Page 3 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.
Cornerstone AL
SC
HC
MC
PC
RC
Mason City
92
Facility 92
IA AVG 71
Rank #70 / 334
No
84
Facility 84
IA AVG 46
Rank #26 / 424
-
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 18
Rank #68 / 258
32.6%
Facility 32.6%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #277 / 295
4
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #59 / 299
Homestead of Oskaloosa
SC
AL
MC
Oskaloosa
96
Facility 96
IA AVG 71
Rank #67 / 334
No
75
Facility 75
IA AVG 46
Rank #59 / 424
-
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 18
Rank #177 / 258
66.7%
Facility 66.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #143 / 295
5
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #36 / 299
Summit Pointe Senior Living
SC
AL
IL
MC
Marion
178
Facility 178
IA AVG 71
Rank #5 / 334
Yes
89
Facility 89
IA AVG 46
Rank #13 / 424
-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 18
Rank #189 / 258
52.2%
Facility 52.2%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #178 / 295
6
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #125 / 299
United Presbyterian Home
SC
AL
HC
HOS
IL
NH
RC
SNF
Washington Washington
55
Facility 55
IA AVG 71
Rank #198 / 334
No
81
Facility 81
IA AVG 46
Rank #37 / 424
-
21
Facility 21
IA AVG 18
Rank #103 / 258
89.1%
Facility 89.1%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #38 / 295
17
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #150 / 299
New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center
SC
AL
NH
SNF
New Hampton
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 71
Rank #229 / 334
No
68
Facility 68
IA AVG 46
Rank #85 / 424
-
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 18
Rank #11 / 258
52.2%
Facility 52.2%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #178 / 295
17
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #125 / 299
Harmony Marshalltown
SC
AL
HOS
NH
PC
RESC
RC
SNF
Marshalltown
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 71
Rank #119 / 334
No
85
Facility 85
IA AVG 46
Rank #22 / 424
-
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 18
Rank #21 / 258
70.8%
Facility 70.8%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #130 / 295
34
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 7
Rank #255 / 299
Edencrest at Beaverdale
SC
AL
IL
MC
RC
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
160
Facility 160
IA AVG 71
Rank #15 / 334
Yes
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 46
Rank #55 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 18
Rank #177 / 258
39.4%
Facility 39.4%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #260 / 295
13
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 299
Northcrest Community
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Ames
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 71
Rank #158 / 334
No
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 46
Rank #271 / 424
1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 18
Rank #210 / 258
50.0%
Facility 50.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #187 / 295
2
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 299
Boyson Heights Senior Living
SC
AL
IL
MC
Cedar Rapids
132
Facility 132
IA AVG 71
Rank #25 / 334
Yes
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 46
Rank #167 / 424
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 18
Rank #210 / 258
22.7%
Facility 22.7%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #293 / 295
4
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #59 / 299
Grand Living at Indian Creek
SC
AL
IL
MC
Cedar Rapids
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 71
Rank #158 / 334
Yes
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 46
Rank #221 / 424
1 Bed / 2 Bed
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 18
Rank #189 / 258
46.9%
Facility 46.9%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #218 / 295
7
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #36 / 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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Cornerstone AL

302 2Nd Street Ne, Mason City, IA 50401-3412
Overview of Cornerstone Al

Cornerstone operates a 92-bed nursing wing at 300 2nd Street Northeast in Mason City, Iowa. Managed under the Good Shepherd Geriatric Center network, the facility records a compact daily layout, running at a 33 percent occupancy rate with approximately 30 residents. The front desk coordinates medical billing across traditional out-of-pocket transactions, federal Medicare benefits, and standard state Medicaid channels. Stays at this location average about 188 days, establishing a daily schedule that blends short-term therapy cases with permanent skilled placements.

The building is highly integrated into its local neighborhood, holding a walkability score of 84 out of 100, meaning visiting family members can easily step out to handle everyday errands entirely on foot. Inside the facility, floor crews arrange a schedule that delivers a daily average of 4 hours and 27 minutes of direct hands-on nursing attention to each person. Shift routines mix the time of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides who supply 24-hour treatment tracking alongside temporary respite care stays to assist families through home health transitions.

State safety logs map out historical compliance patterns under standard health and code reviews over the past two decades. Periodic evaluation surveys have focused on standard healthcare documentation workflows, including administrative medication records, nurse delegation logs, and general environmental safety tracking. The most recent complaint investigation by state health authorities closed out with zero regulatory citations, confirming full alignment with standard public health codes.

Prospective residents can get in touch with the admissions office to double-check waiting list details, learn about the temporary respite setups, or schedule a time to walk through the property.

Contact Cornerstone AL

Overview of Homestead of Oskaloosa

Homestead of Oskaloosa provides assisted living and memory care in Oskaloosa, IA. Assisted living gives residents help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and medication, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Offering both care levels may make the community a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time without leaving the community.

The community has 96 beds, and Candice Fuller serves as its administrator. A Walk Score of 75 out of 100 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still reach nearby shops and services independently.

Contact Homestead of Oskaloosa

Overview of Summit Pointe Senior Living

Summit Pointe Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Marion, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having all three care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since changing care levels does not require leaving the community. The community has 178 beds, placing it among larger communities with more residents, staff, and usually more programming. Melinda Haley serves as the administrator.

An 89 / 100 Walk Score means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Pets are allowed, giving residents the option to live with a pet. Rehabilitation services are available for residents who need support during recovery or while maintaining function.

