Page 21 of Best Nursing Homes in Iowa

Prairie Gate is a 36-bed nursing home, independent living, and memory care community in Council Bluffs, Iowa, offering independent living, memory care, enriched living, long-term care, and transitional care. The facility opened in September 2020 and is operated by Benjamin Eddy under nonprofit ownership. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Since opening, Prairie Gate has undergone 19 inspections and recorded 36 deficiencies — roughly 33% above the Iowa average of 27 — with no federal fines or license actions in that period. Two complaint investigations in 2025 were substantiated, both involving allegations of physical abuse or rough handling of residents, and a third substantiated a failure to report suspected abuse within required timeframes. Earlier inspections cited recurring deficiencies in accident prevention, dignity of care, infection control, and food safety. The facility has accepted multiple plans of correction, and the most recent annual survey in July 2025 cited two deficiencies — a resident fall during a wheelchair transfer and an infection-control lapse.

On staffing, registered nurse hours average 1 hour and 1 minute per resident per day, about 39% above the Iowa average, and certified nursing aide hours are similarly elevated at 3 hours and 18 minutes per resident per day. That staffing investment stands alongside some weak short-stay outcome measures: the rate of falls causing major injury among short-stay residents is 6.1%, compared with an Iowa average of 0.8%, and only 34.6% of residents met expected self-care ability at discharge, compared with a state benchmark of 53.7%.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 94% — well above Iowa’s 75% average — with 34 of 36 beds filled, reflecting strong local demand for the facility’s capacity. The payer mix is Medicare-dominant, accounting for 84% of new admissions, with an average stay of 5 days.

Prairie Gate’s care model and payer structure are best suited for residents seeking short-term post-acute rehabilitation stays in the Council Bluffs area, with care types also available for memory care and independent living residents. However, families should review the facility’s findings on abuse-related complaints and short-stay measures before making a placement decision.

Overview of Cedar Ridge Village

Cedar Ridge Village is a 68-bed healthcare campus at 8950 Coachlight Drive in West Des Moines, Iowa. Managed by Kathy Dehaven and operated by Central Iowa Hospital Corporation, the facility provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. Current data indicates a census of 35 residents in the nursing wing, representing a 51% occupancy rate, which is below the Iowa average of 75.4%. The location earns a Walk Score of 51, providing residents with moderate foot access to local amenities in Dallas County.

While the campus maintains high marks in several categories, an August 2025 health inspection identified seven deficiencies. These findings included issues with infection control protocols and resident rights regarding service notifications, though the facility achieved a citations-per-inspection rate of zero for the most severe “immediate jeopardy” classifications. Nurse staffing metrics remain a primary strength, with the facility providing 4 hours and 10 minutes of total nursing time per resident daily.

This level of support includes registered nurse (RN) hours that are approximately 56% higher than the state average. Professional services focus heavily on recovery, with nearly 73% of short-stay residents reaching expected self-care abilities by discharge—a figure significantly higher than the national average. Quality measures for long-term residents also perform at a 5-star level, particularly in areas like pressure ulcer prevention.

Residential options include private apartments with kitchenettes and access to various communal social spaces. The facility provides three nutritional meals daily plus snacks, alongside amenities such as a hair salon, library, and landscaped courtyards. Wellness programming is supported by scheduled transportation for medical appointments and community outings. The community is pet-friendly and maintains a 2.58:1 staff-to-resident ratio, which is 29% better than the regional benchmark.

Prospective representatives evaluating a high-staffed rehabilitation setting with recognized quality standards may find this campus appropriate. Families are encouraged to ask directly about the corrective steps taken regarding 2025 infection control findings and request current nurse-to-resident ratios for the skilled nursing wing before making a placement decision.

Overview of Silveridge, an Eventide Community

Silveridge, An Eventide Community, is a 72-bed assisted living facility located at 12 Silveridge Drive in Denison, Iowa. Administered by Kara Webb, the community serves Crawford County as an Eventide-affiliated property under a license active through July 2027. Current data shows a 50% occupancy rate with 36 residents, reflecting steady growth since its initial licensing. The location holds a Walk Score of 33, indicating that errands and outside activities require vehicle transportation.

State oversight from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights a record of perfect regulatory compliance. Throughout its 15-year operational history, the facility has recorded zero regulatory deficiencies. All eight inspections conducted between 2011 and September 2025 resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. Available state records show no history of fines, enforcement actions, or substantiated complaint investigations.

Daily clinical operations include specialized memory care, rehabilitation services, and short-term respite care. Professional support is delivered by licensed nurses and CNAs through a 24-hour staffing model. Clinical reviews consistently note satisfactory program operations and positive tenant feedback regarding personal and health-related services. The facility provides apartment-style living accommodations designed to support residents with cognitive decline or those recovering from illness.

