Page 15 of Best Memory Care in Iowa

Overview of Elm Crest Retirement Community

Elm Crest Retirement Community is a 64-bed nursing facility at 2104 12th Street in Harlan, Iowa. Administered by Tim Nauslar and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, the campus provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. While the facility was recently awarded a 5-star quality rating, current occupancy for the skilled nursing wing is reported at 94%, with 47 of 50 beds occupied, placing it in line with state averages. The location earns a Walk Score of 50, indicating moderate accessibility to local amenities in Shelby County.

In early 2026, the facility achieved substantial compliance following a survey, and the assisted living component previously recorded a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. However, the broader health center recorded 18 moderate citations over the last three years, including a Quality of Care deficiency in November 2025. A short payment denial was issued in late 2024, but the facility has since remediated several infection control and nutrition findings.

Clinical care is delivered by a team providing 3 hours and 53 minutes of total nursing time per resident daily, which is approximately 12% below the Iowa average. Professional services focus on short-term rehabilitation, with 82% of admissions coming from Medicare recipients who typically stay for one to two months. While long-stay metrics have shown challenges in mobility and urinary tract infection rates, the facility performs above state averages in pressure ulcer prevention and maintaining low antipsychotic medication use.

The residential environment is faith-based and features various floor plans with access to landscaped grounds and outdoor walking paths. Shared amenities include a library, beauty salon, and a health and wellness center. Social programming is provided through an activity center, offering arts and crafts and local outings. The community emphasizes a nurturing atmosphere, balancing professional healthcare with home-like amenities.

Prospective representatives should weigh the facility’s recent 5-star quality rating against its moderate deficiency history and staffing levels. Families are encouraged to ask directly about the specific improvements made following the 2025 quality of care citation and request current data on nurse aide staffing ratios before making a placement decision.

Overview of Pennsylvania Place

Pennsylvania Place is a 102-bed senior living community at One Pennsylvania Place in Ottumwa, Iowa. Directed by Brenda Hostetler, the facility serves Wapello County under a license valid through November 2026. The property reports a 32% occupancy rate with 33 residents, which is significantly lower than the Iowa state average of 75.4%. Despite this, the downtown location is highly accessible, earning a Walk Score of 77.

Since 2020, the facility has recorded 11 deficiencies over five inspections, yielding an annual average of 2.2 violations. While the initial certification resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero, every subsequent review has cited regulatory issues. A June 2025 investigation identified a two-month delay in updating a service plan for a resident experiencing acute functional decline.

Care delivery at this campus includes a range of options from independent patio homes to specialized memory support. Professional oversight has been repeatedly cited for missing incident reports and a lack of required signatures on service plans across three separate years. In 2022, state monitors also noted unsafe grounds due to deteriorated concrete on the facility premises. Although the community received a “Best of Southern Iowa 2023” award, recent findings suggest persistent challenges in meeting state documentation standards.

The residential environment focuses on an “all-in-one” campus model with 24/7 onsite staff and social programming. Shared amenities include chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, and local transportation to the nearby Ottumwa Regional Health Center. However, the facility’s low census and recent substantiated complaints regarding delayed health evaluations suggest potential strain on operational quality. Management has claimed corrective actions, yet identical documentation failures have persisted into mid-2025.

Prospective representatives should weigh the facility’s excellent walkability against its history of delayed responses to resident health changes. It is recommended to request a review of the current service plan audit procedures and to verify that all required signatures are being obtained on schedule. Individuals can contact the administrative office to discuss specific care coordination protocols and ensure that 2026 safety standards align with their long-term wellness goals.

Overview of Bickford of Marion

At 46 beds, Bickford of Marion is a smaller community, and that scale is part of its identity. The two-story building on Linden Dr, part of the Bickford Senior Living Group network, offers assisted living and memory care in Marion’s Hickory Haven Estates neighborhood, 1.4 miles from the city center. Misty Cottrell serves as Executive Director.

The Montessori Memory Care program is the facility’s most distinctive offering. It’s a named, structured approach to cognitive care rather than a generic memory unit, and it’s the clearest signal of what the community is built around. Licensed nurses and CNAs staff the building, transportation is available, there’s a fitness area on-site, and the community is pet-friendly.

Occupancy sits at 76%, with 35 of 46 beds filled, in a building that has been operating for 27 years. The neighborhood is moderately walkable (Walk Score 69), with some day-to-day destinations reachable on foot. State inspections have tended to center on medication management, care planning and documentation, and food service, which are common operational focus areas rather than indicators of direct care concerns.

Bickford of Marion is a practical fit for families prioritizing a structured memory care approach within a mid-sized regional network, in a community small enough that residents are unlikely to get lost in the shuffle.

