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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
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.
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 TableAL (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.
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.
$12.1M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$6.6M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
54.2%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$6.8M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$4.0M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
58%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$6.0M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$3.7M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
61.9%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$4.1M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$2.7M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
66.8%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
Azria Health Winterset is a skilled nursing home in Winterset, Iowa, offering nursing home, independent living, and skilled nursing care along with memory care and respite stays for residents of Madison County. It’s owned and operated by Kristin Merron and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care.
The community has 65 beds and tends to serve a mix of residents: some staying for a period of post-acute rehab, others for longer-term nursing care, with an average stay of 208 days. On-site therapy covers physical, occupational, and speech services, supporting residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay. Nursing staff provide roughly 3 hours and 42 minutes of hands-on care per resident each day, a figure that spans registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides working together on daily care.
Daily life is rounded out by a doctor on staff, 24-hour staffing, and a private dining room with chef-prepared menus. Residents can take part in scheduled activities, visit the on-site salon, and stay connected with building-wide Wi-Fi, and the facility allows pets. With a Walk Score of 72, the surrounding Winterset neighborhood is considered very walkable, meaning many everyday errands can be handled on foot rather than requiring a drive.
Families weighing Azria Health Winterset alongside other options in Madison County will find a facility built around a full continuum of nursing and rehabilitation care, with the daily therapy and staffing support that post-acute and long-term residents typically need.
Southridge Specialty Care is a nursing home in Marshalltown, IA, offering long-term care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. The community’s accessible and comfortable setting ensures older adults can feel at home during their stay. With 24/7 care, well-balanced meals, and social services, residents experience maintenance-free living. Along with a highly trained team, customized care plans are also provided for residents’ recovery and wellness.
Puzzles, painting, and social events provide residents with more opportunities to try new hobbies and have fun. Thoughtfully furnished rooms and accessible amenities also ensure residents’ relaxation and safety. Situated near parks, restaurants, shops, and bus stops, the community guarantees easy access to necessities and leisure. This nursing home is committed to helping older adults thrive in retirement, making it one of the best options for senior living in Iowa.
Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake is a skilled nursing home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, set in the rural surroundings of Dickinson County. The community offers nursing home and skilled nursing care alongside memory care, hospice, palliative, and respite services, giving families a range of care options as a resident’s needs change over time. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, which opens several paths to covering both short-term and ongoing care.
The community has 80 beds and tends to run close to full, with an occupancy rate of 83.5 percent. The average stay is 77 days, a length that points to a meaningful mix of short-term rehabilitation and longer nursing care. Nursing support is a steady presence day to day, with total nursing care averaging 4 hours and 18 minutes per resident daily, including dedicated registered nurse time.
Rehabilitation is a core part of daily life here, with rehabilitation services and short-term rehab programs supporting residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay. Twenty-four hour staffing means clinical support is available around the clock, and respite care gives family caregivers a reliable option for short-term relief.
Outside of clinical care, residents have access to a salon, building-wide Wi-Fi, and private short-stay suites for those here on a shorter recovery timeline. A courtyard and patio give residents places to spend time outdoors close to home. With a Walk Score of 76, the surrounding area is very walkable, so visiting family can comfortably get around the neighborhood on foot.
Families weighing a nursing home placement in the Spirit Lake area may want to ask about how the memory care and hospice programs work alongside standard nursing care, since both are offered here within the same community.
Focused on post-acute care and specialty recovery programs, Harmony Utica Ridge is a rehabilitation nursing home serving residents recovering from hospitalization, injury, surgery, and stroke. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering short-term rehabilitation services. Residents stay an average of 41 days, which includes residents receiving post-acute rehabilitation rather than long-term residential care.
The facility offers structured rehabilitation services. Residents have access to respite stays and medical support for surgery, stroke, or other conditions requiring intensive therapy. Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 42 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide approximately 51 minutes of specialized clinical care daily as part of the facility’s clinical support team.
The community’s Walk Score is 90, which is in a highly walkable area. Many nearby services and amenities are within walking distance for visiting family members. Amenities on-site include high-speed Wi-Fi, social lounges, and full-service dining options.
State inspections have examined care standards in wound and pressure ulcer management, medication administration practices, staffing documentation, infection control, and fall prevention. These are important quality indicators for families evaluating the home.
Serving residents who need skilled nursing care and rehabilitation support, Winslow House Care Center is a community in Marion, Iowa. The 50-bed facility is owned by The Capstone Group Inc. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several options for arranging coverage.
The community has an occupancy rate of 94%. Residents stay an average of 459 days due to the significant long-term care population, as well as those receiving rehabilitation services.
