Council Bluffs is the seat of Pottawattamie County and situated along the Iowa-Nebraska border. The city is home to almost 63,000 residents, 15.9% of whom are aged 65 and over. Seniors who choose to make this city their retirement destination can take advantage of its remarkably low cost of living, as well as the number of quality medical facilities available in the area, including the high-performing Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.
Seniors who want to maintain their independence, but need ongoing support with daily activities, can benefit from the services available at assisted living facilities. These communities usually create a personal care plan for each resident, and provide social activities and meals, light housekeeping and medication administration. This level of care costs on average $4,523 per month in Council Bluffs, which is slightly more expensive than the national median of $4,300.
This guide offers information about the services provided by assisted living communities in Council Bluffs, as well as the average cost of care in the city and nearby locations. It also includes an overview of the benefits and drawbacks to consider before retiring in Council Bluffs, as well as some long-term care resources available to local seniors.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Council Bluffs, IA
57 West Ferndale Drive, Council Bluffs, IA, 51503
Amelia Place is situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just a short drive away from Bent Tree Golf Club, Fairmount Park and Metro Crossing Shopping Center. Both residents and visitors are impressed by the
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Amelia Place is situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just a short drive away from Bent Tree Golf Club, Fairmount Park and Metro Crossing Shopping Center. Both residents and visitors are impressed by the variety of activities available including manicures, exercise classes and outings to restaurants. Families note the very caring and friendly staff who are always available to make sure residents are comfortable. Amelia Place guests give praise to this facility for the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and how happy all the residents appear to be.
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Amelia Place is situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just a short drive away from Bent Tree Golf Club, Fairmount Park and Metro Crossing Shopping Center. Both residents and visitors are impressed by the
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Amelia Place is situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just a short drive away from Bent Tree Golf Club, Fairmount Park and Metro Crossing Shopping Center. Both residents and visitors are impressed by the variety of activities available including manicures, exercise classes and outings to restaurants. Families note the very caring and friendly staff who are always available to make sure residents are comfortable. Amelia Place guests give praise to this facility for the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and how happy all the residents appear to be.
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3000 Risen Son Boulevard, Council Bluffs, IA, 51503
3121 MacIneery Drive, Council Bluffs, IA, 51501
Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, The Heritage at Fox Run provides easy access to Fox Run Golf Course and Lake Manawa State Park. Residents describe this facility as clean and well-kept with spacious a
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Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, The Heritage at Fox Run provides easy access to Fox Run Golf Course and Lake Manawa State Park. Residents describe this facility as clean and well-kept with spacious apartments and communal areas, and loved ones praise the staff for being informative, helpful and caring towards every resident. The Heritage at Fox Run gets high marks for the excellent restaurant-style meals that are served in the elegant dining room or private dining area. Guests are impressed by the range of activities available, including religious services, card games, outings and social hours.
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Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, The Heritage at Fox Run provides easy access to Fox Run Golf Course and Lake Manawa State Park. Residents describe this facility as clean and well-kept with spacious a
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Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, The Heritage at Fox Run provides easy access to Fox Run Golf Course and Lake Manawa State Park. Residents describe this facility as clean and well-kept with spacious apartments and communal areas, and loved ones praise the staff for being informative, helpful and caring towards every resident. The Heritage at Fox Run gets high marks for the excellent restaurant-style meals that are served in the elegant dining room or private dining area. Guests are impressed by the range of activities available, including religious services, card games, outings and social hours.
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11 Elliott Street, Council Bluffs, IA, 51503
We toured Bethany Heights Assisted Living. They were very informative, the place was very clean, and their studio apartment was very satisfactory. I think we would have placed my mother there. There w
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We toured Bethany Heights Assisted Living. They were very informative, the place was very clean, and their studio apartment was very satisfactory. I think we would have placed my mother there. There were crafts, outings, all kinds of puzzles, and card games. It was very nice, and it’s all very homey. There’s a beauty salon, and they’re pet friendly as well. I talked to some of the residents and they gave positive comments. The staff who toured us around was very knowledgeable and very friendly.
