Page 3 of Best Memory Care in Iowa

Overview of Accura HealthCare of Carlisle

Accura HealthCare of Carlisle operates an 80-bed multi-tier care campus at 680 Cole Street in Carlisle, Iowa. Managed by American HealthCare Associates Inc., the facility typically runs at an 88 percent occupancy rate. The admissions desk processes incoming balances through individual private accounts, federal Medicare coverage, and standard state Medicaid plans. Stays average roughly 178 days per resident, maintaining a routine population mix that blends short-term post-hospital rehabilitation with extended nursing home care.

The campus is structured as a full continuum community, grouping independent housing, assisted living units, and a dedicated memory care program alongside the main skilled medical wing. To deliver daily physical treatments, speech-language therapy, and regular respite sessions, floor schedules organize 24-hour shifts that supply a daily average of 5 hours and 51 minutes of direct hands-on nursing care per resident.

Certified nursing assistants manage 3 hours and 11 minutes of this bedside time, while registered nurses cover 45 minutes, and licensed practical nurses provide 42 minutes of clinical tracking. Outside the property, the surrounding neighborhood sits near regional Des Moines medical hubs and records a walkability score of 50 out of 100, which means visitors can manage a few common tasks on foot while broader regional trips require a short drive.

Prospective families can call the front office to check on independent apartment openings, request details about the specialized memory care units, or coordinate an afternoon walkthrough of the campus grounds.

Overview of Solon Nursing Care Center

Owned by Lucille Atkinson, Solon Nursing Care Center is a skilled nursing facility in Solon, Iowa. The community with 96 beds serves older adults who need post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care. Programs include rehabilitation nursing and specialized support for residents living independently within the facility. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted from families looking for options for arranging care.

The facility is in a moderately walkable area with a Walk Score of 54, so some daily errands can be completed on foot. The community has an occupancy rate of 69%. Residents stay an average of 155 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term care. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 14 minutes per resident. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses provide hands-on support and clinical oversight.

Outpatient therapy services are available on-site, so residents don’t have to leave the facility to access rehabilitation care. The facility also coordinates physician services within the community, which streamlines medical oversight.

State inspections have reviewed call light response times, fall prevention practices, infection control procedures, and staffing levels. Families touring the facility should ask how these areas are managed daily and what procedures are in place to support resident care and safety.

Overview of Brio of Johnston Assisted Living

Brio of Johnston Assisted Living is a 68-bed nursing home and assisted living community at 6901 Peckham Street in Johnston, Iowa. It opened seven years ago and now operates at 54 percent occupancy. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay give families multiple routes for coverage. The starting monthly price is $2,000.

Short-term rehabilitation is the facility’s core clinical program, anchored by 24-hour staffing totaling 5 hours 18 minutes of nursing care per resident day. Staffing breakdowns include registered nurses providing 58 minutes daily, nurse aides delivering 2 hours 50 minutes, and LPNs or LVNs contributing 48 minutes per day. The average stay length runs 64 days, which reflects the community’s shorter-stay rehabilitation model. Brio of Johnston Assisted Living sits in a car-dependent part of Johnston, so visiting family and residents typically need a vehicle for most errands and outings. It offers a cutting-edge wellness center along with a library, walking trails, and a pet recreation area for those wanting activity and connection. A chapel, salon, general store, and guest room round out the amenities. Occupants can access respite care services, valuable for families needing momentary placement or relief during a care transition.

State inspections have found Brio of Johnston Assisted Living operating with no major compliance issues, with recent inspection activity clearing complaint investigations.

The community’s focus on rehabilitation and respite care naturally fits people healing from an acute hospital stay or injury, or those needing temporary care relief.

Providing short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, Westview Care Center is a nursing home in Iowa. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several options for covering the cost of care during recovery from surgery, illness, and hospitalization.

Residents stay an average of 111 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and individuals receiving skilled nursing care. Rehabilitation services and respite care are available. The facility has 24-hour staffing to support residents throughout the day and night. Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 50 minutes per resident, providing hands-on assistance for daily activities and medical needs.

The facility is located on the edge of town with a Walk Score of 38. Some nearby errands can be done on foot, but most destinations require transportation. This quieter setting may appeal to residents and families who prefer a quieter environment. Residents also have access to basic cable television and a private family gathering room for visitors.

Families considering Westview Care Center should take a tour of the community to better understand the facility’s environment, daily routines, and the services available to residents.

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.

Overview of The Views of Marion

Sixty beds, all private rooms, spread across a two-story building in Marion, Iowa: that’s the physical shape of The Views of Marion. The community covers nursing home, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care, which means it’s built to hold residents across a wider range of needs than a single-care-type building would. Seven years in, it’s past the startup phase.

A Walk Score of 37 puts it in “somewhat walkable” territory, so most errands or outings mean a car ride rather than a short walk. Inside, though, safety features carry some of that weight back: personal emergency response systems and panic buttons give residents a way to call for help fast, and common areas mix indoor and outdoor space so there’s somewhere to go besides a private room.