Daily nurse staffing averages about 4 hours per resident. Residents are supported by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing aides. This level of staffing helps support both rehabilitation programs and the daily nursing care needs of residents.
The community has a Walk Score of 89, so it’s highly walkable. Family members and visitors can easily access many nearby services and destinations on foot.
State inspections reviewed areas such as resident rights, care assessments, documentation practices, staffing information, and infection prevention procedures. The facility has responded to inspection findings with corrective actions to strengthen these operations.
Located in Dubuque, Iowa, Harmony Dubuque is a nursing home owned by Brandy Feller. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have several ways to pay for care. The home focuses on short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Residents stay an average of 66 days, which includes those recovering from recent health events and receiving transitional care before returning home.
Rehabilitation is a major part of the facility’s daily operations. Residents have access to rehabilitation services and short-term rehab programs. The home also accommodates patients recovering from strokes and other neurological conditions. Respite care is available for families who need temporary care for a loved one. For residents with kidney-related conditions, peritoneal dialysis is available on-site.
Daily nursing support averages about 3 hours and 51 minutes per resident. Residents are also supported by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses. Daily hands-on support is important in the facility’s approach, particularly for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization.
The facility is in a highly walkable area of Dubuque, with a Walk Score of 89. Many nearby services and everyday essentials are within walking distance, making visits more convenient for family members spending time at the community.
Harmony Davenport is a nursing home owned by Rachel Arnold in downtown Davenport, Iowa. It caters to residents needing skilled nursing care, post-acute rehabilitation, and longer-term residential placement. The 97-day average stay duration reflects this mixed population, from those healing after hospitalization to those settling into ongoing care. Daily staffing includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides, with total nursing care averaging 3 hours and 47 minutes per resident. The home takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving many ways for families to arrange coverage.
Clinical services span rehabilitation and specialized care: post-hospital recovery, orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation, wound care, respite stays for momentary placements, and 24/7 medical oversight. For residents in active rehabilitation, advanced therapy techniques and equipment support recovery pathways. Harmony Davenport’s downtown location earns a Walk Score of 90, a “Walker’s Paradise” where daily errands don’t need a car. Residents and visiting families benefit from easy foot access to nearby shops, services, and public transit, making the neighborhood an upside for those who cherish walkability and independence.
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.
Accura Healthcare of Lake City is a skilled nursing and long-term care community in Lake City, Iowa, in Calhoun County. It offers nursing home, skilled nursing, hospice, palliative, and memory care, along with respite stays, and is operated by Accura Healthcare of the Heartland LLC. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term stays.
The home has 46 beds and currently houses 41 residents, putting occupancy at around 90 percent. The average stay runs about 54 days, which points to a mix of short-term rehabilitation and residents settling in for ongoing care. Nursing support is a central part of daily life here: total nursing care averages 5 hours and 10 minutes per resident each day, with registered nurses contributing about 22 minutes of that time directly. That level of hands-on coverage is worth noting for families weighing how much daily clinical attention a loved one is likely to receive.
Day-to-day programming includes 24-hour skilled nursing coverage and a Life Enrichment Program aimed at keeping residents engaged. Outdoor space is part of the setting too, with a courtyard and patio available to residents and visiting family. A few additional touches, including an on-site salon and building-wide Wi-Fi, round out daily life at the community.
The neighborhood around the home scores 51 out of 100 for walkability, meaning it’s moderately walkable, with some errands reachable on foot and a mix of nearby amenities. Families who want a closer look at how the Life Enrichment Program runs day to day may want to ask about its weekly schedule during a visit.
Aspire of Pleasant Valley is an SNF with 44 beds situated in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. It takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families multiple pathways to fund short-term rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care. The car-dependent setting has a Walk Score of 17, reflecting its rural location, where most errands and outings require transportation.
Rehabilitation services are a community speciality, with programs in short-term rehab and long-term care nursing. Averaging a stay length of 437 days, the home caters to residents in the early recovery phase and those needing ongoing skilled care. Total nursing support averages 4 hours per resident day, paired with structured rehabilitation and therapy services. Staffing includes registered nurses delivering about 1 hour of care daily per resident, nurse aides providing roughly 2 hours 49 minutes, and licensed practical nurses contributing 14 minutes. This mix supports the home’s rehabilitation focus. Daily life centers on a central living and dining area where occupants share meals of home-cooked food and snacks. The facility offers private and semi-private room options, along with enriching activities designed to bolster residents’ daily engagement and well-being.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.
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
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.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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