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Best Senior Communities in Iowa

Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Weiss
Updated Apr 2026
We analyzed 7 homes in Iowa

Sources: CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Iowa Department of Health, Office of Aging and Long Term Care.

Explore home photos

Video Tour: Top-rated senior communities facilities in Iowa.

Watch this Video to see Iowa's Top-rated Senior Communities

Compare Senior Communities around Iowa The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

Click column headers to sort
Woodland Terrace
NH

Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).

AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Waverly
100No--- 87.0% 2510
Eagle Point Health Care Center
NH

Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).

AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Clinton
75No--30 70.7% 166
Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

NH

Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).

Fort Dodge
65No--- 93.3% 00
Navigate MC at Featherstone at Hickory Trail
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Iowa City (Lemme)
32No--1-00
Journey Senior Services
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Carroll
36No--7 75.0% 42
Homesteaders at Holland Farms
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Norwalk
80No--4 42.5% 53
Hansen House
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Council Bluffs (Kane Township)
54No--15 53.7% 125
Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Eldridge
36No--18 41.7% 2318
Gardens at Ridgecrest Village
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Davenport (Downtown Davenport)
30No--24 40.0% 3426
Emery Place
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Robins
106No--11 48.1% 1713
Cottage Grove Place – Connections
NH

Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).

AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Cedar Rapids
36No--6 38.9% 53
Birdee Cottage AL and MC
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Waterloo
33No--4 51.5% 42
Better Living of Walcott
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Walcott
67No--6 34.3% 51
Apple Valley Place
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Osage
78No--17 65.4% 135
Addington Place of Burlington
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Burlington
100No--17 46.0% 2619
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Overview of Rotary Senior Living

Find all the care you need with the astounding senior living community of Rotary Senior Living in Eagle Grove, IA, which offers an array of care options including assisted living, independent living, memory care, long-term care, and rehabilitation. With its dedication to delivering the highest quality of care and support, the community provides a team of licensed and well-trained professionals helping seniors with their needs 24/7. Families can also rest easy with the knowledge that their loved ones are well-cared for.

The community fosters a vibrant and welcoming environment, ensuring residents have the freedom to live as they please. Healthy and delicious meals await residents every mealtime for a delightful dining experience. Rotary Senior Living is great for seniors looking to enjoy their golden years in one place.

What does this home offer?

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Housing Options: Private Rooms

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Building Type: Single-story

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Contact Rotary Senior Living

Overview of Deerfield Health Care Center

Deerfield Health Care Center is a skilled nursing facility located in Urbandale, IA, south of Deer Ridge Park. This is a 30-bed Medicare and Medicaid certified facility providing skilled nursing services and rehabilitation, both for their long-term, and short-term patients. Other services they provide to their residents are post acute-care for patients who had recent surgery for accidents, or treatments for a disease or illness.

However small, the residents and patients of this nursing facility are able to enjoy their amenities such as; housekeeping services, medication management, meal preparation and restaurant style dining experience, grooming services, and community sponsored activities designed to help boost the residents’ physical and cognitive health.

Contact Deerfield Health Care Center

Overview of The Bridges at Ankeny

The Bridges at Ankeny is an assisted living with memory care community located northwest of the city. And because it sits just outside of bustling towns, the residents enjoy a feel of country living while still having the convenience of easy travel to local shops and restaurants, for outside activities. This senior community offers top care for its residents by providing 24 hour care service from licensed and professional nursing staff, social services, chef planned meals, pharmacy services, and memory care services among other things. The Bridges at Ankeny offers a lot of amenities, too. Aside from living in private or semi-private rooms which are also available for short term stays, residents get to enjoy different indoor and outdoor common areas for socializing or doing other fun activities with the other residents.

In terms of assisted living costs, The Bridges of Ankeny accepts both Medicare and Medicaid health plans. They also offer bespoke care plans to ensure that each resident’s needs are met, and their lifestyle choices achieved. This senior living community also gives importance to the role of the residents’ family in ensuring that their loved ones are not only empowered to live their remaining years to the fullest, but also kept healthy in both body and mind.

Contact The Bridges at Ankeny

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – Davenport

Committed to providing compassionate in-home care for senior residents of Davenport, Iowa, Good Samaritan Society Home Health Care empowers individuals to live fulfilling lives within the comfort of their own homes. Serving Scott, Muscatine, Cedar, and Clinton Counties, their reach extends to a broad range of communities.

Good Samaritan offers a helping hand to those in need of additional support with daily living, medical management, recovering from surgery, illness, accidents, or falls. Their duly licensed team provides a variety of services to meet individual needs, including post-surgical rehabilitation, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medication management, disease management, wound care, and even telehealth consultations. Integrating clinical expertise with compassionate care, Good Samaritan helps clients regain strength, maintain independence, and age gracefully in their preferred environment.

What does this home offer?

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Housing Options: Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms

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Building Type: Single-story

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Contact Good Samaritan Society – Davenport

Overview of Keystone Place at Forevergreen

Located within North Liberty, Iowa, Keystone Place at Forevergreen stands as a haven of passionate care and vibrant living. Offering a comprehensive range of services, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care, this community is renowned for its landscape-rich campus and its unwavering commitment to fostering an engaged and socially active lifestyle for its residents. Here, the pursuit of fun and personal growth thrives, allowing seniors to flourish physically and mentally.

