Page 24 of Best Nursing Homes in Iowa

Overview of Oakwood Place at Ridgecrest Village

Oakwood Place at Ridgecrest Village is a faith-based assisted living facility at 4130 Northwest Boulevard in Davenport, Iowa. Managed by Ridgecrest Village, the community serves Scott County under license S0139, which covers both assisted living and specialized memory care. The broader campus reports a 66% occupancy rate with 91 of 137 units filled, a figure slightly below the Iowa state average of 75.4%. The location includes a full range of continuing care options, including independent living and skilled nursing services.

State monitoring reports for the parent organization indicate a history of significant regulatory challenges. Ridgecrest Village has recorded multiple enforcement actions and a 1-star CMS health inspection rating, with $5,428 in recently imposed fines. While some evaluations have resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero, a March 2025 report identified recurring issues with care delivery, including a failure to notify physicians of elevated heart rates and delays in background checks for new staff.

Clinical care at this campus is provided through a multi-level model supported by 24-hour nursing and CNA staff. Recent surveys documented safety concerns, such as the installation of delayed egress doors without fire marshal approval and a two-month delay in treating reported bed bug activity. Additionally, records show that the facility provides approximately 1.2 licensed staff hours per resident per day, which falls below state averages and is reflected in the 1-star staffing rating.

The residential environment features studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments equipped with kitchenettes and modern finishes. Common amenities include a chapel with a full-time chaplain, an activity theatre, and a library. Despite receiving local “Best Retirement Community” awards in 2020 and 2021, state monitors have cited the program for unmaintained equipment, including leaking air conditioning units that caused carpet damage in resident rooms.

Prospective representatives should weigh the facility’s extensive campus amenities against the parent organization’s regulatory history. It is advisable to request a direct review of recent assisted living inspection reports and to confirm current nurse-to-resident ratios during an on-site tour. Families may contact the administration to discuss specific corrective actions regarding medication management and to verify that 2026 safety standards meet their long-term expectations.

Overview of Gardens at Ridgecrest Village

Gardens at Ridgecrest Village is a 30-bed memory care community located at 4126 Northwest Boulevard in Downtown Davenport, Scott County, Iowa. Administered by Krystal Bolser and licensed under Iowa’s Assisted Living Programs for People with Dementia, the facility has operated for 24 years. Walk Score of 90 indicates a walker’s paradise with daily errands achievable on foot. Current occupancy is 40% (12 of 30 beds), significantly below the Iowa state average of 75.4%.

Gardens at Ridgecrest Village provides 24-hour nursing and certified nursing aide staffing with licensed nurses on-site. Services include dementia-specialized care, rehabilitation services, respite care, and chef-prepared daily meals with enrichment activities. The facility’s long operational history and downtown location provide established market presence and neighborhood accessibility.

Over 21 years of inspections (2004–2025), Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing documented 70 total deficiencies, averaging 3.2 per year, 167% above the Iowa state average of 1.2 per year. The facility’s compliance record reflects chronic systemic challenges. Early history (2004–2014) included medication administration errors, missing narcotics (92 unaccounted Tramadol tablets in one incident; 26 in another), elopement incidents from the dementia unit despite electronic monitoring, inadequate staffing and supervision, incomplete background checks revealing a criminal conviction, missing commercial vent hood in the dementia kitchen, and non-functional exit alarms. Multiple civil penalties totaling over $10,000 were assessed across this period ($500 to $4,000 per citation).

Complaint investigations documented unsafe medication practices (staff not sanitizing hands before medication passes), insufficient trained staff, and repeated failures to report dependent adult abuse allegations. A 2015–2020 period showed improvement with zero deficiencies. The May 2023 annual survey cited seven critical deficiencies: medication administration errors and non-prescribed eye drops, inadequate nurse delegation training, incomplete dependent adult abuse training, non-individualized service plans, missing food safety training, and staff lacking dementia-specific education within 30 days of hire. These violations mirror earlier failures in medication management and staff training. The most recent March 2025 recertification found zero deficiencies.

Gardens at Ridgecrest Village presents substantial long-term compliance challenges. The 24-year record shows episodic correction followed by recurrence of medication management, staffing, and training failures. Current low occupancy (40%, well below state average) suggests market awareness of quality concerns. The March 2025 clean inspection provides a recent positive point, but the pattern of improvement-relapse warrants careful evaluation.

