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Page 22 of Best Nursing Homes in Iowa

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
Reviewed by
Jordan Weiss, PhD
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Iowa.
253 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:
Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living

Where in Iowa are you looking?

Browse communities by city and county.

Ames Ankeny Atlantic Burlington Cedar Falls Cedar Rapids Clinton Council Bluffs Davenport Des Moines Fort Dodge Harlan Iowa City Marion Marshalltown Sioux City Urbandale West Des Moines

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-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 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. 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.
Prairie Gate-
NH
AL
IL
MC
SNF
Council Bluffs
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 67
Rank #223 / 241
94.4%
Facility 94.4%
IA AVG 78.3%
Rank #27 / 234
+20%----------34-
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 49
Rank #250 / 260
Natasha Urinko$1.9M*Fiscal year ending 05/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.$3.1M*Fiscal year ending 05/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.160%*Fiscal year ending 05/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.165789
Countryside Health Care Center-
NH
Sioux City
101
Facility 101
IA AVG 67
Rank #25 / 241
--------------
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 49
Rank #241 / 260
$4.2M*Fiscal year ending 07/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.$3.5M*Fiscal year ending 07/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.83.5%*Fiscal year ending 07/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.165540
Country Lane Manor-
NH
HOS
MC
PC
RC
SNF
Keosauqua
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 67
Rank #153 / 241
--------------
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 49
Rank #112 / 260
Interstate Power And Light
$2.8MFiscal year ending 10/2023
Facility $2.8MFiscal year ending 10/2023
IA AVG $6.9M
Rank #216 / 224
$1.9MFiscal year ending 10/2023
Facility $1.9MFiscal year ending 10/2023
IA AVG $4.2M
Rank #206 / 224
67.2%Fiscal year ending 10/2023
Facility 67.2%Fiscal year ending 10/2023
IA AVG 60.3%
Rank #49 / 224
165554

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

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Valley Vista for Nursing and Rehabilitation

200 South Eighth Avenue East, Newton, IA 50208-4798
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Valley Vista for Nursing and Rehabilitation is a nursing home and skilled nursing facility in Newton, IA, offering hospice care, memory care, respite care, and rehabilitation services. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while short term rehabilitation supports recovery after hospitalization. Long term care provides ongoing support for residents who continue to need nursing care.

Valley Vista may be a good fit for someone who needs licensed nursing, a secured memory care setting, or a short term stay while a usual caregiver travels or recovers. Memory care provides supervision in a secured setting for someone at risk of wandering, while hospice care focuses on comfort and support for a person with a terminal illness. Respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, and payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, allowing families to use public coverage when applicable or pay directly. A Walk Score of 67 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can reach certain nearby needs independently.

Phone: (641) 841-0229

Contact Valley Vista for Nursing and Rehabilitation

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

5837 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
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Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Des Moines, Iowa, is a 150-bed nursing home run by Sylvania Franciscan Health. The community admits short-term rehabilitation patients and long-term residents, accepting payment through Medicare, Medicaid, and private funds. The facility maintains an average occupancy rate of 72 percent, with typical resident stays lasting around 172 days.

Clinical care includes specialized orthopedic therapy and skilled nursing, with staff on-site 24 hours a day. Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 58 minutes of direct nursing attention daily, under the supervision of registered nurses who perform regular health assessments. For local seniors who live at home, the campus offers daytime adult care programs and short-term respite stays.

The neighborhood has a walkability score of 67 out of 100, indicating that the surrounding area is moderately walkable for visitors and families.

Prospective residents looking for a community that offers a full continuum of nursing care and daytime programming can call Bishop Drumm Retirement Center directly to verify bed availability or discuss enrollment details.

Phone: (515) 270-1100

Contact Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare

725 North Second Street, Cherokee, IA 51012-1229
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Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare offers nursing home and skilled nursing care in Cherokee, IA. Licensed nurses are on site around the clock, while rehabilitation services provide structured recovery care for residents who need it. The community may be a good fit for someone who needs ongoing nursing support and rehabilitation in the same setting.

Careage Hills accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can help cover eligible short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may support eligible residents whose savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay allows families to pay directly.

Phone: (712) 225-2561

Contact Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare

Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines

701 Riverview Street, Des Moines, IA 50316
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Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines is a nursing home in Des Moines, IA, offering skilled nursing care with licensed nursing staff on site around the clock. Short-term rehabilitation supports a temporary recovery stay, while long-term care is available for residents who need ongoing nursing services. The combination may suit someone recovering through rehabilitation or needing continued nursing support.

In-house therapy allows residents to receive rehabilitation services at the center rather than arranging transportation to an outside therapy site. A doctor is on staff, so physician care is available within the facility. Transportation is also available for appointments and other destinations.

The center opened in 2026 and has private and semi-private rooms, giving residents the choice of an individual room or a shared room. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted for eligible residents, while private pay allows a resident or family to pay directly for care.

