Page 8 of Best Hospice Care in Iowa

Overview of Ivy at Davenport

Located on East Rusholme Street in Davenport, Iowa, Ivy at Davenport is a skilled nursing home operated by Accordius Health at St. Mary, LLC. The 75-bed community has been serving the area for 46 years. It is located in a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 90. The facility has an occupancy rate of 88% because of its high demand from families within the area.

Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 34 minutes per resident. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing aides provide care around the clock. This staffing structure supports residents’ medication management, wound care, and ongoing medical oversight. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have several options for arranging care.

The facility specializes in rehabilitation services and dementia support. There are chef-prepared meals in a restaurant-style setting. Plus, there are menu options tailored to their dietary needs and preferences. Physical rehabilitation services are available on-site for residents working to regain strength, mobility, and function after a major health event.

Amenities on-site include a salon, chapel, therapy gym, and outdoor spaces. Family gathering areas are available for visiting families. The facility also has 24-hour staffing, which is important for residents who require memory care support.

Residents stay an average of 136 days, which includes short-term rehabilitation patients and residents receiving ongoing care. The average stay of residents is common in skilled nursing communities, where many residents return home after recovery, while others remain to access other levels of care.

Southfield Wellness Community is a 50-bed assisted living and rehabilitation facility at 2416 Southfield Drive in Webster City, Iowa. Administered by Megan Hassebrock, the community has served Hamilton County since 2002 under a license active through September 2026. The facility reports 40% occupancy with 20 residents, which is below the state average. The location is moderately walkable with a Walk Score of 58.

State-level monitoring data reflects a consistent history of high regulatory compliance. Over the last nine years, the facility recorded only one deficiency, resulting in an annual average of 0.1, which is 98% below the state average. The most recent recertification in March 2025 resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. While long-term compliance remains strong, the facility incurred federal penalties totaling $72,000 between November 2023 and December 2024.

Daily clinical operations utilize a 24-hour nursing model supported by a team of 129 CNAs, LPNs, and medication aides. Bedside support hours for nurse aides run 9% above Iowa averages, and the facility maintains a staff-to-resident ratio of 3.65:1. Services include short-term rehabilitation, respite care, and extended residential support, with a payer mix of 55% private pay, 25% Medicare, and 20% Medicaid. Clinical data shows 100% vaccination rates for long-stay residents and zero major falls among high-risk individuals.

The residential environment provides private family gathering spaces and basic cable services for residents. Despite established care quality, the community faced financial challenges in 2023 with a reported $703,000 operating loss. Historical records from 2008 noted a single deficiency involving inconsistent health assessments, but all subsequent complaint investigations have been unsubstantiated. The campus is designed to accommodate both post-acute recovery and long-term assisted care.

Interested individuals should consider the community’s 23-year history and its strong clinical metrics regarding vaccination and fall prevention. It is advisable to discuss the recent federal penalties with the administrator to understand the specific corrective measures implemented over the last year. Families may contact the Webster City office to verify current availability and confirm that the facility’s established care protocols meet their 2026 requirements.

Located at 455 31st Street in Marion, Iowa, Silver Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation is a nursing home owned by Ryan Coane and administered by Ailson De Jong. The 91-bed facility provides skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, and dementia support. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, so families have several options for covering short-term rehabilitation and longer-term residential care.

The community has an occupancy rate of 77%, and residents stay an average of 134 days. The facility’s location in a highly walkable neighborhood offers convenient access to nearby services for visiting family members and staff.

Rehabilitation is a major focus of the community. Physical therapy staffing exceeds state averages. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 28 minutes per resident, combining registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and certified nurse aide support. The facility operates 24 hours a day and provides care for residents needing dementia support, rehabilitation services, and skilled nursing care.

Meals are prepared by chefs and served according to every resident’s dietary requirements to accommodate a range of nutritional needs and preferences.

State inspections by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing addressed recurring issues related to care delivery, documentation, and resident safety. The facility meets regulatory standards and welcomes family tours to discuss how these operational areas are managed.

Overview of Prestige Care Center of Fairfield

“Owned by Corey Fuchs, Prestige Care Center of Fairfield is a skilled nursing home in Fairfield, Iowa. The 73-bed community has an occupancy rate of 81%, and residents stay an average of 298 days. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering the cost of care.

The facility’s location is in a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 87, meaning most errands and nearby destinations are within walking distance. This accessibility can be helpful for residents and visiting family members spending time in the area.

Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 24 minutes per resident. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, and licensed vocational nurses work across shifts to provide hands-on support. This staffing structure can support both medical and personal care needs within the community.

State inspections show the home’s efforts to maintain compliance and safety standards. The facility addressed earlier concerns, and a follow-up inspection confirmed substantial compliance. Families considering the home should take a tour of the facility, ask about current operations and programs, and speak with staff about how they meet residents’ medical and personal care needs.”

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.

Northgate Care Center operates a 50-bed medical community at 960 4th Street NW in Waukon, Iowa. The facility manages its accounts through private billing methods alongside standard Medicare and Medicaid authorizations. Residents generally stay for an average of 103 days, meaning the daily census is composed of temporary post-hospital rehab patients living alongside individuals who require extended skilled nursing supervision.

Round-the-clock assistance is managed by a team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides who coordinate routine physical therapy and outpatient medical exercises. Practical features inside the building include basic cable television access and private family gathering areas, while the surrounding neighborhood scores a 68 out of 100 for walkability, which means visiting guests can manage a handful of basic daily errands on foot.