Overview of Solon Assisted Living Village

Solon Assisted Living Village is a 36-bed retirement community at 623 E. 5th Street in Solon, Iowa. Administered by Melissa Reed, the facility serves Johnson County and operates as part of a campus that has served the local area since 1973. Current occupancy is reported at 47%, with 17 of 36 beds filled. The location is moderately walkable, holding a Walk Score of 54.

Recent oversight from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing highlights a return to high compliance standards. Over the last 16 years, the facility has recorded an annual average of 0.9 deficiencies, which is 47% better than the state average. Most recently, the March 2025 recertification resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. This performance marks a notable correction from 2022, when a survey identified nine deficiencies involving medication administration and resident privacy.

Daily clinical services utilize a multi-level care model that includes independent condos, assisted living, and skilled nursing. While current evaluations are clean, a December 2023 complaint investigation substantiated a violation of tenant rights regarding unauthorized restrictions on visitor access. Professional support is provided by licensed nurses and CNAs, who facilitate transitions between care levels as resident needs change. The campus also provides outpatient therapy and long-term nursing care.

The residential environment is community-owned and provides a setting for seniors to age in place without a corporate parent entity. Shared features include nutrition support, wellness programs, and social activities tailored to a small-town retirement setting. Although the facility has faced a declining occupancy trend in recent years, its long-term operational history in Solon provides a stable foundation for the continuing care model.

Prospective representatives should note the facility’s success in achieving zero deficiencies in its most recent 2025 state review. It is recommended to discuss current visitor policies and medication oversight protocols with the administrator to ensure that previous documentation gaps remain resolved. Interested individuals can contact the administrative office to verify current staffing ratios and to confirm that the community’s personalized care standards meet their 2026 residential goals.

Overview of Cottage Grove Place – Connections

Cottage Grove Place – Connections is a 36-bed memory care community at 2115 1st Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Administered by Jennifer Snook, the facility serves Linn County under license S0415, which is active through September 10, 2027. The facility currently reports 39% occupancy with 14 of 36 beds filled. Situated in a moderately walkable area, the location holds a Walk Score of 56.

Since 2020, the facility has recorded 21 deficiencies across five inspections, averaging 4.2 violations per review, which is 133% above the per-inspection average. While no recent reviews resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero, the September 2025 recertification identified five deficiencies involving medication administration failures, incomplete resident evaluations, and outdated service plans. Additionally, CMS assigns the community a 2-star overall rating, noting health inspection performance 32% below state averages.

Clinical care is delivered through a non-profit model providing independent living, assisted living, and short-term rehabilitation. Although the facility maintains physical therapy levels 150% above the state average, long-stay residents experience pressure ulcers at a rate 102% above average and functional decline 57% worse than state benchmarks. A 2023 investigation substantiated seven violations, including social media confidentiality breaches and failure to meet eight-hour dementia-specific staff training requirements. The census primarily reflects short-term stays, with 40% of new residents utilizing Medicare and 60% paying privately.

The campus environment emphasizes a continuum of care that includes nursing services and chef-prepared meals. Historical records from 2020 and 2021 highlight foundational safety gaps, such as a resident elopement caused by a non-operational door alarm and failures to conduct staff background checks prior to hiring. Despite these challenges, the facility performs well in hospitalization prevention and vaccination compliance, and it has not incurred federal penalties in the past three years. Annual revenue is reported at $20.7 million, with a modest operating deficit of $55.7 thousand.

Prospective representatives should evaluate the community’s recent medication administration accuracy and the functionality of physical safety infrastructure during an on-site visit. It is important to confirm that all personnel have completed mandatory dementia education and to discuss the corrective steps taken regarding the 2025 service plan deficiencies. Families may contact the facility directly to verify current staffing stability and to review specific quality measures as they plan for care in 2026.

Find the care you need at Patty Elwood Center, an esteemed community in Cresco, IA, offering nursing care. Committed to residents’ well-being, a compassionate and well-trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their healthcare needs around the clock. Purposely built and secure accommodations are provided in a nurturing and welcoming environment, ensuring residents can feel at ease during their stay.

Residents are encouraged to live actively and maintain social connections with a well-thought-out calendar of enriching activities and stimulating programs. Healthy meals are important for residents’ wellness, so delicious and well-balanced dining options are served to meet their dietary needs and preferences. This pet-friendly community is ideal for those needing top-tier care for a blissful retirement.

Overview of The Summit of Bettendorf Mc

The Summit of Bettendorf Mc is a 32-unit memory care assisted living program at 4699 53rd Avenue in Bettendorf, Iowa. Part of the Wellspire Living community and administered by Monica Reyes, the facility is a dementia-specific program serving Scott County residents with cognitive impairments. The campus provides 24-hour medical monitoring and accepts Medicare, featuring a purpose-built environment that has seen steady growth since its 2022 opening.

