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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Lakeside Village
IL
AL
MC
RC
Panora
128
Facility 128
IA AVG 76
Rank #21 / 165
AYes
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
8
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
A+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
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
D-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
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
Marian Home
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Fort Dodge
90
Facility 90
IA AVG 76
Rank #41 / 165
?No
62
Facility 62
IA AVG 43
Rank #52 / 222
--
80.0%
Facility 80.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #56 / 154
18
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 6
Rank #104 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Mayflower Home
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Grinnell
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
?No
82
Facility 82
IA AVG 43
Rank #14 / 222
--
77.5%
Facility 77.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #58 / 154
15
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Holy Spirit Retirement Home
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Sioux City
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 76
Rank #112 / 165
?No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
-
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 15
Rank #18 / 131
-7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #134 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 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

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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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 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 Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, and respite care in Davenport, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision, and respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

Several care levels are available in one community. Senior Star at Elmore Place may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time. With 50 beds, it is a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Housing options include studios, one-bedroom residences, and two-bedroom residences; a studio is a single private space, while a two-bedroom layout can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.

Pets are allowed, giving residents the option to keep a pet with them. A Walk Score of 37 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride. Amanda Buchholz serves as the administrator.

Contact Senior Star at Elmore Place

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 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

Marian Home

2400 Sixth Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3541
Overview of Marian Home

Marian Home provides independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing in Fort Dodge, IA. Independent living offers a private living arrangement without daily care, while assisted living provides help with everyday tasks. Skilled nursing provides ongoing nursing care for residents with clinical needs, and the combination of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to another community.

Marian Home opened in 1960 and has 90 beds. Independent living, assisted living, and nursing care units are available, along with rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation for residents focused on recovery. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Medicare can help cover short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may assist when savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay means using personal funds. Tracy Trotter serves as the administrator.

Therapy services, a beauty shop, community living areas, social programs, group activities, transportation for residents, and daily church services are available. A Walk Score of 62 places the area in the somewhat walkable range, so some errands can be completed on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to handle certain nearby trips independently. These services and care options may suit someone who wants access to therapy, social activities, worship, and support with transportation while living in one community.

Contact Marian Home

Mayflower Home

616 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA 50112-2298
Overview of Mayflower Home

Mayflower Home operates as a senior living community in Grinnell, Iowa, providing independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Independent living provides private residences alongside shared community services, whereas assisted living assists residents with personal care routines like dressing, bathing, and medication administration. Secured accommodations cater to individuals with memory loss who require steady supervision. Physical therapy and recovery support are handled through Rehab Care.

Kellie McGriff acts as administrator for the 40-bed facility, which maintains a total daily nurse staffing rate of 4 hours and 55 minutes per resident. Features include a mini gift shop and an active Residents Association that organizes local activities and resident participation. Nearby streets yield an 82 Walk Score, allowing residents to manage daily errands on foot. Financial arrangements accept Medicare, Medicaid, and direct private payment.

Families considering a campus that accommodates changing care requirements over time can contact Mayflower Home to check current availability, tour the grounds, or evaluate funding options.

Contact Mayflower Home

Overview of Holy Spirit Retirement Home

Opened in 1999, Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Along with support with daily tasks, residents receive ongoing clinical support from licensed nurses on-site. The community also provides specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

With 52 beds, the community allows staff and residents to get to know each other. Residents also receive a total of 4 hours and 41 minutes of nursing care daily. Meanwhile, a Walk Score of 91 out of 100 places the area in the walker’s paradise band. This also suggests that daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can get out independently.

Rehabilitation services, spiritual life programming, and religious services are available for residents who need rehabilitation support or want to participate in spiritual activities. Payment options also include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families public and direct payment routes for eligible care.

Contact Holy Spirit Retirement Home

Overview of Elm Crest Senior Living Community

Elm Crest Senior Living Community is a continuing care retirement community in Harlan, IA, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing. Independent living provides a private home with community services but no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication, and other daily tasks while the resident keeps an apartment.

Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering. Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. With several care levels in one community, Elm Crest can suit a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to a different community.

The community opened in 1958 and has 50 beds. Housing includes studios, one bedroom units, and two bedroom units, with a two bedroom layout potentially suiting a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion. Rehabilitation therapy and short term rehab are available for residents recovering over a temporary period.

A barber, beauty shop, and spa provide grooming services on site, while the chapel and religious services offer an on site setting for worship. Transportation is available for residents who need help traveling beyond the community. The community has 4h 13m of total nurse staffing per resident per day, meaning that amount of daily hands on nursing time is assigned per resident. Payment options are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, and Leah Mulbauer serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 50 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, so some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to manage certain local trips independently.

Contact Elm Crest Senior Living Community

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

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.