Page 41 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. 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.
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.
Harvest Acres Nursing & Rehab
SC
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Keota
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 71
Rank #302 / 334
No
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 46
Rank #300 / 424
82.0%
Facility 82.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #76 / 295
--
Countryside Health Care Center
SC
NH
Sioux City
101
Facility 101
IA AVG 71
Rank #25 / 241
No
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 46
Rank #241 / 260
---
Woodlands Creek Senior Living
SC
AL
IL
MC
Clive
-Yes
21
Facility 21
IA AVG 46
Rank #352 / 424
---
Story Medical Senior Care
SC
NH
Nevada
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 71
Rank #116 / 241
No
71
Facility 71
IA AVG 46
Rank #63 / 260
95.0%
Facility 95.0%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #16 / 229
133
Willow Dale Wellness Village
SC
AL
HOS
IL
NH
SNF
Battle Creek
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #261 / 334
No
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 46
Rank #418 / 424
74.3%
Facility 74.3%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #121 / 295
--
Zearing Health Care, LLC
SC
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Garfield Zearing
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #261 / 334
No
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 46
Rank #393 / 424
77.5%
Facility 77.5%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #102 / 295
20
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 7
Rank #255 / 299
Chatham Oaks Inc.
SC
AL
Iowa City (Weber)
16
Facility 16
IA AVG 71
Rank #331 / 334
No--12
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 299
Sunny Hill Care Center
SC
HOS
NH
RC
SNF
Tama
57
Facility 57
IA AVG 71
Rank #129 / 241
No
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 46
Rank #132 / 260
84.2%
Facility 84.2%
IA AVG 63.7%
Rank #91 / 229
209
Life Center
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (Waveland Park)
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 71
Rank #119 / 334
No
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 46
Rank #175 / 424
---
Riverside Manor
SC
IL
Ames
59
Facility 59
IA AVG 71
Rank #186 / 334
No
45
Facility 45
IA AVG 46
Rank #214 / 424
---

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 Harvest Acres Nursing & Rehab

Harvest Acres Nursing & Rehab handles community clinical care through a 35-bed medical layout at 204 North Keokuk Washington Road in Keota, Iowa. Under the local ownership of Scott Mow, the building stabilizes its ongoing resident accounts by processing private funding streams alongside formal Medicare and state Medicaid certifications. The overall census hovers near an 80 percent occupancy baseline, with residential stay lengths averaging around 442 days to reflect a slow-paced blend of transitional physical therapy and traditional extended nursing placements.

Floor care schedules balance an average of 3 hours and 53 minutes of hands-on attention for every individual each day. Certified nursing aides provide over two hours of this direct care baseline, while registered nurses contribute 35 minutes and licensed practical nurses deliver 37 minutes to manage routine physical treatment lines and therapeutic recovery tracks.

For off-site errands, the local neighborhood maps out a walkability score of 32 out of 100, which means visiting families and staff members rely on personal vehicles to navigate standard regional trips. Prospective residents can get in touch with the main office to verify current bed layouts, look over the recovery calendar, or plan an afternoon walkthrough of the clinical therapy spaces.

Contact Harvest Acres Nursing & Rehab

Overview of Countryside Health Care Center

Countryside Health Care Center is a 101-bed nursing home on Morningside Ave in Sioux City, Iowa, single-story, private rooms throughout. Walk Score’s a 9, which is about as car-dependent as it gets, so nobody’s strolling to get coffee.

Reliant Rehab therapy plus short-term and long-term skilled nursing, plus respite care for families who need a bridge, not a permanent placement. Average stay clocks in at 81 days, which is short in nursing-home terms, more rehab timeline than settle-in timeline. Occupancy sits at 49.3% right now. Staffing breaks down to 32 minutes of RN time per resident per day, 1 hour 21 minutes of LPN time, and 2 hours 32 minutes from nurse aides, so the bulk of hands-on care comes from that aide layer, with LPNs doing the routine clinical work and RNs stepping in for oversight.

The payer mix backs up the two-track read: 35% of new residents come in on Medicare, and they’re mostly out again within about a month, which is textbook post-acute rehab. Private pay is the biggest group at 56%, staying 6 to 7 months on average, somewhere between short-stay and long-term. Medicaid residents, just 9% of new admissions, stick around 3 to 4 months. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted here, so the coverage door is open regardless of which track a family’s on.

Put it all next to each other and Countryside reads like two overlapping ones sharing a building: a rehab stopover for people recovering from something acute, and a slower-paced nursing option for people whose stay is going to run longer. Which one fits depends entirely on why someone’s walking through the door in the first place.

Contact Countryside Health Care Center

Overview of Woodlands Creek Senior Living

Considerably one of the trusted senior living communities in the city, Woodlands Creek offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care lifestyle in a warm and welcoming environment for the residents– making them feel right at home. The retirement home strives in promoting an engaging social life for the seniors to create endless possibilities for them as well as develop meaningful relationships that blossom into wonderful memories. Woodlands is the home where people and interests are mattered and cared for.

The resident lifestyle of independent living seniors is focused on maintaing an active lifestyle by offering them a range of scheduled activities. Assisted living levels of care offer a range of services focused on the individualized and personal care needs of its residents: transportation, a geriatric physician, and a 24/7 nursing staff– the same goes for the memory care unit.