State and federal records currently assign the facility a 5-star overall rating, placing it in the highest performance tier available. Between 2022 and 2025, regulatory inspections yielded an average of 3.0 deficiencies per year, which is 32% below the Iowa state average. While an October 2024 renewal survey concluded with zero deficiencies, a March 2025 report identified three citations related to pre-admission evaluations and service plan updates. Historical investigations from 2022 noted two elopement-related incidents that were subsequently resolved through security and training upgrades.

Professional care is delivered under a staffing model that provides 4 hours 41 minutes of daily nursing time per resident, performing 23% above the Iowa average. Registered Nurse (RN) presence is currently 54 minutes per resident day, which exceeds the state mean by approximately 22%. Clinical outcomes for short-stay residents are notable, with 59.6% successfully returning to the community and a major injury fall rate 30% better than the state average. However, the rehospitalization rate for the facility is 28.5%, which performs below the Iowa average.

The campus environment provides an upscale residential atmosphere with a state-of-the-art wellness center, a golf simulator, and a rooftop bar. Residents benefit from multiple on-campus dining venues, a professional salon and barbershop, and guest rooms for visiting family members. Shared outdoor amenities include walking paths and firepits, while the clinical model incorporates on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Interested individuals should evaluate the current elopement prevention systems and service plan review processes during a facility tour. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details regarding the corrective actions implemented after the 2025 pre-admission evaluation findings to ensure that current clinical protocols meet the resident’s specific memory care needs.

Overview of Community Memorial Al

Community Memorial Assisted Living is a 32-bed senior living community at 233 North 8th Avenue West in Hartley, Iowa. Managed by Kay Wynja and part of the Community Memorial Health Center campus, the facility provides assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care under a license valid through July 2026. Current data indicates a census of five residents, representing a 16% occupancy rate, which is below the state average of 75.4%. The location holds a Walk Score of 43, suggesting that most errands require transportation provided by the facility.

Regulatory records from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing reflect a strong compliance history over the last 14 years. The most recent recertification in July 2025 resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. While a 2015 review noted a citation regarding the timeliness of tenant evaluations, the facility has recorded no deficiencies in its last five major surveys. During this period, there have been no documented fines, license suspensions, or enforcement actions.

Clinical care is supported by 24-hour on-site staffing and an integrated medical clinic with X-ray services. Professional services include medication management, health monitoring, and specialized physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Residents benefit from priority admission to the adjacent skilled nursing and rehabilitation wing if health needs change. Staffing metrics for the health center show nurse hours exceeding state averages, providing four hours and two minutes of care per resident daily.

The residential environment includes private apartments with kitchenettes, emergency call pendants, and access to a whirlpool bathing suite. Shared amenities feature a beauty salon, garden patio, and communal dining areas where three meals are served daily. Housekeeping, laundry, and all utilities except telephone service are included in the monthly fees. Social engagement is facilitated through a rotation of planned recreational activities and 24-hour visiting availability.

Prospective residents seeking a small-scale community with an on-site medical clinic and a long-term record of regulatory excellence may find this campus suitable. Families should ask directly about the specific staffing ratios for the memory care neighborhood and confirm current availability for private suites before making a placement decision.

Make every moment count at Thornton Heights Assisted Living, a distinguished community in Lansing, IA, offering assisted living. Featuring beautifully furnished and secure one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Residents also receive exceptional care tailored to their daily living activities and personal needs around the clock.

A jam-packed calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs is conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Delicious and well-balanced meals are also served three times daily to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Emergency pendants are also provided for convenience and safety. The community is ideal for those looking to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its nurturing and welcoming environment.

Overview of OakView Nursing & Rehabilitation

OakView Nursing & Rehabilitation in Burlington, IA, is a nursing home that offers long-term care and rehabilitation. The community’s nurturing and welcoming environment ensures older adults can ease their worries throughout their stay. With 24-hour care, well-balanced meals, and recreational activities, residents experience a maintenance-free lifestyle. Through personalized care plans, the community strives to meet residents’ unique needs and preferences.

Games, social events, and light exercises encourage residents to stay active and make friends. Cozy sitting areas and thoughtfully furnished rooms also ensure residents’ relaxation and wellness. Residents also experience the utmost comfort during their stay, as it is situated in the tree-lined neighborhood of Burlington. This nursing home is a good option for senior living in Iowa, especially with high-quality services.