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We toured Bethany Heights Assisted Living. They were very informative, the place was very clean, and their studio apartment was very satisfactory. I think we would have placed my mother there. There w
… (read more)
We toured Bethany Heights Assisted Living. They were very informative, the place was very clean, and their studio apartment was very satisfactory. I think we would have placed my mother there. There were crafts, outings, all kinds of puzzles, and card games. It was very nice, and it’s all very homey. There’s a beauty salon, and they’re pet friendly as well. I talked to some of the residents and they gave positive comments. The staff who toured us around was very knowledgeable and very friendly.
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1801 E Kanesville Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA, 51503
Primrose Retirement Community of Council Bluffs is an assisted living facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, conveniently located on East Kanesville Boulevard and within easy access of CHI Health Mercy Hos
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Primrose Retirement Community of Council Bluffs is an assisted living facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, conveniently located on East Kanesville Boulevard and within easy access of CHI Health Mercy Hospital. Visitors to the community are particularly impressed with the spacious, well-equipped apartments. They also emphasize the staff’s friendly and caring demeanor, which contributes to a homelike feeling in the community, as well as their knowledge and thoughtfulness with residents. Guests appreciate the in-house chef’s hearty and rustic meals, which gives the food the simpler feel of home cooking.
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Primrose Retirement Community of Council Bluffs is an assisted living facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, conveniently located on East Kanesville Boulevard and within easy access of CHI Health Mercy Hos
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Primrose Retirement Community of Council Bluffs is an assisted living facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, conveniently located on East Kanesville Boulevard and within easy access of CHI Health Mercy Hospital. Visitors to the community are particularly impressed with the spacious, well-equipped apartments. They also emphasize the staff’s friendly and caring demeanor, which contributes to a homelike feeling in the community, as well as their knowledge and thoughtfulness with residents. Guests appreciate the in-house chef’s hearty and rustic meals, which gives the food the simpler feel of home cooking.
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702 Fort Crook Road South, Bellevue, NE, 68005
Richmont Village is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, next to the Missouri River and bordering the city of Omaha. Family members of residents appreciate the facility’s great location and its hotel-like e
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Richmont Village is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, next to the Missouri River and bordering the city of Omaha. Family members of residents appreciate the facility’s great location and its hotel-like environment, with big windows that provide plenty of natural lighting. Visitors note that the community is contemporary and spacious, with nice outdoor areas including balconies and a secure interior courtyard. The facility also receives high marks from guests for its many activities such as game nights, shopping trips and live music provided by visiting musicians. There is also an on-site library, a coffee shop and a beauty salon.
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Richmont Village is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, next to the Missouri River and bordering the city of Omaha. Family members of residents appreciate the facility’s great location and its hotel-like e
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Richmont Village is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, next to the Missouri River and bordering the city of Omaha. Family members of residents appreciate the facility’s great location and its hotel-like environment, with big windows that provide plenty of natural lighting. Visitors note that the community is contemporary and spacious, with nice outdoor areas including balconies and a secure interior courtyard. The facility also receives high marks from guests for its many activities such as game nights, shopping trips and live music provided by visiting musicians. There is also an on-site library, a coffee shop and a beauty salon.
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1330 S 70th St, Omaha, NE, 68106
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Aksarben Village is close to Elmwood Park and the Crossroads Mall. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the courteous staff at this community. Visitors compliment the
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Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Aksarben Village is close to Elmwood Park and the Crossroads Mall. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the courteous staff at this community. Visitors compliment the clean, spacious and well-organized accommodations, some of which include in-room kitchenettes. Residents enjoy the array of amenities available at Aksarben Village, such as an on-site beauty parlor, chapel and movie theater. The facility receives plenty of praise for scheduling bingo games, craft-making projects, shopping trips and exercise classes. It also gets high marks for serving delicious food in an elegant dining area.
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Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Aksarben Village is close to Elmwood Park and the Crossroads Mall. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the courteous staff at this community. Visitors compliment the
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Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Aksarben Village is close to Elmwood Park and the Crossroads Mall. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the courteous staff at this community. Visitors compliment the clean, spacious and well-organized accommodations, some of which include in-room kitchenettes. Residents enjoy the array of amenities available at Aksarben Village, such as an on-site beauty parlor, chapel and movie theater. The facility receives plenty of praise for scheduling bingo games, craft-making projects, shopping trips and exercise classes. It also gets high marks for serving delicious food in an elegant dining area.
