Page 26 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. 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.
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.
Colonial Manors of Columbus Community
SC
AL
IL
NH
Columbus Junction
39B+No 45 - 76.9% 132-
Southern Hills Specialty Care
SC
NH
SNF
Osceola
90B+No 3 1 95.6% 2411-
Sunrise Hill Care Center
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
Traer
76?No 45 - 69.7% 199-
Gardens of Cedar Rapids
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Cedar Rapids
60?Yes-7 48.3% 32-
Rose Haven Nursing Home
SC
IL
NH
SNF
Marengo
58C+No 47 - 86.2% 2515-
Lantern Park Specialty Care
SC
NH
SNF
Coralville (Wickham)
90DNo 21 1 95.6% 39146
Bickford of Fort Dodge
SC
AL
MC
Fort Dodge
49B+Yes 22 28 46.9% 9105
Bickford of Iowa City
SC
AL
MC
Iowa City (Longfellow)
65C+Yes 33 27 40.0% 7197
Navigate MC at Featherstone at Hickory Trail
SC
AL
MC
Iowa City (Lemme)
32-Yes 35 2 78.1% 3--
Community Memorial AL
SC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
West Hartley
32-No 43 24-2--
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Overview of Colonial Manors of Columbus Community

Three levels of care fit inside 39 beds at Colonial Manors of Columbus Community in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Independent living is private living with community services attached and no daily care. Assisted living here means extra help with the daily things like getting dressed, bathing, and keeping up with medication. Nursing home care adds licensed nursing support at every hour of the day, so when a resident’s needs increase, they move up in care rather than having to move out.

Out of 39 beds, 30 were filled when the figure was taken. That comes to about 77 percent. In a place this small, the staff know the rhythms of the people they care for. They know who likes coffee at six in the morning and who prefers to skip it.

Nursing time averages 4 hours and 50 minutes per resident each day. Payment can be handled in different ways. Medicare covers short‑term skilled care after a hospital stay. Medicaid helps eligible residents whose savings cannot stretch far enough for a long stay. Private pay works too, with families covering costs directly.

The walk score is 45. That rating counts as somewhat walkable, which means most errands still call for a car or a ride. Sarah Hand serves as administrator.

Contact Colonial Manors of Columbus Community

Overview of Southern Hills Specialty Care

Southern Hills Specialty Care provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and hospice care in Osceola, IA. Skilled nursing means licensed nursing care is available on site around the clock, while rehabilitation supports a temporary recovery stay. Hospice focuses on comfort for residents nearing the end of life. There are 90 beds.

Short term rehabilitation is available for residents who need care for a limited recovery period rather than an ongoing stay, and wheelchair accessibility accommodates residents who use wheelchairs. Care Initiatives owns Southern Hills Specialty Care, and Tammy Bushong serves as administrator. Families can use Medicare, Medicaid, or private pay to cover care, subject to each option’s coverage rules. Total nurse staffing is 3h 51m per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident, and Southern Hills Specialty Care may be a good fit for someone who needs around the clock licensed nursing care or a temporary rehabilitation stay.

Contact Southern Hills Specialty Care

Overview of Sunrise Hill Care Center

Sunrise Hill Care Center is a nursing home in Traer, IA offering nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Nursing care supports residents who require ongoing nursing attention, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision.

The combination of care types may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to another community. Sunrise Hill Care Center has 76 beds. Care and Rehab is a named program, and rehabilitation services are available for residents who need therapy as part of their care.

Total nurse staffing is 3h 56m per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nurse staffing time allocated to each resident. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Daniel Larmore serves as administrator.

A Walk Score of 45 places the area in a car dependent setting, meaning most errands require a car or a ride. A resident who no longer drives would need one of those options for errands.

Contact Sunrise Hill Care Center

Overview of Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Gardens of Cedar Rapids provides nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Cedar Rapids, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing care include licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for residents at risk of wandering.

There are 60 beds across the community’s care levels. For a resident whose needs grow over time, that range may allow them to remain in the same community without starting over socially. The Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation program includes rehabilitation services, so rehabilitation is available as part of the community’s care offerings.

Total nurse staffing is 4h 34m per resident per day. This represents the daily hands on nursing time assigned per resident. Gardens of Cedar Rapids accepts Medicare and private pay, and residents may bring pets. Chalee Michael serves as the administrator.

Contact Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Overview of Rose Haven Nursing Home

Offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, Rose Haven Nursing Home is a nursing home administered by Tereni Kepler in Marengo, Iowa. The community provides nursing services with licensed nurses for those who need ongoing clinical oversight. With rehabilitation services, residents also receive recovery-focused care to help improve mobility and functionality. 24-hour staffing also ensures residents can access care whenever needed.

