Page 4 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:

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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. 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.
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.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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.
The Views of Marion
SC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Marion
60?No 37 Private Rooms7 48.3% -31-
Southfield Wellness Community AL
SC
AL
HOS
NH
RC
SNF
Webster City
50?No 58 -24 100.0% -26-
Melrose Meadows Retirement Community
SC
AL
IL
Iowa City (Weber)
52A+Yes 23 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed23 57.7% A+271
Prime Assisted Living
SC
AL
Sioux City
120A+No 88 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed19 49.2% -351
Amelia Senior Living
SC
AL
Council Bluffs (Ferndale)
62CYes 2 Studio / 1 Bed11 56.5% A+621
Boyson Heights Senior Living
SC
AL
IL
MC
Cedar Rapids
132B-Yes 52 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed5 22.7% -42-
Holland Farms
SC
AL
IL
MC
RC
Norwalk
116D+Yes 38 Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms5 46.6% -83-
Meadowview of Davenport
SC
AL
IL
MC
Davenport
56?Yes 61 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed3 26.8% -2--
English Valley Nursing Care Center
SC
AL
NH
SNF
North English
44ANo 31 -55 79.5% -101-
Mill Pond
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Ankeny
60?Yes 16 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed23 98.3% -1851
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Overview of The Views of Marion

Sixty beds, all private rooms, spread across a two-story building in Marion, Iowa: that’s the physical shape of The Views of Marion. The community covers nursing home, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care, which means it’s built to hold residents across a wider range of needs than a single-care-type building would. Seven years in, it’s past the startup phase.

A Walk Score of 37 puts it in “somewhat walkable” territory, so most errands or outings mean a car ride rather than a short walk. Inside, though, safety features carry some of that weight back: personal emergency response systems and panic buttons give residents a way to call for help fast, and common areas mix indoor and outdoor space so there’s somewhere to go besides a private room.

Registered nurses, licensed nurses, and nurse aides each contribute to daily care, with nurse aides providing roughly two and a half hours of hands-on time per resident every day. That’s the category most families notice first, since it’s the most direct, hands-on part of care.

Right now, 29 of the 60 beds are filled, a 48% occupancy rate, and the average resident stays about six months. Medicare and private pay are both accepted. Dallas Urbain administers the community. State inspections, run by Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, have tended to center on medication management, staffing credentials, and how care gets documented.

Put together, The Views of Marion can be described as a nursing home built for a broad range of residents, from those needing intensive daily support to those in a shorter recovery stay, with staffing and safety infrastructure sized to match.

Contact The Views of Marion

Overview of Southfield Wellness Community Al

Southfield Wellness Community Al in Webster City provides assisted living, nursing home and skilled nursing, hospice care, and respite care. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks, while nursing home and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Hospice supports residents receiving care at the end of life, and respite offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs temporary support.

With 50 beds, the community has a smaller setting where residents and staff may get to know one another. Private rooms give one resident a living space of their own, while semi private rooms are shared. Rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation can support recovery without requiring a permanent nursing placement.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 7 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time assigned to each resident. A private family gathering space gives residents and visitors a designated place to spend time together.

A Walk Score of 58 means some errands can be completed on foot in this somewhat walkable area. Autumn Davis serves as administrator. The range of care may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, while respite care may suit a family caregiver who needs a short term arrangement.

Contact Southfield Wellness Community AL

Overview of Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

Located in the heart of Iowa City, Melrose Meadows Retirement Community stands as a welcoming haven for seniors seeking assisted living. Offering a range of private senior apartments, this community provides a sanctuary where residents are free from the burdens of upkeep and monotony. With a reputation that shines brightly over the years, Melrose Meadows prides itself on transparency in its fee structure and offers a blend of independent and assisted living facilities.

Its strategic proximity to the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics ensures seamless access to world-class healthcare, supported by a dedicated on-site staff available around the clock. Amidst the vibrant energy of Iowa City, Melrose Meadows Retirement Community thrives as a place where seniors experience a fulfilling and supportive environment. Thoughtfully designed spaces create a sense of warmth and comfort, encouraging residents to embrace life to the fullest.

