Page 2 of Best Hospice Care in Iowa

Overview of Accura HealthCare of Carlisle

Accura HealthCare of Carlisle operates an 80-bed multi-tier care campus at 680 Cole Street in Carlisle, Iowa. Managed by American HealthCare Associates Inc., the facility typically runs at an 88 percent occupancy rate. The admissions desk processes incoming balances through individual private accounts, federal Medicare coverage, and standard state Medicaid plans. Stays average roughly 178 days per resident, maintaining a routine population mix that blends short-term post-hospital rehabilitation with extended nursing home care.

The campus is structured as a full continuum community, grouping independent housing, assisted living units, and a dedicated memory care program alongside the main skilled medical wing. To deliver daily physical treatments, speech-language therapy, and regular respite sessions, floor schedules organize 24-hour shifts that supply a daily average of 5 hours and 51 minutes of direct hands-on nursing care per resident.

Certified nursing assistants manage 3 hours and 11 minutes of this bedside time, while registered nurses cover 45 minutes, and licensed practical nurses provide 42 minutes of clinical tracking. Outside the property, the surrounding neighborhood sits near regional Des Moines medical hubs and records a walkability score of 50 out of 100, which means visitors can manage a few common tasks on foot while broader regional trips require a short drive.

Prospective families can call the front office to check on independent apartment openings, request details about the specialized memory care units, or coordinate an afternoon walkthrough of the campus grounds.

Westview of Indianola Care Center is an 83-bed VA-approved facility that provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, and respite care. The property registers a 105-day average length of stay and functions at a 66% occupancy rate, with daily resident funding coming from Medicaid (54%), private-pay (37%), and Medicare (9%). Financial reports show a substantial commercial turnaround, moving from a loss in 2023 to a $1.4 million net profit with a 16.2% margin in 2024. Management budgets 52% of general revenue for the employee payroll within a highly walkable town setting.

Deep staffing hours and solid long-term clinical metrics stand out in state health logs, though short-term recovery charts display a few specific discharge gaps. On average, the staff delivers 4 hours and 25 minutes of direct care per resident each day, with front-line aide hours running 11% ahead of the standard Iowa baseline. This consistent daily presence matches high-performing permanent resident charts, which show zero cases of documented depression alongside low hospitalization frequencies and below-average rates for weight loss and pressure ulcers.

The facility also holds a clean regulatory record with zero federal fines or financial penalties over the past three years. However, the short-stay rehabilitation files show some room for improvement; post-acute self-care independence marks trail state standards, and short-term flu vaccination rates drop off sharply, even though the building logs zero serious rehab falls.

Families looking into area senior placements or VA-contracted care can use these public health logs to evaluate how the building functions day to day. The state’s documentation describes a quiet, stable facility backed by heavy daily caregiver hours and excellent preventative care for its permanent residents, balanced against lower short-term therapy independence scores.

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.

Overview of Accura HealthCare of Ames

Offering skilled nursing services, Accura HealthCare of Ames is a nursing home in Ames, Iowa, that has been operating for 26 years. Administered by Eric Olson, the community also offers skilled nursing services as well as hospice, palliative, and respite care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are also accepted.

With a 75-bed capacity, the community has an occupancy rate of 89% and an average stay of 131 days. It also supports both short-term and long-term residents, providing recovery-focused care as well as ongoing nursing needs. Rehabilitation services and respite care are also available.

Approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes of direct care is provided per resident each day. This total includes care provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides. This also provides a useful measure of the hands-on assistance available throughout the community.

Areas of concern identified through state inspections include recordkeeping, medication administration, food storage, and sanitation practices. However, corrective measures have also been implemented to address these concerns.

Located in a moderately walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 59, the community requires transportation to access most local amenities, though some errands can be reached on foot. Combining a long-standing presence, a consistently occupied setting, and multiple payment options, Accura HealthCare of Ames can be a good consideration for families exploring care options.