The residential environment is maintained with a focus on housekeeping and program consistency. As an Eventide-affiliated community, the facility operates with local senior living expertise and offers a range of social activities within its 72-bed campus. While the property is independently licensed, it provides a larger-scale setting compared to many rural alternatives, allowing for dedicated memory care and rehabilitation programming.

Families seeking a high level of regulatory consistency may find this community’s unblemished 15-year record particularly notable. It is recommended to observe the interactions between the nursing staff and memory care residents during a personal tour to confirm the facility’s individualized approach. Interested individuals can contact the administration to discuss current availability and ensure the community’s established care protocols meet their 2026 requirements.

Overview of Maple Grove Senior Living

Maple Grove Senior Living is a 30-bed assisted living facility at 1917 South 18th Street in Centerville, Iowa. Administered by Sarah Casper, the community serves Appanoose County under license S0148, which is valid through July 2026. The facility currently reports a census of 17 residents, representing 57% occupancy, which is below the Iowa state average of 75.4%. The location is situated in a central area with a Walk Score of 66, indicating moderate proximity to local services.

Data from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights a record of high regulatory performance. Since 2004, the facility has recorded an annual average of 0.4 deficiencies, a rate 67% lower than the state benchmark. Most recently, the November 2023 recertification resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. This outcome is consistent with a 22-year trajectory of steady improvement, with no fines or formal enforcement actions documented in the community’s history.

Daily clinical services at this 23-year-old campus include medication management, respite care, and skilled nursing rehabilitation supported by 24-hour staffing. Professional support is provided for activities of daily living, including bathing and dressing, with a focus on promoting tenant autonomy and dignity. While historical records from 2011 noted a deficiency related to mental health assessment procedures, more recent state reviews indicate that these foundational documentation and care planning gaps have been resolved.

The residential environment offers apartment layouts including one-bedroom and two-bedroom options, each equipped with a kitchenette and private bathroom. Shared social features include a library, beauty salon, and outdoor spaces for resident engagement. Meals are served family-style and prepared on-site, with accommodations available for residents with specific dietary needs like diabetes.

The community operates alongside the Golden Age Care Center, allowing for shared resources and a broad range of clinical consultations.

Families evaluating Maple Grove Senior Living should ask directly about the transition process for new residents and confirm current staffing levels for specialized nursing needs before making a placement decision.

The Hammond Center for Assisted Living is a 38-bed facility located at 907 Orchard Drive in Grinnell, Iowa. Operating as part of the St. Francis Manor Life Plan Community, the facility serves a multi-county region under a license active through July 2026. Current reports indicate a census of 20 residents, representing a 53% occupancy rate. The location is highly accessible, with a Walk Score of 82, allowing residents to reach Grinnell’s downtown amenities and medical offices on foot.

State monitoring records from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing show an unblemished regulatory history. Since its establishment in 2019, the community has maintained a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. The most recent survey in October 2025 resulted in no deficiencies, a result consistent with its previous major reviews in 2019 and 2023. No fines, enforcement actions, or substantiated complaints have been documented during the facility’s seven years of operation.

Clinical care is provided by 24-hour on-site nursing and personal care staff. Services include medication management and customized assistance with daily activities, with residents having priority access to the broader campus’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation units. The care model emphasizes integrated health monitoring within its 20 spacious apartments, supported by professional management and RN oversight.

The residential environment features diverse common areas, including a fitness center, a theater, a pool table, and an indoor walking track. All-inclusive monthly costs cover three meals a day, housekeeping, and local transportation services. Social programming is designed to foster community engagement, taking advantage of the facility’s location in an active college town.

Interested individuals seeking a small-scale community with a perfect regulatory record and high walkability may find this setting appropriate. Families should verify the current availability of specific apartment layouts and confirm the coordination process for transitioning to higher levels of care on the St. Francis Manor campus before making a final decision.

Chautauqua Guest Home #3 (9th St.) is a 57-bed skilled nursing facility at 302 Ninth Street in Charles City, Iowa. Locally owned and operated as a for-profit corporation, the center serves Floyd County with a clinical focus on short-term rehabilitation, memory care, and 24-hour nursing. The campus maintains a stable occupancy rate of 74%, which is consistent with the Iowa state average.

