Page 19 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving. 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.
Kennybrook Village
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Grimes
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #261 / 334
Yes
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 46
Rank #314 / 424
-
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 18
Rank #140 / 258
87.5%
Facility 87.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #50 / 295
14
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 299
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #205 / 299
Elm Crest Senior Living Community
SC
AL
CCRC
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Harlan
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 71
Rank #215 / 334
No
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 46
Rank #185 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
94.0%
Facility 94.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #19 / 295
17
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #36 / 299
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #274 / 299
Good Samaritan Society – Indianola
SC
IL
NH
RC
SNF
Jefferson Indianola
105
Facility 105
IA AVG 71
Rank #56 / 334
Yes
75
Facility 75
IA AVG 46
Rank #59 / 424
--
78.1%
Facility 78.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #98 / 295
29
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 7
Rank #280 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Bishop Drumm Retirement Center
SC
AL
IL
NH
SNF
Johnston
150
Facility 150
IA AVG 71
Rank #19 / 334
No
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 46
Rank #102 / 424
--
76.0%
Facility 76.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #114 / 295
38
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 7
Rank #296 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
The Gardens of Cedar Rapids
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Cedar Rapids
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #261 / 334
Yes
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 46
Rank #402 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 18
Rank #247 / 258
87.5%
Facility 87.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #50 / 295
22
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 299
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #289 / 299
Lakeside Village
SC
AL
IL
MC
RC
Panora
128
Facility 128
IA AVG 71
Rank #29 / 334
Yes
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 46
Rank #398 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 18
Rank #125 / 258
29.7%
Facility 29.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #283 / 295
8
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 299
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #236 / 299
Country Manor Memory Care
SC
MC
RC
Davenport
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 71
Rank #286 / 334
Yes
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 46
Rank #278 / 424
Private Rooms
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #38 / 258
57.9%
Facility 57.9%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #159 / 295
12
16
Facility 16
IA AVG 7
Rank #279 / 299
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #289 / 299
Bickford of Marion
SC
AL
MC
Marion (Hickory Haven Estates Condos)
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 71
Rank #229 / 334
Yes
69
Facility 69
IA AVG 46
Rank #82 / 424
-
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #46 / 258
76.1%
Facility 76.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #110 / 295
8
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 7
Rank #290 / 299
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #253 / 299
Bickford of Urbandale
SC
AL
MC
Urbandale
73
Facility 73
IA AVG 71
Rank #117 / 334
Yes
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 46
Rank #323 / 424
-
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 18
Rank #60 / 258
53.4%
Facility 53.4%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #170 / 295
10
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #191 / 299
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #205 / 299
Bickford of Clinton
SC
AL
Clinton
65
Facility 65
IA AVG 71
Rank #155 / 334
Yes
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 46
Rank #245 / 424
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 18
Rank #38 / 258
49.2%
Facility 49.2%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #198 / 295
5
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #150 / 299
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #281 / 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 Kennybrook Village

Kennybrook Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, short term rehabilitation, and skilled nursing in Grimes, Iowa. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision. Skilled nursing offers licensed nursing care on site around the clock, and short term rehabilitation supports a temporary recovery stay.

The range of care can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time because moving to another care level does not require leaving the community. Kennybrook Village has 40 beds. That places it in the smaller community range, where staff and residents can get to know one another.

Starting monthly prices are $2,950 for independent living, $5,640 for assisted living, and $7,650 for memory care. The memory care rate reflects the secured setting and supervision that care requires. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 48 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident.

Residents can use the spa, courtyard, garden, and patio, while community transportation supports off site outings. On site rehabilitation services allow a resident to receive therapy without arranging transportation elsewhere, and a doctor is on staff. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving into the community. Medicare and private pay are accepted; Medicare applies to short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence. Spencer VanSickel serves as the administrator.

Contact Kennybrook Village

Overview of Elm Crest Senior Living Community

Committed to enhancing seniors’ quality of life, Elm Crest Senior Living Community is a distinct senior living community set in the harmonious city of Harlan, IA, providing a wide array of living options such as assisted living, independent living, memory care, health center, and rehabilitation therapy services. The community doubles its efforts to foster a warm and welcoming environment for seniors to make the most out of their days in beautifully designed and cozy one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Receive top-notch care and support from a reliable and highly qualified team and live a glorious retirement without worries with Elm Crest.

