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.

Birdee Cottage AL and MC | Assisted Living in Iowa

Overview of Birdee Cottage Al and Mc

Birdee Cottage is a family-owned assisted living and memory care facility located in Waterloo, IA. It offers personalized care and a home-like environment for residents, focusing on safety and comfort. The facility provides memory care services and home-cooked meals, ensuring a supportive atmosphere for individuals with memory loss.

(319) 300-5177 director@birdeecottage.com

33-bed community

A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.

4 years in operation

An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate

52%

Lower than the Iowa average: 75.4%

Occupied beds

17 / 33

Average residents 51 per day

Facility TypeAssisted Living Programs For People With Dementia

StatusActive

IssuanceNovember 16, 2021

ExpirationNovember 17, 2027

CountyBlack Hawk

License NumberS0455

Birdee Cottage AL and MC is administrated by Kim Meyer.

Owner NameNo Related Entities Found

Secured Perimeter

Safety FeaturesCamera safety system, grab handle bars, private bathrooms.

Doesn't Accept Medicaid

Doesn't Accept Medicare

Fax3193000000

Private Bedrooms

Home-Cooked Meals

Snacks Available

Special Diets Accommodated

Specific ProgramsAbout Us, Amenities, Rooms & Rates, Testimonials, FAQ, Photo Gallery, Contact, Blog

Food DescriptionHome-cooked meals provided, with 3 meals daily and snacks available.

Meals IncludedYes

Meals Per Day3

Special DietsYes

Iowa average: 17 visits/inspections

Iowa average: 0 inspections

Show Inspection Reports

Latest inspection

Date September 16, 2025

10 deficiencies

Deficiencies indicate regulatory issues. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.

Iowa average: 27 deficiencies

Inspection Report Summary for Birdee Cottage AL and MC

The most recent inspection on September 16, 2025, identified a deficiency related to the facility’s failure to develop an individualized service plan for a tenant that included alcohol use preferences and a physician’s titration recommendation. Earlier inspections showed a mixed record, with the initial certification visit in September 2022 citing multiple deficiencies involving documentation, medication administration, staff training, service plans, and life safety code issues, while a February 2025 complaint investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. The main themes across deficiencies involved individualized service planning, documentation accuracy, staff training, and compliance with dementia-specific program requirements. Complaint investigations were mostly unsubstantiated except for the recent case involving the individualized service plan omission. The pattern suggests some improvement since the initial certification, though issues with individualized care planning remain.

Elderly Waiver

Iowa Medicaid Elderly Waiver

Age 65+

General Iowa resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.

Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

Rural focus; waitlists possible.

Benefits

In-home care (5-7 hours/day) Meals ($6/meal) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care ($60/day)

Iowa Family Caregiver Support

IA NFCSP

Age Caregiver of someone 60+

General Iowa resident.

Income Limits No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.

Asset Limits Not applicable.

Limited slots; rural emphasis.

Benefits

In-home respite (4-6 hours/day) Adult day care (~$60/day) Short-term facility care (up to 5 days)

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Iowa Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled

General Iowa resident, Medicare Part A/B.

Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.

Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).

Three tiers; no waitlist.

Benefits

Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Iowa PACE

Age 55+

General Iowa resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.

Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, Medicaid-eligible

Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

Limited to western Iowa (e.g., Council Bluffs); expanding slowly.

Benefits

Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Medical care Meals Transportation Therapy Respite

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Iowa SCSEP

Age 55+

General unemployed, low-income, Iowa resident.

Income Limits (2025) ~$1,983/month 125% FPL

Asset Limits Not specified; income-focused.

Priority for veterans, rural residents.

Benefits

Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour) Job placement

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Iowa VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse

General Iowa resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.

Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.

Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth limit

High veteran demand in rural areas.

Benefits

Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living)

Able Up Iowa

Age 65+ or disabled

General Iowa resident, ability to repay loan, need for assistive tech or mods.

Income Limits (2025) No strict limit; must demonstrate repayment capacity.

Asset Limits Not specified; credit-based.

Loans up to $25,000; statewide via Easterseals partnership.

Benefits

Loans for wheelchairs Ramps Walk-in tubs (~$500-$10,000 avg.) Reducing reliance on paid care

4.5 miles from city center Estimated distance in miles from Waterloo's city center to Birdee Cottage AL and MC's address, calculated via Google Maps.

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Penalty History

Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.

No penalties in the past 3 years

No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.

Compare Assisted Living around Iowa

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Apple Valley Place	AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.	Osage	78	No	-	-	17	65.4%	13	5
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Birdee Cottage AL and MC	AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.	Waterloo	33	No	-	-	4	51.5%	4	2

Apple Valley Place

Type of care: AL

Community:Location: Osage

Bed Count: 78

Pets Allowed: No

Aspen Heights Assisted Living

Type of care: AL

Community:Location: Hull

Bed Count: 48

Pets Allowed: No

Bavarian Meadows

Type of care: AL

Community:Location: Remsen

Bed Count: 44

Pets Allowed: No

Avoca Lodge Assisted Living

Type of care: AL

Community:Location: Avoca

Bed Count: 40

Pets Allowed: No

Bed Options: Semi-Private / 1 Bed

Birdee Cottage AL and MC

Type of care: AL

Community:Location: Waterloo

Bed Count: 33

Pets Allowed: No

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Birdee Cottage AL and MC

Assisted Living in Iowa

Assisted Living in Iowa