Midlands Living Center is a 94-bed skilled nursing facility at 2452 North Broadway in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Locally owned and administered by Jordan Tjaden, the community provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and hospice support for residents in Pottawattamie County. The campus is car-dependent with a Walk Score of 14, though it provides medical appointment transportation for its residents.

The facility is CMS-certified and carries an above average 4-star overall rating as of May 2026. Between 2021 and 2025, state inspections yielded an average of 4.3 deficiencies per year, which is 37% below the Iowa state average. While an April 2025 investigation identified a single deficiency related to infection control during catheter care, a September 2025 follow-up found the facility in substantial compliance with zero deficiencies. No federal fines or payment denials have been issued in the past three years.

Staffing levels exceed state averages in several key categories. Total adjusted nursing hours are 4 hours 31 minutes per resident day, with Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) hours at 48 minutes, 41% above the Iowa average. Weekend nursing coverage is also a strength, performing 5% above the state mean. Quality measures are rated at 4 stars, with long-stay hospitalizations 28% better than average and a 96.4% success rate in managing residents’ physical restraint needs.

The campus offers furnished rooms with in-house laundry and on-site beauty and barber services.Shared clinical amenities include:On-site optometry, podiatry, and dentistry alongside physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The social calendar features recreational and spiritual activities, and the facility maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, with a current occupancy rate of approximately 72%.

Families should evaluate the current bedside care standards during an on-site visit. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on the corrective actions taken after the 2025 catheter care finding and to confirm that the infection prevention protocols remain in full compliance for 2026.

Akron Care Center is a 45-bed nursing facility operating at 991 Highway 3 in Akron, Iowa. Owned and run directly by the City of Akron, the home stands out as a municipally managed community, meaning local public boards oversee its operations. The business office works with traditional out-of-pocket payments, standard Medicare plans, and state Medicaid options. The facility maintains a consistent daily census near 96 percent occupancy, showing a steady local demand for its combination of long-term intermediate care and post-hospital nursing stays.

Daily clinical routines involve an average of 4 hours and 43 minutes of direct, hands-on nursing attention for each resident. Registered nurses dedicate 1 hour and 1 minute of this daily timeline to manage clinical needs, working alongside licensed practical nurses and nursing aides who deliver routine treatments and baseline care. To support underlying medical health, physicians prescribe customized therapeutic dining plans that kitchen staff tailor to meet individual nutritional and chronic condition demands.

Recent public inspection reports highlighted a few operational areas needing improvement, specifically concerning quality of care protocols, pharmacy services, and routine infection prevention practices. The municipal administration updated its internal guidelines to fix these issues, bringing the building back into substantial compliance with state health codes.

Prospective residents can get in touch with the main admissions desk to ask about current room availability, request details on the doctor-prescribed dietary programs, or plan a time to tour the building. Staff members are also ready to check active medical insurance plans to clarify how public assistance programs, personal assets, or standard healthcare benefits fit into monthly statement bills.

Maple Manor Village is a 36-bed facility at 345 Parriott Street in Aplington, Iowa. Administered by Jordan Kampman, the community serves Butler County and provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and short-term rehabilitation. Current reports indicate a census of 34 residents, which is near its capacity and reflects steady community demand. The property is centrally located, offering easy access to local Aplington services and a cozy, small-town atmosphere.

Recent monitoring from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing shows a history of minor regulatory findings. While the facility achieved a citations-per-inspection rate of zero during a March 2026 recertification revisit, the initial February 2026 survey identified one deficiency. Earlier reviews in late 2025 documented two deficiencies related to protecting residents from the wrongful use of their belongings or money. Despite these recent administrative citations, the facility operates significantly below the state average for annual deficiencies.

Clinical care at this 26-year-old campus is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team providing 24-hour nursing support and therapy services. Data highlights that LPN staffing hours are 18% higher than the state average, which supports routine medical monitoring and post-acute recovery. Professional services include physical therapy and mobile rehabilitative support, alongside personalized daily assistance with activities such as dressing and bathing.

