Page 13 of Best Nursing Homes in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 239 nursing homes in IA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in IA
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Iowa.
239 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 3.1/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Iowa. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 3.5/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Iowa. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 2.9/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Iowa. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around Iowa

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
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. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Iowa average is: 60.3% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
The Village of Ackley
NH
ADC
AL
IL
MC
SNF
Ackley
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 72
Rank #350 / 403
84.2%
Facility 84.2%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #96 / 362
+26%
4.38
Facility 4.38
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #100 / 231
+93%+2%
$47.1k
Facility $47.1k
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #205 / 239
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #187 / 232
6.0
Facility 6.0
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #189 / 232
432-
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 47
Rank #268 / 504
Korey Deberg
$3.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $3.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #205 / 224
$2.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $2.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #196 / 224
66%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 66%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #53 / 224
165443
Estherville Community Care Center
NH
HOS
PC
RC
SNF
North Estherville
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 72
Rank #272 / 403
85.7%
Facility 85.7%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #87 / 362
+28%
3.73
Facility 3.73
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #184 / 231
-27%-13%
$0
Facility $0
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #1 / 239
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #155 / 232
3.4
Facility 3.4
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #96 / 232
139---
$2.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $2.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #212 / 224
$1.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $1.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #220 / 224
49.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 49.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #184 / 224
165523
Arbor Springs-West Des Moines
NH
MC
RC
SNF
West Des Moines
56
Facility 56
IA AVG 72
Rank #232 / 403
94.6%
Facility 94.6%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #22 / 362
+41%
6.00
Facility 6.00
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #4 / 231
-19%+40%
$0
Facility $0
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #1 / 239
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #102 / 232
3.0
Facility 3.0
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #73 / 232
253A+
30
Facility 30
IA AVG 47
Rank #367 / 504
Integro Healthcare Holdings LLC
$7.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #86 / 224
$4.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $4.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #70 / 224
65%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 65%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #57 / 224
165548
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
NH
AL
IL
MC
RESC
RC
SNF
Des Moines (Drake)
78
Facility 78
IA AVG 72
Rank #119 / 403
87.7%
Facility 87.7%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #72 / 362
+31%
4.31
Facility 4.31
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #116 / 231
-46%0%
$0
Facility $0
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #1 / 239
31
Facility 31
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #175 / 232
4.4
Facility 4.4
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #143 / 232
168-
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 47
Rank #304 / 504
Claremont House Inc
$9.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $9.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #39 / 224
$7.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #23 / 224
78.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 78.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #16 / 224
165514
NewAldaya Lifescapes
NH
AL
IL
MC
RC
SNF
Cedar Falls
112
Facility 112
IA AVG 72
Rank #50 / 403
91.1%
Facility 91.1%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #46 / 362
+36%
4.88
Facility 4.88
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #49 / 231
+3%+13%
$132.1k
Facility $132.1k
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #224 / 239
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #79 / 232
4.0
Facility 4.0
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #123 / 232
1102-
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 47
Rank #125 / 504
Cedar Falls Lutheran Home
$12.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $12.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #17 / 224
$10.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $10.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #7 / 224
81.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 81.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #12 / 224
165465
Lantern Park Specialty Care
NH
SNF
Coralville (Wickham)
90
Facility 90
IA AVG 72
Rank #83 / 403
95.6%
Facility 95.6%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #14 / 362
+43%
4.20
Facility 4.20
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #120 / 231
+25%-2%
$105.0k
Facility $105.0k
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #219 / 239
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #211 / 232
5.8
Facility 5.8
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #184 / 232
986-
21
Facility 21
IA AVG 47
Rank #414 / 504
Scott Eberly
$9.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $9.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #41 / 224
$3.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $3.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #104 / 224
39.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 39.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #223 / 224
165214
Alverno Senior Care Community
NH
MC
Clinton
112
Facility 112
IA AVG 72
Rank #50 / 403
75.0%
Facility 75.0%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #162 / 362
+12%
4.43
Facility 4.43
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #100 / 231
+14%+3%
$0
Facility $0
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #1 / 239
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #122 / 232
3.4
Facility 3.4
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #96 / 232
-84-
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 47
Rank #331 / 504
Letha Dolph
$11.7MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility $11.7MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #19 / 224
$6.4MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility $6.4MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #30 / 224
54.9%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility 54.9%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #147 / 224
165509
Bethany Life
NH
AL
IL
MC
RC
SNF
Story City
126
Facility 126
IA AVG 72
Rank #36 / 403
88.9%
Facility 88.9%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #61 / 362
+33%
4.50
Facility 4.50
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #94 / 231
-22%+5%
$58.1k
Facility $58.1k
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #208 / 239
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #161 / 232
2.9
Facility 2.9
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #72 / 232
3112-
56
Facility 56
IA AVG 47
Rank #177 / 504
Drew Larson
$14.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $14.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #9 / 224
$12.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $12.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #5 / 224
84.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 84.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #10 / 224
165424
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center
NH
MC
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 72
Rank #272 / 403
87.0%
Facility 87.0%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #79 / 362
+30%- +92%-
$44.8k
Facility $44.8k
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #201 / 239
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #61 / 232
3.3
Facility 3.3
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #88 / 232
-40-
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 47
Rank #2 / 504
Beata Mock
$6.7MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility $6.7MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #94 / 224
$4.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility $4.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #68 / 224
69.5%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility 69.5%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #36 / 224
165006
The New Homestead Care Center
NH
AL
IL
SNF
Guthrie Center
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 72
Rank #226 / 403
81.0%
Facility 81.0%
IA AVG 67%
Rank #121 / 362
+21%
4.36
Facility 4.36
IA AVG 4.30
Rank #100 / 231
-48%+1%
$0
Facility $0
IA AVG $53.4k
Rank #1 / 239
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 21.7
Rank #159 / 232
3.6
Facility 3.6
IA AVG 4.1
Rank #106 / 232
-47-
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 47
Rank #268 / 504
Hilaree Stringham
$6.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $6.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #115 / 224
$2.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $2.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #162 / 224
42.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 42.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #214 / 224
165525

