Page 13 of Best Nursing Homes in Iowa

Overview of Ramsey Village Continuing Care

Situated in the welcoming town of Des Moines, IA, Ramsey Village Continuing Care is a respected senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite care, and rehabilitation services. A wide array of spacious and cozy accomodations are available including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom are available for its residents. With a competent and empathetic team, this community provides 24/7 care and support to ensure comfort and security within the place.

With its top-of-the-line amenities and services, residents can enjoy 3 well-balanced meals and snacks daily, community library, game room, and a parlor with a fireplace. Explore its beautifully made shared spaces such as the landscaped interior courtyard. Engage in life enrichment programs in the crafts and activity center to gain more knowledge and experiences. Meet new companions and create unforgettable memories together. Equipped with the right tools and people, seniors can enjoy a glorious retirement with Ramsey Village Continuing Care.

Overview of Sunny View Care Center

Sunny View Care Center is a resident-centered rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility located in Ankeny, just beside The Suites of Ankeny, an assisted living community. Together these two form a formidable community that focuses on the care and well being of their seniors, disabled, and hospice residents and patients. This nursing community offers a variety of services to its patients such as; skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice care, respite care, dietary care, and outpatient care. These services are provided by dedicated RNs, LPNs, and CNAs to make sure that each patient receives quality care and assistance.

Part of the activities at Sunny View Care Center are ambulation, eating assistance, grooming, and rehabilitative motion exercises. Their current patient capacity is 94 at maximum. For patients with health plans, this facility accommodates Medicare and Medicaid plan holders.

Located in Ankeny’s Centennial Pointe West neighborhood, The Bridges at Ankeny provides nursing home, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation services about four miles from the city center. Owned by Holdco Ankeny, IA, LLC and administered by Mary Woolson, the community has operated since 2016 and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents. Its 100 licensed beds include both private and semi-private accommodations for short-term rehabilitation and longer-term stays.

A large portion of residents arrive for post-acute recovery, with most admissions covered through Medicare or private pay and an average stay of approximately 75 days. Around-the-clock nursing support is complemented by physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy services, along with dietary care, dental services, nurse practitioner coverage, pharmacy services, and chef-prepared meals. Indoor and outdoor common areas provide additional spaces for relaxation and socialization.

Residents receive an average of 4 hours and 13 minutes of nursing care per day from a team that includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides. State inspections have reviewed areas such as care planning, medication administration, infection control, and overall care practices, while recent complaint investigations found the community in substantial compliance with no deficiencies cited. No federal penalties have been reported in recent years.

Overview of Kingsley Specialty Care

Welcome to Kingsley Specialty Care, a reputable assisted living community nestled in Sioux City, Iowa. With a capacity of 43 beds, Kingsley Specialty Care’s skilled nursing facility offers a comprehensive range of services, including rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, long-term care, and hospice care. As a proud member of Care Initiatives, Iowa’s largest not-for-profit skilled nursing and long-term care provider, Kingsley Specialty Care is dedicated to delivering compassionate and personalized care tailored to each resident’s unique needs. The facility’s unwavering commitment to dignity and empathy ensures that residents receive the utmost attention and support they deserve.

At Kingsley Specialty Care, the team extends caring services to Iowans from all walks of life, focusing on their transitional health care requirements and overall well-being. As a testament to their dedication, the facility accepts both Medicare and Medicaid, and proudly serves as a contracted provider for the Veterans Affairs Community Nursing Home Program. When residents or their loved ones choose Kingsley Specialty Care, they can trust that they will be in capable and compassionate hands, receiving the highest standard of care in a warm and welcoming environment. 

Overview of Alverno Senior Care Community

Alverno Senior Care Community in Clinton, Iowa, is renowned for its exceptional care and unwavering commitment to seniors, especially those requiring memory care living. Within the tranquil setting, residents experiencing memory-related conditions find solace and companionship. For those requiring an elevated level of medical attention, Alverno Senior Care Community also offers memory care with skilled nursing.
With specialized treatments, therapies, and advanced medical resources, residents receive personalized attention to meet their unique needs.
Each resident’s journey is respected in this home, and individualized care plans are created to support their cognitive abilities, preserve their independence, and enhance their overall quality of life. In this haven of care, Alverno Senior Care Community shines as a beacon of hope and support for individuals and families navigating the challenges of memory-related conditions.

Overview of Cottage Grove Place

Cottage Grove Place is an 82-bed healthcare facility at 2115 First Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Administered by Jennifer Snook and operated as a voluntary non-profit by Life Care Services LLC, the campus serves Linn County with a license valid through February 2027. Current data shows a census of 37 residents, representing a 45% occupancy rate, which is below the Iowa average of 75.4%. The location earns a high Walk Score of 79, placing it near city center amenities and pharmacies.

Monitoring data from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing shows a history of lower-than-average citations. Over two decades, the facility has recorded an annual deficiency rate 31% lower than state benchmarks, averaging 0.9 violations per year. While the January 2026 inspection concluded with four health citations—focusing on medication administration and service plan documentation, the assisted living program achieved a citations-per-inspection rate of zero in its most recent certification. There are no documented fines or severe penalties in the past three years.