Phone: (515) 266-1106

Contact Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines

Casa de Paz Health Care Center

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Casa De Paz Health Care Center in Sioux City, Iowa, is known for its commitment to compassionate nursing care and quality rehabilitation services at every stage of life. Their focus lies in offering specialized medical care and personalized treatment plans, designed to facilitate patients’ full recovery after surgery, prolonged illness, or chronic disease. Patients and residents benefit from round-the-clock care, administered by skilled and licensed nursing and therapy staff, who provide unwavering support and attention.
Throughout their stay, the experienced medical professionals at Casa De Paz Health Care Center assist patients and residents, aiming to achieve medical stability and enhance their levels of functioning and independence. With a dedication to nurturing environments and exceptional rehabilitation services, Arboreta Health and Rehabilitation Casa De Paz Health Care Center stands as a place where individuals can experience compassionate care while working towards their optimal well-being and recovery.

Phone: (712) 233-3127

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Harmony Cedar Rapids

1940 First Avenue Ne, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-0000
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Harmony Cedar Rapids is a nursing home and skilled nursing community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with respite care available as well. Licensed nursing care is provided on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing clinical support. Short stays are available too. Respite care can give someone’s usual caregiver time away or provide support while that person recovers.

Short term rehabilitation and orthopedic rehabilitation support recovery after an illness, injury, or orthopedic procedure, while wound care addresses residents’ wound treatment needs. The community is in the Oakhill Jackson neighborhood and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several stated ways to cover care. Justine K. serves as the director. Harmony Cedar Rapids may be a good fit for someone who needs skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or a temporary respite stay.

Phone: (319) 364-5151

Contact Harmony Cedar Rapids

Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

4614 Nw 84Th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322-1089
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Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Urbandale, Iowa, offers nursing home care, hospice care, palliative care, respite care, and skilled nursing. Skilled nursing and nursing home care provide ongoing nursing support. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort for residents with serious or end of life needs.

Respite care provides a short stay when a family caregiver needs temporary support. Short term rehabilitation and rehabilitation services give residents a setting for recovery before returning home or moving into longer term care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, so families can use the payment source that fits the resident’s coverage or finances. Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center may be a good fit for someone who needs short term rehabilitation, ongoing nursing care, or a temporary respite stay.

Phone: (515) 270-6838

Contact Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Homestead of Denison

2506 3Rd Ave N, Denison, IA 51442-1730
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Homestead of Denison provides nursing home care, skilled nursing, hospice care, memory care, palliative care, and respite care in Denison, IA. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for residents who may be at risk of wandering.

Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort. Respite care offers a short stay when a resident’s usual caregiver needs time away or time to recover, which can give families a temporary care option without arranging a long term placement.

The home has 43 beds, creating a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know each other. Rehabilitation includes short term rehabilitation for a temporary recovery stay and outpatient therapy for people receiving therapy without a long term nursing home placement. Homestead of Denison may be a good fit for someone who needs supervised memory care or for a family seeking care in a smaller setting.

A Walk Score of 33 places the area in a car dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride; a resident who no longer drives would generally need transportation to run errands. Ashlee Killian serves as the administrator.

Phone: (712) 263-8657

Contact Homestead of Denison

Maple Grove Senior Living

1917 South 18Th Street, Centerville, IA 52544-3136
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Maple Grove Senior Living offers assisted living, nursing home care, skilled nursing, and respite care in Centerville, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks while a resident maintains their own apartment, nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing support on site, and respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

With 30 beds, Maple Grove Senior Living is a smaller community, which may suit a resident who prefers a setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. The range of assisted living, skilled nursing, and respite care may also be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time or a family caregiver who needs short-term care.

Rehabilitation services are available alongside skilled nursing care, so a resident receiving nursing support can also receive recovery-focused services through the community. Patricia Smith serves as the administrator.

The area has a Walk Score of 66 and is somewhat walkable, meaning some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may still get out independently for nearby errands.

Phone: (641) 521-9376

Contact Maple Grove Senior Living

Pioneer Valley Living and Rehab

400 Sergeant Square Dr, Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
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Pioneer Valley Living and Rehab provides nursing home care, palliative care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Sergeant Bluff, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while palliative care focuses on comfort and symptom relief. Respite care offers a short stay for a resident when a usual caregiver needs time to travel or recover.

Rehabilitation services and short-term rehabilitation are available for residents receiving care during a recovery period. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several listed ways to cover care. The combination of nursing, rehabilitation, palliative, and respite services may be a good fit for someone who needs skilled care now or a short-term stay while a caregiver is unavailable.

Phone: (712) 943-2350

Contact Pioneer Valley Living and Rehab

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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. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.

  • 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
Full methodology →
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
Data source Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
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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Nursing Homes in Iowa at a glance

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

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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 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.

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