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every IA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 239 on this page.

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Nursing Home Explorer
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Overview of The Village of Ackley

Owned by Korey Deberg, The Village of Ackley is a nursing home in Iowa. With 38 beds, the smaller community serves residents who need skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. The area has a Walk Score of 44, so the facility is somewhat walkable. Some nearby services are accessible on foot, while most trips require transportation.

The facility focuses on short-term rehabilitation and respite care and also provides ongoing nursing support. Residents stay an average of 360 days, including those recovering from acute health events and those transitioning into longer-term care. The community has an occupancy rate of 84%, with 32 residents living in its 38 beds.

Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 11 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide 1 hour and 7 minutes of care each day, while nurse aides contribute 2 hours and 30 minutes of direct support. This level of staffing provides substantial hands-on assistance for residents. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for arranging care.

Home-cooked meals are an important part of daily life within the community. Residents receive three hearty meals each day because of the facility’s personal approach to care. This style of dining may appeal to residents and families who value a more home-like atmosphere.

Recent state inspections reviewed areas such as abuse and neglect prevention, timely reporting of resident concerns, communication with families regarding health changes, staffing levels, and clinical documentation. Families touring the community should ask about these core operational areas before making a placement decision.

Contact The Village of Ackley

Overview of Estherville Community Care Center

Located at 2001 1st Avenue North in Estherville, Iowa, Estherville Community Care Center is a nursing home that accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have several options when it comes to covering the cost of care. The facility has 24-hour staffing, which provides nursing support to both rehabilitation patients and longer-term residents. Daily nursing care averages about 4 hours and 14 minutes per resident. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses are all part of the care team.

Rehabilitation, respite care, and clinical support services are important parts of the home’s care programs. It serves patients recovering from surgery, illness, or a recent hospital stay who still need skilled nursing oversight. Staff members also work with families to coordinate therapy services and other specialized care based on individual needs.

Residents have access to both private and semi-private rooms. The facility also offers hospice suites and honeymoon suites for residents with different care needs. A central living and dining area serves as a gathering place throughout the day. Home-cooked meals and snacks are prepared daily, giving the community a more familiar atmosphere. Residents can also join in activities to stay engaged and connected with others.

The facility is in a car-dependent area, so most errands and daily activities require transportation. That’s fairly common in rural Iowa communities. Family members visiting from nearby towns will find convenient highway access in the Estherville area.

Residents stay an average of 242 days, which includes individuals receiving short-term rehabilitation and those who choose longer-term placement.

Contact Estherville Community Care Center

Overview of Arbor Springs-West Des Moines

Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a highly regarded facility known for its exceptional care, particularly for individuals with dementia. It prides itself on fostering a positive and supportive environment. Situated in a residential area, this facility employs a Montessori approach to care, which has received praise from reviews. Arbor Springs offers a range of amenities, including a community center, therapy room, and a beauty salon, ensuring that residents have access to essential services.
The facility boasts inviting features like a home-like dining room, cozy interior spaces, and intimate common areas. Additionally, Arbor Springs has implemented innovative touches such as memory boxes outside individual rooms, aiding in the identification of residents’ spaces. The dedication to providing fresh air and well-landscaped surroundings contributes to the overall well-being of the residents. Arbor Springs offers a spectrum of care, encompassing memory care options, including private homes, and also provides services like long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care, catering to the diverse needs of its residents.

Contact Arbor Springs-West Des Moines

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.