Overview of Windsor Manor Nevada

Located in the heart of Nevada, Iowa, Windsor Manor is a charming senior community offering an array of living options. With 30 thoughtfully designed assisted-living apartments, ranging from one to two bedrooms, residents find comfort in their private spaces equipped with convenient kitchenettes. The community takes pride in its exceptional housekeeping and personal laundry services, ensuring residents can enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle. They go the extra mile by providing personalized emergency wireless pendants and round-the-clock assistance, prioritizing the safety and well-being of its residents.

In addition to its comprehensive services, Windsor Manor boasts a secure memory care area comprising 10 studio apartments, specially designed for individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Families appreciate the peace of mind offered by this secure environment. With scheduled transportation and easy access to highways, the community ensures convenient visits for families. What truly sets Windsor Manor apart is its commitment to offering reasonable assisted living costs, making it an affordable choice for seniors to embrace life to the fullest.

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.

Overview of Meadowview of Clive

Meadowview of Clive is a 164-bed senior living community at 14225 University Avenue in Clive, Iowa. Administered by Cassia, the facility serves Polk County under a license valid through June 2027. The property currently reports a 30% occupancy rate with 50 residents, reflecting its status as a newer facility in the Des Moines suburb. The location provides various care levels, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

Data from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights an unblemished regulatory record since the facility opened in 2024. Two separate state visits, an initial certification in April 2024 and a complaint investigation in November 2025, both resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. No enforcement actions, fines, or substantiated violations are documented in the facility’s two-year operational history.

Clinical services are managed by a professional team providing medication assistance and 24-hour support for daily activities. The campus features modern infrastructure, including state-of-the-art air filtration in common areas and access to rehabilitative therapy services. Specialized memory care programming is also available for residents with cognitive needs, and the facility accepts a mix of private pay, Medicaid, and Medicare.

The residential environment includes diverse lifestyle amenities such as a movie theater, fitness center, salon, and library. Common spaces feature a fireside lounge and a courtyard patio with a fire pit for social gatherings. Residents have access to restaurant-style dining and a rotating calendar of arts and crafts programs intended to foster community engagement.

This environment suits individuals looking for a large-scale, modern community with a perfect early-stage regulatory record. Prospective representatives evaluating Meadowview of Clive should ask directly about the transition process for new residents and confirm current staffing ratios for the memory care wing before making a placement decision.

Overview of Stirlingshire of Coralville Al

Stirlingshire of Coralville Al is a 112-bed senior living facility at 1140 Kennedy Parkway in Coralville, Iowa. Administered by Amy Kubik-Hasley, the community serves Johnson County under license S0444, valid through April 9, 2027. Current data shows a 48% occupancy rate with 54 residents, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 75.4%. With a Walk Score of 25, the location is car-dependent for most local services.

State oversight from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights recent safety-related compliance challenges. Since 2021, the facility has recorded nine total deficiencies across five inspections, an average of 1.8 per review. While the most recent July 2025 inspection resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero, this follows an October 2024 investigation that substantiated five deficiencies. These 2024 findings included delayed responses to emergency pendants, medication administration errors, and non-functioning safety equipment during fall incidents.

Clinical care at this five-year-old campus includes independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. A March 2024 recertification identified deficiencies regarding inadequate care for a resident hospitalized for a drug overdose and unsanitary medication administration practices. Initial 2021 records also noted foundational gaps, such as staff failing to complete mandatory dependent adult abuse training and orientation on food handling protocols. The community offers curated dining and designed amenities but has struggled with maintaining consistent resident evaluation schedules.

The residential environment is focused on providing a retirement setting with specialized memory care options. Occupancy has fluctuated since opening, rising from nine residents in 2021 to a peak of 63 in early 2024 before settling at the current 54. While no formal fines or license suspensions have been documented, the facility’s short operational history includes substantiated reports of inconsistent shower schedules and incomplete assistance with daily living tasks. Management has implemented corrective actions following the late 2024 safety failures.

Families can contact the Coralville office to discuss current staffing levels and confirm that 2026 safety standards for medication and emergency response are being strictly maintained.

Overview of Apple Valley Place

Apple Valley Place is a 78-bed assisted living facility at 300 Lyndale Street in Osage, Iowa. Administered by Chelsea Wogstad, the community serves Mitchell County under license S0283, which remains active through September 4, 2026. The facility maintains a 65% occupancy rate with 51 of 78 beds filled, demonstrating stable community demand. The location holds a Walk Score of 64, indicating that some nearby amenities are accessible on foot.

State-level monitoring through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights a record of significant recent improvement. Since 2004, the community has undergone 13 inspections resulting in 29 total deficiencies, an annual average of 1.3 which is 34% below the state average. Notably, both the May 2025 complaint investigation and the October 2025 recertification resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. These clean results follow a period of non-compliance in late 2023 and early 2024, where 25 combined deficiencies were cited for medication errors, failed emergency response protocols, and non-functional door alarms.

