Page 6 of Best Nursing Homes in Iowa

Overview of Stonehill Care Center

Stonehill Care Center, situated at 3485 Windsor Avenue, is a skilled nursing facility that provides long-term care and post-acute physical rehabilitation. Public monitoring logs from an August 2025 review recorded a resident census of 158 individuals, which translates to an 85% building occupancy rate. This current enrollment sits below the facility’s historical pre-pandemic high, which frequently exceeded 180 residents.

Records from state healthcare registries track a strong long-term regulatory background alongside minor, corrected technical citations. Over a six-year tracking window, the property has averaged 1.7 deficiencies per year, which tracks 61% better than the Iowa state average. A standard August 2025 health survey flagged two deficiencies regarding an 8% insulin pen priming medication error and basic cleaning protocols for blood sugar meters. The administration quickly implemented a plan of correction, and a subsequent October 2025 complaint check verified that the property had returned to full compliance.

Looking further back, both the 2022 and 2024 annual surveys closed with zero deficiencies on record, though a mid-2023 review turned up two citations after a staff member failed to follow a fall-prevention care plan, resulting in minor resident injuries. The broader complaint record is largely favorable, with the majority of filed grievances returning unsubstantiated by state investigators.

Prospective residents checking into regional nursing care or post-acute recovery services can utilize these public health profiles to gauge the building’s operating history. The state documentation outlines a highly occupied environment with a low historical deficiency rate and a quick response to corrective actions, balanced against recent minor kitchen and medication administration citations.

Overview of Scenic Manor

Owned by the Bearden Family Revocable Trust, Scenic Manor is a skilled nursing home that accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. These payment options give families flexibility when arranging both rehabilitation services and ongoing nursing care. With 77 beds, the community has an occupancy rate of 84%, and residents stay an average of 251 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term care.

Rehabilitation services and short-term rehab programs are central to the facility’s care model. Residents recovering from hospitalization, surgery, and other acute health events will find a place here. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 20 minutes per resident. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses provide care around the clock, especially for residents who need hands-on support at all times.

The facility is in a neighborhood with a Walk Score of 60. As a moderately walkable area, some errands can be completed on foot, but most trips require transportation. This setting may appeal to families looking for a quieter residential environment while still having access to nearby services.

Dining is important for residents, with attention given to the dining experience and atmosphere. The facility has inspection compliance within its regulatory framework, which particularly focuses on medication management and infection control protocols.

Families considering Scenic Manor should take a tour to see the care environment, meet staff members, and learn more about how the facility supports rehabilitation and recovery.

Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, IA, is a non-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that offers independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. With a nurturing, home-like environment, the community ensures older adults can live comfortably during their stay. Light housekeeping, nutritious meals, and medication management are among the excellent services provided to improve residents’ living experiences. Residents also receive the utmost attention and care to recover and return to their routines with ease through personalized care plans.

Strength exercises, social events, and various recreational activities ensure residents can make friends and have fun. Safe trails, accessible common areas, and a garden also provide residents with more opportunities for recreation and wellness. Located near the Fort Museum and Frontier Village and bus stops along Kenyon Road, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This CCRC has a wide range of care options and a clean setting, making it a great choice for senior living in Iowa.

Midlands Living Center is a 94-bed skilled nursing facility at 2452 North Broadway in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Locally owned and administered by Jordan Tjaden, the community provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and hospice support for residents in Pottawattamie County. The campus is car-dependent with a Walk Score of 14, though it provides medical appointment transportation for its residents.

The facility is CMS-certified and carries an above average 4-star overall rating as of May 2026. Between 2021 and 2025, state inspections yielded an average of 4.3 deficiencies per year, which is 37% below the Iowa state average. While an April 2025 investigation identified a single deficiency related to infection control during catheter care, a September 2025 follow-up found the facility in substantial compliance with zero deficiencies. No federal fines or payment denials have been issued in the past three years.

Staffing levels exceed state averages in several key categories. Total adjusted nursing hours are 4 hours 31 minutes per resident day, with Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) hours at 48 minutes, 41% above the Iowa average. Weekend nursing coverage is also a strength, performing 5% above the state mean. Quality measures are rated at 4 stars, with long-stay hospitalizations 28% better than average and a 96.4% success rate in managing residents’ physical restraint needs.