The residential environment includes ADA-accessible bathrooms, furnished suites, and common areas like a fireside lounge and an enclosed courtyard. Shared social amenities feature a beauty salon, a library, and a computer lounge to help residents stay connected with family. The community maintains a smoke-free facility and uses a secured entrance with an intercom system to ensure resident safety. Payment arrangements include private pay and Iowa Medicaid programs.

This environment suits seniors seeking small-scale living with high nurse-to-resident ratios and rehabilitation support. Families evaluating Maple Manor Village should ask directly about the corrective actions taken following the February 2026 survey and the 2025 financial oversight issues before making a placement decision.

Overview of Wheatland Manor

Owned by Janyce Buchannan, Wheatland Manor is a nursing home in Iowa that has served residents for 42 years. With 44 beds, the facility operates at full occupancy. Residents stay an average of 241 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term nursing care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering care expenses.

The facility’s nursing support is substantial. Daily nurse staffing averages nearly 4 hours per resident. The care team is composed of registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed vocational nurses. Rehabilitation services are a central part of the community’s care model.

Residents can also participate in structured daily activities such as exercise classes, gardening programs, and book clubs for physical activity and social engagement. Dining is offered in a restaurant-style setting with wholesome ingredients and shared mealtime experiences.

The facility’s location has a Walk Score of 28. A few nearby destinations may be accessible on foot, but most trips require transportation. On-site amenities include a salon and barbershop, fitness equipment, housekeeping services, and flexible all-day dining options that support day-to-day comfort and convenience.

State inspections in recent years highlighted the importance of resident transfer procedures and ongoing supervision practices. Families considering the facility should take a tour and ask how staff work on these areas.

Overview of Colonial Manor of Amana

Colonial Manor of Amana provides skilled convalescent services within a 50-bed campus located at 3207 220th Trail in Amana, Iowa. This nursing community functions as a segment of the wider Amana Retirement Community network, offering integrated placement transitions between Lakeview Village Assisted Living, personal independent townhouses, and an adjacent wellness center. Billing operations absorb conventional out-of-pocket transactions alongside the public federal Medicare network and state Medicaid health coverages. The campus maintains a steady operational utilization level near 84 percent, supporting an average length of stay around 96 days for its blended population.

Certified nurse aides cover the highest allocation of this direct care timeline at 2 hours and 31 minutes, working in tandem with registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who provide 39 minutes of treatment support. This medical staff coordinates specialized rehabilitation programs and ongoing clinical care tracks, while the local neighborhood displays a walkability score of 39 out of 100, which requires visitors to plan on using personal vehicles for surrounding regional travel.

Recent oversight audits handled by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing certified that the building maintains substantial compliance with public health rules, with a historically low volume of overall deficiencies. Administrative leaders monitor these past compliance documents to refine historical care documentation gaps and update resident safety systems across daily clinical shifts.

Prospective residents can get in touch with the administrator, Tanya Powell, to review immediate room openings, ask about the independent campus levels, or schedule a day to look around the facility. The main office staff can also assist with medical intake documentation to explain how active insurance networks, state assistance, or personal funds apply to regular monthly bills.

Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, IA, is a non-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that offers independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. With a nurturing, home-like environment, the community ensures older adults can live comfortably during their stay. Light housekeeping, nutritious meals, and medication management are among the excellent services provided to improve residents’ living experiences. Residents also receive the utmost attention and care to recover and return to their routines with ease through personalized care plans.

Strength exercises, social events, and various recreational activities ensure residents can make friends and have fun. Safe trails, accessible common areas, and a garden also provide residents with more opportunities for recreation and wellness. Located near the Fort Museum and Frontier Village and bus stops along Kenyon Road, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This CCRC has a wide range of care options and a clean setting, making it a great choice for senior living in Iowa.