Clinical services at this 17-year-old campus include assisted living, memory care, and respite care. While recent inspections indicate corrective actions have been successful, the 2023–2024 records documented instances of medication administration by unqualified personnel and missing nurse delegation training. The facility currently operates on a private-pay basis, providing furnished resident rooms and medication management support. Historical data shows the community also maintained clean recertification surveys in 2017, 2019, and 2021 before the recent fluctuations in compliance.

The residential environment features cozy common areas and dedicated outdoor seating for residents. The campus maintains standard business hours and focuses on providing individualized support within a memory care setting. Although past evaluations highlighted unsafe food temperature practices and incomplete evaluations, the dramatic shift to zero findings in 2025 reflects a comprehensive management response to regulatory feedback.

Individuals evaluating this community should note the successful resolution of previous medication management and safety documentation issues. It is advisable to verify that the emergency pendant system and dementia unit door alarms are fully functional during an on-site visit. Families can contact the administrative office to confirm current staffing credentials and discuss the sustainability of their 2025 compliance performance as they plan for care in 2026.

Happy Siesta Healthcare Center is a 62-bed skilled nursing facility at 423 Roosevelt Street in Remsen, Iowa. Administered by Jennifer Kuiken and operated as a non-profit corporation, the center serves Plymouth County with long-term care, memory care, and outpatient therapy. The facility maintains an occupancy rate of 81%, reflecting steady demand in its rural northwest Iowa community.

State regulators currently assign the facility a 3-star overall rating, which signifies an “Average” performance level according to CMS benchmarks. Historical data shows a citations-per-inspection rate that is consistently below state averages, though a June 2025 standard survey identified four administrative and clinical deficiencies.

While these findings were corrected, the record includes a 2023 elopement risk incident that led to an Immediate Jeopardy tag, which was cleared following physical security upgrades. A more recent October 2025 complaint investigation concluded with zero citations.

Professional care is guided by a staffing model that provides 3 hours 48 minutes of nursing time per resident daily. Registered Nurse (RN) presence is a notable metric, as daily hours exceed state averages, though weekend coverage levels are lower. Medical services coordinate skilled nursing and a 17-bed enclosed Alzheimer’s wing, supplemented by the “Dreams Program” which addresses resident quality of life. Clinical quality measures carry a high 4-star rating, supported by strong outcomes in physical function for long-stay residents.

The campus provides a residential atmosphere where residents have access to both private suites and specialized common areas. Unique to this facility is the Willoway Pool and Fitness Center, which supports both resident rehabilitation and community exercise. Social life involves 24-hour medical support, nutritional meal plans, and a seasonal “Diners Club” that facilitates outings to local restaurants. For mobility beyond the campus, the facility utilizes a handicapped-accessible bus for regional excursions.

Interested individuals should assess the current safety and training protocols during a facility tour. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on the staff training updates implemented following the 2024 transportation incident and to confirm that the door security enhancements for the memory care unit remain in full compliance for 202

Overview of Birdee Cottage Al and Mc

Birdee Cottage Al and Mc is a 33-bed, family-owned senior living facility at 2221 Fairway Lane in Waterloo, Iowa. Administered by Kim Meyer, the community serves Black Hawk County under license S0455, which is active through November 17, 2027. The facility currently reports an occupancy rate of 52% with 17 residents. With a Walk Score of 2, the location is considered car-dependent for all daily errands.

State monitoring from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing shows a notable trend of regulatory improvement. Since 2022, the community has recorded 10 total deficiencies across four inspections, an average of 2.5 per year which is 63% below the state annual average. While an initial 2022 visit identified nine violations, a February 2025 complaint investigation resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. The most recent evaluation in September 2025 identified one deficiency regarding the omission of physician-recommended titration plans in a resident’s service plan.

Professional care is provided in a residential setting that includes private bedrooms, nursing services, and camera safety systems. Clinical support covers medication management and special diet accommodations, though the facility operates on a private-pay basis only and does not accept Medicare or Medicaid. Early 2022 records cited concerns with wound care documentation and medication administration errors, but subsequent reviews indicate these foundational issues were addressed through corrective actions.

The campus environment is designed as an intimate, small-scale community emphasizing home-cooked meals and personalized attention. Shared features include grab bar handles throughout the facility and snacks available for residents during the day. Historical gaps from the facility’s first year involved non-functional alarm systems and failures to complete staff background checks prior to hiring, though recent findings suggest more consistent operational oversight.

Prospective residents should evaluate the facility’s recent improvement in compliance alongside its private-pay model. It is recommended to verify that all service plans now include comprehensive physician recommendations and to observe the current staff-to-resident interaction during an on-site visit. Interested individuals can contact the administrator to discuss current availability and specific care protocols as they plan for 2026.