The campus offers furnished rooms with in-house laundry and on-site beauty and barber services.Shared clinical amenities include:On-site optometry, podiatry, and dentistry alongside physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The social calendar features recreational and spiritual activities, and the facility maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, with a current occupancy rate of approximately 72%.

Families should evaluate the current bedside care standards during an on-site visit. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on the corrective actions taken after the 2025 catheter care finding and to confirm that the infection prevention protocols remain in full compliance for 2026.

Owned by Scott Berger, University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa, that has served residents for 25 years. The 108-bed facility currently houses 72 residents, with an occupancy rate of 67%. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering rehabilitation services and ongoing nursing care.

The center focuses on short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Residents have access to specialized programs for diabetes management, enteral nutrition support, ostomy care, pain management, IV therapy, and tracheotomy care. These services can benefit individuals recovering from surgery, hospitalization, and other health conditions that require ongoing clinical support.

Residents stay an average of 157 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term care. Respite care is also available for families seeking temporary placement options.

Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 37 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide approximately 43 minutes of care each day, while nurse aides contribute about 2 hours and 36 minutes. This level of hands-on support is for residents with significant medical and personal care needs.

The community has a Walk Score of 91. It’s in a highly walkable area of Des Moines, which is convenient for family members and residents. State inspections have tracked the facility’s focus on care quality and compliance for several years. Responses to earlier findings demonstrate the facility’s ongoing commitment to maintaining care standards.

Grandview Healthcare Center is a 72-bed skilled nursing facility at 800 Fifth Street SE in Oelwein, Iowa. Managed by ABCM Corporation and administered by Shelia Lawson, the community provides 24-hour nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care for residents in Fayette County. The campus maintains a tranquil residential setting and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.

State and federal regulators currently assign the facility a 4-star overall rating, reflecting performance categorized as “Above Average”. Regulatory inspections show a citations-per-inspection rate of 2.0, which is significantly lower than the Iowa state average of 6.1. While an April 2025 standard survey identified four deficiencies related to infection control and pharmacy practices, a subsequent December 2025 follow-up confirmed the facility returned to substantial compliance with zero new citations. No critical or high-harm violations have been issued during the current review cycle.

Professional support is guided by a staffing model that delivers 4 hours 3 minutes of daily nursing time per resident—higher than the Iowa average of 3 hours 48 minutes. Registered Nurse (RN) presence is a notable metric, as the 35 minutes of daily RN time exceeds the state mean. Clinical programs coordinate physical, occupational, and speech therapy alongside specialized ventilator and respiratory care. The facility reports a 31.9% nursing staff turnover rate, which is considerably lower than the Iowa average of 44.4%.

The campus environment features varied room layouts, including private suites and semi-private companion rooms. Residents have access to unique amenities such as raised garden beds, an outdoor walking trail, and a beauty and barber salon. Dining options include restaurant-style service and 24-hour snack availability, while social programs provide spiritual services and community outings. For medical appointments, the facility provides dedicated transportation to nearby MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center.

Interested individuals should evaluate the current bedside care standards and clinical coverage during a facility tour. It is advisable to ask the administrator for specific details on the corrective actions regarding the 2025 infection control findings and to confirm that current staffing levels meet the resident’s individual recovery or long-term care goals.

Owned by Ottumwa Developments Inc., Vista Woods Care Center is a skilled nursing home in Iowa that has served residents for 32 years. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several options for arranging care. The 60-bed community has an occupancy rate of 88%. Residents stay an average of 432 days, which includes a significant long-term care population alongside those receiving rehabilitation services.

Skilled nursing care and rehabilitation are central to the facility’s care model. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 4 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide 42 minutes of care each day, nurse aides contribute another 42 minutes, and LPN/LVN staff add 30 minutes of support. The facility also has 24-hour staffing, so residents have access to nursing assistance and personal care throughout the day and night. This staffing structure supports both rehabilitation programs and ongoing long-term care needs.

The community’s Walk Score is 77, so it’s a highly walkable area. Many errands and daily necessities are within walking distance. This setting can make visits more convenient for family members, especially when getting around the immediate surroundings.

State inspections from different times have reviewed resident-handling procedures, physician order management, documentation practices, food safety protocols, and infection-control measures. Earlier concerns in these areas were addressed, and the facility returned to compliance in late 2025. The most recent inspection had no new deficiencies.

