Page 5 of Best Senior Communities in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 513 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.
513 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

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.
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.
Mill Pond
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Ankeny
60?Yes 16 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed23 98.3% -1851
Elkader Care Center
SC
AL
NH
SNF
Sw Elkader
40A+No 59 -39 70.0% -146-
Crown Pointe Estates AL Memory Care
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Sioux Center
32?No 72 -3 100.0% -12-
Community Memorial Health Center
SC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
West Hartley
62CNo 43 -34 75.8% -268-
Cedar Ridge Village
SC
AL
IL
NH
SNF
West Des Moines (Heritage Bend)
40B+Yes 5 1 Bed / 2 Bed5 95.0% A+1631
Westbrook Acres
SC
HOS
MC
NH
SNF
Gladbrook
46B+No 31 -28 95.7% -154-
The Summit at Bettendorf
SC
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Bettendorf
40?Yes 11 Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed5 87.5% -122-
The Rose of East Des Moines
SC
AL
Des Moines
128A+No 70 1 bed / 2 bed18 40.6% A+9213
The Kensington in Fort Madison
SC
AL
MC
RC
Fort Madison
91A+No 61 Studio / 1 Bed8 51.6% -621
Vintage Hills of Indianola
SC
AL
MC
RC
Indianola
90A-Yes 15 -8 53.3% A+83-
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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

Elkader Care Center

116 Reimer Street Sw, Elkader, IA 52043-9558
Overview of Elkader Care Center

In Elkader, IA, Elkader Care Center offers assisted living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care. Long-term care is handled by the nursing home part. Assisted living handles everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and managing medication. Skilled nursing keeps licensed nurses available at any hour, which is all about activity and not necessarily activity, so they’re still there even on the quiet nights.

That covers a resident needing ongoing support, and one working through recovery. Elkader Care Center is a 40-bed community, and its rehabilitation services are available to residents needing therapy.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are the three ways a nursing home bill can get settled, and this center takes all three. Kaitlin Landon runs the building day-to-day.

Take one resident on one day, and 4 hours and 44 minutes of nursing time is what you’ll find on average. A Walk Score of 59 makes for a somewhat walkable area, so a resident who has given up driving but can still walk around on their own will still be able to manage some errands on foot.

Contact Elkader Care Center

Overview of Crown Pointe Estates Al Memory Care

Crown Pointe Estates Al Memory Care in Sioux Center, IA offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home and skilled nursing care. Independent living means 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 is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Having several care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since moving to a different level of care may not require leaving the community. The community has 32 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Crown Pointe Estates Al Memory Care may be a good fit for someone who prefers a smaller community with multiple care levels.

Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time assigned to each resident. Private pay is accepted, so families use their own funds to pay for care. A Walk Score of 72 out of 100 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, allowing a resident who no longer drives to get out independently. Karen Bentsen serves as the administrator.

Contact Crown Pointe Estates AL Memory Care

Overview of Community Memorial Health Center

Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, Iowa, combines assisted living, memory care, nursing home services, and skilled nursing within a single campus. Assisted living residents receive help with personal routines like bathing, dressing, and managing medication while maintaining private apartments. Dedicated memory care units feature secured environments for individuals prone to wandering, and on-site rehabilitation offers therapy services during recovery stays.

This 62-bed facility operates under administrator Steven Ziller. Daily care records show a total nurse staffing average of 4 hours and 59 minutes per resident. Setting a car-dependent standard, the local neighborhood holds a 43 walk score, meaning trips off campus typically call for arranged transportation. Financial options accept Medicare, Medicaid, and private payment methods.

Interested families can connect with Community Memorial Health Center to check unit availability, tour the grounds, and determine specific service plans.

Contact Community Memorial Health Center

Cedar Ridge Village

8950 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Overview of Cedar Ridge Village

Cedar Ridge Village, situated in the delightful West Des Moines, Iowa, provides a diverse range of senior living options, including independent living and assisted living including care for disabled adults. This community effortlessly combines elegance and comfort, with inviting spaces, high ceilings, and carefully chosen furnishings, ensuring an exceptional living experience for residents.