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7337 Hickory, Omaha, NE, 68124
Bickford of Omaha – Hickory is a premier assisted living facility conveniently located in beautiful Omaha, Nebraska. The community has nursing on staff to address resident needs and offers different l
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Bickford of Omaha – Hickory is a premier assisted living facility conveniently located in beautiful Omaha, Nebraska. The community has nursing on staff to address resident needs and offers different levels of care including a memory unit staffed by friendly and attentive personnel. Residents and loved ones like the smaller, more family-like feel of the facility. Family members feel included and are always invited to group activities and field trips. The recently renovated facility has been praised as being very clean with excellent short-order food. Other amenities include laundry service, a beauty and barber shop and resident transportation.
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Bickford of Omaha – Hickory is a premier assisted living facility conveniently located in beautiful Omaha, Nebraska. The community has nursing on staff to address resident needs and offers different l
… (read more)
Bickford of Omaha – Hickory is a premier assisted living facility conveniently located in beautiful Omaha, Nebraska. The community has nursing on staff to address resident needs and offers different levels of care including a memory unit staffed by friendly and attentive personnel. Residents and loved ones like the smaller, more family-like feel of the facility. Family members feel included and are always invited to group activities and field trips. The recently renovated facility has been praised as being very clean with excellent short-order food. Other amenities include laundry service, a beauty and barber shop and resident transportation.
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1502 Fort Crook Road South, Bellevue, NE, 68005
Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, Heritage Ridge Assisted Living is just minutes from Baldwin Field and Everett Park. Residents and their loved ones agree that this community has friendly, helpful staff
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Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, Heritage Ridge Assisted Living is just minutes from Baldwin Field and Everett Park. Residents and their loved ones agree that this community has friendly, helpful staff and comfortable, spacious accommodations. Visitors say that the dining room is cozy and the food is delicious. Residents appreciate having access to an array of amenities, including an on-site beauty salon, coffee shop, library and enclosed outdoor courtyard. The facility also receives rave reviews for scheduling cooking classes, craft-making projects, happy hours and field trips to casinos, shops and restaurants.
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Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, Heritage Ridge Assisted Living is just minutes from Baldwin Field and Everett Park. Residents and their loved ones agree that this community has friendly, helpful staff
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Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, Heritage Ridge Assisted Living is just minutes from Baldwin Field and Everett Park. Residents and their loved ones agree that this community has friendly, helpful staff and comfortable, spacious accommodations. Visitors say that the dining room is cozy and the food is delicious. Residents appreciate having access to an array of amenities, including an on-site beauty salon, coffee shop, library and enclosed outdoor courtyard. The facility also receives rave reviews for scheduling cooking classes, craft-making projects, happy hours and field trips to casinos, shops and restaurants.
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7315 Hickory Street, Omaha, NE, 68124
I toured this community. The residents were doing an exercise class that looked like a lot of fun. They were all laughing. The apartment I was shown was spacious and had a lot of closets. The comm
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I toured this community. The residents were doing an exercise class that looked like a lot of fun. They were all laughing. The apartment I was shown was spacious and had a lot of closets. The community was clean and friendly.
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I toured this community. The residents were doing an exercise class that looked like a lot of fun. They were all laughing. The apartment I was shown was spacious and had a lot of closets. The comm
… (read more)
I toured this community. The residents were doing an exercise class that looked like a lot of fun. They were all laughing. The apartment I was shown was spacious and had a lot of closets. The community was clean and friendly.
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3636 California Street, Omaha, NE, 68131
Offering assisted living and memory care in downtown Omaha, Via Christe sits in close proximity to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for easy access to high-quality care. Reviews of this facil
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Offering assisted living and memory care in downtown Omaha, Via Christe sits in close proximity to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for easy access to high-quality care. Reviews of this facility rate it highly for its spacious rooms, compassionate staff, excellent housekeeping and maintenance. This community offers a variety of activities to help residents foster a healthy mind, body and spirit, including learning presentations, Tai Chi classes, bowling and daily mass. Residents also enjoy monthly birthday parties, cooking activities, bingo and other games, and matinees in the fully appointed theater complete with surround sound and reclining seats.