State and federal regulators currently assign the facility a 5-star overall rating, the highest performance tier available. Historical reports show a per-inspection deficiency rate of 0.5, which is 72% lower than the Iowa average of 1.8. While a July 2025 standard survey identified a single citation regarding resident rights, a subsequent follow-up confirmed the facility returned to substantial compliance with zero new deficiencies. No federal fines or payment denials have been issued to this facility in the past three years.

Professional care is guided by a staffing model that delivers 4 hours 11 minutes of daily nursing time per resident—exceeding the state average of 3 hours 48 minutes. Registered Nurse (RN) presence is currently 37 minutes per resident day, and weekend nurse aide coverage performs 8% above the state mean. Clinical quality measures are rated at 4 stars, with long-stay hospitalizations 15% better than the Iowa average. The facility reports a 28.3% total nurse turnover rate, which is significantly better than the state average of 43.9%.

The campus environment features a residential atmosphere where residents have access to 24-hour medical monitoring and emergency automatic generators. Shared services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy alongside nutritional meal plans and specialized social engagement. For those needing transitional care, the facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance to support varied placement needs.

Families and residents also participate in a resident council to address environmental and quality-of-life concerns.

Prospective individuals should evaluate the current bedside care standards and rehabilitation success rates during an on-site visit. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details regarding the corrective actions implemented following the 2025 resident rights citation to confirm that nursing protocols meet the individual’s recovery or long-term care goals for 2026.

Overview of Homestead of Denison

Homestead of Denison is a 43-bed assisted living facility at 2506 3rd Avenue North in Denison, Iowa. Administered by Ashlee Killian, the community serves Crawford County and has been in operation for 27 years. The property currently reports a 58% occupancy rate with 25 residents, a figure below the Iowa state average of 75.4%. Given its central location and a Walk Score of 33, residents generally rely on transportation for errands and medical appointments.

Over 16 years, the facility has recorded an annual average of 0.6 deficiencies, which is 67% lower than the state benchmark. Most recently, the May 2025 recertification survey resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. While a 2019 complaint was substantiated regarding guardian notification, more recent state reviews indicate these isolated administrative gaps have been addressed.

Clinical care is delivered by 24-hour staffing, including licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants. The campus provides a broad range of services such as skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and hospice care. Professional support includes specialized memory care and outpatient therapy programs tailored for seniors and individuals with disabilities. CMS metrics for similar regional care models show that these multi-level services support resident transitions as medical needs evolve.

The residential environment features private and companion suites with roll-in showers and upscale furnishings. Shared social features include free Wi-Fi, communal dining areas, and organized activities designed for a home-like feel. The facility also offers respite care options for families requiring temporary support. Because the community is located just 0.4 miles from Crawford County Memorial Hospital, residents have quick access to emergency and specialized clinical consultations.

This environment suits seniors seeking small-scale assisted living with integrated medical and rehabilitation services. Families evaluating Homestead of Denison should ask directly about the specific results of the 2025 zero-deficiency survey and confirm current nurse-to-resident ratios for the memory care wing before making a placement decision.

Overview of Elm Crest Retirement Community

Elm Crest Retirement Community is a 64-bed nursing facility at 2104 12th Street in Harlan, Iowa. Administered by Tim Nauslar and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, the campus provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. While the facility was recently awarded a 5-star quality rating, current occupancy for the skilled nursing wing is reported at 94%, with 47 of 50 beds occupied, placing it in line with state averages. The location earns a Walk Score of 50, indicating moderate accessibility to local amenities in Shelby County.

In early 2026, the facility achieved substantial compliance following a survey, and the assisted living component previously recorded a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. However, the broader health center recorded 18 moderate citations over the last three years, including a Quality of Care deficiency in November 2025. A short payment denial was issued in late 2024, but the facility has since remediated several infection control and nutrition findings.

Clinical care is delivered by a team providing 3 hours and 53 minutes of total nursing time per resident daily, which is approximately 12% below the Iowa average. Professional services focus on short-term rehabilitation, with 82% of admissions coming from Medicare recipients who typically stay for one to two months. While long-stay metrics have shown challenges in mobility and urinary tract infection rates, the facility performs above state averages in pressure ulcer prevention and maintaining low antipsychotic medication use.

The residential environment is faith-based and features various floor plans with access to landscaped grounds and outdoor walking paths. Shared amenities include a library, beauty salon, and a health and wellness center. Social programming is provided through an activity center, offering arts and crafts and local outings. The community emphasizes a nurturing atmosphere, balancing professional healthcare with home-like amenities.

Prospective representatives should weigh the facility’s recent 5-star quality rating against its moderate deficiency history and staffing levels. Families are encouraged to ask directly about the specific improvements made following the 2025 quality of care citation and request current data on nurse aide staffing ratios before making a placement decision.