Best Nursing Homes in Iowa
Experience the diversity of Iowa, with its thriving agricultural industry, breathtaking scenery, and plenty of cultural attractions. The state also features family-friendly activities, excellent healthcare, and convenient transportation, making it one of the most sought-after retirement destinations in the country. Additionally, nursing homes reside across the state, providing supplementary care and state-of-the-art amenities for older adults to live comfortably in their golden years. Retirees will surely thrive with the state’s many retirement benefits, age-friendly services, and tax-friendly environment.
Where in Iowa are you looking?
Tap a city below to explore the communities we have there.
Compare Nursing Homes around Iowa
Grand Living At Tower Place
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
West Des Moines
76
Yes
-
63
-
Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Des Moines (Drake)
78
Yes
-
38
CLAREMONT HOUSE INC.
1 bed / 2 bed
$9,574,324.00
$5,566,584.00
58.1%
60.70
4.0399
-
85.8%
West Ridge Care Center
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Cedar Rapids
60
No
-
48
SAMPLE, ELAINE
-
$9,301,500.00
$3,089,553.00
33.2%
48.70
4.8803
-
80.3%
Amelia Senior Living
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Council Bluffs
62
Yes
A+
2
-
Studio / 1 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Terrace Glen Village
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Marion
40
No
A
14
ABERNATHY FAMILY FARMS LLC
-
$9,465,402.00
$3,818,983.00
40.3%
38.70
4.4790
1
94.7%
Edencrest at Siena Hills
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
RC
Respite Care
Ankeny
132
Yes
-
46
-
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The Views of Marion
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Marion
40
No
-
37
URBAIN, DALLAS
Private Rooms
$10,285,956.00
$3,592,231.00
34.9%
34.70
4.1497
-
94.6%
Green Hills Retirement Community
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Ames
56
Yes
-
18
-
1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sunrise Retirement Community
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Sioux City
234
Yes
A+
22
ROTH, SAMANTHA
Studio
$14,111,877.00
$7,264,870.00
51.5%
66.20
6.1901
-
134.2%
Hansen House Harlan
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Harlan
118
No
-
32
-
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Edencrest at Pleasant Hill
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Pleasant Hill
140
Yes
-
2
-
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Maple Crest Manor
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Fayette
55
No
-
29
ALBERT W MARTIN ESTATE
-
$5,771,548.00
$2,541,371.00
44%
39.30
4.0075
16
82.4%
Addington Place of Des Moines
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Des Moines (Bloomfield/Allen)
54
Yes
-
1
-
Suite / 1 bed / 2 bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
West Des Moines
40
Yes
-
7
EDGEWATER, A WESLEY ACTIVE LIFE COMMUNITY, LLC
1 Bed / 2 Bed
$8,547,583.00
$7,140,488.00
83.5%
36.40
4.8888
-
91.8%
The Willows of Marshalltown
AL
Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.
IL
Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.
MC
Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.
SNF
Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed
Marshalltown
48
Yes
-
1
-
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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Beds shows the number of beds currently filled in each community agianst the total number of beds. Higher occupied beds usually indicates strong demand and reputation, while lower occupancy may suggest more availability for new residents.
Heritage House
Heritage House is an assisted living facility located in Goleta, California. It provides a higher level of service for the elderly, including assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and specialized Alzheimer’s care. The facility features 56 studio and one-bedroom apartments in a home-like environment.
Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology
View Full Ranking MethodologyHow Assisted Living Magazine Evaluates & Scores Nursing Homes
Assisted Living Magazine ranks nursing homes using a rigorous, data-driven scoring model built specifically for skilled nursing.
Because this care level is regulated, clinical outcomes and compliance carry significantly more weight than transparency or digital presence.
Each community receives a ranking based on the factors below, weighted according to their importance in predicting resident safety, care quality, and long-term stability.
Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.
What We Prioritize MostThe largest share of every nursing home’s score — 45% of the total weighting — comes from clinical and regulatory indicators, including:
- Overall, staffing, and inspection ratings
- Long-stay and short-stay quality measures
- Nurse-to-resident and staff-to-resident ratios
- Health deficiencies and regulatory history
- Accreditations and positive local news reporting
These factors directly reflect resident safety, care quality, and compliance.
Operational Stability & Resident SupportAnother 35% of the score comes from operational and stability signals, such as:
- Nurse hours per patient per day
- Occupancy levels and cleanliness citations
- Administrative stability and ownership quality
- Readmission rates and registered-nurse turnover
The remaining 20% of the score includes contextual elements such as:
- Year built or renovated
- Penalties, fines, and preventable readmissions
- Revenue per bed
- Administrator tenure
These factors help round out the overall picture but carry less weight because our methodology prioritizes clinical outcomes and regulatory consistency above all else.
The result is a clear, data-driven ranking system that elevates nursing homes delivering exceptional care and long-term resident safety.
Who we are
Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way
We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.
Contact us Today
Frequently Asked Questions
What government services provide money for senior housing?
Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
- Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
- Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
- State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
- Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
- Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?
Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.
Do you help families that need Medicaid?
Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.
How much does this service cost?
We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up.
What services do you offer?
- Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
- Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
- Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
- Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
- Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
- Senior-focused concierge medicine
- Senior-focused nutritionist
- Senior-focused personal training
- Memory care specialists
- Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
- Custom hearing aids
- Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
- Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
- Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos
Resident interviews at our senior living facilities
Check out our resident interviews
Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.
Check out our cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions from families.
What government services provide money for senior housing?
Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
- Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
- Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
- State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
- Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
- Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?
Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.
Do you help families that need Medicaid?
Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.
Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.
Check out our cost guide.
How much does this service cost?
We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up.
What services do you offer?
- Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
- Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
- Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
- Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
- Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
- Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
- Senior-focused concierge medicine
- Senior-focused nutritionist
- Senior-focused personal training
- Memory care specialists
- Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
- Custom hearing aids
- Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
- Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
- Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos
Resident interviews at our senior living facilities
Check out our resident interviews
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