Page 39 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
Overview of Meth Wick Community

Meth Wick Community is a place where life is brimming with vivid and authentic experiences. This not-for-profit community offers a range of senior living options including independent living, Independence Plus, assisted living, memory care, and nursing care. The 68-acre wooded campus has been providing care since 1961. This home also places an emphasis on wellness, offering classes to help residents maintain their physical, mental, and emotional health. 

They house bariatric specialty suits to provide additional support for those who need it. Transportation services make it easy to get around, and the 14,000 square foot social hub is the perfect place to gather with friends and neighbors. The social hub features a library, fitness room, doctor’s office, and more. Residents can even join book clubs and bus trips and stay connected with donors and the community’s needs through the Legacy newsletter. Moreover, the facility is equipped with a Wick Endowment Fund to assist residents who have exhausted their resources. They strongly prioritize security and comfort, providing both total independence and total care in one place.

Contact Meth Wick Community

Manor House Care Center

1212 South Stuart Street, Sigourney, IA 52591-1300
Overview of Manor House Care Center

Manor House Care Center offers independent living, assisted living, hospice care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in Sigourney, IA. Independent living suits residents who manage daily care on their own, while assisted living provides help with bathing, dressing, medication, and other everyday tasks.

Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide ongoing nursing and personal support. Hospice care focuses on comfort for someone nearing the end of life, while the range of care options allows needs to be addressed within the same community as they change.

The community has 55 beds, creating a smaller setting where residents and staff may become familiar with one another. Its Rehab-to-home program and short-term rehabilitation services support a temporary stay focused on recovery and returning home, and rehabilitation services are also available as part of the broader care options.

Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 26 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care.

A Walk Score of 45 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride.

Contact Manor House Care Center

Overview of Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation

Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Licensed nurses also support care, along with 24-hour staffing. The home has 65 beds with a current occupancy of 92%.

Therapy and rehabilitation services are provided in-house. Additionally, residents recovering from an illness, injury, or hospital stay can receive therapy without having to arrange transportation elsewhere. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 18 minutes per resident each day. This represents the average daily nursing time available to each resident.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, suggesting that Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, while Medicaid can help families whose savings may not cover a long-term stay.

Contact Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation

Stone Cottage Care Center

900 South Stone Street, Sigourney, IA 52591-0000
Overview of Stone Cottage Care Center

Based in Sigourney, Iowa, Stone Cottage Care Center is a 41-bed nursing home owned and operated by Gabriel Sebbag and the Samara Family. The home currently houses 31 residents and works with multiple funding options, accepting private pay alongside Medicare and Medicaid. Because lengths of stay average about 547 days, the daily routine focuses mostly on long-term residential care, though they also take in patients for short-term recovery.

The building runs with a staff-to-resident ratio of around 2 to 1, with the nursing team providing about 3 hours and 18 minutes of direct care per resident each day. Registered nurses handle direct clinical oversight on the floor, while on-site physical and occupational therapists provide regular sessions to help people regain their functional mobility after a hospital stay. To keep families involved, the facility sets up active resident and family councils so people can weigh in on community decisions.

For anyone planning a visit, the small-town neighborhood scores a 45 out of 100 for walkability, meaning a car will be necessary for most regular trips.

Interested individuals can call the admissions desk to see which rooms are open, find out how the resident council functions, or coordinate a time to tour the building. The front office can also walk you through the standard entry paperwork and explain how insurance coverage applies to extended care stays.

Contact Stone Cottage Care Center

Overview of Amera Senior Living

Beautifully set in the thriving neighborhood of Sioux City, IA, Amera Senior Living is an exceptional community that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community has purposely built and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring residents’ comfort and safety. Residents also enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with maintenance services and plenty of convenient apartment features.

With a variety of exciting events and engaging programs, residents will not run out of things to do for leisure and wellness. Delightful and healthy meals are also available, striving to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community is ideal for those looking to downsize in retirement, especially with its warm and welcoming environment.

Contact Amera Senior Living

Overview of Westview Care Center

Providing short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, Westview Care Center is a nursing home in Iowa. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several options for covering the cost of care during recovery from surgery, illness, and hospitalization.

Residents stay an average of 111 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and individuals receiving skilled nursing care. Rehabilitation services and respite care are available. The facility has 24-hour staffing to support residents throughout the day and night. Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 50 minutes per resident, providing hands-on assistance for daily activities and medical needs.

The facility is located on the edge of town with a Walk Score of 38. Some nearby errands can be done on foot, but most destinations require transportation. This quieter setting may appeal to residents and families who prefer a quieter environment. Residents also have access to basic cable television and a private family gathering room for visitors.

Families considering Westview Care Center should take a tour of the community to better understand the facility’s environment, daily routines, and the services available to residents.

