Compare Independent Living around Fort Dodge
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 to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
| Marian Home | IL AL NH SNF | Fort Dodge | 90
Facility
90
IA AVG
71
Rank
#83 / 406 | No |
62
Facility
62
IA AVG
45
Rank
#140 / 528 | - | 77.8% | 16 | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
7
Rank
#186 / 294 |
| Friendship Haven | IL AL HOS MC NH RC SNF | Fort Dodge | 155
Facility
155
IA AVG
71
Rank
#19 / 406 | No |
17
Facility
17
IA AVG
45
Rank
#436 / 528 | Private Rooms | 75.7% | - | - |
Overview of Marian Home
Marian Home is a 90-bed nonprofit nursing home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, offering skilled nursing, independent living, memory care, and rehabilitation services to residents in Webster County. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay and is managed by a nonprofit.
Across 16 inspections since 2019, Marian Home recorded 11 total deficiencies — 59% below the Iowa average of 27. The most recent standard inspection, completed in April 2025, found no deficiencies. One substantiated incident in 2024 involved a resident fall resulting in a fracture, attributed to staff not using a gait belt during a transfer; staff education was implemented afterward. No fines or enforcement actions appear in the record.
The facility’s staffing stands out as a genuine differentiator. Nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 16 minutes per resident per day compared with Iowa’s average of 4 hours and 25 minutes, placing Marian Home 24th out of 241 Iowa SNFs on adjusted nursing hours — a meaningful gap for residents with higher care needs. The facility also provides therapy services, along with community living areas, social programs, and group activities in Halverson Hall, and offers 24-hour staffing. The occupancy rate is 78%, close to the Iowa average, indicating moderate availability.
The combination of a clean recent inspection record, well-above-average nurse staffing, and a continuum that spans independent living, skilled nursing, and memory care makes it best suited for residents seeking a long-term residential setting where care intensity can increase without requiring relocation.
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.
Ranking Methodology
How we rank these independent living communities
Every community above is evaluated across six weighted categories using public data including state inspection records, review platforms, BBB profiles, and operator-published materials.
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
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in Fort Dodge, IA
What is the average cost of independent living in Fort Dodge, IA?
The average monthly cost of independent living in Fort Dodge, IA is approximately $1,879. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.
What is the price range for independent living in Fort Dodge, IA?
Independent living in Fort Dodge, IA typically ranges from $511 - $4,741 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.
What is independent living?
Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.
How many independent living communities are listed on this page?
This page features 2 independent living communities in Fort Dodge, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right independent living community in Fort Dodge, IA?
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 Fort Dodge, IA, 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 independent living communities in Fort Dodge, IA?
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.
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