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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 253 nursing homes in IA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in IA
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-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our 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.
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.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other IA nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 253 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Lamoni Specialty Care is a nursing home and skilled nursing community in Lamoni, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, making the community potentially suitable for someone who needs ongoing clinical support. Rehabilitation Services are available, giving residents support as they work to regain or maintain function during care.
Total nurse staffing is 4h 15m per resident/day, representing the daily hands-on nurse time allocated per resident. The community has 43 beds, placing it among smaller communities where staff and residents can get to know each other. Payment options are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay; Medicare generally applies to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, while Medicaid may help when savings do not cover a long stay. Sarah Carr serves as the administrator.
Rockwell Community Nursing Home runs a 40-bed facility in Rockwell, Iowa, offering nursing home services, skilled nursing, hospice care, and respite care. Around-the-clock nursing care supports individuals with continuous medical needs, while hospice programs deliver end-of-life care. Short-term respite stays accommodate residents when primary caregivers require temporary time away.
Clinical therapy offerings include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Daily care incorporates individual care planning alongside restorative nursing routines. Group and individual activities provide structured daily engagement, and dining features home-cooked meals with menu choices. Total nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 32 minutes per resident daily under administrator Kassidy Spurgin.
Prospective individuals can get in touch with Rockwell Community Nursing Home to tour the location, review specific therapy options, or go over funding choices like Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Heartland Care Center has operated a 38-bed clinical senior community on East Fenton Street in Marcus, Iowa, since 1994. Under the leadership of administrator Tim Nielsen, the facility maintains an average occupancy level near 76 percent. Accounts are processed through public networks like Medicare and state Medicaid alongside regular private billing, establishing an operational framework where temporary rehab stays are blended with long-term nursing placements.
Residents here receive an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes of direct, hands-on attention from the floor nursing roster each day. Registered nurses dedicate 1 hour and 50 minutes of this daily schedule to handle more complex clinical treatments, collaborating with licensed practical nurses and certified aides to oversee medication distribution and respiratory support.
The property features indoor dining spaces, a beauty salon, and routine spiritual programming, while the surrounding neighborhood registers a walkability score of 31 out of 100, showing that personal cars are necessary for typical regional errands.
Past health audits from state oversight agencies focused on routine documentation checks across care planning records, medication management lines, and standard infection control practices. The management uses these official state surveys to adjust internal clinical policies and maintain ongoing training requirements for the floor staff.
Prospective families can contact the main desk to check on open room availability, ask about dietary accommodations, or coordinate a morning to visit the campus.
Since 1989, Mechanicsville Specialty Care has been providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in Mechanicsville, IA. The community provides recovery support through rehabilitation services to help improve residents’ functionality. Moreover, 24-hour staffing is available to ensure residents have access to services as needed.
The community has 39 beds, with an occupancy of 74,4%. Residents also receive a total of 3 hours and 43 minutes of nursing care daily. With Tina Wendt as the administrator, the community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Situated in Mount Pleasant, IA, Savannah Heights is a 46-bed nursing home that offers nursing care, skilled nursing, palliative care, and respite care. The community provides comfort through palliative care, as well as continuous clinical support with licensed nurses on-site. Respite services are also available for those seeking short-term stays, particularly older adults whose usual caregiver needs time away.
The home has 30 private rooms and 12 semi-private rooms, with 73.9% occupancy. Furthermore, every room includes a private bathroom and shower, so bathing facilities are within the resident’s room. A salon and spa also provide a dedicated space for personal care, while the theater room and activities center offer places for entertainment and activities.
Physical, occupational, and restorative therapy are available for rehabilitation on-site. Residents also receive a total of 4 hours and 39 minutes of nursing care daily. Additionally, Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment routes for eligible care and services. Stacie Byerly serves as the administrator.
Fonda Specialty Care operates a 46-bed nursing home and skilled nursing center in Fonda, Iowa. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy programs are available on site to support rehabilitation needs alongside residential nursing support.