Contact Woodlands Creek Senior Living

Overview of Story Medical Senior Care

Administered by Melissa Opperman, Story Medical Senior Care provides nursing home care in Nevada, IA, for older adults who need ongoing clinical oversight and help with daily needs. The home has 60 beds with 57 beds currently occupied, indicating a 95% occupancy.

Care is supported around the clock, with 24-hour staffing, including a doctor on staff. Rehabilitation services are also available, providing residents with restorative support during their stay. For those seeking temporary relief, particularly for families whose primary caregivers need time away, respite care is offered.

Residents can take part in outings and day trips with accessible transportation. Moreover, a salon is available on-site, allowing residents to access grooming services.

Contact Story Medical Senior Care

Overview of Willow Dale Wellness Village

Willow Dale Wellness Village provides nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, hospice care, and independent living in Battle Creek, IA. Skilled nursing and nursing home care provide licensed nursing support on site around the clock, while assisted living helps residents with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication management while they keep their own apartment.

Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care. Hospice care supports residents receiving end-of-life care. Because multiple care levels are available in one community, Willow Dale Wellness Village may suit a resident whose needs may grow over time.

The community has 40 beds, representing a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours 22 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nurse staffing time assigned across residents.

Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long-term residence, Medicaid may help when savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay means the family pays directly. Rehabilitation services support residents who need rehabilitation, while beauty and barber services allow residents to handle grooming at the community.

Contact Willow Dale Wellness Village

Overview of Zearing Health Care

Zearing Health Care provides nursing home, skilled nursing, hospice, memory care, and respite care in Zearing, Iowa. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for a resident who may be at risk of wandering. Hospice supports residents with end of life needs, and respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs time away, travel, or recovery.

The community has 40 beds. Rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation give residents access to recovery focused care without requiring a permanent move into long term care. Zearing Health Care also has a Huntington Disease program for residents whose care needs are related to that condition.

Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 38 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time assigned across each resident’s care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several listed ways to cover care. Brad Sammon serves as administrator, and Bambi Cerka is the director. Zearing Health Care may be a good fit for a resident whose care needs may change over time because several care types are available within the same community.

Contact Zearing Health Care, LLC

Overview of Chatham Oaks

Chatham Oaks is an assisted living community in Iowa City’s Weber neighborhood. Residents receive help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while keeping their own apartment.

With 16 beds, Chatham Oaks is a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know one another. It may be a good fit for someone who prefers a smaller setting, and Lydia Olson-Kelley serves as the administrator.

Contact Chatham Oaks Inc.

Overview of Sunny Hill Care Center

Sunny Hill Care Center is a 57-bed nursing home in Tama, Iowa, managed by Premier Senior Management LLC and led by administrator Megan Thiessen. The building runs at an 84 percent occupancy rate and coordinates billing through private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid. Because lengths of stay average around 209 days, the daily makeup of the building consists of a fairly even blend of short-term rehab patients and long-term residents.

On the floor, the clinical staff delivers about 3 hours and 47 minutes of direct daily care to each resident. This hands-on time includes 45 minutes from registered nurses, 2 hours and 3 minutes from nurse aides, and 7 minutes from licensed practical nurses who help run the on-site hospice, respite care, and physical therapies. The building also handles outpatient care to help people transitioning back home, while the local neighborhood scores a 49 out of 100 for walkability, making a car necessary for most errands.

State records show that recent inspection findings focused on standard resident care procedures, medication management, and fall prevention. A subsequent re-inspection verified that the facility completed all required corrective actions, returning the property to full regulatory compliance.

Interested individuals can get in touch with the admissions office to check on current bed availability, ask about the outpatient therapy options, or schedule a walkthrough. The front office can also explain the billing paperwork and outline how different insurance plans apply to the fees.

Contact Sunny Hill Care Center

Overview of Life Center

Offering excellent memory care, long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services, The Life Center is a dependable senior living community in Des Moines, IA that helps residents maintain a sense of individuality and freedom while receiving additional support. The community features a reliable nursing team available 24-hours a day and an extensive rehabilitative program, featuring physical, speech, and occupational therapies that help residents maintain their highest level of functionality.

Residents also delight in an array of convenient services that help them live a maintenance-free lifestyle such as housekeeping, laundry, package delivery services, and more. A registered dietician carefully reviews the residents’ therapeutic diets to ensure they are receiving the proper nutrition and nourishment. With Life Center, residents are guaranteed to lead the lifestyle they deserve surrounded by compassionate support and care.

Contact Life Center

Overview of Riverside Manor

Located in Ames, IA, Riverside Manor is a nursing home that provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation services, and extended care programs. The community also provides convenient access to local healthcare resources, particularly Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Core services include rehabilitation and home care support, allowing the community to accommodate older adults’ different needs. To support residents’ recovery and overall health, a wellness program is provided.

Moreover, emergency response systems are installed in every resident room and bathroom to ensure safety.
Housekeeping and linen services are provided, along with home-style meals that are prepared with fresh ingredients. Family and friends are also encouraged to visit, as flexible visiting hours are provided.

Its surrounding area is slightly walkable, as reflected by its Walk Score of 45. This suggests that only a few services are available within walking distance, and transportation is required for most errands. Riverside Manor may appeal to families seeking nursing care in a residential setting with rehabilitation services, wellness support, and proximity to medical care.

Contact Riverside Manor

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.