Page 13 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. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home.
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.
Hillcrest Home, INC
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Sumner
61
Facility 61
IA AVG 76
Rank #94 / 165
No
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 43
Rank #124 / 222
--
83.6%
Facility 83.6%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #68 / 154
?26
11
Facility 11
IA AVG 6
Rank #137 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Colonial Manors of Columbus Community
IL
AL
NH
Columbus Junction
39
Facility 39
IA AVG 76
Rank #143 / 165
No
45
Facility 45
IA AVG 43
Rank #99 / 222
--
76.9%
Facility 76.9%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #60 / 154
B+13
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 6
Rank #38 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living
IL
ADC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
West Des Moines
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
Yes
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 43
Rank #205 / 222
1 Bed / 2 Bed-
97.5%
Facility 97.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #8 / 154
?22
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 1
Rank #147 / 155
Good Samaritan Society – Davenport
IL
NH
RC
Davenport
119
Facility 119
IA AVG 76
Rank #28 / 165
Yes
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 43
Rank #188 / 222
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms-
82.4%
Facility 82.4%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #67 / 154
B+32
11
Facility 11
IA AVG 6
Rank #134 / 155
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 1
Rank #130 / 155
Sunrise Hill Care Center
IL
AL
MC
NH
Traer
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 76
Rank #58 / 165
No
45
Facility 45
IA AVG 43
Rank #99 / 222
--
69.7%
Facility 69.7%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #69 / 154
?19
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 6
Rank #128 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Rose Haven Nursing Home
IL
NH
SNF
Marengo
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 76
Rank #102 / 165
No
47
Facility 47
IA AVG 43
Rank #96 / 222
--
86.2%
Facility 86.2%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #57 / 154
C+25
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 6
Rank #148 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Gardens of Cedar Rapids
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Cedar Rapids
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 76
Rank #95 / 165
Yes--
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 15
Rank #81 / 131
48.3%
Facility 48.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #102 / 154
?3
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 6
Rank #38 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
The Village of Ackley
IL
ADC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Ackley
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 76
Rank #144 / 165
No
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 43
Rank #103 / 222
--
71.1%
Facility 71.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #40 / 154
C21
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 6
Rank #144 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
The New Homestead Care Center
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Guthrie Center
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 76
Rank #102 / 165
No
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 43
Rank #103 / 222
--
81.0%
Facility 81.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #49 / 154
?27
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 6
Rank #144 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Arlington Place Oelwein
IL
AL
MC
RC
Oelwein
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 76
Rank #69 / 165
No
11
Facility 11
IA AVG 43
Rank #197 / 222
-
23
Facility 23
IA AVG 15
Rank #31 / 131
24.3%
Facility 24.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #149 / 154
D-3
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 6
Rank #104 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 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 Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living

Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living, graces a 50-acre campus nestled amidst natural beauty, boasting serene water features and picturesque ponds. Within this splendid setting, they offer a spectrum of senior living options, including independent senior living, memory care living, assisted living, long-term care, and short-term rehabilitation. mainly, Edgewater prioritizes the overall wellness of their residents, providing not only five-star dining but also a wealth of amenities to enhance their daily lives.

Residents at Edgewater enjoy concierge services, an art studio, and a newly constructed event center. The community further offers indoor heated saltwater pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, salon and spa services, and much more. With spacious areas for various activities, including independent living apartments, a skilled culinary team, and chefs dedicated to providing exceptional dining experiences, Edgewater stands as a vibrant, pristine, and ideal place to call home.

Contact Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living

Overview of The New Homestead Care Center

The New Homestead Care Center offers independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in Guthrie Center, IA. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks. Nursing home and skilled nursing services provide nursing care for residents who need ongoing clinical support, so a resident’s needs can change without requiring a move to another community.

The community has 58 beds, placing it in the smaller community range where staff and residents may get to know each other. Its programs include skilled rehabilitation and long term nursing care. Residents can therefore receive rehabilitation services or ongoing nursing support within the same community.

Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 21 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover eligible care costs. The area has a Walk Score of 44 and depends on cars, so most errands require a car or a ride rather than a short walk.

Hilaree Stringham serves as administrator. The community may be a good fit for someone whose care needs could grow from independent or assisted living to nursing care over time.

Contact The New Homestead Care Center

Overview of Arlington Place Oelwein

Arlington Place Oelwein operates a 70-bed senior housing property at 1101 3rd Street SW in Oelwein, Iowa. The multi-story complex utilizes an accessible layout with internal elevators, ensuring residents can access the dining room, private rooms, and shared social lounges without climbing stairs. The daily program spans independent living, assisted care, memory support, and short-term respite care.

The standard monthly routine incorporates prepared meals, scheduled card games, live music programs, and organized group trips into town. State regulatory inspection records indicate ongoing compliance challenges with employee training documentation and service record practices, while the current occupancy is 24 percent, with 17 residents.

The neighborhood carries a walkability score of 11 out of 100, signifying a car-dependent setting where visitors and staff require a vehicle for standard local errands. Prospective families seeking a quiet, small-town care setting can call the management office to request details on current floor plans.

Contact Arlington Place Oelwein

Overview of Colonial Manors of Columbus Community

Three levels of care fit inside 39 beds at Colonial Manors of Columbus Community in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Independent living is private living with community services attached and no daily care. Assisted living here means extra help with the daily things like getting dressed, bathing, and keeping up with medication. Nursing home care adds licensed nursing support at every hour of the day, so when a resident’s needs increase, they move up in care rather than having to move out.

Out of 39 beds, 30 were filled when the figure was taken. That comes to about 77 percent. In a place this small, the staff know the rhythms of the people they care for. They know who likes coffee at six in the morning and who prefers to skip it.