Administrative operations run under the direction of Faith Epperson. Daily nurse staffing across the facility averages 4 hours and 44 minutes per resident. Payment choices accepted by the center include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay options.
Prospective residents and their loved ones can get in touch with Fonda Specialty Care to review current openings, tour the building, or discuss financial arrangements.
Nursing time at Timely Mission Nursing Home reaches 3 hours and 58 minutes per resident daily. That figure is coupled with its 42 beds in Buffalo Center. The overnight is not treated as a gap of care, and a licensed nurse is scheduled into it the way one is scheduled for regular supervision and care. A major operation comes with a therapy course that will have a known program and a predicted length; rehabilitation and short-term rehab run that course inside the building, and that’s better than having to drive to an appointment at a clinic twice a week during the recovery process.
Respite often starts on discharge day. The hospital may be finished before the household is ready, like if ramps aren’t built yet or the grab bars haven’t been installed; a short stay covers the difference.
Medicare pays for skilled care after a qualifying admission and then reaches its limit. Medicaid picks up where savings run short, and private pay covers the rest as it must.
A garden, a gazebo, and outdoor seating give residents somewhere to potter about or rest in good weather. Transportation is arranged through the home. Sunday church services, Bible study, gardening, holiday events, and Happy Hour fill out the rest of the week. Alida Sandberg serves as administrator.
West Point Care Center offers nursing home and skilled nursing care, memory care, hospice care, palliative care, and respite care in West Point, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort and symptom management, and respite care provides a short stay for a family caregiver who needs time to travel or recover.
The center has 46 beds, making it a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know each other. Rehabilitation services, including short term rehabilitation, support a temporary recovery stay after an illness, injury, or hospital visit. The range of care can suit someone whose needs may change over time or a family caregiver who needs short term support.
Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 27 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment routes for covered or privately funded care, and Hattie Boyer serves as the administrator. A salon and beauty or barber service allow residents to receive grooming services within the community, while therapeutic recreation provides structured activities and home cooked meals and snacks are provided on site. A Walk Score of 37 places the area in a car dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride.
Anamosa Care Center in Anamosa, Iowa, offers nursing home care, assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice support. Assisted living programs assist residents with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, while hospice services focus on end-of-life care. Physical recovery offerings include skilled rehabilitation alongside outpatient therapy programs that do not require an extended residential stay.
Ashley Wirth leads the 64-bed community as administrator. Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 50 minutes per resident. Located in a neighborhood with a 72 walk score, the setting allows residents to handle everyday errands and reach nearby shops on foot. Financial arrangements accept Medicare for short-term post-hospital rehabilitation, Medicaid for long-term residency, and direct private payment.
Prospective individuals seeking long-term placement or outpatient therapy options can call Anamosa Care Center to evaluate room availability, inquire about coverage, or request a campus walkthrough.
Chautauqua Guest Home #2 provides skilled nursing care from its 53-bed property at 602 Eleventh Street in Charles City, Iowa. Managed by administrator Misty Hobert under owner David Ayers, the facility usually runs at about 83 percent occupancy. Families can handle regular bills through private out-of-pocket payments, standard Medicare, or state Medicaid programs. Stays here average around 409 days, which shows the building blends short-term physical rehabilitation for people coming out of the hospital with traditional, extended nursing care.
Residents get an average of 4 hours and 9 minutes of hands-on attention from the floor nursing staff every day. Certified nursing assistants cover the largest share of this time at 2 hours and 58 minutes, while registered nurses add 53 minutes and licensed practical nurses provide 25 minutes of clinical oversight. This team handles daily treatments and medication schedules, while the surrounding neighborhood scores a 77 out of 100 for walkability, making it easy for visiting family members to take care of local errands on foot.
Recent state surveys noted a few areas that needed improvement, specifically regarding food safety protocols and pain medication administration lines, which the management team corrected. Local supervisors use these state reports to update floor routines and keep continuing education programs current for the staff.
Families looking into local care options can call the front desk to check on open room availability, ask about the rehabilitation setup, or schedule a time to look around the facility.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
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
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.
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 253 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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