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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.
CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community):
A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
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
Akron Care Center in Akron, Iowa, offers skilled nursing, general nursing home care, hospice support, and respite stays. Nursing services provide daily clinical oversight, while hospice care emphasizes comfort-focused end-of-life support. Temporary respite admissions accommodate individuals whose primary family caregivers need time off. On-site short-term rehabilitation services assist residents recovering from illness, injury, or recent hospital stays, and dietary programs provide meals customized according to physician-issued orders.
Administered by Tara Netley, the 45-bed facility maintains a daily average of 4 hours and 49 minutes of nurse staffing per resident. Financial coverage options include Medicare for short-term post-hospital care, Medicaid for long-term residential coverage, and direct private payment.
Families considering skilled nursing or rehabilitation services in the area can contact Akron Care Center directly to inquire about current room availability, discuss accepted payment plans, or schedule a tour.
With 72 beds, Grandview Healthcare Center is a nursing home in Oelwein, Iowa, offering skilled nursing and respite care. Hospice care is also offered, accommodating those with life-limiting conditions. For those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, the community provides behavioral and Alzheimer’s care.
It is currently operating at 83% occupancy, with an average length of stay of 163 days. Moreover, total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 45 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time available for each resident. On-site rehabilitation services also allow residents to receive therapy without arranging visits with an outside provider. Additionally, physical and occupational therapy is provided to support residents’ recovery.
The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families different ways to cover short-term skilled care or longer stays based on eligibility and resources. Its surrounding area has a Walk Score of 77, allowing residents to reach amenities within walking distance.
Green Hills Retirement Community offers a vibrant lifestyle designed to support those in their golden years. This sprawling 33-acre property, nestled near Iowa State University, provides an exquisite living experience for individuals aged 55 and above. The community boasts beautifully appointed living spaces, ranging from apartments to townhomes, ensuring residents have a variety of comfortable options to choose from.Beyond the luxurious accommodations, Green Hills offers a plethora of wellness opportunities, engaging activities, and delightful restaurant-style dining experiences, creating a fulfilling environment for its residents.
They provide specialized memory care services, catering to individuals with dementia, alongside independent living options. The community is characterized by a compassionate atmosphere, where residents can enjoy their lives to the fullest. Moreover, Green Hills features a Medicare five-star rated health care center, offering both short-term and long-term services, including comprehensive rehabilitation programs. With all these amenities and services under one roof, Green Hills Retirement Community truly becomes a premier choice for residential assisted living.
New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center provides assisted living, nursing home, and skilled nursing care in New Hampton, Iowa. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Together, these care levels can suit a resident whose needs change over time without requiring a move to another community.
Skilled rehabilitation services are available for residents who need rehabilitation as part of their care. Respite care offers a short-term stay when a family’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. The community has 46 beds, a size that is best considered plainly, without assuming a particular resident experience.
Medicare can help cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay. Medicaid can matter when savings may not cover a long stay, while private pay uses personal funds. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 59 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nurse staffing time allocated per resident.
A Walk Score of 68 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot. A resident who no longer drives may be able to complete some nearby errands independently. Kristen Frazer serves as the administrator.
Mill Pond offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Ankeny, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while residents maintain their own apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.
Several care levels share one community here. That can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because a move to a different level of care can happen without leaving Mill Pond. The community has 60 beds and 98% occupancy, meaning nearly all beds were filled at the time represented by that figure. Housing includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom layouts. A studio provides one private space, while a two bedroom can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment routes for eligible care and services. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 13 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident. Pets are allowed, giving a resident the option to bring a pet when moving in. Jesica Culp serves as the administrator.
In Elkader, IA, Elkader Care Center offers assisted living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care. Long-term care is handled by the nursing home part. Assisted living handles everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and managing medication. Skilled nursing keeps licensed nurses available at any hour, which is all about activity and not necessarily activity, so they’re still there even on the quiet nights.
That covers a resident needing ongoing support, and one working through recovery. Elkader Care Center is a 40-bed community, and its rehabilitation services are available to residents needing therapy.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are the three ways a nursing home bill can get settled, and this center takes all three. Kaitlin Landon runs the building day-to-day.
Take one resident on one day, and 4 hours and 44 minutes of nursing time is what you’ll find on average. A Walk Score of 59 makes for a somewhat walkable area, so a resident who has given up driving but can still walk around on their own will still be able to manage some errands on foot.
Prairie Vista Village, in Altoona, IA, has assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care. Independent living is a private home with no daily care attached to it. Assisted living adds dressing, bathing, and medication management, the last of which is the one with a schedule.
Long-term care is what the nursing home side means. Skilled nursing is on site, which is to say the nurse’s commute already happened before anybody needed one. Four levels under one address suit somebody whose needs increase, and staying put becomes possible as they do.
Sixty-eight beds fall under the license. Daily nursing per resident totals 4 hours and 49 minutes. Two payers work here, Medicare and private pay, for covered care or residence costs.
Short-term rehabilitation covers a time-limited stay for somebody recovering and working toward the next level of function. Pets are allowed, so a resident may keep one. John Freeman administers the village, and the fit is somebody who wants independent living now and may want more later.
Enjoy the best of your golden years at Mount Carmel Bluffs, an outstanding community in Dubuque, IA, offering independent living. The community also offers enriched living, memory care, and long-term care to meet residents’ healthcare needs. Residents can also keep their peace of mind with housekeeping and other maintenance services.
Plenty of local shops and recreational spaces surround the area, providing residents with unending leisure and wellness opportunities. Residents can also prepare meals according to their dietary needs and preferences with a fully furnished kitchen in each unit. The community’s extensive amenities and exceptional services create the ideal setting for the finest retirement experience.
Maple Crest Manor, located in scenic Fayette, IA, is a premier provider of skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care services. At this community, a dedicated and skilled team offers a variety of services to meet the needs of their residents, acknowledging that each resident has their individual needs and unique care requirements. The goal at Maple Crest Manor is to provide quality care and an active lifestyle in a home-like environment. This community goes beyond just basic care. Residents can enjoy engaging in a variety of activities like pet therapy, beauty services, and transportation services to make sure residents can attend all needed appointments. This focus on well-being ensures a fulfilling experience for all. Their ultimate goal is to create a comfortable and enriching environment where residents can truly feel at home. At Maple Crest Manor, a true community is built between residents and the devoted staff.
Mayflower Home operates as a senior living community in Grinnell, Iowa, providing independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Independent living provides private residences alongside shared community services, whereas assisted living assists residents with personal care routines like dressing, bathing, and medication administration. Secured accommodations cater to individuals with memory loss who require steady supervision. Physical therapy and recovery support are handled through Rehab Care.
Kellie McGriff acts as administrator for the 40-bed facility, which maintains a total daily nurse staffing rate of 4 hours and 55 minutes per resident. Features include a mini gift shop and an active Residents Association that organizes local activities and resident participation. Nearby streets yield an 82 Walk Score, allowing residents to manage daily errands on foot. Financial arrangements accept Medicare, Medicaid, and direct private payment.
Families considering a campus that accommodates changing care requirements over time can contact Mayflower Home to check current availability, tour the grounds, or evaluate funding options.
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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