Page 15 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. HC (Home Care): Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing. 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.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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.
Friendship Haven
IL
AL
CCRC
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Fort Dodge
155
Facility 155
IA AVG 76
Rank #12 / 165
No
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 43
Rank #185 / 222
Private Rooms-
76.1%
Facility 76.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #61 / 154
-?--
Simpson Memorial Home
IL
AL
NH
SNF
West Liberty
55
Facility 55
IA AVG 76
Rank #108 / 165
No
41
Facility 41
IA AVG 43
Rank #111 / 222
--
58.2%
Facility 58.2%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #77 / 154
-?18
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
Oakwood Care Center
IL
AL
HC
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Clear Lake
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 76
Rank #58 / 165
No
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 43
Rank #45 / 222
--
83.6%
Facility 83.6%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #41 / 154
-?--
Westhaven Community
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Boone
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
No
83
Facility 83
IA AVG 43
Rank #12 / 222
-
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 15
Rank #62 / 131
42.5%
Facility 42.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #115 / 154
-?3
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
Regency Assisted Living
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Norwalk
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 76
Rank #95 / 165
No
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 43
Rank #36 / 222
-
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 15
Rank #45 / 131
38.3%
Facility 38.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #119 / 154
-?5
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #100 / 155
The Villages at Marion
IL
Marion
-No
63
Facility 63
IA AVG 43
Rank #49 / 222
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 15
Rank #15 / 131
-A+---
Silvercrest Garner Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
Davenport
-Yes
55
Facility 55
IA AVG 43
Rank #76 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 15
Rank #22 / 131
-A+---
Primrose Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
RC
Council Bluffs (Kane Township)
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 76
Rank #86 / 165
Yes--
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 15
Rank #51 / 131
51.6%
Facility 51.6%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #82 / 154
--5
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #128 / 155
Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Perry
77
Facility 77
IA AVG 76
Rank #56 / 165
No
74
Facility 74
IA AVG 43
Rank #27 / 222
-
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 15
Rank #28 / 131
40.3%
Facility 40.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #125 / 154
--2
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #89 / 155
Keystone Senior Suites
IL
AL
MC
Keystone
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 76
Rank #162 / 165
Yes
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 43
Rank #194 / 222
1 Bed
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 15
Rank #15 / 131
37.5%
Facility 37.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #136 / 154
-A2
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #77 / 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 Simpson Memorial Home

With a proud history dating back to 1975, Simpson Memorial Home has established itself as a trusted provider of high-quality senior care. It has been a remarkable non-profit residence situated in Wilton, Iowa, offering a diverse range of exceptional care services, including independent living, assisted living places, nursing home facilities, and a specialized dementia unit. Their unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing environment where seniors feel valued and supported sets them apart.
The home goes above and beyond to ensure that disabled adults can enjoy comfortable living, providing accessible spaces and round-the-clock emergency call capabilities. The shared spaces at Simpson Memorial Home are also tastefully decorated, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere for socialization and relaxation. For those seeking independent living, the townhomes offer an unparalleled sense of homeliness, featuring spacious porches and convenient car garages. Additionally, the home provides essential services such as housekeeping, transportation, and delectable dining options.

Contact Simpson Memorial Home

Overview of Westhaven Community

Westhaven Community offers nursing home care, assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing in Boone, Iowa. Having several care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because moving to a different level of care does not require leaving the community.

Independent living supports private living without daily care. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing clinical support. With these options, the community may be a good fit for someone who wants to remain in one place if their care needs change.

Westhaven Community has 40 beds and opened in 2012. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours 4 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may help with longer-term care when savings do not cover the full stay, and private pay means paying directly. An on-site salon gives residents access to personal grooming without arranging an off-site visit. A Walk Score of 83 places the area in the very walkable band, meaning most errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Breanna Streeter serves as the administrator.

Contact Westhaven Community

Overview of Regency Assisted Living

Regency Assisted Living covers five care types in Norwalk, IA. They are assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, independent living, and nursing home care. Licensed nursing at every hour describes a rota rather than an aspiration, and somebody’s shift covers three in the morning.

Assisted living pays for help with bathing, dressing, and medication. The resident’s private living space is not part of what is being helped with. Independent living goes further, with community services and no daily care. attached. Memory care is the secured, supervised level, and somebody whose wandering has become a risk may reach it from inside the building rather than from outside.

Five care levels under one roof suit needs that grow, since growing here does not mean moving. Sixty beds fall under its license. Per resident, day amounts to 3 hours and 1 minute of nursing.

Victoria Lehman administers the community. A Walk Score of 70 is very walkable, which runs high for an address of this kind. Most errands are within range on foot.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Short-term stays and respite care answer a different question about time, covering a stretch while the person normally doing the caregiving is away or recovering. Rehabilitation services back residents recovering or holding on to function.

