Page 28 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. 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.
Oskaloosa Care Center
SC
NH
SNF
Oskaloosa
83
Facility 83
IA AVG 71
Rank #42 / 241
No
75
Facility 75
IA AVG 46
Rank #47 / 260
--
98.8%
Facility 98.8%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #4 / 229
298-
Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation
SC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 71
Rank #48 / 241
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 46
Rank #2 / 260
--
88.8%
Facility 88.8%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #58 / 229
4220-
Prairie Gate
SC
IL
Council Bluffs (Kane Township)
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 71
Rank #293 / 334
Yes--
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 18
Rank #236 / 258
94.4%
Facility 94.4%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #15 / 295
3
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 7
Rank #206 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Windsor Manor Nevada
SC
AL
MC
Nevada
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 71
Rank #129 / 334
No
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 46
Rank #330 / 424
-
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 18
Rank #140 / 258
38.6%
Facility 38.6%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #265 / 295
7
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #175 / 299
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #274 / 299
Bickford of Iowa City
SC
AL
MC
Iowa City (Longfellow)
65
Facility 65
IA AVG 71
Rank #155 / 334
Yes
33
Facility 33
IA AVG 46
Rank #290 / 424
-
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #46 / 258
40.0%
Facility 40.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #255 / 295
7
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 7
Rank #285 / 299
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #295 / 299
Whispering Creek Senior Living
SC
AL
IL
MC
Sioux City
110
Facility 110
IA AVG 71
Rank #50 / 334
Yes-Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
16
Facility 16
IA AVG 18
Rank #137 / 258
-7
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 7
Rank #225 / 299
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #253 / 299
Community Memorial AL
SC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
West Hartley
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 71
Rank #308 / 334
No
43
Facility 43
IA AVG 46
Rank #228 / 424
-
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 18
Rank #77 / 258
-6
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Mechanicsville Specialty Care
SC
NH
SNF
Mechanicsville
39
Facility 39
IA AVG 71
Rank #213 / 241
No
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 46
Rank #221 / 260
-
37
Facility 37
IA AVG 18
Rank #30 / 119
74.4%
Facility 74.4%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #155 / 229
133-
West Point Care Center
SC
HOS
MC
NH
PC
RC
SNF
West Point
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 71
Rank #229 / 334
No
37
Facility 37
IA AVG 46
Rank #264 / 424
--
69.6%
Facility 69.6%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #136 / 295
20
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 7
Rank #206 / 299
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 299
Iowa Veterans Home
SC
NH
Marshalltown
702
Facility 702
IA AVG 71
Rank #1 / 241
No
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 46
Rank #197 / 260
Private / Semi-Private Rooms-
50.3%
Facility 50.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #212 / 229
2487

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 Oskaloosa Care Center

Oskaloosa Care Center is a nursing home and skilled nursing community in Oskaloosa, IA. Skilled nursing provides nursing care on site around the clock, while rehabilitation services support recovery or ongoing functional needs, making the combination suitable for someone who needs both continuous nursing support and rehabilitation services.

The community has 83 beds and provides 4 hours 22 minutes of total nurse staffing per resident per day. That figure represents the daily hands-on nursing time allocated per resident. Medicare, Medicaid and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care based on the resident’s eligibility and financial arrangements. Tina Steffen serves as the administrator.

Residents can use rehabilitation services at the community, along with beauty and barber services through the on-site salon or spa. Clinical support is also available through podiatry, dental, laboratory, X-ray, audiology, psychiatry and optometry services, so residents can receive these types of care through the facility’s service offerings.

Contact Oskaloosa Care Center

Overview of Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation

Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation is a nursing home and skilled nursing facility in Des Moines, Iowa, with 80 beds in the East Village neighborhood. Licensed nursing care is available on site around the clock, and in house therapy allows residents to receive rehabilitation without arranging transportation elsewhere. The community may be a good fit for someone who needs skilled nursing care alongside therapy in the same setting.

Outpatient therapy is also available for people receiving rehabilitation services without living at the community. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care. Religious services are available, and Michael Anderson serves as the administrator.

Contact Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation

Prairie Gate

16 Valley View Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Overview of Prairie Gate
Prairie Gate is a senior living community in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It offers independent living, long-term care, memory care, and transitional care. Residents can enjoy various activities and events while living in a supportive environment.

