Best-Rated Nursing Homes in Iowa (2026)
The 10 highest-rated nursing homes in Iowa, ranked from Medicare’s star ratings, inspections and staffing, using data as of September 2026. No home paid to be on this list.
- 1
Deerfield Health Care Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 5 hr 19 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 4 of 5 for long-term care.
- 2
Fonda Specialty Care
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 3 hr 20 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 3
Iowa Veterans Home
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 44 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 4
Meth-Wick Health Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 55 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 4 of 5 for short-term rehab, 5 of 5 for long-term care.
- 5
St Francis Manor
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 51 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 5 of 5 for long-term care.
- 6
Gracewell, An Eventide Community
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 3 hr 38 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 4 of 5 for short-term rehab, 4 of 5 for long-term care.
- 7
Kanawha Community Home
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 31 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 8
MercyOne Dyersville Senior CareInside a hospital
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 04 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 9
The Suites at Western Home Communities
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 34 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 4 of 5 for short-term rehab, 4 of 5 for long-term care.
- 10
West Ridge Care Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 20 min a day with each resident (Iowa average 3 hr 49 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 2 of 5 for long-term care.
Tick “Compare” on two to four homes to see them side by side. See all nursing homes in Iowa →
How we rank. Homes are ordered by Medicare’s overall star rating. When two homes tie, the one with the better health inspection rating goes first, then staffing rating, then quality rating, then fewer serious citations, then lower fines. Homes still tied are listed alphabetically.
Best-rated nursing homes by county in Iowa
- Appanoose County
- Benton County
- Black Hawk County
- Boone County
- Bremer County
- Butler County
- Calhoun County
- Carroll County
- Cass County
- Cedar County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Cherokee County
- Clayton County
- Clinton County
- Dallas County
- Des Moines County
- Dubuque County
- Emmet County
- Fayette County
- Floyd County
- Franklin County
- Grundy County
- Hamilton County
- Hancock County
- Hardin County
- Harrison County
- Henry County
- Iowa County
- Jasper County
- Johnson County
- Keokuk County
- Kossuth County
- Lee County
- Linn County
- Lyon County
- Mahaska County
- Marion County
- Marshall County
- Mitchell County
- Monona County
- Montgomery County
- Muscatine County
- Obrien County
- Palo Alto County
- Plymouth County
- Polk County
- Pottawattamie County
- Poweshiek County
- Sac County
- Scott County
- Sioux County
- Story County
- Tama County
- Wapello County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Webster County
- Winnebago County
- Winneshiek County
- Woodbury County
- Wright County
About nursing homes in Iowa
What is the best-rated nursing home in Iowa?
By Medicare’s ratings, Deerfield Health Care Center ranks first in Iowa, with an overall rating of 5 out of 5. Ratings are a starting point; visit and ask about anything in a home’s inspection record.
How many nursing homes are in Iowa?
361 homes in Iowa qualify for this ranking: rated by Medicare and not on its Special Focus or abuse lists. See every nursing home in Iowa, including homes not yet rated.
How is this list ranked?
By Medicare’s overall star rating, then its health inspection, staffing and quality ratings, then fewer serious citations and fines. Homes on Medicare’s Special Focus list or with its abuse icon are not included, nor are children’s facilities. Paid or sponsored listings never affect the order.
Medicare ratings can lag behind changes at a home. Always visit, ask about recent inspections, and confirm openings, insurance and care needs with each home. How we use Medicare data