Comparison Chart
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Nursing Home 24/7 care needed
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Respite Care
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Nursing Home 24/7 care needed
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Respite Care
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Nursing Home 24/7 care needed
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Respite Care
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Edencrest at Timberline
Step into a nurturing environment with Edencrest at Timberline, a blissful senior living community in Urbandale, IA, designed to help residents achieve their highest potential. Offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care, the community makes sure its residents successfully age in place. Residents thrive and feel secure in their well-designed accommodations with access to gorgeous outdoor spaces and indoor conveniences.
Dedicated to its residents’ holistic wellness, the community provides various wellness programs and fitness classes. Access to a range of therapy services is available through Fox Rehabilitation, helping residents maintain their overall functions. Fresh, healthy meals are served daily alongside housekeeping and laundry services for a chore-free retirement experience.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: 2-story
Dining Services
Beauty Services
Housekeeping Services
Social and Recreational Activities
Exercise Programs
Type of Care Available
Avoca Lodge Assisted Living
Peacefully nestled in the harmonious neighborhood of Avoca, IA, Avoca Lodge Assisted Living is a blissful haven that offers assisted living. A compassionate and well-trained team provides top-tier care tailored to residents’ daily living activities around the clock. Purposely built and secure accommodations are provided, ensuring residents are comfortable and safe.
Residents are encouraged to live actively and have fun with a well-thought-out calendar of engaging activities and fun recreational programs. Mealtimes promote social interactions and satisfy dietary needs with delicious and healthy dining options. For convenience and safety, medication management is provided. The community is a good option for those seeking exceptional assistance for the finest retirement experience.
What does this home offer?
Housing Options: Semi-Private / 1 Bed
Building Type: Single-story
Dining Services
Housekeeping Services
Social and Recreational Activities
Type of Care Available
Homestead of Mason City
Set in Mason City, IA, Homestead of Mason City is an inviting senior living community that specializes in assisted living. The community strives to create a comfortable living environment by offering compassionate assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and other supportive services residents may need. Safe and secure senior apartments come with housekeeping and maintenance services for a maintenance-free living experience.
In addition to round-the-clock care and support, residents are also offered a wide array of fun and engaging activities for their enrichment. Three home-cooked meals are served daily for each resident with accommodations for special dietary needs, ensuring an enjoyable dining experience. Amenities like a salon, on-site therapy room, and other healthcare services are also offered to make residents’ retirement more enjoyable.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Housing Options: Studio
Building Type: Single-story
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Parking Available
Type of Care Available
MJ Estates
Enjoy your best years at MJ Estates, a blissful haven in Exira, IA, offering assisted living. With 37 specially designed and cozy accommodations, residents are guaranteed the utmost comfort and safety. A compassionate and well-trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their personal needs around the clock.
Residents are encouraged to make new friends and have fun with a jam-packed calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs that highlight their interests and capabilities. Delicious and well-balanced meals are also served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Medication management is also provided to ensure residents will not miss taking their medicines. The community is ideal for those seeking a blissful retirement, especially with its warm and nurturing environment.
What does this home offer?
Room Sizes: 375 / 425 / 460 sq. ft
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: Single-story
Dining Services
Beauty Services
Transportation Services
Housekeeping Services
Social and Recreational Activities
Exercise Programs
Type of Care Available
Thornton Heights Assisted Living
Make every moment count at Thornton Heights Assisted Living, a distinguished community in Lansing, IA, offering assisted living. Featuring beautifully furnished and secure one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Residents also receive exceptional care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock.
A jam-packed calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs is conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Delicious and well-balanced meals are also served three times daily to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Emergency pendants are also provided for convenience and safety. The community is ideal for those looking to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its nurturing and welcoming environment.
What does this home offer?
Accept Medicaid: Yes
Room Sizes: 670 / 960 sq. ft
Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Building Type: Single-story
Dining Services
Social and Recreational Activities
Parking Available
Type of Care Available
Keystone Senior Suites
Make the most of your best years at Keystone Senior Suites, a distinguished community in Keystone, IA, offering assisted living. Residents can keep their peace of mind with a compassionate and well-trained team that provides top-notch care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock. With housekeeping and laundry services, residents enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle.
Dedicated to enhancing residents’ living experience, a thoughtfully curated calendar of enriching activities and stimulating programs is conducted. Mealtimes are something to look forward to, with delicious and healthy dining options served to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community is a good option for those needing assistance to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its quality services and well-maintained amenities.
What does this home offer?
Housing Options: 1 Bed
Dining Services
Housekeeping Services
Social and Recreational Activities
Type of Care Available
Maple Ridge Assisted Living
Beautifully located in the serene setting of Mount Ayr, IA, Maple Ridge is a blissful haven that offers assisted living. With its commitment to improving residents’ welfare, a compassionate and well-trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock. Residents are guaranteed the utmost comfort and safety with beautifully furnished and secure accommodations.
A thoughtfully curated calendar of enriching activities and stimulating programs is conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and maintain social connections. Delicious and healthy dining options are served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community is ideal for those needing assistance to live comfortably in retirement, especially with a nurturing and welcoming environment.
What does this home offer?
Housing Options: Private / Shared Rooms
Dining Services
Housekeeping Services
Social and Recreational Activities
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.
Mercy Hospital
Nestled in Iowa City, Mercy Hospital exudes a sense of grace as it navigates the intricate landscape of the aging process. With a keen understanding of seniors’ needs, the hospital provides an array of services that go beyond the ordinary. From offering specialized nursing home care to addressing a diverse range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more, Mercy Hospital is a trusted haven for seniors seeking comprehensive and attentive medical support.
As an institution attuned to the highest nursing home requirements, Mercy Hospital offers a holistic approach to seniors’ well-being. From osteoporosis to osteoarthritis, their comprehensive services encompass a spectrum of conditions that come with aging. The hospital’s commitment to monitoring and addressing potential complications showcases its dedication to delivering care that goes above and beyond. Backed by a team of compassionate and skilled professionals, Mercy Hospital ensures seniors receive the tailored support they deserve during their golden years.
Type of Care Available
Iowa Veterans Home
Experience the charm and warmth of Iowa Veterans Home in Johnston, IA, a high-quality community where vibrant living is paired with exceptional care. Providing assisted living and skilled nursing options, this community ensures that each resident receives personalized support tailored to their individual needs. Residents can enjoy comfortable, well-designed apartments that blend style with coziness. Conveniently located near shopping and dining, the community offers a perfect balance of peace and accessibility.
Iowa Veterans Home features a variety of enriching amenities, including indoor common areas for social gatherings. Residents can take part in numerous activities that align with their interests and promote a strong sense of community. Here, each day crafted with joy, comfort, and a dedication to exceptional living.
What does this home offer?
Accept Medicaid: Yes, Accept
Total Residents: 702 Residents
Housing Options: Private / Semi-Private Rooms
Building Type: Single-story
Types 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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