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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.
RESC (Residential Care):
Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting.
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.
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.
$2.4M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$1.6M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
64.7%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
Accura Healthcare Of Pleasantville, LLC(Free Standing Nf/Snf) | 630309
$3.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility$3.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG$6.9M
Rank#188 / 224
$2.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility$2.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG$4.2M
Rank#191 / 224
58.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility58.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG60.3%
Rank#109 / 224
165420
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
Guttenberg Care Center provides nursing home care, assisted living and skilled nursing in Guttenberg, IA. Nursing home and skilled nursing services provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living supports daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and medication management. The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time and who may be able to remain in the same community.
The center has 46 beds, making it a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know one another. Its 72% occupancy means some beds are currently unoccupied. Guttenberg Care Center is part of ABCM and follows a person-directed care philosophy centered on each resident’s needs and preferences.
Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 17 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid and private pay.
Zearing Health Care provides nursing home, skilled nursing, hospice, memory care, and respite care in Zearing, Iowa. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for a resident who may be at risk of wandering. Hospice supports residents with end of life needs, and respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs time away, travel, or recovery.
The community has 40 beds. Rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation give residents access to recovery focused care without requiring a permanent move into long term care. Zearing Health Care also has a Huntington Disease program for residents whose care needs are related to that condition.
Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 38 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time assigned across each resident’s care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several listed ways to cover care. Brad Sammon serves as administrator, and Bambi Cerka is the director. Zearing Health Care may be a good fit for a resident whose care needs may change over time because several care types are available within the same community.
Iowa Veterans Home is a nursing home in Marshalltown, IA, offering ongoing nursing support and help with daily care in a residential setting. With 702 beds, it has more residents and staff than a smaller home, along with more programming.
Private rooms give one resident a room of their own. Semi-private rooms provide a shared room arrangement. Total nurse staffing is 6 hours and 10 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time available to each resident. Iowa Veterans Home may be a good fit for someone who needs ongoing nursing care and wants either a private or shared room.
Parkview Home provides assisted living, residential care, nursing home and skilled nursing care, hospice care, and respite care in Wayland, IA. Assisted living and residential care offer a residential setting with support for daily needs, while nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Hospice care supports residents receiving end-of-life care, and respite care offers a short stay for a family caregiver who needs time away. The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to a different community.
Parkview Home opened in 1961 and has 34 beds. It is a smaller community where staff and residents can get to know each other. Total nurse staffing is 3h 54m per resident/day, representing the daily nurse staffing time associated with each resident. Medication monitoring, nutritional and dietary counseling, and rehabilitation programs provide medication oversight, dietary guidance, and structured recovery support within the community.
A salon gives residents access to grooming services within the community. Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted, with Medicaid helping families whose savings may not cover a long stay. Medicare applies to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long-term residence. Ron Semler serves as the administrator.
Stonehill Care Center offers skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Dubuque, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. The range of care settings may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since different care levels are available within the same community.
Stonehill Care Center has 185 beds, a size that brings more residents, staff, and usually more programming. Its 85% occupancy means the community is operating below full bed capacity. Total nurse staffing is 4h 50m per resident/day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted; Medicare applies to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may help cover a long stay when personal savings are limited, and private pay allows a family to pay directly. A Walk Score of 89 / 100 places the area in the very walkable band, meaning most errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Matt Jahn serves as the administrator. Outpatient therapy provides rehabilitation services through the community, while personal training gives residents access to structured exercise with a trainer.
Crown Pointe Estates Al Memory Care in Sioux Center, IA offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home and skilled nursing care. Independent living means private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock.
Having several care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since moving to a different level of care may not require leaving the community. The community has 32 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Crown Pointe Estates Al Memory Care may be a good fit for someone who prefers a smaller community with multiple care levels.
Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time assigned to each resident. Private pay is accepted, so families use their own funds to pay for care. A Walk Score of 72 out of 100 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, allowing a resident who no longer drives to get out independently. Karen Bentsen serves as the administrator.
Westbrook Acres offers skilled nursing, hospice care, and memory care in Gladbrook, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Hospice care supports residents receiving end-of-life care, and the range of services may be a good fit for someone whose clinical needs change over time.
Opened in 1995, Westbrook Acres has 46 beds, placing it in the smaller-community range where residents and staff can get to know one another. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 26 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time assigned to each resident. The facility also offers rehabilitation services and respite care, with respite providing a short-term stay for a family whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.
Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment paths for eligible care. Elizabeth Brubaker serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 31 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride, which means a resident who no longer drives generally needs transportation for errands.
Located in Des Moines, IA, Calvin Community is a skilled nursing community that offers memory care, assisted living, skilled care, and rehabilitation services. Licensed nurses also support skilled nursing, with 24-hour staffing available. With a wide range of care options, the community can accommodate a resident’s evolving needs without the need to move.
With 59 beds, the community’s size can support staff and residents getting to know each other under the leadership of Billy Meyers. Additionally, housing includes one-bed and two-bed layouts. The two-bed option can also suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.
Through 24-hour staffing, staff are available at any time. Rehabilitation services are also available. Moreover, activity calendars and community events provide scheduled activities.
The community has a Walk Score of 61, placing it in the somewhat walkable band where some errands can be completed on foot. For a resident who no longer drives, certain nearby errands may be possible without a car, while other trips may still require transportation. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 39 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nurse staffing time allocated per resident.
In Iowa Falls, IA, Scenic Manor offers four care types. They are independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care.
Independent living is private living with community services and no daily care. Assisted living adds help with specific tasks like bathing and dressing, and doesn’t interfere with a resident’s privacy further. Nursing home and skilled nursing mean licensed nurses are maintained on the floor around the clock, which is why the range works as a single address.
Seventy-seven beds are at Scenic Manor, and the offerings it has suit a resident whose needs will grow but who doesn’t want to move elsewhere. Someone needing skilled rehabilitation briefly can use the short term-rehabilitation program.
The nursing behind one resident, in an average day, works out to 4 hours and 5 minutes. Rehabilitation services carry the therapy side.
A Walk Score of 60 sets the area at somewhat walkable, so a few errands are reachable on foot, and a resident who has stopped driving manages certain ones alone. Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are all acceptable payment options. Medicaid is for when savings aren’t going to cover a long stay, and Medicare is for when skilled care is needed following a discharge from a hospital stay.
Traditions Memory Care of Newton provides memory care, skilled nursing, hospice care, and respite care in Newton, IA. The secured memory care setting is designed for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or chronic confusion who need supervision in an environment that limits wandering risks. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care around the clock, while hospice care supports residents receiving end of life care and respite care offers a short term stay when a usual caregiver needs time away.
The community has 46 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know one another. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Transitional Care, Outpatient Therapy, and rehabilitation services are available for residents who need temporary care or therapeutic support during recovery.
Traditions Memory Care of Newton accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families those payment methods to use for eligible care costs. A Walk Score of 67 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot for a resident who can manage short trips independently. Lucas Skinner serves as the administrator, and Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville operates the community.
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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