Page 13 of Best Senior Communities in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 526 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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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every senior community provider in Iowa.
526 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:
Avg Walk Score: 46/ 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: 71The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

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. 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. 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. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative 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.
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.
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.
NewAldaya Lifescapes
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Cedar Falls
112
Facility 112
IA AVG 71
Rank #44 / 334
No
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 46
Rank #102 / 424
-
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 18
Rank #247 / 258
91.1%
Facility 91.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #31 / 295
17
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #175 / 299
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #236 / 299
Davenport Lutheran Home
SC
AL
HC
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Davenport
98
Facility 98
IA AVG 71
Rank #66 / 334
No
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 46
Rank #221 / 424
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 18
Rank #247 / 258
67.3%
Facility 67.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #140 / 295
23
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 7
Rank #225 / 299
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #205 / 299
Ridgecrest Village
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Davenport
82
Facility 82
IA AVG 71
Rank #83 / 334
Yes
41
Facility 41
IA AVG 46
Rank #238 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 18
Rank #247 / 258
67.1%
Facility 67.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #141 / 295
23
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #175 / 299
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #253 / 299
Homestead of Denison
SC
HOS
MC
NH
PC
RC
SNF
N Denison
43
Facility 43
IA AVG 71
Rank #256 / 334
No
33
Facility 33
IA AVG 46
Rank #290 / 424
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #38 / 258
58.1%
Facility 58.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #157 / 295
13
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #191 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Garden View
SC
AL
RESC
Carroll
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 71
Rank #119 / 334
No
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 46
Rank #39 / 424
-
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 18
Rank #177 / 258
48.6%
Facility 48.6%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #204 / 295
3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Independence Village of Ankeny
SC
AL
MC
Ankeny (Prairie Trail)
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 71
Rank #330 / 334
Yes
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 46
Rank #337 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 18
Rank #147 / 258
70.0%
Facility 70.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #133 / 295
8
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 7
Rank #225 / 299
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #236 / 299
Bickford of West Des Moines
SC
AL
MC
West Des Moines
66
Facility 66
IA AVG 71
Rank #151 / 334
Yes
59
Facility 59
IA AVG 46
Rank #131 / 424
Private Rooms
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #46 / 258
53.0%
Facility 53.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #174 / 295
12
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 7
Rank #275 / 299
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #295 / 299
Sunset Park Place
SC
AL
MC
RC
Dubuque
101
Facility 101
IA AVG 71
Rank #59 / 334
Yes
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 46
Rank #271 / 424
1 Bed / 2 Bed
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 18
Rank #77 / 258
46.5%
Facility 46.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #222 / 295
13
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 7
Rank #268 / 299
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #253 / 299
Bickford of Davenport
SC
AL
MC
Davenport
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 71
Rank #213 / 334
Yes
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 46
Rank #137 / 424
Private Rooms
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #46 / 258
47.1%
Facility 47.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #215 / 295
10
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 7
Rank #225 / 299
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #289 / 299
Addington Place of Clinton
SC
AL
MC
Clinton
148
Facility 148
IA AVG 71
Rank #20 / 334
Yes
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 46
Rank #377 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 18
Rank #119 / 258
43.2%
Facility 43.2%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #236 / 295
10
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 299
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #205 / 299

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every IA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 526 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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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

Overview of Ridgecrest Village

Ridgecrest Village opened recently in a three-story building on Northwest Boulevard in Davenport, Iowa, and is still filling out its 82-bed capacity. At 67% occupancy, with 55 of 82 beds filled, it is in the early stages of establishing its census. The average resident stay is 174 days, which puts it squarely in the territory of both post-acute rehab and longer-term skilled nursing.

Total nursing care runs close to four hours per resident per day, with registered nurses contributing 59 minutes of that directly. Nurse aides account for another 2 hours and 26 minutes. For families evaluating nursing coverage as a primary criterion, that’s a concrete number to work with.

The care model centers on rehabilitation and skilled nursing: short-term rehab, respite care, and 24-hour staffing are all confirmed services. Chef-prepared meals are served daily, and the activity calendar addresses varying resident interests. A spa, cafe, and garden round out the on-site amenities. The neighborhood is only somewhat walkable (Walk Score 41), so most outside trips will require transportation.

State inspections have focused primarily on medication management, infection control, dietary practices, and resident rights. The payment picture is straightforward: Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted.

For a facility still building its census, Ridgecrest Village offers a credible staffing foundation and a flexible payment base. It is most directly suited to residents seeking short-term post-acute rehabilitation or structured skilled nursing care in a newer building with a modest amenity set.

Contact Ridgecrest Village

Overview of Homestead of Denison

Homestead of Denison provides nursing home care, skilled nursing, hospice care, memory care, palliative care, and respite care in Denison, IA. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for residents who may be at risk of wandering.

Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort. Respite care offers a short stay when a resident’s usual caregiver needs time away or time to recover, which can give families a temporary care option without arranging a long term placement.

The home has 43 beds, creating a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know each other. Rehabilitation includes short term rehabilitation for a temporary recovery stay and outpatient therapy for people receiving therapy without a long term nursing home placement. Homestead of Denison may be a good fit for someone who needs supervised memory care or for a family seeking care in a smaller setting.

A Walk Score of 33 places the area in a car dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride; a resident who no longer drives would generally need transportation to run errands. Ashlee Killian serves as the administrator.

