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Reviewed by Victoria Collier, VA-Accredited Attorney Patriot Angels has helped 276 families in Iowa access the VA benefits they've earned. Some of the cities where we help the most families:
Iowa Assisted Living: The Key Numbers
The Iowa partner network spans 28 cities, led by Fort Dodge and Cedar Falls.
Iowa Assisted Living Costs Compared With VA Benefits
The Iowa median for assisted living is $5,380 a month ($64,566 a year), according to the CareScout (Genworth) 2025 Cost of Care Survey. That is 13% below the national median of $6,200. For an Iowa veteran approved for the maximum, up to $3,845 a month would leave about $1,535 a month to cover from Social Security, a pension, or savings.
| Setting | Iowa median per month | U.S. median per month | Covered by up to $3,845 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | $5,380 | $6,200 | 71% |
| In-home care (non-medical) | $7,836 | $6,673 | 49% |
| Adult day care | $1,614 | $2,058 | 100% |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $9,277 | $9,581 | 41% |
| Nursing home, private room | $10,038 | $10,798 | 38% |
Statewide medians for Iowa from the CareScout (Genworth) Cost of Care Survey 2025. Prices at individual communities depend on apartment size and care level.
Could Aid & Attendance Cover Most of an Iowa Assisted Living Bill?
At the Iowa median of $5,380 a month, up to $3,845 in Aid & Attendance would pay about 71% of the cost for a qualifying veteran or surviving spouse. Tell us about your Iowa veteran and we will help you see what is possible. See which types of care qualify for Aid & Attendance, including assisted living.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (844) 757-3047
160,571 Iowa Veterans, and Many Families Who Don’t Know About This Benefit
Iowa is home to 160,571 veterans, 85,273 of them 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024). Surviving spouses of Iowa wartime veterans can qualify as well, which many families only learn after a parent has moved into care.
Patriot Angels Assisted Living Partners in Iowa
Patriot Angels works with 33 Iowa assisted living partners. These cities have the most:
| City | Partner communities | Also offer memory care |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | 2 | 0 |
| Cedar Falls | 2 | 1 |
| Clinton | 2 | 1 |
| Burlington | 2 | 2 |
| Fort Madison | 1 | 1 |
| Norwalk | 1 | 1 |
| Ankeny | 1 | 1 |
| Sioux City | 1 | 0 |
Operators with the most Iowa partner locations: Bickford Senior Living (12), Discovery Senior Living (11), Agemark Senior Living (2).
Featured Iowa Partners
How Iowa Licenses Assisted Living
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) licenses assisted living programs in Iowa. License categories in Iowa:
- Assisted Living Program (certified)
- Assisted living for persons with dementia
What it means for your family: Iowa certifies assisted living programs for persons with dementia separately. Because 18 of 33 Iowa partners run memory care too, ask early whether a community can keep your loved one as needs change.
Before you sign with an Iowa community, check its record in the DIAL licensing page.
Paying for Assisted Living in Iowa
Elderly Waiver
Iowa's Elderly Waiver can cover assisted living services for eligible members.
Aid & Attendance in Iowa
The benefit is paid to the Iowa veteran or surviving spouse, not the community, so it can go toward any assisted living bill. It is not federally taxable.
The family home
Selling or renting an Iowa home can fund several years of care. Time the sale with the VA claim in mind.
Long-term care insurance
Older policies often pay a daily amount for assisted living in Iowa. Check the elimination period before move-in.
Find Assisted Living in Your Iowa City
28 Iowa cities have an assisted living page. Counts show partner communities.
Neighboring states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota.
Veteran Families We’ve Helped
Families in Iowa and across the country rate Patriot Angels 4.9 on Google. BBB A+ accredited. See all reviews
Iowa Assisted Living Questions, Answered
How much is assisted living in Iowa?
The Iowa statewide median is $5,380 a month, or $64,566 a year (CareScout 2025). Each community sets prices by apartment and level of care.
Can Aid & Attendance pay for assisted living in Iowa?
Yes. A qualifying wartime veteran or surviving spouse can receive up to $3,845 a month and use it toward an Iowa assisted living bill, about 71% of the state median.
Who licenses assisted living in Iowa?
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
Does Iowa Medicaid cover assisted living?
Elderly Waiver: Iowa's Elderly Waiver can cover assisted living services for eligible members.
How many Patriot Angels partners are in Iowa?
33 assisted living partners in 28 cities, and 18 of them also offer memory care.
New to Assisted Living? Start Here
For services, care levels and tour questions that apply in Iowa and every other state, see the national guide.