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Offering assisted living and memory care in downtown Omaha, Via Christe sits in close proximity to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for easy access to high-quality care. Reviews of this facil
… (read more)
Offering assisted living and memory care in downtown Omaha, Via Christe sits in close proximity to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for easy access to high-quality care. Reviews of this facility rate it highly for its spacious rooms, compassionate staff, excellent housekeeping and maintenance. This community offers a variety of activities to help residents foster a healthy mind, body and spirit, including learning presentations, Tai Chi classes, bowling and daily mass. Residents also enjoy monthly birthday parties, cooking activities, bingo and other games, and matinees in the fully appointed theater complete with surround sound and reclining seats.
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5110 South 49th Street, Omaha, NE, 68117
Southview Heights is an assisted living facility located in Omaha, Nebraska, just a few blocks from 48th Street Square Shopping Center and within walking distance of Hitchcock Park. The facility recei
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Southview Heights is an assisted living facility located in Omaha, Nebraska, just a few blocks from 48th Street Square Shopping Center and within walking distance of Hitchcock Park. The facility receives high marks from residents’ family members for its nice apartments, which have a bedroom, sitting area and small kitchen. Relatives praise the facility for its cleanliness, wonderful staff and good food. Residents have access to activities such as card games and are often taken on outings, which include rides in the country and church suppers where they’re able to socialize.
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Southview Heights is an assisted living facility located in Omaha, Nebraska, just a few blocks from 48th Street Square Shopping Center and within walking distance of Hitchcock Park. The facility recei
… (read more)
Southview Heights is an assisted living facility located in Omaha, Nebraska, just a few blocks from 48th Street Square Shopping Center and within walking distance of Hitchcock Park. The facility receives high marks from residents’ family members for its nice apartments, which have a bedroom, sitting area and small kitchen. Relatives praise the facility for its cleanliness, wonderful staff and good food. Residents have access to activities such as card games and are often taken on outings, which include rides in the country and church suppers where they’re able to socialize.
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2205 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
St Joseph Tower Assisted Living is conveniently located near Interstate 80 in Omaha, Nebraska, just a short drive from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. According to relatives, the 14-floor facil
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St Joseph Tower Assisted Living is conveniently located near Interstate 80 in Omaha, Nebraska, just a short drive from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. According to relatives, the 14-floor facility has an open look and is full of natural light. Family members claim that the staff is competent and caring, and note that the community’s dining room is pleasant and serves good food. Residents have a choice of one or two bedroom apartments, which visitors note have large bathrooms and walk-in closets. The facility has a library, an activities room and a common area where coffee is available.
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St Joseph Tower Assisted Living is conveniently located near Interstate 80 in Omaha, Nebraska, just a short drive from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. According to relatives, the 14-floor facil
… (read more)
St Joseph Tower Assisted Living is conveniently located near Interstate 80 in Omaha, Nebraska, just a short drive from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. According to relatives, the 14-floor facility has an open look and is full of natural light. Family members claim that the staff is competent and caring, and note that the community’s dining room is pleasant and serves good food. Residents have a choice of one or two bedroom apartments, which visitors note have large bathrooms and walk-in closets. The facility has a library, an activities room and a common area where coffee is available.
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1845 S 72nd St, Omaha, NE, 68106
4801 N 52nd St, Omaha, NE, 68104
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Council Bluffs
Iowa’s assisted living facilities are regularly surveyed and monitored by the Department of Inspection and Appeals to make sure that state regulations are being followed. The Department’s staff conduct routine, unannounced inspections of facilities in Council Bluffs to assess whether the services and care quality provided meet acceptable standards.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Council Bluffs
- Seniors in Council Bluffs must be prepared for an extreme temperature range, from highs of 87 degrees during the summer to lows of 13 degrees in the winter. As a positive factor, residents can expect 211 days of sunshine, which is higher than the U.S. average of 205. Additionally, the local air quality is considered good for approximately 86% of the year, thanks in part to the abundance of natural areas.
