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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Council Bluffs, IA for 2024

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.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Council Bluffs, Iowa

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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.

Council Bluffs

$5,005

Iowa

$4,073

The United States

$4,300

Sioux City

$3,723

Cedar Rapids

$3,750

Des Moines

$4,450

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.

Homemaker Services

$4,767

Home Health Aide

$4,957

Adult Day Health Care

$1,625

Assisted Living Facility

$4,523

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$8,182

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

$9,247

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. 

ResourceContactService
Council Bluffs Healthy Living Center(712) 323-5995The 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.
Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman(866) 236-1430The 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.
Connections Area Agency on Aging(800) 432-9209The 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).
Pottawattamie County Veterans Affairs(712) 328-5797The 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.

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Denny

I visited this facility

Review of Bethany Heights Assisted Living

I went to Bethany Heights Assisted Living. It was really a nice place. It provided everything that we were looking for. The staff was very professional and very thoughtful. The rooms were really...

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Assisted Living

Amber

I visited this facility

Review of The Heritage at Fox Run

Heritage At Fox Run was nice. The rooms were nice and clean. They had good-sized rooms, just a little pricier than what we were looking for. They had a lot of scheduled activities, which was nice....

Read more

Assisted Living

Angie

I visited this facility

Review of The Heritage at Fox Run

I love The Heritage at Fox Run and Mom did as well. We loved the place. I have nothing bad to say about them. They were wonderful. I tried the food there and it was delicious. The rooms were nice....

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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