Clinical care is delivered by a team providing 4 hours and 22 minutes of nursing time per resident daily, exceeding the Iowa average by approximately 15%. Professional services emphasize short-term recovery, with physical therapy staffing levels 150% above state averages. While short-stay outcomes are strong, quality measures for long-term residents show historical challenges in functional mobility and pressure ulcer prevention, which occur at rates above the state benchmark. The facility accepts a combination of private pay and Medicare, which accounts for 40% of new admissions.

The residential environment is part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community, featuring private suites and a full therapy gym. Shared amenities include a woodworking shop, a private movie theater, a library, and landscaped courtyards. Social programming is provided through a Life Enrichment department, offering cultural workshops and educational events. The community is pet-friendly and includes emergency response systems in all apartments.

Prospective representatives seeking specialized physical therapy and short-term rehabilitation may find this campus appropriate. Families should ask directly about the specific interventions implemented to address long-term functional decline and request current data on nurse aide turnover rates before making a placement decision.

Klein Center is an award-winning nursing home in West Burlington, IA, offering long-term care and rehabilitation. Fostering comfort and healing, the community ensures older adults are well-cared for in its supportive and welcoming environment. Residents also receive high-quality services, including round-the-clock care, nutritious meals, and recreational activities, ensuring a maintenance-free lifestyle. The community also strives to get to know residents’ needs and habits to help them recover and return to their routines with ease.

Social events, light exercises, and recreational opportunities encourage residents to explore interests and gain meaningful experiences. Well-maintained therapy gyms and spacious living areas also ensure residents’ relaxation and wellness. Residents also have quick access to necessities and leisure with the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center and public transportation in the area. As one of the best options for senior living in Iowa, this nursing home goes above and beyond in helping residents live to their potential in retirement.

Owned by Tamid Waterloo LLC, Pillar of Cedar Valley is a skilled nursing facility in Iowa. The 114-bed home specializes in rehabilitation services. It also serves residents with psychiatric care needs and intellectual disabilities through its ICF/PMI programs. Operating for 40 years, the facility has established itself as a long-standing option for post-acute rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing care. The community has 100% occupancy rate and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving residents and families several options for covering care.

Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 51 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide about 21 minutes of care each day, while nurse aides contribute 1 hour and 54 minutes. This staffing structure supports skilled nursing oversight and hands-on assistance with daily activities. The facility’s experience in psychiatric care and services for residents with intellectual disabilities provides specialized support that is not available in every nursing home.

State inspections have identified areas of focus about resident safety protocols, abuse response procedures, medication administration practices, and environmental safety management. The facility has submitted corrective action plans addressing these concerns, showing its efforts to improve care delivery in these critical areas.

Amenities on-site include a large community center, fine dining in a glass-roof dining room, regular church services, and day trips that encourage resident engagement. Complimentary transportation, a beauty shop, concierge services, and high-speed Wi-Fi are also available. The surrounding neighborhood has a Walk Score of 83. It’s highly walkable, so visiting family members can run many errands on foot.

Owned by Scott Berger, University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa, that has served residents for 25 years. The 108-bed facility currently houses 72 residents, with an occupancy rate of 67%. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering rehabilitation services and ongoing nursing care.

The center focuses on short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Residents have access to specialized programs for diabetes management, enteral nutrition support, ostomy care, pain management, IV therapy, and tracheotomy care. These services can benefit individuals recovering from surgery, hospitalization, and other health conditions that require ongoing clinical support.

Residents stay an average of 157 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term care. Respite care is also available for families seeking temporary placement options.

Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 37 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide approximately 43 minutes of care each day, while nurse aides contribute about 2 hours and 36 minutes. This level of hands-on support is for residents with significant medical and personal care needs.

The community has a Walk Score of 91. It’s in a highly walkable area of Des Moines, which is convenient for family members and residents. State inspections have tracked the facility’s focus on care quality and compliance for several years. Responses to earlier findings demonstrate the facility’s ongoing commitment to maintaining care standards.

Westbrook Acres is a 46-bed skilled nursing facility in Gladbrook, Tama County, Iowa, serving residents with skilled nursing, long-term care, memory care, rehabilitation, hospice, and respite care. The facility has been operated by Crystal Even under family ownership since 1995 and accepts both Medicare and Medicaid.
CMS rates the facility 3 stars overall. Health inspection performance sits at the Iowa average, but staffing trails the benchmark — nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 53 minutes per resident per day, roughly 12% below Iowa’s average of 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Across inspections over the past five years, the facility averaged 6.2 deficiencies per year — 41% above the Iowa average of 4.4. The most recent annual survey in March 2025 cited six deficiencies: RN coverage gaps on multiple dates, failures to notify the Long-Term Care Ombudsman about resident hospitalizations, and inaccurate MDS assessments.

A September 2023 complaint investigation substantiated resident-to-resident physical abuse on the memory care unit, causing actual harm to both residents, and confirmed staff theft of a resident’s narcotic medication. A separate 2024 complaint added RN coverage lapses and a failure to follow a physician’s tube-feeding order. No fines or license actions appear in the available reports.

On-site services include physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy. The facility’s occupancy rate is 96% — well above the Iowa average of 75.4% — with an average length of stay of 345 days, indicating a predominantly long-term resident population.

Westbrook Acres’ memory care unit (CCDI), on-site rehabilitation, hospice access, and Medicaid acceptance position it to serve complex, long-term care needs in a small rural setting in Tama County. Families considering placement should review the facility’s deficiency history and prior abuse-related findings before making a placement decision.