Contact Prairie Gate

Overview of Windsor Manor Nevada

Located in the heart of Nevada, Iowa, Windsor Manor is a charming senior community offering an array of living options. With 30 thoughtfully designed assisted-living apartments, ranging from one to two bedrooms, residents find comfort in their private spaces equipped with convenient kitchenettes. The community takes pride in its exceptional housekeeping and personal laundry services, ensuring residents can enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle. They go the extra mile by providing personalized emergency wireless pendants and round-the-clock assistance, prioritizing the safety and well-being of its residents.

In addition to its comprehensive services, Windsor Manor boasts a secure memory care area comprising 10 studio apartments, specially designed for individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Families appreciate the peace of mind offered by this secure environment. With scheduled transportation and easy access to highways, the community ensures convenient visits for families. What truly sets Windsor Manor apart is its commitment to offering reasonable assisted living costs, making it an affordable choice for seniors to embrace life to the fullest.

Contact Windsor Manor Nevada

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 Whispering Creek Senior Living

Whispering Creek is a premier senior living community in Sioux City, Iowa, offering a variety of living options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care services, all set in an elegant environment. The dedicated staff at Whispering Creek assists residents with daily living activities, allowing them to focus on their personal lives. With specialized knowledge in memory care services and therapies, the staff ensures residents’ needs are well met. 

Round-the-clock care is available to provide comfort and assistance, and the community boasts comfortable living spaces and a range of amenities. From a fitness center and outdoor courtyard to a spacious, naturally lit sitting area and dining room, there are plenty of convenient and recreational areas for residents to enjoy. Beyond physical well-being, the staff also takes care of intellectual, social, and emotional needs by organizing engaging group activities, fostering an active and vibrant community. Located conveniently close to neighborhood businesses and attractions, residents can easily run errands and attend personal appointments. Their thoughtfully designed campus provides a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring residents feel right at home.

Contact Whispering Creek Senior Living

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

Mechanicsville Specialty Care

104 East Fourth Street, Mechanicsville, IA 52306-0430
Overview of Mechanicsville Specialty Care

Owned by Thai Nguyen and led by administrator Tina Wendt, Mechanicsville Specialty Care operates a 39-bed nursing home that has served the Cedar County area for 36 years. The property utilizes public funding pathways, including Medicare and Medicaid, alongside standard private pay options. Stays at the building average nearly nine months, establishing a stable residential population that balances short-term, post-hospital recovery therapies with conventional extended care.

An average of 4 hours and 11 minutes of direct daily care is delivered to each resident by the on-site clinical team. Certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses divide this round-the-clock schedule to manage everyday physical assistance and medical monitoring. The community is situated in a rural area that requires a vehicle for travel, meaning out-of-town visitors and families rely on personal transportation due to limited neighborhood walkability.

Recent inspection records from state oversight departments noted a few administrative and procedural adjustments, which the team resolved without discovering direct resident-care issues.

Prospective representatives can contact the main business office to check on current bed availability, request details about the rehabilitation schedules, or plan a convenient time to tour the building. The administration can also help you review individual insurance paperwork and explain how public aid or private payment networks apply to standard monthly billing.

Contact Mechanicsville Specialty Care

Overview of West Point Care Center

West Point Care Center offers nursing home and skilled nursing care, memory care, hospice care, palliative care, and respite care in West Point, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort and symptom management, and respite care provides a short stay for a family caregiver who needs time to travel or recover.

The center has 46 beds, making it a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know each other. Rehabilitation services, including short term rehabilitation, support a temporary recovery stay after an illness, injury, or hospital visit. The range of care can suit someone whose needs may change over time or a family caregiver who needs short term support.

Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 27 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment routes for covered or privately funded care, and Hattie Boyer serves as the administrator. A salon and beauty or barber service allow residents to receive grooming services within the community, while therapeutic recreation provides structured activities and home cooked meals and snacks are provided on site. A Walk Score of 37 places the area in a car dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride.

Contact West Point Care Center

Overview of Iowa Veterans Home

Iowa Veterans Home is a nursing home in Marshalltown, IA, offering ongoing nursing support and help with daily care in a residential setting. With 702 beds, it has more residents and staff than a smaller home, along with more programming.

Private rooms give one resident a room of their own. Semi-private rooms provide a shared room arrangement. Total nurse staffing is 6 hours and 10 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time available to each resident. Iowa Veterans Home may be a good fit for someone who needs ongoing nursing care and wants either a private or shared room.

Contact Iowa Veterans 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 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.