Contact Homestead of Denison

Garden View

502 South Maple Street, Carroll, IA 51401
Overview of Garden View

Garden View offers assisted living and Residential Care in Carroll, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps their own apartment. The two care options may suit a resident who needs daily support within a residential setting.

Garden View has 72 beds, and Jaycie Schwenk serves as administrator. Home-cooked meals include accommodations for special diet needs, so residents with those needs can have them addressed at mealtimes. A Walk Score of 80 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still reach nearby services independently.

Contact Garden View

Overview of Independence Village of Ankeny

Operating for 14 years, Independence Village of Ankeny is a small assisted living and memory care community in the Prairie Trail neighborhood of Ankeny, Iowa. About 2.3 miles from the city center, and with 20 beds arranged in a two-story building, the home offers an intimate residential setting where each occupant can receive personalized attention. The facility provides flexible housing options in studios and one and two-bedroom units, letting families select the layout that best suits their loved one’s preferences and lifestyle needs. It maintains a steady 70 percent occupancy rate, with 14 residents currently living on-site. This smaller scale fosters closer staff-resident relationships and a calmer environment versus larger communities, which captivates families wanting a more homely ambiance.

The neighborhood’s Walk Score is 25, so the location is somewhat walkable, with a few nearby services reachable on foot, though most errands need transportation. This setting suits residents and families who prefer a more serene and residential area. Independence Village’s approach encourages occupants to maintain independence wherever possible, helping them feel empowered and engaged with their surroundings. The pet-friendly community welcomes cats and dogs into spacious units, a major benefit for residents who find companionship and comfort in animals. Dining is chef-prepared with resident choice and attention to dietary restrictions, ensuring nutrition and enjoyment at each meal. Daily life includes activities tailored to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit, like movie nights and wellness events spanning manicures and mimosas. The facility provides 24-hour care and response services, 24/7 assistance with medication and mobility for occupants managing memory loss, and executive director Sydney Petersen’s personalized support.

A Better Business Bureau rating of A+ mirrors Independence Village of Ankeny’s business practices and complaint history.

Contact Independence Village of Ankeny

Overview of Bickford of West Des Moines

Bickford of West Des Moines offers assisted living and memory care in West Des Moines, Iowa. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident has a private room. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Both care levels are available on one campus, so a resident whose needs grow can move from assisted living to memory care without leaving the community or starting over socially. That makes Bickford of West Des Moines a potential fit for someone whose care needs may change over time. The community has 66 beds and offers private rooms, giving each resident an individual room rather than shared accommodation.

Respite care provides a short stay when a family’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. Pets are allowed, so residents may keep a pet in the community, and salon services provide grooming on site. Dining includes homestyle food made from scratch. West Des Moines has a Walk Score of 59 out of 100 and is described as somewhat walkable, so some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to get out independently. Tesse Lester serves as the administrator.

Contact Bickford of West Des Moines

Overview of Sunset Park Place

Affiliated with the Jaybird Senior Living group, Sunset Park Place is a senior living community in Dubuque, Iowa, offering assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Christian Jordan serves as the administrator. The two-story community has 101 beds. It has been serving residents for 24 years and is located about 3.6 miles from downtown Dubuque.

Residents can choose from one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans ranging from about 500 to nearly 1,000 square feet. The community currently has an occupancy rate of about 47%, giving families more room availability than communities operating closer to full capacity. The area has a Walk Score of 36, which is somewhat walkable. A few nearby errands can be completed on foot, but most trips require a car.

Residents have access to an on-site dining room, a full-service salon and barbershop, indoor lounges, and outdoor common areas. Transportation services, fitness and recreation programs, and organized activities are also offered here. The community welcomes pets, allowing residents to keep a companion animal during their stay. Residents in memory care receive support from caregivers with specialized training as part of the community’s dedicated memory care program.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducts regular unannounced inspections of the community. Inspection reviews have covered routine compliance and procedures for incident reporting, documentation, and resident safety. More recent inspections found no concerns in these areas. Families considering Sunset Park Place may ask how these protocols are managed daily.

Contact Sunset Park Place

Overview of Bickford of Davenport

A beautiful senior living community that offers exquisite living options such as for residents of assisted living and memory care. Regardless of what kind of living option you are in, management and staff are guaranteed to provide resort-like accommodations with exceptional hospitality. The cozy home offers an environment where the holistic wellness of seniors is met. Bickford of Davenport strives to provide a comfortable lifestyle of everyday living for its assisted living seniors, making it an ideal place to call a new home. 

An assisted living with memory care community, expect that Bickford’s management promotes independence for its residents while receiving full daily support, housekeeping, transportation, and medication management.

Contact Bickford of Davenport

Overview of Addington Place of Clinton

Tucked away within the serene setting of Clinton, IA, Addington Place of Clinton is a blissful senior living community, offering assisted living and memory care services. The community offers residents with various apartment options, including one-bedroom, two bedroom apartments, and suite floor plans for a comfortable living experience. Ensuring residents live balanced, active, and happy lives, the community provides them with extensive support and care services provided by trained healthcare professionals.

The community also offers respite care services to residents dealing with illnesses or recovering from hospitalization or surgery, ensuring they have the care and support they need to get back on their feet. Residents also enjoy a full calendar of social events and activities to enrich their daily life. With its comprehensive services, vibrant programming, and nurturing environment, the community guarantees a comfortable retirement experience.

Contact Addington Place of Clinton

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
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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 526 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.