Nursing Homes in Iowa

Nursing homes in Iowa are designed to provide 24-hour care to elderly individuals who require skilled nursing services and room and board. Such services include daily living assistance, rehabilitation, medication management and more. With a rich Midwestern U.S. culture and abundant activities for elderly citizens, nursing homes in Iowa should be a top consideration when seeking long-term senior care. This state currently has 459 facilities certified by Medicare and Medicaid, providing plenty of quality options.

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Skilled Nursing Care in Iowa - Cost Comparison

City Monthly Minimum Monthly Maximum Monthly Median
Cedar Falls $4,075 $6,755 $5,080
Cedar Rapids $4,535 $5,355 $5,020
Des Moines $4,350 $7,000 $5,535
Iowa City $4,110 $5,230 $4,810
Sioux City $3,350 $5,810 $4,10

Nursing home care costs can be expensive for many of us. Luckily, Indiana nursing home costs are below the national average.The median annual cost of nursing homes in Iowa come to around $68,255 for a private room and $63,875 for a semi-private room. Depending on the location and your eligibility for financial assistance or insurance, these prices are subject to change. 

For more information regarding the cost of skilled nursing care in Iowa, check out Genworth's 2015 Cost of Care Survey - Iowa.

Recreation & Attractions in Iowa

Popular for its rolling plains and cornfields, Iowa is also known for attractions such as the Des Moines Art Center, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Senior centers throughout the state like in Polk County, Iowa, provide elders with many activities. These can be great places to learn new things, take exercise classes, or just relax with friends over coffee. Many centers also provide transportation, so seniors have the freedom to move about Iowa as they desire.

Iowa's Climate, Geography & Culture

Iowa is a largely rural state with friendly Midwesterners built on the backbone of agriculture. While there are a few bigger cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa is dotted with small rural towns and rolling farmland. This is a state where people love spending their times outdoors whether that is fishing, hunting, boating, or biking.

While not mountainous, Iowa is not a flat state like some think and instead consists of rolling hills. There are several natural and man-made lakes in the state. Iowa has a humid continental climate, experiencing extreme temperatures in both the winter and the summer. Summer months bring hot humid weather and temperatures near 90 degrees Fahrenheit daily. Average winter temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees. The state does see about 50 thunderstorms annually and does become victim to tornadoes from time to time.

Crime & Safety in Iowa

When searching for a long-term care option it is important to explore the surrounding community to ensure your elderly loved one is moving to a safe location. Iowa’s rates of violent and property crimes are lower than the national average, so it is likely that you’ll find a suitable place to receive quality long-term needed. Below are some of the safest cities in Iowa:

LocationViolent Crimes per 1,000Property Crimes per 1,000
Bloomfield0.002.25
Grundy Center0.363.31
Marendo1.573.94

(source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for Skilled Nursing Care in Iowa

Depending on your situation, there are several options to consider when paying for skilled nursing services in Iowa. Private payment comes directly out of an individual’s own income, and many pursue this option until the qualifications for Medicaid are met. Long-term care insurance allows assets or income to be retained, although there are many factors determining eligibility. Medicare can cover up to 100 days of care, and include a $124 co-payment after the 20th day. On the other hand, Medicaid is used to cover long-term care options after individuals meet a variety of qualifications. People over 65 years of age are eligible if they are currently receiving an income of up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Line. 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Nursing Homes in Iowa

Nursing homes in Iowa don’t have the power to take away your citizenship or any other rights afforded by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Seniors should be treated with dignity, have their privacy protected, always free to express themselves, and manage their own affairs. If it is suspected that any of these rights are being infringed, contact a legal advisor familiar with senior law.

Iowa Nursing Homes: Medical Record Rules & Regulation

For residents receiving care in the state of Iowa, it is a statutory right to review and duplicate their medical records held by a health care provider. Unless there is reason to believe the release of this information would in some way be detrimental to the resident, these rights are afforded to all people receiving long-term care in Iowa.

Iowa is welling with opportunities to find “the good life,” especially during retirement. For many, the move to a nursing home in Iowa can be a time to make friends and enjoy a wealth of activities and new experiences.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.