Nursing time averages 4 hours and 50 minutes per resident each day. Payment can be handled in different ways. Medicare covers short‑term skilled care after a hospital stay. Medicaid helps eligible residents whose savings cannot stretch far enough for a long stay. Private pay works too, with families covering costs directly.

The walk score is 45. That rating counts as somewhat walkable, which means most errands still call for a car or a ride. Sarah Hand serves as administrator.

Contact Colonial Manors of Columbus Community

Overview of Sunrise Hill Care Center

Sunrise Hill Care Center is a nursing home in Traer, IA offering nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Nursing care supports residents who require ongoing nursing attention, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision.

The combination of care types may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to another community. Sunrise Hill Care Center has 76 beds. Care and Rehab is a named program, and rehabilitation services are available for residents who need therapy as part of their care.

Total nurse staffing is 3h 56m per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nurse staffing time allocated to each resident. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Daniel Larmore serves as administrator.

A Walk Score of 45 places the area in a car dependent setting, meaning most errands require a car or a ride. A resident who no longer drives would need one of those options for errands.

Contact Sunrise Hill Care Center

Overview of Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Gardens of Cedar Rapids provides nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Cedar Rapids, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing care include licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for residents at risk of wandering.

There are 60 beds across the community’s care levels. For a resident whose needs grow over time, that range may allow them to remain in the same community without starting over socially. The Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation program includes rehabilitation services, so rehabilitation is available as part of the community’s care offerings.

Total nurse staffing is 4h 34m per resident per day. This represents the daily hands on nursing time assigned per resident. Gardens of Cedar Rapids accepts Medicare and private pay, and residents may bring pets. Chalee Michael serves as the administrator.

Contact Gardens of Cedar Rapids

Overview of Rose Haven Nursing Home

Offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, Rose Haven Nursing Home is a nursing home administered by Tereni Kepler in Marengo, Iowa. The community provides nursing services with licensed nurses for those who need ongoing clinical oversight. With rehabilitation services, residents also receive recovery-focused care to help improve mobility and functionality. 24-hour staffing also ensures residents can access care whenever needed.

With 58 beds, this smaller community provides opportunities for staff and residents to get to know each other. Occupancy is 77.6%, with 45 beds currently in use. Residents also receive a total of 3 hours and 47 minutes of nursing care daily.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy support rehabilitation, and residents can take part in organized activities such as music, games, and seasonal events. Moreover, Medicare can apply to eligible short-term skilled care, Medicaid can support eligible long-term care, and private pay uses personal funds. A Walk Score of 47 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride.

Contact Rose Haven Nursing Home

Hillcrest Home, INC

915 West First Street, Sumner, IA 50674-1271
Overview of Hillcrest Home

Hillcrest Home in Sumner, Iowa, provides independent living, assisted living support, nursing care, and skilled nursing services within a single location. Independent living units cater to self-sufficient residents, whereas assisted living options offer help with daily activities like personal hygiene, dressing, and medication management. This tiered setup allows individuals to adjust their level of care locally as health needs evolve.

Established in 1965, the 61-bed residence operates under administrator Beth Diers. Recorded nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 5 minutes per resident daily across the building. Located in an area with a 38 walk score, the setting relies primarily on automobile transportation for daily errands. Payment options encompass Medicare for post-hospital recovery, Medicaid for long-term care, and direct private funding.

Prospective representatives seeking multi-level senior living options can reach out to Hillcrest Home to ask about open beds, evaluate admission guidelines, or schedule a visit to view the area.

Contact Hillcrest Home, INC

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – Davenport

Committed to providing compassionate in-home care for senior residents of Davenport, Iowa, Good Samaritan Society Home Health Care empowers individuals to live fulfilling lives within the comfort of their own homes. Serving Scott, Muscatine, Cedar, and Clinton Counties, their reach extends to a broad range of communities.

Good Samaritan offers a helping hand to those in need of additional support with daily living, medical management, recovering from surgery, illness, accidents, or falls. Their duly licensed team provides a variety of services to meet individual needs, including post-surgical rehabilitation, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medication management, disease management, wound care, and even telehealth consultations. Integrating clinical expertise with compassionate care, Good Samaritan helps clients regain strength, maintain independence, and age gracefully in their preferred environment.

Contact Good Samaritan Society – Davenport

Overview of The Village of Ackley

Assisted living, independent living, memory care, adult day care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing are what The Village of Ackley delivers in Ackley, IA. Independent living leaves a resident free to manage their own space and their own time, with services on-call and no daily care. Assisted living adds a hand with dressing, bathing, medication, and the daily things. Memory care is the secured and supervised option, chosen when wandering has become a real risk.

Nursing home and skilled nursing mean licensed nursing that does not stop when the day staff go home. Adult day care handles the daytime without anybody moving in. Respite and short-term rehabilitation are named services here too.

Respite is the short stay a family books when the usual caregiver has a trip or a recovery. Rehabilitation is the temporary version, a place to do the recovery work and then leave. Six levels under one roof means needing more later may not mean moving.

Thirty-eight beds are what the license allows, which puts The Village of Ackley in the smaller band. A resident there learns a short list of staff names rather than a long one. Each day sets aside 4 hours and 23 minutes of nursing per resident. Scott Kramer is the administrator.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private funds are accepted, covering nursing care and the residential side both. At 44, the Walk Score puts the area in the car-dependent tier. A resident who no longer drives has to fit each outside errand into somebody else’s schedule.

The mix of services offered suits a person wanting to move from independent living up to nursing care over time, and a family after adult day care, respite, or a short rehabilitation stay.

Contact The Village of Ackley

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.