Registered nurses, licensed nurses, and nurse aides each contribute to daily care, with nurse aides providing roughly two and a half hours of hands-on time per resident every day. That’s the category most families notice first, since it’s the most direct, hands-on part of care.

Right now, 29 of the 60 beds are filled, a 48% occupancy rate, and the average resident stays about six months. Medicare and private pay are both accepted. Dallas Urbain administers the community. State inspections, run by Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, have tended to center on medication management, staffing credentials, and how care gets documented.

Put together, The Views of Marion can be described as a nursing home built for a broad range of residents, from those needing intensive daily support to those in a shorter recovery stay, with staffing and safety infrastructure sized to match.

Overview of Calvin Community

Calvin Community is a 59-bed healthcare campus located at 4210 Hickman Road in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa. Operated as a faith-based voluntary nonprofit, the facility provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. The community currently maintains a high occupancy rate of 93% with 55 residents, exceeding the Iowa state average of 75.4%. With a Walk Score of 61, the location is ranked among the more accessible facilities in the state, situated approximately 0.3 miles from the nearest hospital.

State and federal monitoring data show the facility holds a 5-star overall CMS rating, performing 53.8% above the Iowa average. A January 2026 recertification survey for the assisted living program resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. While the broader campus has recorded 24 deficiencies since 2020—primarily involving care planning and food safety—it maintains an annual deficiency average 11% below the state benchmark and has no “immediate jeopardy” citations on record. Two historical fines totaling $26,000 were documented, which is 45% lower than the state average for total penalties.

Professional care is supported by 5 hours and 44 minutes of nursing time per resident daily, a level that is 30% higher than the Iowa average. Clinical staffing is particularly strong in rehabilitation, with physical therapy hours 200% above state benchmarks. Quality measures show high performance in safety, with major injury falls 83% better and antipsychotic medication use 58% better than state averages. However, long-stay data indicate a trend where residents’ need for assistance with daily activities and mobility has increased at a higher rate than state peers.

Residential options include one- and two-bedroom apartments and private townhomes featuring garages. The facility offers three nutritionally balanced meals daily and provides scheduled transportation for medical appointments and community outings. Shared amenities include an active resident council, diverse social programming, and communal spaces for card games and Bible studies. The payer mix is diverse, with 50% of residents using private pay, alongside Medicare and Medicaid participants.

Older adults seeking a nonprofit, faith-based environment with high staffing ratios and a strong local reputation may find this community appropriate. Prospective representatives should evaluate the facility’s success in fall prevention while discussing specific plans to support residents experiencing declines in physical mobility before making a final decision.

Overview of Kennybrook Village

Kennybrook Village is a senior living campus at 200 SW Brookside Drive in Grimes, Iowa. Managed by Jayce Wilson and operated by Scenic Development LLC, the facility serves Polk County with 40 skilled nursing beds alongside independent and assisted living options. Current reports show 35 occupants in the nursing wing, while the assisted living program reports 32 residents. The facility operates under license 770858, which remains active through January 2026.

Regulatory records show a high overall CMS rating but identify recent challenges in dietary services. A January 2025 inspection resulted in four deficiencies, primarily involving failures to maintain safe food temperatures and follow prescribed menus. Despite these citations, the facility maintains a strong long-term record, with the assisted living component achieving a citations-per-inspection rate of zero during its most recent July 2025 review.

Clinical services are supported by staffing levels that exceed state averages, providing 5 hours and 11 minutes of nursing care per resident daily. Data highlights a significant focus on rehabilitation, with physical therapist staffing 50% higher than the Iowa average. Professional care includes speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and specialized memory care at “Maggie’s Place”. CMS quality measures for long-stay residents are 44.5% better than state benchmarks, reflecting high clinical outcomes in high-risk categories.

The residential environment includes social outings, museum visits, and fitness programming designed for varying activity levels. Shared amenities feature pet-friendly suites, housekeeping, and private dining options. Monthly costs range from $2,950 for independent living to $7,650 for memory care. The community primarily serves private-pay residents but accepts Medicare and Medicaid for those requiring short-term medical rehabilitation.

This campus fits seniors seeking high nurse-to-resident ratios and intensive physical therapy. Families evaluating Kennybrook Village should ask directly about the corrective actions taken regarding the 2025 food service citations and request a recent temperature log for meal services before making a placement decision.

Overview of Maple Crest Manor

Maple Crest Manor, located in scenic Fayette, IA, is a premier provider of skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care services. At this community, a dedicated and skilled team offers a variety of services to meet the needs of their residents, acknowledging that each resident has their individual needs and unique care requirements. The goal at Maple Crest Manor is to provide quality care and an active lifestyle in a home-like environment. This community goes beyond just basic care. Residents can enjoy engaging in a variety of activities like pet therapy, beauty services, and transportation services to make sure residents can attend all needed appointments. This focus on well-being ensures a fulfilling experience for all. Their ultimate goal is to create a comfortable and enriching environment where residents can truly feel at home. At Maple Crest Manor, a true community is built between residents and the devoted staff.

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.