Contact Ramsey Village Continuing Care

Overview of NewAldaya Lifescapes

Located in the heart of Cedar Falls, IA, NewAldaya Lifescapes offers a vibrant and welcoming community for seniors. This community features a range of care options, including extended care, memory care, skilled nursing, and recreational therapy. Residents can choose from more than 15 unique floor plans in pet-friendly neighborhoods, designed for comfort and independence. The community’s prime location also provides easy access to Cedar Valley Bike Trails and Dry Run Creek, as well as local dining, shopping, and entertainment.

The community thrives with exceptional amenities such as the River Rock Café, New Day Salon and Spa, and a 24-hour wellness center. Residents can engage in various social and recreational activities to stay active and connected. NewAldaya Lifescapes is dedicated to enhancing lives through compassionate care, offering peace of mind in a lively, family-oriented environment.

Contact NewAldaya Lifescapes

Overview of Lantern Park Specialty Care

Ensconced within Coralville, Iowa, Lantern Park Specialty Care extends a warm embrace to seniors seeking personalized and compassionate transitional healthcare. Catering to a diverse range of needs, this facility offers a comprehensive array of services, including rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term care, and end-of-life support through coordinated hospice care. Residents have access to a spectrum of therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, coupled with specialized wound care and meticulous medication management.

At Lantern Park Specialty Care, the commitment to excellence extends further with the availability of amenities like a fully-equipped beauty and barber shop, tailored bariatric accommodations, and an inviting menu selection. The facility’s impeccable standards are underscored by its nursing home qualifications, offering a reliable and trustworthy environment where seniors can confidently navigate their healthcare journey with the utmost dignity and comfort.

Contact Lantern Park Specialty Care

Overview of Alverno Senior Care Community

Alverno Senior Care Community is a 112-bed nursing facility in Clinton, Iowa, serving the surrounding region with skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Owned by Letha Dolph, it takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Families then have several routes to fund short-term rehabilitation and longer-term care needs.

The facility strongly emphasizes rehabilitation and short-term care, with on-staff physicians and dedicated therapy services. Daily nursing support averages roughly 4 hours 23 minutes per resident, providing substantial, diligent care alongside clinical oversight. This staffing level supports occupants healing from surgery, hospitalization, or acute health events, plus those needing active skilled nursing. Alverno’s physical setting has practical amenities for daily living: a fitness gym, salon, and dining room. The home maintains 24-hour staffing and personal care services, bolstering residents needing consistent assistance with daily activities. An array of clubs, classes, committees, and social activities encourages residents to engage and connect in the community. The Clinton location scores 35 on the walkability scale, meaning some errands can be done on foot, with most outings requiring a car or ride. The immediate neighborhood is moderately developed, giving the facility access to local services and healthcare providers.

Contact Alverno Senior Care Community

Bethany Life

212 Lafayette Avenue, Story City, IA 50248-1451
Overview of Bethany Life

Bethany Life operates a nonprofit continuum of senior care from its 126-bed medical community at 212 Lafayette Avenue in Story City, Iowa. Established over half a century ago, the campus manages resident entry through a unique membership model combining an initial entry fee with a predictable monthly rate to secure lifetime care tiers. Business staff process billing through multiple coverage lines, including traditional out-of-pocket funds, standard federal Medicare, and state Medicaid paths. The property runs with a regular occupancy baseline of roughly 89 percent, supporting individual stays that average 229 days.

On-site health teams coordinate an average of 4 hours of daily hands-on care per resident. Certified nursing assistants distribute the largest portion of these floor hours at 2 hours and 42 minutes, while registered nurses contribute 45 minutes, and licensed practical nurses provide 23 minutes of clinical tracking. This staff handles routine treatments, medication management, and dietitian support within dedicated transitional wings, including the LifeBridge Transitional Care track, Cedar Place, and Timberland Village. For local travel, the surrounding downtown area logs a walkability score of 82 out of 100, which allows visitors and residents to complete daily errands entirely on foot.

Daily lifestyle configurations are built around a central hub featuring dining at Tom & Stevie’s Bistro alongside massage therapy, chaplain services, and organized wellness education. To prevent unnecessary travel, the campus integrates personal emergency response systems and home health aides to assist individuals who reside in the adjacent Twin Homes independent living options. These internal systems are structured to help stabilize physical recovery following major surgeries or complex hospital stays while preserving as much personal independence as possible.

Older adults exploring active neighborhood placement details can call the front reception area to confirm room availability, ask about the lifetime membership tiers, or coordinate a time to see the shared dining spaces.

Contact Bethany Life

Overview of The New Homestead Care Center
The New Homestead Senior Living Community in Guthrie Center, Iowa provides quality independent and assisted living options, nursing home care, and skilled rehabilitation. It offers a homelike setting for residents, focusing on enriching lives through kind and compassionate care. The facility is equipped to provide both short-term and long-term care.

Contact The New Homestead Care Center

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Iowa

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Iowa?

Assisted living in Iowa is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does Iowa Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — Iowa Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 239 nursing homes in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home 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 nursing homes 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.