With 58 beds, this smaller community provides opportunities for staff and residents to get to know each other. Occupancy is 77.6%, with 45 beds currently in use. Residents also receive a total of 3 hours and 47 minutes of nursing care daily.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy support rehabilitation, and residents can take part in organized activities such as music, games, and seasonal events. Moreover, Medicare can apply to eligible short-term skilled care, Medicaid can support eligible long-term care, and private pay uses personal funds. A Walk Score of 47 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride.

Contact Rose Haven Nursing Home

Overview of Lantern Park Specialty Care

Ensconced within Coralville, Iowa, Lantern Park Specialty Care extends a warm embrace to seniors seeking personalized and compassionate transitional healthcare. Catering to a diverse range of needs, this facility offers a comprehensive array of services, including rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term care, and end-of-life support through coordinated hospice care. Residents have access to a spectrum of therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, coupled with specialized wound care and meticulous medication management.

At Lantern Park Specialty Care, the commitment to excellence extends further with the availability of amenities like a fully-equipped beauty and barber shop, tailored bariatric accommodations, and an inviting menu selection. The facility’s impeccable standards are underscored by its nursing home qualifications, offering a reliable and trustworthy environment where seniors can confidently navigate their healthcare journey with the utmost dignity and comfort.

Contact Lantern Park Specialty Care

Overview of Bickford of Fort Dodge

Nestled in the beautiful town of Forth Dodge, IA, the Bickford of Fort Dodge is a distinguished senior living community offering assisted living services. Here, residents can choose from spacious and stunning accommodations with several floor plans based on their preferences. Having a highly skilled and dedicated team, residents can receive round-the-clock personalized care and help depending on their immediate needs through its residents’ monitoring system.

Experience 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 Fort Dodge, seniors are assured of a classic retirement.

Contact Bickford of Fort Dodge

Bickford of Iowa City

3500 Lower West Branch Rd, Iowa City, IA 52245
Overview of Bickford of Iowa City

Bickford of Iowa City provides assisted living and memory care in Iowa City, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily activities such as grooming and medication management, while memory care provides a supervised setting for someone who may be at risk of wandering. The combination may suit a resident whose needs could grow from help with daily tasks to memory-focused care without leaving the community.

The community has 65 beds and is located in the Longfellow neighborhood. Its Montessori Memory Care program gives residents in the memory care setting a named program designed for that level of care. Restaurant-style meals are served three times a day, allowing residents to eat prepared meals on site, and transportation is available for resident travel.

Pets are allowed, so a resident may bring a pet when moving in. A Walk Score of 33 places the area in a car-dependent setting, where most errands require a car or a ride, so residents who no longer drive will need one of those options for most errands. Paige Enlow serves as the administrator, and Ashley Ballard is the director.

Contact Bickford of Iowa City

Overview of Navigate Mc at Featherstone at Hickory Trail

Navigate Mc at Featherstone at Hickory Trail offers assisted living and memory care in Iowa City, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident maintains a private living space. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having both care levels can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because care can change without leaving the community or starting over socially. The community has 32 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, while short term rehabilitation supports temporary recovery needs.

Pets are allowed, so a resident can keep a pet as part of the move. Tracy Sherzer serves as the administrator. Rehabilitation services are available, and the community has dining venues with wellness programming.

A Walk Score of 35 places the area in a setting dependent on a car, so most errands require a car or a ride. Navigate Mc at Featherstone at Hickory Trail is in the Lemme neighborhood of Iowa City, IA.

Contact Navigate MC at Featherstone at Hickory Trail

Community Memorial AL

233 North 8Th Avenue West, Hartley, IA 51346-1077
Overview of Community Memorial Al

Community Memorial Al provides assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in Hartley, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, while skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care around the clock. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for a resident at risk of wandering.

The community has 32 beds, making it a smaller setting where staff and residents may get to know each other. Its multiple care levels can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move to a different community. Community Memorial Al opened in 1994.

On-site rehabilitation services can support recovery without arranging transportation to an outside therapy location, and short-term rehabilitation is available for residents who need rehab for a limited period. A hair salon gives residents access to grooming services on site.

The area has a Walk Score of 43, a car-dependent setting where most errands require a car or a ride, so a resident who no longer drives would need transportation for routine errands. Rosemary Hibbs serves as the administrator, and Kay Wynja is the director.

Contact Community Memorial AL

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