Contact Melrose Meadows Retirement Community

Overview of Prime Assisted Living

Prime Assisted Living provides assisted living in Sioux City, IA, with help for daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while residents maintain their own apartments. The community may be a good fit for someone who needs support with everyday activities but does not require the secured setting or round-the-clock licensed nursing care associated with other care types.

Prime Assisted Living has 120 beds. Housing options include studios, one-bedroom residences, and two-bedroom residences, with the two-bedroom layout able to suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.

A Walk Score of 88 places the area in the very walkable range, meaning most errands can be completed on foot and a resident who no longer drives may still reach nearby shops, pharmacies, or cafes independently. Nicole Thompson serves as the administrator.

Contact Prime Assisted Living

Overview of Amelia Senior Living

Ideally situated in the quiet neighborhood of West Ferndale Drive, Council Bluffs, IA, Amelia Senior Living is a respected senior living community providing assisted living. Helping seniors live a maintenance-free lifestyle by taking care of daily living activities around the clock, the community provides more opportunities for seniors to do the things they love. Residents and families can rest easy knowing a trusted community has their backs and their loved ones are well-cared for.

With a jam-packed calendar of fun activities and engaging programs, residents create lasting moments with friends and lead an active lifestyle. Healthy and delightful meals are also provided, ensuring hassle-free dining that satisfies dietary needs and preferences. Amelia Senior Living is dedicated to caring for seniors with its spacious and sophisticated campus with senior-friendly amenities.

Starting Price $4,600/Month

Contact Amelia Senior Living

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 Holland Farms

Located on Sunset Drive in Norwalk, Iowa, Holland Farms is a three-story community that has been in operation for five years. It offers 116 private and semi-private apartments and currently serves 45 residents, giving older adults a choice of living arrangements based on their preferences for privacy or shared space.

The surrounding neighborhood has a walkability score of 38, so while a few nearby destinations can be reached on foot, most errands and family visits require a vehicle. The quieter setting may appeal to those who prefer a less urban environment.

State inspections have identified areas for improvement in medication management procedures and service planning documentation. Interested families are encouraged to schedule a tour to discuss these findings with staff and learn more about the safeguards and care practices in place.

Contact Holland Farms

Overview of Meadowview of Davenport

Conveniently located in the thriving neighborhood of Davenport, IA, Meadowview of Davenport is an exceptional community that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Featuring a variety of specially designed one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Here, residents also enjoy a worry-free lifestyle with maintenance services.

Fun recreational activities and stimulating programs are conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Delectable and healthy dining options are available, ensuring residents have a delightful dining experience that caters to their dietary needs and preferences. Amenities include a fitness center, an art studio, a memory care garden, a barber shop, and a fireside lounge, creating the ideal setting for recreation and wellness.

Contact Meadowview of Davenport

English Valley Nursing Care Center

150 West Washington Street, North English, IA 52316-0430
Overview of English Valley Nursing Care Center

English Valley Nursing Care Center offers nursing home, assisted living, and skilled nursing care in North English, Iowa. Nursing home care provides a residential setting for ongoing care and supervision, while skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment. The combination may be a good fit for a resident whose care needs may grow over time, since the available care levels can support a move without leaving the community.

The community opened in 1973 and has 44 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Valley View Assisted Living (ALP) | S0185 operates English Valley Nursing Care Center, and Jalissa Winn serves as the administrator.

Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 52 minutes per resident per day. That represents the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Payment options are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay: Medicare applies to short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid can help when savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay means paying directly.

A backyard picnic area gives residents an outdoor place to sit, while gardening provides an activity involving plant care. With a Walk Score of 31, the area is car dependent, so most errands require a car or a ride, making it a quieter residential setting where residents who no longer drive generally need transportation for errands.

Contact English Valley Nursing Care Center

Mill Pond

1201 Se Mill Pond Ct, Ankeny, IA 50021
Overview of Mill Pond

Mill Pond offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Ankeny, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while residents maintain their own apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Several care levels share one community here. That can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because a move to a different level of care can happen without leaving Mill Pond. The community has 60 beds and 98% occupancy, meaning nearly all beds were filled at the time represented by that figure. Housing includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom layouts. A studio provides one private space, while a two bedroom can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment routes for eligible care and services. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 13 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident. Pets are allowed, giving a resident the option to bring a pet when moving in. Jesica Culp serves as the administrator.

Contact Mill Pond

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