Contact Regency Assisted Living

Primrose Retirement Community

1801 East Kanesville Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Overview of Primrose Retirement Community

Primrose Retirement Community is a 64-bed senior living campus at 1801 East Kanesville Boulevard in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Administered by Tiffany Eggett and certified as a dementia-specific assisted living program, the facility serves Pottawattamie County with a clinical continuum ranging from independent townhome villas to specialized memory care. The campus maintains a current occupancy rate of approximately 55%, with private room rates starting near $4,900 per month.

State inspection records show a deficiency rate that is 6% more favorable than the Iowa state average. While a May 2024 recertification audit was completed with zero deficiencies, a November 2024 follow-up cited three concerns regarding service plan accuracy and memory care unit door alarms. Long-term data indicate a per-inspection citation rate that is 17% below the state mean, though the community remains a private-pay facility and does not currently participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

On-site nursing, personal aid, and therapy are managed through a 24-hour staffing framework. This model emphasizes individualized cognitive support, addressing various stages of memory loss within a secure environment. Though residents utilize regular wellness monitoring and restorative programs, the rural-style location is car-dependent with a Walk Score of zero. Notably, the facility has maintained its license without any suspensions since it began operations in 2008.

A home-like residential setting is supported by three daily meals and specialized social spaces like a 1950s-style ice cream parlor. Common areas available to residents include a chapel, wellness center, billiard room, and library. The service package also features weekly housekeeping, laundry, and local transportation, alongside pet-friendly housing options that offer quiet views. For convenience, basic cable and Wi-Fi access are fully integrated into the monthly residency costs.

Interested individuals should examine the current protocols for service plan updates and perimeter security during a tour of the grounds. It is recommended to consult with the administrator regarding the specific remedies applied to the 2024 citation findings and to ensure current staffing ratios are sufficient for the resident’s 2026 care requirements.

Contact Primrose Retirement Community

Overview of Keystone Senior Suites

Make the most of your best years at Keystone Senior Suites, a distinguished community in Keystone, IA, offering assisted living. Residents can keep their peace of mind with a compassionate and well-trained team that provides top-notch care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock. With housekeeping and laundry services, residents enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle.

Dedicated to enhancing residents’ living experience, a thoughtfully curated calendar of enriching activities and stimulating programs is conducted. Mealtimes are something to look forward to, with delicious and healthy dining options served to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community is a good option for those needing assistance to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its quality services and well-maintained amenities.

Contact Keystone Senior Suites

Overview of Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus

Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, skilled nursing care and respite care in Perry, IA. Independent living provides community services without daily care, while assisted living helps with tasks such as bathing, dressing and medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Respite care supports short stays when a family caregiver needs time away or is recovering.

As a continuing care retirement community with multiple care levels, the campus may suit a resident whose needs change over time and who may need a different level of care within the same community. The home has 77 beds, and Tanya Swank serves as its administrator. Rehabilitative therapy is available through the campus, giving residents access to therapy services without leaving the community. Meals on Wheels is also a specific program here.

A Walk Score of 74 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot. A resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Contact Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus

Overview of The Villages at Marion

The Villages at Marion offers independent living in Marion, IA. Residents have private living space along with community services, without daily care, so it suits people who manage their everyday personal needs without hands-on assistance.

Housing includes private and semi-private rooms. A private room gives one resident an individual living space, while a semi-private room supports shared living. The home may suit someone seeking independent living with either arrangement. With a Walk Score of 63 out of 100, the area falls in the somewhat walkable range, so some errands can be done on foot. A resident who no longer drives may still be able to handle certain nearby errands independently.

Contact The Villages at Marion

Overview of Friendship Haven

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.

Contact Friendship Haven

Overview of Silvercrest Garner Senior Living

Silvercrest Garner Senior Living provides exceptional memory care and assisted living services tailored to each individual’s needs. The community prides itself on providing the best services, striving to be one of the top-ranked assisted living homes in the city. 

Silvercrest boasts elegant designs and upscale amenities such as its dining room, brightly-lit lounge areas, spacious apartments, courtyard, and arts and crafts studio. 

Contact Silvercrest Garner Senior Living

Oakwood Care Center

400 Highway 18 West, Clear Lake, IA 50428-1108
Overview of Oakwood Care Center

Oakwood Care Center offers nursing home, assisted living, home care, hospice care, independent living, memory care, respite care, nursing care, and skilled nursing in Clear Lake, IA. Nursing home care, nursing care, and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care.

Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Home care brings assistance in a person’s residence, hospice care supports end of life needs, and respite care provides a short stay. The range of care levels and respite care can suit a resident whose needs may change over time or a family caregiver who needs short term support.

Oakwood Care Center has 76 beds, with total nurse staffing of 3h 49m per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Rehabilitation services include short term rehabilitation and outpatient therapy, giving residents access to therapy during recovery while allowing outpatient clients to receive treatment without an inpatient stay. A relaxation room and open dining options are also available, and Krystal T. serves as director. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. A Walk Score of 64 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives can reach some nearby errands independently.

Contact Oakwood Care Center

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.