Contact Summit Pointe Senior Living

United Presbyterian Home

1203 East Washington, Washington, IA 52353-2198
Overview of United Presbyterian Home

The United Presbyterian Home operates a 55-bed skilled nursing unit as part of its 35-acre continuing care retirement campus in Washington, Iowa. The facility coordinates billing through Medicare and Medicaid, offering options for people recovering from short-term hospital stays as well as those needing long-term residential placements. Stays here average about 171 days, and visitors will find the local neighborhood highly walkable, scoring an 81 out of 100 for foot travel.

Residents get around 4 hours and 52 minutes of direct daily care from the on-floor nursing staff and nurse aides. To minimize travel for medical checkups, the team partners with specialized therapists to offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy right on campus. The property also runs an independent home health service for residents transitioning back to apartments, cottages, or studios, and features a wellness center equipped with an indoor walking track and a warm water therapy pool.

Reviews by state inspectors over the last 16 years have consistently monitored environmental management, staff supervision, and clinical documentation to ensure regulatory safety guidelines are met.

Prospective families can reach out to the admissions office to check on current bed availability, learn about the campus home health services, or schedule a tour of the grounds. The main desk can also explain the entry paperwork and outline how Medicaid or Medicare applies to the community’s different care programs.

Contact United Presbyterian Home

Overview of New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center

New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center provides assisted living, nursing home, and skilled nursing care in New Hampton, Iowa. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Together, these care levels can suit a resident whose needs change over time without requiring a move to another community.

Skilled rehabilitation services are available for residents who need rehabilitation as part of their care. Respite care offers a short-term stay when a family’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. The community has 46 beds, a size that is best considered plainly, without assuming a particular resident experience.

Medicare can help cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay. Medicaid can matter when savings may not cover a long stay, while private pay uses personal funds. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 59 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nurse staffing time allocated per resident.

A Walk Score of 68 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot. A resident who no longer drives may be able to complete some nearby errands independently. Kristen Frazer serves as the administrator.

Contact New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center

Harmony Marshalltown

910 East Olive Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158-4195
Overview of Harmony Marshalltown

Harmony Marshalltown provides nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, hospice care, palliative care, residential care, and respite care in Marshalltown, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing services provide ongoing nursing support, while assisted living helps residents with daily tasks. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort and support during serious illness, residential care provides a place to live with care available, and respite care offers short stays when temporary support is needed.

The community has 72 beds. Orthopedic rehabilitation, short term rehabilitation, and other rehabilitation services support residents who need structured recovery care, while respite stays can provide coverage when a usual caregiver needs a temporary break. The range of services is suited to someone recovering from an orthopedic condition, a resident needing ongoing nursing support, or a family seeking a short term care arrangement.

Harmony Marshalltown accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can apply to eligible short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may help eligible residents cover longer term care, and private pay allows a family to pay directly. A Walk Score of 85 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may still reach nearby daily needs independently. Grace Maitland serves as the administrator.

Contact Harmony Marshalltown

Edencrest at Beaverdale

3410 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Overview of Edencrest at Beaverdale

Lead a meaningful life with the idyllic senior living community of Edencrest at Beaverdale in Des Moines, IA, providing assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Individuals with dementia and other memory-related needs are well-cared for through different levels of care provided to meet their unique needs. With its commitment to understanding residents, the community crafts personalized care plans for their comfort.

Residents receive the utmost care and support with a care team attending to them 24/7, ensuring they enjoy every moment of their best years. With fun recreation and wellness programs, residents experience fun-filled days. The community promotes a pet-friendly and welcoming environment, making it ideal for those aiming to optimize their independence.

Contact Edencrest at Beaverdale

Overview of Northcrest Community

Create unforgettable moments at Northcrest Community, an outstanding community in Ames, IA, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. With thoughtfully furnished and spacious accommodations, residents can find the accommodation that best matches their preferences. Residents enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with plenty of convenient apartment features.

Unique shops and recreational spaces surround the area, ensuring residents can easily access unending leisure and wellness opportunities. With a fully equipped kitchen in each unit, residents can prepare meals according to their dietary needs and preferences. The community is a great option for those looking to live independently in retirement, especially with its vibrant and inviting environment.

Contact Northcrest Community

Overview of Boyson Heights Senior Living

Boyson Heights Senior Living is the premier independent living, assisted living, and memory care home in Cedar Rapids that offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere while ensuring a kind of service where residents are treated like family; they create an environment that strives to provide compassionate and loving care to seniors. Boyson Heights encourages its residents to live a life of independence by making important lifestyle choices based on their personal preferences.

Boyson Heights offers a range of  amenities and services that make everyday living easier and more comfortable; community features include a library, wellness center, common areas, and lounge areas, housekeeping and laundry, transportation, and all around 24/7 care.

Contact Boyson Heights Senior Living

Overview of Grand Living at Indian Creek

Grand Living at Indian Creek offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Cedar Rapids, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having all three care levels on one campus may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since a move to another level of care can happen without leaving the community. The community has 64 beds and offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences; a two-bedroom layout can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion. Pets are allowed, so a resident may keep a pet when living at the community.

A Walk Score of 44 places the area in a car-dependent setting, meaning most errands require a car or a ride. Multiple restaurant-style dining venues with chef-prepared meals give residents more than one on-site setting for meals, while a salon and spa provide personal care without leaving the community. Chauffeured transportation is also available for residents who do not drive themselves, and Dara Fishnick serves as the administrator.

Contact Grand Living at Indian Creek

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.