. A daily routine of baking fresh bread, served at the noon meal, mirrors the facility’s attention to small comforts that make a place homely.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing’s state inspections track the facility’s compliance with health and safety standards. For 22 years, Ridgeview Assisted Living has been operating under state oversight.

Contact Ridgeview Assisted Living

Overview of Calvin Community Al

Calvin Community Al provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Des Moines, IA. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks. Memory care is secured and supervised for someone at risk of wandering, and skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available here. That may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time without requiring a move to another community. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. With 162 beds, the community includes more residents and staff than a smaller residence, along with usually more programming. Rehabilitation services are available on site, so residents can receive rehabilitation within the community rather than arranging care with an outside provider.

Pam’s Kitchen and the Wellness Team are named programs, and weekly worship services provide a scheduled religious activity. Meals are served in a dining room, with special dietary accommodations for residents with specific food needs. A Walk Score of 57 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Jeanette Perdue serves as the administrator, and the community opened in 1965.

Contact Calvin Community AL

Overview of Clarence Nursing Home

Opened in 1988, Clarence Nursing Home offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing in Clarence, Iowa. Residents have access to ongoing clinical support with licensed nurses on-site. Moreover, rehabilitation services are provided, so residents receive recovery support to improve mobility.

With 46 beds, the community promotes an environment where staff and residents can get to know each other. Occupancy is at 91.3% occupancy, with an average length of stay of 292 days. Additionally, total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 27 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident.

Administered by Jason Tjaden, the community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several listed ways to cover care. A Walk Score of 34 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a transportation service.

Contact Clarence Nursing Home

Midlands Living Center LLC

2452 North Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0434
Overview of Midlands Living Center

Midlands Living Center is a nursing home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, offering skilled nursing, hospice care, and respite care. Short and long term care support residents who need either a temporary stay or ongoing nursing support, while skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Hospice care focuses on comfort for someone nearing the end of life, and respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

The community has 94 beds and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can cover short term skilled care after a hospital stay, rather than a long term residence, while Medicaid may help families whose savings do not cover an extended stay. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 18 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nurse time available for resident care.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are available for residents working on rehabilitation. Medical appointment transportation helps residents travel to those appointments. A salon and spa provide grooming services within the community, while recreational, spiritual, and restorative exercise programs offer structured activities. Jordan Tjaden serves as the administrator. Midlands Living Center may be a good fit for someone who needs short term rehabilitation, ongoing nursing care, or respite while a primary caregiver travels or recovers.

Contact Midlands Living Center LLC

Overview of Bethany Home Retirement Center

Surrounded by thriving local amenities in Dubuque, IA, Bethany Home Retirement Center is an outstanding community that offers independent living, memory care, and rehabilitation. Featuring purposely built and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance are taken care of, providing residents more time to do the things they love.

A variety of recreational activities and engaging programs are conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. With a food service program, residents enjoy delightful and healthy meals that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. The community also offers wellness services to improve residents’ living experiences. Residents are guaranteed the finest retirement experience amidst the community’s vibrant and welcoming environment.

Contact Bethany Home Retirement Center

Overview of NewAldaya Lifescapes

NewAldaya Lifescapes offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Cedar Falls, IA. Independent living means private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication management. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Respite care offers a short stay when a family caregiver needs to travel or recover, and skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available in one community. That may suit a resident whose needs grow over time and who may be able to continue living there rather than start over elsewhere. NewAldaya Lifescapes has 112 beds, with a 91% occupancy rate, meaning most beds are occupied. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 53 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nurse time allocated to each resident.

Residents can use rehabilitation services, a wellness center, fitness classes, and recreational activities within the community. New Day Salon and Spa offers an on-site place for salon and spa services, while Main Street, River Rock Café, Elm’s Pub, and Vern’s General Store provide named destinations for dining, refreshments, and shopping. Religious services are also available at Good Shepherd Chapel.

Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay. Medicaid can help families whose savings may not cover a long stay, while Medicare applies to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long-term residence. A Walk Score of 64 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to complete some nearby errands independently. Crystal Jasper serves as the administrator.

Contact NewAldaya Lifescapes

Overview of Davenport Lutheran Home

Davenport Lutheran Home covers a lot of ground for one address: nursing home care, assisted living, home care, independent living, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing, all at 1130 W 53rd St in Davenport, Iowa. It’s a single-story, 98-bed community with private and semi-private rooms, built to handle both short-term rehab stays and longer-term residents.

Sixty-six of those 98 beds are currently filled, a 67% occupancy rate. The neighborhood scores 44 on walkability, somewhat walkable, so a handful of errands are doable on foot while most still require a car. Karen Wilson administers the community.

Registered nurses put in about 32 minutes per resident daily. Licensed practical nurses add roughly 55 minutes on top of that. Nurse aides, who handle most of the direct hands-on care, contribute close to three full hours. Add it together and residents are getting nearly five hours of nursing attention every day.

Transportation services and fitness and recreation programming round out the practical side of daily life. There’s a memory care unit here too, built around a secured environment specifically for residents who need that kind of oversight. Coverage-wise, Davenport Lutheran Home takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have several routes to explore for funding care.

On the regulatory side, inspections at facilities like this one tend to focus on infection prevention, care planning and documentation, dietary and food service, and resident rights, the same handful of areas regulators look at across nursing homes generally.

MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center sits about two miles out, close enough to matter if hospital access is part of the decision. What Davenport Lutheran Home offers, in the end, is real range: multiple care levels, substantial nursing hours behind the numbers, and a dedicated memory care option inside one Davenport campus.

Contact Davenport Lutheran Home

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 Senior Communities in Iowa

What is senior living?

Senior communities are residential settings designed for adults aged 55 or older, with options ranging from active independent living to assisted living and memory care.

How many senior communities are listed on this page?

This page features 512 senior communities in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right senior community 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 senior communities 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.

Senior Communities in Iowa at a glance

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