Families can contact the administrative office to check on current bed availability, ask about the outpatient therapy schedules, or plan a morning to visit the common rooms. The financial staff can also look over your insurance policies and explain how state aid or private funds apply to monthly care costs.

Overview of Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 115-bed skilled nursing facility at 4614 NW 84th Street in Urbandale, Iowa. Owned by Cedar View Holdings LLC and administered by Gianni Beer, the center provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and respite stays for Polk County residents. The campus is somewhat walkable with a Walk Score of 43 and maintains a daily census of approximately 85 residents.

Operational Records and ComplianceThe facility is regulated by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL). CMS data as of early 2026 assigns Royal Oaks a 1-star overall rating, categorized as “Much Below Average”. While the quality measure rating is “Average,” the health inspection rating is 1 star, reflecting 59 total citations over recent years, a rate nearly triple the Iowa average. Federal fines totaling $51,555 have been imposed since 2023, and the facility has faced one payment suspension.

Staffing metrics show a focus on therapy, with physical therapist hours at 4 minutes per resident day, 100% above the state average. However, Registered Nurse (RN) hours are 39% below the Iowa average, and weekend RN coverage is 33% below the state mean. Clinical outcomes show zero short-stay falls with major injury, and rehospitalization rates are 48% better than the state average. Conversely, the long-stay hospitalization rate is 57% higher than the Iowa average, and nursing staff turnover is 61.9%.

The campus provides customized care plans within a 24/7 clinical setting. Resident services include housekeeping, laundry, and chef-prepared meals with dietary oversight. The social calendar features pet visits and personalized activities, and residents are permitted to furnish their own living spaces. However, recent state surveys identified multiple environmental and care deficiencies, including failures in behavioral health services and the absence of an effective pest control program.

Families should evaluate the facility’s recent corrective actions during an on-site visit. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on the October 2025 staffing and safety citations and to confirm that the infection control and pest management protocols mentioned in 2024 and 2025 reports have been fully addressed.

Located at 2001 1st Avenue North in Estherville, Iowa, Estherville Community Care Center is a nursing home that accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have several options when it comes to covering the cost of care. The facility has 24-hour staffing, which provides nursing support to both rehabilitation patients and longer-term residents. Daily nursing care averages about 4 hours and 14 minutes per resident. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses are all part of the care team.

Rehabilitation, respite care, and clinical support services are important parts of the home’s care programs. It serves patients recovering from surgery, illness, or a recent hospital stay who still need skilled nursing oversight. Staff members also work with families to coordinate therapy services and other specialized care based on individual needs.

Residents have access to both private and semi-private rooms. The facility also offers hospice suites and honeymoon suites for residents with different care needs. A central living and dining area serves as a gathering place throughout the day. Home-cooked meals and snacks are prepared daily, giving the community a more familiar atmosphere. Residents can also join in activities to stay engaged and connected with others.

The facility is in a car-dependent area, so most errands and daily activities require transportation. That’s fairly common in rural Iowa communities. Family members visiting from nearby towns will find convenient highway access in the Estherville area.

Residents stay an average of 242 days, which includes individuals receiving short-term rehabilitation and those who choose longer-term placement.

Overview of Accura Healthcare of Lake City

Accura Healthcare of Lake City is a skilled nursing and long-term care community in Lake City, Iowa, in Calhoun County. It offers nursing home, skilled nursing, hospice, palliative, and memory care, along with respite stays, and is operated by Accura Healthcare of the Heartland LLC. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term stays.

The home has 46 beds and currently houses 41 residents, putting occupancy at around 90 percent. The average stay runs about 54 days, which points to a mix of short-term rehabilitation and residents settling in for ongoing care. Nursing support is a central part of daily life here: total nursing care averages 5 hours and 10 minutes per resident each day, with registered nurses contributing about 22 minutes of that time directly. That level of hands-on coverage is worth noting for families weighing how much daily clinical attention a loved one is likely to receive.

Day-to-day programming includes 24-hour skilled nursing coverage and a Life Enrichment Program aimed at keeping residents engaged. Outdoor space is part of the setting too, with a courtyard and patio available to residents and visiting family. A few additional touches, including an on-site salon and building-wide Wi-Fi, round out daily life at the community.

The neighborhood around the home scores 51 out of 100 for walkability, meaning it’s moderately walkable, with some errands reachable on foot and a mix of nearby amenities. Families who want a closer look at how the Life Enrichment Program runs day to day may want to ask about its weekly schedule during a visit.

Overview of Stone Cottage Care Center

Based in Sigourney, Iowa, Stone Cottage Care Center is a 41-bed nursing home owned and operated by Gabriel Sebbag and the Samara Family. The home currently houses 31 residents and works with multiple funding options, accepting private pay alongside Medicare and Medicaid. Because lengths of stay average about 547 days, the daily routine focuses mostly on long-term residential care, though they also take in patients for short-term recovery.

The building runs with a staff-to-resident ratio of around 2 to 1, with the nursing team providing about 3 hours and 18 minutes of direct care per resident each day. Registered nurses handle direct clinical oversight on the floor, while on-site physical and occupational therapists provide regular sessions to help people regain their functional mobility after a hospital stay. To keep families involved, the facility sets up active resident and family councils so people can weigh in on community decisions.

For anyone planning a visit, the small-town neighborhood scores a 45 out of 100 for walkability, meaning a car will be necessary for most regular trips.

Interested individuals can call the admissions desk to see which rooms are open, find out how the resident council functions, or coordinate a time to tour the building. The front office can also walk you through the standard entry paperwork and explain how insurance coverage applies to extended care stays.