Page 10 of Best Independent Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 226 independent living communities in IA using IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in IA
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We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in Iowa.
226 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

Compare Independent Living 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. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scenic Manor
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Iowa Falls
77
Facility 77
IA AVG 76
Rank #56 / 165
No
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 43
Rank #61 / 222
--
84.4%
Facility 84.4%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #39 / 154
?18
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 6
Rank #111 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Kennybrook Village
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Grimes
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
Yes
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 43
Rank #152 / 222
-
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 15
Rank #58 / 131
97.5%
Facility 97.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #33 / 154
?14
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 155
Elm Crest Senior Living Community
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Harlan
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 76
Rank #116 / 165
No
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 43
Rank #91 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
94.0%
Facility 94.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #15 / 154
?17
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #21 / 155
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 1
Rank #143 / 155
St Luke Lutheran Nursing Home
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Spencer
79
Facility 79
IA AVG 76
Rank #53 / 165
No
81
Facility 81
IA AVG 43
Rank #16 / 222
--
86.1%
Facility 86.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #37 / 154
?21
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 6
Rank #111 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Bishop Drumm Retirement Center
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Johnston
150
Facility 150
IA AVG 76
Rank #14 / 165
No
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 43
Rank #45 / 222
--
79.3%
Facility 79.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #62 / 154
?38
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 6
Rank #153 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
The Gardens of Cedar Rapids
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Cedar Rapids
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
Yes
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 43
Rank #205 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 15
Rank #121 / 131
87.5%
Facility 87.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #33 / 154
C+22
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 1
Rank #151 / 155
Lakeside Village
IL
AL
MC
RC
Panora
128
Facility 128
IA AVG 76
Rank #21 / 165
Yes
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 43
Rank #201 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 15
Rank #51 / 131
29.7%
Facility 29.7%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #144 / 154
A8
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 6
Rank #128 / 155
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 1
Rank #119 / 155
Senior Star at Elmore Place
IL
AL
MC
RC
Davenport
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 76
Rank #116 / 165
Yes
37
Facility 37
IA AVG 43
Rank #131 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 15
Rank #53 / 131
68.0%
Facility 68.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #62 / 154
A+10
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 6
Rank #147 / 155
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 1
Rank #155 / 155
Brown Deer Place
IL
MC
RC
Coralville (Wickham)
22
Facility 22
IA AVG 76
Rank #163 / 165
No
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 43
Rank #152 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 15
Rank #25 / 131
81.8%
Facility 81.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #66 / 154
D-11
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 6
Rank #137 / 155
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 1
Rank #130 / 155
Silveridge, An Eventide Community, LLC
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
SNF
Denison (Denison Township)
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 76
Rank #64 / 165
No
33
Facility 33
IA AVG 43
Rank #141 / 222
-
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 15
Rank #58 / 131
50.0%
Facility 50.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #96 / 154
-3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each independent living community is ranked against every other IA independent living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 226 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Scenic Manor

1409 N. Fremont, Iowa Falls, IA 50126-1319
Overview of Scenic Manor

In Iowa Falls, IA, Scenic Manor offers four care types. They are independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care.

Independent living is private living with community services and no daily care. Assisted living adds help with specific tasks like bathing and dressing, and doesn’t interfere with a resident’s privacy further. Nursing home and skilled nursing mean licensed nurses are maintained on the floor around the clock, which is why the range works as a single address.

Seventy-seven beds are at Scenic Manor, and the offerings it has suit a resident whose needs will grow but who doesn’t want to move elsewhere. Someone needing skilled rehabilitation briefly can use the short term-rehabilitation program.

The nursing behind one resident, in an average day, works out to 4 hours and 5 minutes. Rehabilitation services carry the therapy side.

A Walk Score of 60 sets the area at somewhat walkable, so a few errands are reachable on foot, and a resident who has stopped driving manages certain ones alone. Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are all acceptable payment options. Medicaid is for when savings aren’t going to cover a long stay, and Medicare is for when skilled care is needed following a discharge from a hospital stay.

Contact Scenic Manor

Overview of Kennybrook Village

Kennybrook Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, short term rehabilitation, and skilled nursing in Grimes, Iowa. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision. Skilled nursing offers licensed nursing care on site around the clock, and short term rehabilitation supports a temporary recovery stay.

The range of care can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time because moving to another care level does not require leaving the community. Kennybrook Village has 40 beds. That places it in the smaller community range, where staff and residents can get to know one another.

Starting monthly prices are $2,950 for independent living, $5,640 for assisted living, and $7,650 for memory care. The memory care rate reflects the secured setting and supervision that care requires. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 48 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident.

Residents can use the spa, courtyard, garden, and patio, while community transportation supports off site outings. On site rehabilitation services allow a resident to receive therapy without arranging transportation elsewhere, and a doctor is on staff. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving into the community. Medicare and private pay are accepted; Medicare applies to short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence. Spencer VanSickel serves as the administrator.

Contact Kennybrook Village

Overview of St Luke Lutheran Nursing Home

Opened in 1967, St. Luke Lutheran Nursing Home offers nursing home and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and hospice services in Spencer, Iowa. With licensed nurses on-site, residents receive ongoing support for their needs. The community also accommodates those with life-limiting conditions, providing comfort and symptom management.

Administered by Ken Nelson, the home has 79 beds, with a current occupancy of 86%. Moreover, total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 37 minutes per resident per day, representing the total daily nurse staffing time allocated per resident.

Rehabilitation Services are available through a program at the home, giving residents access to rehabilitation on-site. Meanwhile, a Walk Score of 81 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover care based on the resident’s circumstances.

