Best Senior Communities in Iowa
Home to scenic landscapes and boasting a rich agricultural heritage, Iowa is a Midwestern U.S. state that offers an affordable cost of living and excellent access to healthcare facilities, making it an ideal home to families and retirees. There’s an abundance of recreational activities with relaxing parks and cultural events conducted by the state’s charming and diverse towns. Iowa also helps retirees to thrive in their golden years with numerous senior communities established throughout the state, offering the services, activities, and amenities tailored to their specific needs.
Compare Senior Communities around Iowa
Grand Living At Tower Place
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
West Des Moines
76
Yes
-
63
-
Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Wesley Acres
+86%
-1%
+409%
SNF
Nursing Home 24/7 care needed
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Des Moines (Greenwood)
80
No
-
72
BUSKOHL, DAMON
-
$32,122,034.00
$19,390,658.00
60.4%
74.80
4.2396
-
5
-
+86% -1% +409%
384.1%
Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Cedar Rapids
86
Yes
-
47
-
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Allen Place Senior Living
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
RC
Respite Care
Atlantic
78
No
A-
11
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Bickford of Urbandale
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Urbandale
73
Yes
-
28
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
-32%
-6%
+14%
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Des Moines (Drake)
78
Yes
-
38
CLAREMONT HOUSE INC.
1 bed / 2 bed
$9,574,324.00
$5,566,584.00
58.1%
60.70
4.0399
-
31
1
-32% -6% +14%
85.8%
MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
West Des Moines
93
No
-
58
-
Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Valley View Village
+45%
+29%
+20%
SNF
Nursing Home 24/7 care needed
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Des Moines (Fairmont Park)
79
Yes
-
38
ELIM CARE INC
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
$9,251,393.00
$5,273,992.00
57%
71.10
5.5244
2
19
2
+45% +29% +20%
90.8%
West Ridge Care Center
+23%
+14%
+6%
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Cedar Rapids
60
No
-
48
SAMPLE, ELAINE
-
$9,301,500.00
$3,089,553.00
33.2%
48.70
4.8803
-
5
-
+23% +14% +6%
80.3%
Vintage Hills of Indianola
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
RC
Respite Care
Indianola
90
No
A+
15
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Arlington Place of Grundy Center
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
Grundy Center
80
No
-
32
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ridgecrest Village
+69%
-7%
-14%
SNF
Nursing Home 24/7 care needed
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Davenport
339
Yes
-
41
BEADERSTADT, MICHAEL
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
$13,291,642.00
$6,851,833.00
51.5%
58.10
3.9792
2
43
3
+69% -7% -14%
64.9%
Windsor Manor Nevada
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
RC
Respite Care
Nevada
70
No
-
26
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sunset Park Place
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Dubuque
101
Yes
-
36
-
1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Holland Farms
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
Norwalk
116
Yes
-
38
-
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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Wesley Acres
Type of care:
SNF
AL
Community:
Des Moines (Greenwood)
Bed Count:
80
Pets Allowed:
No
Operator:
BUSKOHL, DAMON
Home Revenue:
$32,122,034.00
Payroll Costs:
$19,390,658.00
Payroll %:
60.4%
Avg Residents/Day:
74.80
Overall Rating:
Adj Nurse Hours:
4.2396
Health Insp Rating:
Staffing Rating:
QM Rating:
Citations:
5
RN share vs State Avg:
+86%
+86%
Staffing vs State Avg:
-1%
-1%
Occupancy vs State Avg:
+409%
+409%
Occupancy %:
384.1%
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
Type of care:
AL
IL
MC
SNF
Community:
Des Moines (Drake)
Bed Count:
78
Pets Allowed:
Yes
Operator:
CLAREMONT HOUSE INC.