Vista Woods Care Center’s long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services make it a stable option for residents requiring ongoing medical support and therapy, whether for recovery from illness or permanent residence in a nursing home setting.

Akron Care Center is a 45-bed nursing facility operating at 991 Highway 3 in Akron, Iowa. Owned and run directly by the City of Akron, the home stands out as a municipally managed community, meaning local public boards oversee its operations. The business office works with traditional out-of-pocket payments, standard Medicare plans, and state Medicaid options. The facility maintains a consistent daily census near 96 percent occupancy, showing a steady local demand for its combination of long-term intermediate care and post-hospital nursing stays.

Daily clinical routines involve an average of 4 hours and 43 minutes of direct, hands-on nursing attention for each resident. Registered nurses dedicate 1 hour and 1 minute of this daily timeline to manage clinical needs, working alongside licensed practical nurses and nursing aides who deliver routine treatments and baseline care. To support underlying medical health, physicians prescribe customized therapeutic dining plans that kitchen staff tailor to meet individual nutritional and chronic condition demands.

Recent public inspection reports highlighted a few operational areas needing improvement, specifically concerning quality of care protocols, pharmacy services, and routine infection prevention practices. The municipal administration updated its internal guidelines to fix these issues, bringing the building back into substantial compliance with state health codes.

Prospective residents can get in touch with the main admissions desk to ask about current room availability, request details on the doctor-prescribed dietary programs, or plan a time to tour the building. Staff members are also ready to check active medical insurance plans to clarify how public assistance programs, personal assets, or standard healthcare benefits fit into monthly statement bills.

Overview of New London Specialty Care

New London Specialty Care operates a 46-bed skilled nursing facility under the regional nonprofit network Care Initiatives. The community coordinates monthly billing through private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid options, keeping its occupancy level near 98 percent. Stays here average 163 days, which means the daily floor routine combines temporary post-hospital physical therapies with standard long-term residential oversight.

The on-site nursing team delivers an average of 4 hours and 18 minutes of direct daily care to every resident. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides divide this 24-hour schedule to coordinate wound care, pain management plans, and core physical rehabilitation routines. For daily amenities, the building houses an internal chapel, a structured activities center, and a beauty salon, while the surrounding neighborhood secures a walkability score of 46 out of 100, indicating that local trips generally require a car.

State safety files indicate regular regulatory monitoring over the building’s 27-year history. The most recent health inspections and survey activities from state oversight agencies confirmed the community maintains substantial compliance with standard operational guidelines and patient safety protocols.

Interested families can get in touch with the admissions office to check on current room openings, look over the daily event calendar, or set up a time to walk through the therapy areas. The administrative desk can also help verify your financial eligibility and clarify how Medicare or state aid programs handle short-term recovery costs.

Overview of Clearview Home

Clearview Home delivers long-term medical housing and short-term post-acute therapy at 406 West Washington Street in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Managed by administrator Gary Routh, the 82-bed facility functions with a consistent occupancy rate of 89 percent. Billing processes adapt to diverse customer financial models, balancing regular out-of-pocket payments with standard state Medicaid and federal Medicare network coverages. Stays average 196 days per individual, establishing a daily census where brief convalescent turnarounds are integrated with ongoing skilled nursing placements.

Floor nursing schedules distribute a round-the-clock shift routine providing an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes of direct hands-on care per resident daily. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants manage these floor hours to coordinate specialized intermediate therapy tracks, respite strategies, and a dedicated memory care environment for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Basic internal features include a barber shop, specialized dietary plans, and nutrition counseling, while the surrounding town environment records a walkability score of 52 out of 100, indicating that while visitors can navigate a few common tasks on foot, everyday travel relies on local driving.

Public health inspections executed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing track internal quality patterns, certifying that the facility operates in substantial compliance with state rules. Local management uses historical corrective updates on care delivery and resident safeguarding systems to shape current employee training modules and adjust daily clinical workflows.

Prospective residents can call the administrative office to double-check active room availability, ask about specialized dietary options, or set up a time to view the dedicated memory care units. The desk coordinators can also assist with medical coverage, cross-referencing to detail how personal funds, private insurance policies, or state health benefits apply to monthly statements.