With over 65 years of experience in helping seniors, Elm Crest continuously provides the finest experience to create wonderful moments. Moreover, the community meticulously crafts care plans that best fit residents’ unique needs and preferences to ensure they are well-cared for. Surrounded by refreshing spaces and placed near hospitals, Elm Crest provides easy access to medical needs and the utmost comfort that seniors deserve.

Contact Elm Crest Senior Living Community

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – Indianola

Located in Indianola, IA, Good Samaritan Society – Indianola offers independent living, skilled nursing, and respite care. For those seeking temporary stays, particularly when the primary caregiver needs time away, respite care is provided. Moreover, rehabilitation services are available to accommodate residents’ recovery needs on-site.

The home has 105 beds and is currently at 78% occupancy, with 82 beds occupied. Additionally, one- and two-bedroom units include layouts that can work for a couple moving together. 3 hours and 54 minutes of total nursing care is provided per resident each day, which is the average daily nursing time given to each resident.

Residents also have access to a wellness center, a salon, and a library, as well as religious services. Pets are also allowed in the community. Meanwhile, the area has a Walk Score of 75 out of 100, making it very walkable, with shops, a pharmacy, and cafes within a short walk for those who no longer drive.

Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. This suggests that Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, while Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay. It is administered by Zach Detweiler.

Contact Good Samaritan Society – Indianola

Overview of Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center coordinates continuous senior services within a 150-bed campus at 5837 Winwood Drive in Johnston, Iowa. Operated by Sylvania Franciscan Health under administrator Adam Braden, the community maintains an average occupancy level near 76 percent, meaning openings are typically available for new intake. The business office accepts private funding streams, Medicare credits for brief rehabilitation, and standard state Medicaid options. Individual resident stays average of roughly 172 days, establishing a local population structure that balances transitional post-hospital physical therapy with permanent clinical residential housing.

On-site health routines ensure that each individual receives an average of 3 hours and 58 minutes of direct care from the nursing team daily. Certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses split these floor hours to provide speech-language pathology and physical therapy alongside routine treatment protocols. These practitioners work within a wider aging-in-place campus that features independent and assisted living settings alongside adult day programs, while the surrounding town neighborhood records a walkability score of 64 out of 100, letting visitors complete a few basic tasks nearby without relying solely on a car.

Earlier evaluations by state inspectors noted procedural gaps regarding staffing distribution, pressure ulcer prevention tracking, and standard infection control lines. The administrative team updated floor patterns and corrected these points, leading to a late 2025 re-inspection to certify that the entire building had returned to substantial compliance with baseline public healthcare guidelines.

Prospective representatives can contact the main registration desk to confirm immediate room availability, ask about the details of the adult day schedule, or plan a morning to see the therapy common rooms. The intake office can also assist with medical coverage, cross-referencing to outline how personal funds or public assistance networks apply to standard monthly billing statements.

Contact Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

Overview of The Gardens of Cedar Rapids

The Gardens of Cedar Rapids is a senior care community on Dean Road SW in the southwest part of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It offers a full continuum of care under one roof, spanning independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, which means a resident can often stay in a familiar place as their needs change over time. The community is owned by Jbrb Investments LLC and accepts both Medicare and private pay, giving families a couple of clear routes to cover short-term rehabilitation or longer-term nursing care.

This is a small, single-story community with 40 beds, and it tends to run comfortably occupied at around 88 percent. Housing comes in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options, and the single-level layout can make day-to-day movement easier for residents with mobility limitations. Pets are welcome, which matters to many families weighing a move for a loved one.

On the clinical side, total nursing care averages about 4 hours and 15 minutes per resident each day, so hands-on daily support is a meaningful part of the setting. State inspection themes over the years have centered on medication management and care-delivery practices, alongside stretches of clean compliance. Families touring the community can ask how those areas are handled day to day.

The community sits in a car-dependent pocket of Cedar Rapids, with a Walk Score of 7, so most errands and visits will involve a short drive. That residential setting can suit residents and family who prefer a quiet neighborhood over a busy commercial area.

Contact The Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Overview of Lakeside Village

Set within the area of Panora, IA, Lakeside Village is an idyllic senior living community, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community guarantees their much needed independence with the benefit of added care and assistance with their daily living activities. In addition to a personal emergency call system, a round the clock team is available to attend to residents’ needs, concerns, and emergencies, giving them peace of mind and comfort.