Bed Options:
1 bed / 2 bed
Home Revenue:
$9,574,324.00
Payroll Costs:
$5,566,584.00
Payroll %:
58.1%
Avg Residents/Day:
60.70
Overall Rating:
Adj Nurse Hours:
4.0399
Health Insp Rating:
Staffing Rating:
QM Rating:
Citations:
31
Severe Citations:
1
RN share vs State Avg:
-32%
-32%
Staffing vs State Avg:
-6%
-6%
Occupancy vs State Avg:
+14%
+14%
Occupancy %:
85.8%
Valley View Village
Type of care:
SNF
AL
Community:
Des Moines (Fairmont Park)
Bed Count:
79
Pets Allowed:
Yes
Operator:
ELIM CARE INC
Bed Options:
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Home Revenue:
$9,251,393.00
Payroll Costs:
$5,273,992.00
Payroll %:
57%
Avg Residents/Day:
71.10
Overall Rating:
Adj Nurse Hours:
5.5244
Health Insp Rating:
Staffing Rating:
QM Rating:
Number of Fines:
2
Citations:
19
Severe Citations:
2
RN share vs State Avg:
+45%
+45%
Staffing vs State Avg:
+29%
+29%
Occupancy vs State Avg:
+20%
+20%
Occupancy %:
90.8%
West Ridge Care Center
Type of care:
SNF
Community:
Cedar Rapids
Bed Count:
60
Pets Allowed:
No
Operator:
SAMPLE, ELAINE
Home Revenue:
$9,301,500.00
Payroll Costs:
$3,089,553.00
Payroll %:
33.2%
Avg Residents/Day:
48.70
Overall Rating:
Adj Nurse Hours:
4.8803
Health Insp Rating:
Staffing Rating:
QM Rating:
Citations:
5
RN share vs State Avg:
+23%
+23%
Staffing vs State Avg:
+14%
+14%
Occupancy vs State Avg:
+6%
+6%
Occupancy %:
80.3%
Ridgecrest Village
Type of care:
SNF
AL
IL
MC
Community:
Davenport
Bed Count:
339
Pets Allowed:
Yes
Operator:
BEADERSTADT, MICHAEL
Bed Options:
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Home Revenue:
$13,291,642.00
Payroll Costs:
$6,851,833.00
Payroll %:
51.5%
Avg Residents/Day:
58.10
Overall Rating:
Adj Nurse Hours:
3.9792
Health Insp Rating:
Staffing Rating:
QM Rating:
Number of Fines:
2
Citations:
43
Severe Citations:
3
RN share vs State Avg:
+69%
+69%
Staffing vs State Avg:
-7%
-7%
Occupancy vs State Avg:
-14%
-14%
Occupancy %:
64.9%
Community Memorial Health Center
Community Memorial Health Center is a premier skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Hartley, Iowa. It provides a full range of care services designed to support both health and independence, including skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care. The facility emphasizes a holistic plan of care for each resident, ensuring their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs are met.
Clearview Home
Clearview Home is located in Mount Ayr, Iowa, and is committed to providing compassionate and quality care to its residents. The facility offers a range of services including skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care. Clearview Home emphasizes personal choice and strives to create a home-like environment for its residents.
Clarence Nursing Home
Clarence Nursing Home is part of the Clarence Senior Living Campus, which started in 1968. It offers skilled nursing services and long-term care in a home-like environment. The facility has 46 beds and provides various amenities to support a healthy lifestyle.
Chautauqua Guest Home #2 (11th St.)
Chautauqua Guest Homes is a senior living community located in Charles City, Iowa. It provides comprehensive and high-quality long-term care services. The organization focuses on building relationships and has been recognized for its quality care.
Belle Plaine Specialty Care
Belle Plaine Specialty Care is a skilled nursing and long-term care community located in Belle Plaine, IA. It provides compassionate, individualized care for residents and promotes their family's wellbeing. The facility is licensed to care for up to 46 residents, offering services 24/7.
Centerville Specialty Care
Centerville Specialty Care is a skilled nursing and long-term care community located in Centerville, Iowa. It provides compassionate, individualized care for residents and promotes their well-being through various programs and activities. The facility is licensed to care for up to 46 residents, offering services 24/7.
Bishop Drumm Retirement Center
Bishop Drumm Retirement Center is a senior living community located in Johnston, Iowa. It offers a variety of residential options including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. The center is dedicated to providing high-quality care with a Christian approach, ensuring residents can age in place with the support they need.
Bethany Life
Bethany Life offers a variety of care options for older adults including assisted living, independent living, and long-term care. Located in Story City, Iowa, Bethany Life has been a part of the community since 1914. The facility provides a continuum of care serving Story, Hamilton, Hardin, Boone, and Marshall Counties.
Azria Health Longview
Azria Health Longview provides excellence at every level, delivering exceptional service to each individual. The facility offers a range of services including post-acute rehabilitation, long-term care, independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The team is dedicated to ensuring a high level of personal attention and fostering health and well-being.
Arbor Court
Arbor Court is a senior living community located in Mt Pleasant, IA. It offers various services and amenities to support the needs of its residents. For more information, visit their website.
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
What government services provide money for senior housing?
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.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?
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.
Do you help families that need Medicaid?
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.
How much does this service cost?
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.
What services do you offer?
- 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.
Virtual Tours & Videos
Resident interviews at our senior living facilities
Check out our resident interviews
Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.
Check out our cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions from families.
What government services provide money for senior housing?
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.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?
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.
Do you help families that need Medicaid?
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.
Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.
Check out our cost guide.
How much does this service cost?
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.
What services do you offer?
- 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.
Virtual Tours & Videos
Resident interviews at our senior living facilities
Check out our resident interviews
Who we are
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.
Contact us Today
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