The community boasts an elegant clubhouse adorned with a library and theater, serving as a hub for enriching activities. An expansive activity center and a state-of-the-art fitness hub contribute to the dynamic environment. The spacious apartment homes, available in large one and two bedroom floor plans, offer ample storage and comfort. With a 24-hour concierge and a specially trained staff available round the clock, residents experience a secure and supportive atmosphere. The courtyard also beckons with secure access, providing a breathable space for relaxation.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Room Sizes: 374 / 600 / 833 - 1,261 sq. ft

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: 3-story

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Contact Keystone Place at Forevergreen

Northridge Village

3300 George Washington Carver Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Overview of Northridge Village

Northridge Village provides a vibrant and joyful life for seniors during their golden years, offering a range of services including independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehab, and long-term care. The nursing team is highly competent, providing expert care within a safe environment. For those requiring memory care, private rooms, private suites, and enhanced semi-private rooms are available, creating a tranquil atmosphere where families can have complete confidence in the care provided.

Within their close-knit community, residents are treated like family, fostering a warm and supportive atmosphere. The community invests in enhancing the dining experience, providing delicious meals that cater to seniors’ tastes. Engaging activities such as bingo, church services, movie nights, and arts and crafts are organized both on-site and offsite, ensuring every day is filled with excitement and variety.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Housing Options: 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: Two-storey

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Fitness and Recreation

Contact Northridge Village

Prairie Gate

16 Valley View Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Overview of Prairie Gate

Make every moment of your retirement count at Prairie Gate, a distinct community in Council Bluffs, IA, offering independent living, memory care, enriched living, long-term care, and transitional care. The community has beautifully designed and cozy studio to two-bedroom floor plans, striving to keep residents comfortable and safe. On-site maintenance and plenty of convenient apartment features are also provided, so residents have a worry-free lifestyle.

Residents have easy access to thriving local amenities and recreational spaces, ensuring unending leisure and wellness opportunities. Continental breakfast is also provided, so residents can start their day with a delectable meal. With state-of-the-art amenities and exceptional services, residents can experience the best of their golden years without hassles.

What does this home offer?

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Minimum Age: 60 Years Old

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / Private / Companions Suite

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Building Type: 2-story

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Dining Services

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Beauty Services

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Social and Recreational Activities

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Exercise Programs

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Parking Available

Contact Prairie Gate

Overview of Newaldaya Lifescapes

Located in the heart of Cedar Falls, IA, Newaldaya Lifescapes offers a vibrant and welcoming community for seniors. This community features a range of care options, including extended care, memory care, skilled nursing, and recreational therapy. Residents can choose from more than 15 unique floor plans in pet-friendly neighborhoods, designed for comfort and independence. The community’s prime location also provides easy access to Cedar Valley Bike Trails and Dry Run Creek, as well as local dining, shopping, and entertainment.

The community thrives with exceptional amenities such as the River Rock Café, New Day Salon and Spa, and a 24-hour wellness center. Residents can engage in various social and recreational activities to stay active and connected. Newaldaya Lifescapes is dedicated to enhancing lives through compassionate care, offering peace of mind in a lively, family-oriented environment.

What does this home offer?

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Accept Medicaid: Yes, Accept

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Total Residents: 135 Residents

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Building Type: Single-story

Contact NewAldaya Lifescapes

Overview of Karen Acres Health Care Center

Karen Acres Health Care Center is a rehabilitation facility and nursing home located in Urbandale, IA, just above Karen Acres Elementary School. The main services they offer are rehabilitation, and long-term care. Their long-term care residents receive 24/7 RN or LPN provided assistance, grooming and feeding assistance, medication management, as well as mobility assistance for those who need it.

This long term nursing home also provides hospice care, as well as respite care with a minimum of 7 day required stay. Karen Acres Health Care Center also offers bespoke care plans that will surely cater to the patient’s needs, in order for them to keep their cognitive and physical health at the highest level.

Contact Karen Acres Health Care Center

Overview of Independence Village of Ames

Independence Village of Ames, under the esteemed StoryPoint Group, redefines senior living where residents are empowered to lead life on their terms. With unwavering dedication to assisted living and memory care, they create a warm familial atmosphere. This close-knit community, nestled in Ames, Iowa, boasts 24-hour oversight and specialized programming. Their offerings include assisted living with memory care services, along with personalized respite care.

The community prides itself on fostering new friendships and cherished memories through engaging daily activities. Additionally, residents enjoy delightful chef-prepared meals, ensuring a dining experience that feels just like home. Independence Village is meticulously designed for comfort, with a keen attention to detail and professionalism in their interactions with both families and seniors. Their exceptional assisted living qualifications make them a preferred choice for seniors seeking a vibrant and supportive community tailored to their needs.

What does this home offer?

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Room Sizes: 403 / 522 / 738 sq. ft

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: Two-story

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Contact Independence Village of Ames

Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology

View Full Ranking Methodology

How 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 Most

The 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 Support

Another 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
Balancing Additional Factors

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.
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.

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