Residents here can engage in a variety of activities, from card games and book clubs to arts and crafts and movie nights. The community also organizes off site excursions, such as concerts, theater outings, museum visits, and more, enriching the lives of its residents. Their spacious apartments are thoughtfully designed to accommodate different care needs, offering tailored, top-tier services in a meticulously maintained environment. Count on Cedar Ridge Village for superior senior living options, whether you’re seeking assisted or independent living near you.

Starting Price $3,280/Month Info Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026

Contact Cedar Ridge Village

Westbrook Acres

605 Garfield Street, Gladbrook, IA 50635-0000
Overview of Westbrook Acres

Westbrook Acres offers skilled nursing, hospice care, and memory care in Gladbrook, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Hospice care supports residents receiving end-of-life care, and the range of services may be a good fit for someone whose clinical needs change over time.

Opened in 1995, Westbrook Acres has 46 beds, placing it in the smaller-community range where residents and staff can get to know one another. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 26 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time assigned to each resident. The facility also offers rehabilitation services and respite care, with respite providing a short-term stay for a family whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment paths for eligible care. Elizabeth Brubaker serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 31 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride, which means a resident who no longer drives generally needs transportation for errands.

Contact Westbrook Acres

Overview of The Summit at Bettendorf

The Summit at Bettendorf offers nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Bettendorf, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps an 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.

Because the community offers multiple care levels, it may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move to another community. With 40 beds, The Summit at Bettendorf is a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Housing includes studios, one bedroom apartments, and two bedroom apartments; a studio provides a single private space, while a two bedroom layout can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.

Payment options are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare applies to short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence, while Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay. Total nurse staffing is 4h 38m per resident/day, representing the daily hands on nurse time allocated per resident; pets are allowed, and Chelsey Killean serves as the administrator.

Contact The Summit at Bettendorf

Overview of The Rose of East Des Moines

The Rose of East Des Moines in Des Moines, Iowa, features 128 beds across one- and two-bedroom layouts, accommodating single residents as well as companions living together. Staff assist with personal care tasks, including bathing, dressing, and medication management, while residents keep their own private space.

Administrator Alexis Morrison oversees operations at the community. A walk score of 70 allows non-driving residents to complete most daily errands on foot within the neighborhood.

Interested individuals considering assisted living support alongside flexible apartment choices can contact The Rose of East Des Moines for information on current openings.

Contact The Rose of East Des Moines

Overview of The Kensington in Fort Madison

The Kensington in Fort Madison provides assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Fort Madison, IA. Assisted living includes help with bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident maintains an apartment. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Respite care offers a short stay for a family caregiver who needs time to travel or recover.

The community has 91 beds and is 52% occupied, meaning just over half of its beds are occupied. Studio and one bedroom layouts are available. A studio provides one private space, while a one bedroom layout separates the sleeping and living areas. A Walk Score of 61 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, so a resident who can walk independently may be able to complete some errands on foot. Sarah Martin serves as the administrator.

Contact The Kensington in Fort Madison

Overview of Vintage Hills of Indianola

Administered by Jeremy Prior, Vintage Hills of Indianola is an assisted living community in Indianola, Iowa. The home about 1.6 miles from the city center serves residents seeking assisted living, memory care, or respite care. Operating for 16 years, the mid-sized, 90-bed community currently has a 46 percent occupancy rate.

The neighborhood surrounding Vintage Hills is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 15, so a car is required for most errands. This setting fits occupants and families who prefer a more tranquil and residential part of town instead of a walkable urban area. Pets are welcome here, which can be a crucial consideration for residents wanting to bring their companions with them.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing’s state inspections have documented isolated concerns involving staff documentation and medication administration practices over the facility’s operating history. The latest inspection found no regulatory insufficiencies, reflecting the home’s compliance with state safety standards.

$3,850/Month Info Pricing updated on October 13th, 2026

Contact Vintage Hills of Indianola

Rankings on this page follow the same method as page 1: see how we rank these communities.

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