- Health care costs in the city are 25% higher than the U.S. median, but only about 4% above the Iowa average. Plus, retirees are close to 15 assisted living facilities and numerous medical centers, including the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, both rated as high-performing by U.S. News & World Report.
- The combined state and county sales tax rate that Council Bluffs residents pay is only 7%, which is much lower than in other parts of Iowa. Policies regarding retirement income are also favorable; Social Security benefits are fully exempt, and although pensions and withdrawals from savings accounts are subject to taxation, certain seniors may be eligible for generous deductions.
- City residents benefit from a relatively affordable cost of living, which is around 15.4% lower than the average across the United States.
- Approximately 9.14 violent crimes per 1,000 residents are committed in the area. This is three times the average rate in Iowa, and Council Bluffs is safer than only 2% of U.S. cities. Seniors may feel safer in assisted living communities, which typically offer security features such as 24/7 monitoring and cameras at all entrances and exits.
- Iowa’s life expectancy of 79.2 years is longer than the national average of 78.7, which is arguably the result of an overall healthy lifestyle in the local senior population.
- Residents who meet certain eligibility criteria may qualify for curb-to-curb transportation at reduced fares through the Council Bluffs Special Transit Service. Trips are also available to the nearby city of Omaha, Nebraska.
Paying for Assisted Living in Council Bluffs
The average cost of assisted living in Council Bluffs is $4,523 per month, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This is around 5% higher than the U.S. average rate of $4,300, but 11% above Iowa’s median of $4,073.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Sioux City, to the north of Council Bluffs, is much more affordable for this type of care, at just $3,750 per month. In the state’s second-largest city, Cedar Rapids, seniors pay around $4,450. However, fees are significantly higher in Des Moines, at $5,005 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Council Bluffs residents who want to remain in their own homes can pay $4,767 per month for homemaker services, or a slightly higher fee of $4,957 for a home health aide. The average monthly cost of $1,625 for adult day care is much more affordable, largely because services are provided Monday through Friday in a group setting. Those in need of a higher level of care must budget around $8,182 per month for a semiprivate room in a nursing home, or $9,247 for a private room.
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Note: Care cost data for Council Bluffs was not available, so data for the closest city, Omaha, NE, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Council Bluffs
Seniors in the Council Bluffs area can have the cost of their assisted living accommodation subsidized by the Medicaid program. Medicaid waivers are also available for individuals who require long-term care that they are unable to pay for themselves.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Iowa page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs supports its older residents through a variety of free and low-cost resources. Seniors can receive assistance to apply for benefits, participate in various recreational programs and access advocacy and help to defend their rights as residents of assisted living facilities.
The Healthy Living Center offers multiple activities to help seniors in Council Bluffs stay engaged with their community. There are fitness and cardio classes tailored to the needs of older adults. Recreational activities may include book clubs, card games and crafts groups. Additionally, residents can take advantage of amenities such as the therapeutic pool and on-site wellness center, as well as educational programs aimed at retirees with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues.
The OSLTCO investigates and resolves issues reported by or on behalf of residents in assisted living communities across Iowa. Individual guidance is available to help older adults and families understand their long-term care options and find a facility that meets their needs. Problems that the ombudsman can help with include care practices, food quality, lack of hygiene, abuse and any other concern affecting a senior’s quality of life.
The Connections Area Agency on Aging helps local retirees access local resources. Staff members provide information about enrolling in Medicare and solving coverage issues, and a variety of services are available to support residents who are waiting for placement in an assisted living facility. Evidence-based programs can teach the basics of fall prevention and diabetes self-management. Those who want to contribute to good causes in the community can also take part in several opportunities through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
The Pottawattamie County Veterans Affairs office can assist senior veterans with completing forms and submitting applications for benefits earned through their service. Staff members screen veterans to determine their eligibility for VA entitlements that can help them pay for assisted living, which may include disability compensation, pensions and Aid and Attendance benefits.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Iowa are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page for more information about these laws.
