Overview of Iowa Assisted Living

Nestled between the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River to the east, Iowa is the epitome of America’s Heartland. Seniors enjoying assisted living in Iowa are surrounded by clean air and friendly communities.

Residents ofIowa benefit from safe neighborhoods, top-notch medical facilities, a low sales tax and easy access to a wide variety of shopping and entertainment opportunities. It’s no wonder that Iowa consistently receives high marks on surveys determining the best places to live in America, and that CQ Press ranked Iowa as the nation’s second-most livable state in 2010.

The average cost of assisted living in Iowa is $3,500 per month. This is higher than the national average which is $2,877 per month.

 

Iowa ranks within the top 20 most affordable states for assisted living. Before a tenant enters an assisted living community in Iowa, the senior must sign a contract called an “Occupancy Agreement.” This contract determines what services are received and at what cost.

Occupancy Agreements are usually individualized, so that seniors have the opportunity to negotiate the frequency of services and the amount of money that will be paid. The Occupancy Agreement will be revised any time there is a change in desired or necessary services, and the monthly fees may fluctuate accordingly.

Many assisted living facilities in Iowa accept money from Medicaid waiver programs, but the number of residents in a facility using these funds may be limited. State service funds and a state-funded rent supplement program are also available. There is a maximum cap of $1,025 per month for reimbursement on care plans.

 

Iowa defines assisted living as “the provision of housing with services, which may include, but are not limited to, health-related care, personal care and assistance with instrumental activities of daily living, to three or more tenants in a physical structure, which provides a homelike environment.” Assisted living homes must also employ 24-hour support staff to provide supervision and meet the needs of senior residents “in a manner that promotes maximum dignity and independence.”

The family members of seniors enjoying Iowa assisted living are encouraged to remain involved in the care of their loved one, and to assist with “tenant self-direction,” a philosophy that emphasizes choice and individuality.

In the state of Iowa there are several types of facilities that provide care services for adults. Facilities that specifically provide assisted living services for the elderly are called assisted living programs, elder group homes and residential care facilities.

• An assisted living program is a facility that provides services that include assistance with activities of daily living, health-related care or personal care to three or more residents as per Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 481 Ch. 69.1. Along with receiving housing and services, residents should also expect to participate in decisions that emphasize their dignity, independence and individuality.

• An elder group home is a single-family residence where personal care, room and board, and health-related services are provided to less than five residents who are unrelated to the residence’s owner as per IAC 481 Ch. 68.1. A manager is required to be on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Residential care facilities provide room, board and assistance with activity of daily living to residents who are unable to care for themselves because of conditions such as disease or mental infirmity. These facilities may be designated as solely providing memory care. Except for emergencies, residents do not require the services of a registered or licensed practical nurse.

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.