Contact St Luke Lutheran Nursing Home

Overview of Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Iowa, established in 1939, provides continuous care through independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. Independent living supports self-sufficient seniors, assisted living assists with daily routines like medication management and personal care, and daytime adult care options serve non-overnight needs. Physical rehabilitation services are integrated on site to aid functional recovery.

Managed by administrator Adam Braden, the 150-bed campus records an average of 3 hours and 49 minutes of direct nursing time per resident daily. Surrounding neighborhoods carry a walk score of 64, allowing residents who do not drive to complete certain errands nearby. Funding options accommodate Medicare for eligible short-term stays, Medicaid, and direct private payment.

Families looking for a campus that accommodates changing care needs over time can connect with Bishop Drumm Retirement Center to tour the grounds, verify current openings, or discuss financial options.

Contact Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

Overview of The Gardens of Cedar Rapids

The Gardens of Cedar Rapids is a senior care community on Dean Road SW in the southwest part of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It offers a full continuum of care under one roof, spanning independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, which means a resident can often stay in a familiar place as their needs change over time. The community is owned by Jbrb Investments LLC and accepts both Medicare and private pay, giving families a couple of clear routes to cover short-term rehabilitation or longer-term nursing care.

This is a small, single-story community with 40 beds, and it tends to run comfortably occupied at around 88 percent. Housing comes in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options, and the single-level layout can make day-to-day movement easier for residents with mobility limitations. Pets are welcome, which matters to many families weighing a move for a loved one.

On the clinical side, total nursing care averages about 4 hours and 15 minutes per resident each day, so hands-on daily support is a meaningful part of the setting. State inspection themes over the years have centered on medication management and care-delivery practices, alongside stretches of clean compliance. Families touring the community can ask how those areas are handled day to day.

The community sits in a car-dependent pocket of Cedar Rapids, with a Walk Score of 7, so most errands and visits will involve a short drive. That residential setting can suit residents and family who prefer a quiet neighborhood over a busy commercial area.

Contact The Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Overview of Lakeside Village

Set within the area of Panora, IA, Lakeside Village is an idyllic senior living community, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community guarantees their much needed independence with the benefit of added care and assistance with their daily living activities. In addition to a personal emergency call system, a round the clock team is available to attend to residents’ needs, concerns, and emergencies, giving them peace of mind and comfort.

Free from the hassles of maintaining their living spaces, residents can fully devote their time to enrichment and enjoyment with an array of activities to engage in. Restaurant style meals are also provided each day to give residents the nutrients and energy they need to stay active. An array of beautiful amenities are offered as well to make residents stay within the community more pleasing and enjoyable.

Contact Lakeside Village

Overview of Brown Deer Place

Brown Deer Place offers independent living, memory care, and respite care in Coralville, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering. Respite care provides a short stay when a resident’s usual family caregiver needs temporary relief.

With 22 beds, Brown Deer Place is a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know one another. Housing includes studios, one bedroom apartments, and two bedroom apartments: a studio provides one private living space, while a two bedroom option can suit a couple or a resident who wants a companion. Valerie Monroe serves as the administrator.

Contact Brown Deer Place

Overview of Senior Star at Elmore Place

As a community that strives in exceedingly making its residents comfortable, Senior Star at Elmore Place has been awarded the Best Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care by the U.S. News and World Report offers the best balance of urban living and assistance with everyday living.  Offering a range of opportunities tailor-fit for its residents, seniors can surely feel inspired in creating a better life with the continuum of care being provided. Senior Star is an elegant senior living home that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of its residents. 

As an independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care. Their engaging activities and programs to name a few are the recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs available for residents to take part in at the library, media room, or social areas.

Contact Senior Star at Elmore Place

Overview of Silveridge, an Eventide Community

Silveridge, an Eventide Community, offers nursing home care, assisted living, hospice care, independent living, memory care, nursing care, and skilled nursing in Denison, IA. Assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps an apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Nursing home care, nursing care, and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Hospice care focuses on comfort at the end of life. The community has 72 beds and opened in 2011, with assisted living apartments available alongside personal and health related services so residents can receive support with routine and health needs as part of their care.

Rehabilitation services support recovery, while short term rehabilitation is designed for a temporary stay rather than ongoing residence. Respite care offers a short stay for a family whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. Twenty four hour staffing means staff are present around the clock.

A Walk Score of 33 places the area in the car dependent band, meaning most errands require a car or a ride. A resident who no longer drives would need transportation for those trips. Kara Webb serves as administrator, and the range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time because care can continue within the same community.

Contact Silveridge, An Eventide Community, LLC

Overview of Elm Crest Senior Living Community

Committed to enhancing seniors’ quality of life, Elm Crest Senior Living Community is a distinct senior living community set in the harmonious city of Harlan, IA, providing a wide array of living options such as assisted living, independent living, memory care, health center, and rehabilitation therapy services. The community doubles its efforts to foster a warm and welcoming environment for seniors to make the most out of their days in beautifully designed and cozy one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Receive top-notch care and support from a reliable and highly qualified team and live a glorious retirement without worries with Elm Crest.

With over 65 years of experience in helping seniors, Elm Crest continuously provides the finest experience to create wonderful moments. Moreover, the community meticulously crafts care plans that best fit residents’ unique needs and preferences to ensure they are well-cared for. Surrounded by refreshing spaces and placed near hospitals, Elm Crest provides easy access to medical needs and the utmost comfort that seniors deserve.

Contact Elm Crest Senior Living Community

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
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Independent Living in Iowa at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 43/ 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: 76The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in Iowa

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 226 independent living communities in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in Iowa?

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 Iowa, 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 Iowa?

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.