Contact Westview Care Center

Overview of Nora Springs Care Center

Nora Springs Care Center operates a 50-bed skilled nursing and assisted living facility at 907 West Congress Street in Nora Springs, Iowa. The building runs with an occupancy rate near 90 percent and maintains federal certifications to process resident billing through private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid. Lengths of stay average about 134 days, establishing a daily residential census that combines temporary post-hospital therapy patients with long-term nursing placements.

Therapy schedules are structured around an internal Rehab-to-Home setup that provides physical, occupational, and speech exercises alongside outpatient options. The on-floor staffing plan provides an average of 4 hours and 9 minutes of direct daily care per resident, with licensed practical nurses contributing 52 minutes of that total.

For daily activities, the community features therapeutic recreation programs and dedicated rooms for private family gatherings, while the surrounding town neighborhood offers modest walkability, where a car is necessary for most distant errands.

Prospective families can reach out to the intake coordinator to check on current bed layouts, look over the therapy calendar, or plan an afternoon to tour the rehabilitation spaces. The business desk is also available to verify individual insurance parameters and explain how public aid programs cover short-term recovery expenses.

Contact Nora Springs Care Center

Overview of Ossian Care Center

A 46-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation home in Ossian, Iowa, is Ossian Care Center. It caters to residents needing post-acute recovery, ongoing nursing care, or memory support. Ossian Senior Hospice Incorporated-owned and Rachael Marshall-administered, the facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, providing flexible ways for families to navigate care financing. It’s near full occupancy at 80 percent, and residents stay on average about 242 days, a span reflecting short-term rehab stays and longer-term residency.

The home is built around rehabilitation services, focusing on short-term rehab for occupants returning from hospital stays. Staffing is a visible strength: the facility provides 5 hours 15 minutes of total nursing care per resident day, meaningfully above many comparable homes. That staffing level breaks down to 3 hours 10 minutes of attentive certified nurse aide time per resident daily, along with contributions from licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. The higher aide hours per resident translate to more direct help with bathing, dressing, meals, and daily activities. Located in Ossian, the neighborhood scores 38 for walkability, meaning some errands are walkable, though most outings need a car. This layout is typical of rural Iowa communities and suits families who don’t rely on pedestrian access. Ossian Care Center offers assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, so it can serve residents across different care needs in one setting.

State inspectors have centered their attention on medication management, kitchen sanitation, and care coordination practices. The facility has worked to address such areas and maintain compliance with state standards.

For families touring the home, it’s worth asking how the facility coordinates care among its different care levels and what programs support each resident’s recovery or daily engagement. Plus, it fits families who don’t depend on pedestrian access.

Contact Ossian Care Center

Harmony West Des Moines

5010 Grand Ridge Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Overview of Harmony West Des Moines

Harmony West Des Moines provides nursing home care, skilled nursing, assisted living, hospice care, palliative care, residential care, and respite care in West Des Moines, IA. Skilled nursing has licensed nurses on site around the clock. Assisted living and residential care help with daily living needs, while hospice supports residents nearing the end of life and palliative care focuses on comfort during serious illness. Respite care offers a short stay for a family caregiver who needs to travel or recover.

The range of care levels, along with respite care, may suit a resident whose needs may grow over time or a family seeking temporary support. The community has 55 beds, placing it in the smaller community range where staff and residents may get to know each other. Nearly all beds are filled at the time represented by the 98% occupancy rate, which may affect availability.

Total nurse staffing is 3h 33m per resident per day. This represents the overall nurse staffing time allocated to each resident daily. Rehabilitation includes orthopedic care and programs for stroke and other neurological conditions, giving residents support focused on these recovery needs. Short term rehabilitation provides a time limited setting focused on recovery.

Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families can use the payment source that applies to their situation. Karah D. serves as the director.

Contact Harmony West Des Moines

Overview of Hillcrest Health Care Center

At its 64-bed skilled nursing property located at 2121 Avenue L, Hillcrest Health Care Center manages regional patient accounts through a mix of private payments, Medicare credits, and state Medicaid options. The facility emphasizes sustained, continuity-based setups rather than temporary recoveries, with residential admissions averaging near a full calendar year. These longer operational timelines establish a stable daily baseline for seniors requiring ongoing clinical monitoring in the Hawarden area.

Round-the-clock shift support relies on an internal clinical team comprised of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides who distribute floor hours to implement medical treatment logs and assist with daily physical tasks. This group works directly with incoming individuals to construct personal recovery profiles, which are paired with an internal social engagement program to manage therapeutic communication.

For neighborhood accessibility, the local surroundings register a walkability score of 49 out of 100, indicating that visiting family members or staff will typically require a personal car for basic community travel and appointments.

Prospective families can contact the business manager to check on active bed availability, ask about the schedule of in-house therapy sessions, or coordinate a time to view the property. The administrative department is also set up to review individual insurance parameters and outline how public aid networks or personal assets apply to monthly billing statements.

Contact Hillcrest Health Care Center

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.