Free from the hassles of maintaining their living spaces, residents can fully devote their time to enrichment and enjoyment with an array of activities to engage in. Restaurant style meals are also provided each day to give residents the nutrients and energy they need to stay active. An array of beautiful amenities are offered as well to make residents stay within the community more pleasing and enjoyable.

Contact Lakeside Village

Overview of Country Manor Memory Care

Nestled in a vibrant and scenic city, Country Manor Memory Care offers the perfect balance of peaceful living and access to big-city amenities. With a focus on consistency, security, and comfort, Country Manor provides exceptional care for individuals with memory loss conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. In a safe and homelike environment, residents receive dedicated support from a devoted and specially trained staff who assist with daily activities and guide them through familiar routines and engaging programs. The respectful and soothing atmosphere fosters a sense of love and belonging, creating precious moments of joy throughout the day.

Country Manor feels like home from the moment you step inside. Its cozy living room, old-fashioned dining room, and inviting family room with a fireplace exude warmth and comfort. The house-like setting encourages residents to engage in various household tasks, whether it’s sorting socks, arranging flowers, or frosting cookies for special occasions. Designed with a circular traffic flow, the layout invites residents to explore and move freely. The expansive backyard, adorned with beautiful landscaping, provides a secure and tranquil space where residents can bask in the sunlight, take leisurely walks among fragrant flowers, and observe the delightful presence of birds and bunnies. 

Contact Country Manor Memory Care

Overview of Bickford of Marion

At 46 beds, Bickford of Marion is a smaller community, and that scale is part of its identity. The two-story building on Linden Dr, part of the Bickford Senior Living Group network, offers assisted living and memory care in Marion’s Hickory Haven Estates neighborhood, 1.4 miles from the city center. Misty Cottrell serves as Executive Director.

The Montessori Memory Care program is the facility’s most distinctive offering. It’s a named, structured approach to cognitive care rather than a generic memory unit, and it’s the clearest signal of what the community is built around. Licensed nurses and CNAs staff the building, transportation is available, there’s a fitness area on-site, and the community is pet-friendly.

Occupancy sits at 76%, with 35 of 46 beds filled, in a building that has been operating for 27 years. The neighborhood is moderately walkable (Walk Score 69), with some day-to-day destinations reachable on foot. State inspections have tended to center on medication management, care planning and documentation, and food service, which are common operational focus areas rather than indicators of direct care concerns.

Bickford of Marion is a practical fit for families prioritizing a structured memory care approach within a mid-sized regional network, in a community small enough that residents are unlikely to get lost in the shuffle.

Contact Bickford of Marion

Overview of Bickford of Urbandale

Bickford of Urbandale is an assisted living with memory care community, located in Urbandale, IA. It can be found east of Brookview Park, and below Beaver Creek. This senior living community prides itself with their Higher Path approach to caring for their residents. This approach aims to help seniors live healthier, happier, and longer, and they do this by providing services such as; 24/7 access to primary care, daily activity assistance from certified caregivers, medication management, wander management, security, and intelligent fall detection among other things. The rooms, whether studio or one bedroom units, are also equipped with strategically located pull cords, for assistance requests any time it’s needed.

At Bickford of Urbandale, assisted living costs wouldn’t be something to worry abouts as they also offer assistance for choosing Medicare Health Plans for their residents. This helps ensure that residents receive the proper care they need, while living a high quality of life, without breaking their banks.

Contact Bickford of Urbandale

Overview of Bickford of Clinton

Located in the welcoming neighborhood of Clinton, IA, the Bickford of Clinton is a distinguished senior living community offering assisted living services. Here, residents can choose from spacious and stunning accommodations with several floor plans. With a highly skilled and compassionate team, residents can receive round-the-clock personalized care and help depending on their immediate needs through its residents’ monitoring system.

Discover its top-tier amenities and services as this community is committed to providing higher standard of senior care. Indulge in 3-day delectable and nutritious meals, home maintenance, access to laundry facilities, weekly housekeeping, medication management, spiritual care, and transportation assistance. Engage in a full calendar of activities such as outings, community involvement programs, and theme days. With Bickford of Clinton, seniors are assured of a living experience worth remembering.

Contact Bickford 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.