Serving as a principal city of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Metropolitan Area, Waterloo sits along both sides of the Cedar River in the northeastern region of Iowa. Assisted living communities in this area charge a typical monthly fee of around $4,163 in 2024, providing substantial savings over Iowa’s median of $5,200 and the national norm of $5,350. In total, the region has 18 assisted living communities for seniors to choose from, including 3 within Waterloo.
In our directory, we provide insight into local assisted living facilities through 58 reviews reviews, which indicate a satisfaction score of 4.4 out of 5 stars stars.
2221 Fairway Ln, Waterloo, IA 50701
5.0
(2 reviews)
"The tour we had at Birdee Cottage Assisted Living & Memory Care was good. It was very clean and had a very new feeling. The patio was very pretty. They've got some flowers and pumpkins. It was just very pleasant out there. We liked that it's kind of ..."
$6,240
421 Oak Ave., Waterloo, IA 50703
5.0
(1 reviews)
"My father has moved into The Rose of Waterloo last week. There is a monthly charge for that and then you get five emergency calls included with that monthly charge. They always wear the emergency pendant and there is a charge for that per month, too...."
Pricing not available
312 Southbrooke Drive, Waterloo, IA 50702
3.5
(2 reviews)
"I also went to Lakeview Lodge, and it had a lot of different things to offer. It has an aquarium, a theatre, and an ice cream parlor. The staff were very nice, too. ..."
Pricing not available
4715 Algonquin Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
5.0
(3 reviews)
"I toured CedarStone Senior Living. It was very nice. I was very surprised because I had not seen the building back there much larger than I thought. They have lots of rooms available with an elevator to get to the other floors. The room comes furnish..."
$4,350
5101 University Ave., Cedar Falls, IA 50613
4.5
(19 reviews)
"Bickford of Cedar Falls is a beautiful place, and everybody is wonderful over there, but it is apartment-type living, and my husband would be in there by himself with somebody just coming in to check on him, and that type of thing. However, he is dia..."
$3,954
3212 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
At Oak Park Estates, we prioritize creating a cozy, homey atmosphere while delivering personalized care services tailored to individuals who require extra support in their daily lives. With only 16 bedrooms, our intimate setting allows us to offer the utmost attention and care to our residents, ensuring their well-being and comfort. Our facility is characterized by its small size, short hallways, and above all, its warm and inviting ambiance. Here at Oak Park Estates, we provide three delicious home-cooked meals daily, proficiently manage medications, and employ a compassionate and well-trained staff specializing in memory care. Our commitment to love and care shines through in everything we do. If you're searching for a place that truly feels like home for your mother or father, Oak Park Estates is the perfect choice. Oak Park Estates is like home, and residents are family.To learn more about this providers license and review other available state reports, please visit: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Health Facility Database
$7,500
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3187 140th Street, Sumner, IA 50674
5.0
(1 reviews)
"My father is in Cobblestone Court Assisted Living. It's beautiful. Wonderful people. Wonderful facility. He's enjoying everything. They have great meals, and they have movies. It's a wonderful place. It is homey. The food is wonderful. They have a li..."
Pricing not available
114 Forest Street, Fairbank, IA 50629
5.0
(1 reviews)
"My mom lives in Parkview Assisted Living. It's excellent, they have Bingo, they take the residents out to eat, to a play or to watch musical, to doctors' appointments, and they'll pick up groceries and other stuff for them. They serve three meals a d..."
Pricing not available
5500 South Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
5.0
(2 reviews)
"I'm staying at Windhaven Assisted Living and it's a nice place. There are many different buildings out here and right now, ours is being renovated and it's not done yet. It'll be nicer when it's done. I'm in their assisted living now and I have a 1-..."
Pricing not available
95 D Ave., Grundy Center, IA 50638
4.8
(5 reviews)
"Arlington Place of Grundy Center is a very nice, clean community. They have very caring staff who check on my mother a lot and are very good. She likes the food and really likes that she doesn't have to cook anymore. They do some games a lot of the a..."
Pricing not available
1922 5th Ave NW, Waverly, IA 50677
4.2
(4 reviews)
"My sister is in Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community. They haven't had COVID. From the help to the residents and everything, I have been very, very pleased so I can give them the very best rating. I find them very professional and very warm. My twin..."
Pricing not available
5018 S. Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
4.0
(1 reviews)
"Windermere offers just about everything a person needs. Right now, it's difficult for them to keep up as far as hiring people for different reasons, but mainly it's because of COVID. Other than that, it is a comfortable place. There are activities he..."
Pricing not available
420 E 11th St., Cedar Falls, IA 50613
4.0
(10 reviews)
"Western Home Communities is a very large campus. It has everything. It has memory care, assisted living, and private homes as part of the campus. It's very, very, very well kept. You wouldn't have to leave the community to do anything; it has everyth..."
Pricing not available
1728 W 8th St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
2.6
(3 reviews)
"Cedar Falls Health Care Center's staff is very caring, and they're taking good care of my father-in-law. The residents play bingo and do exercises by moving their arms. The staff treats the residents well, and they have three meals. The staff is taki..."
Pricing not available
909 6TH STREET, Traer, IA 50675
2.5
(2 reviews)
"My family member was placed @ SHCC, had a lovely private room that was kept clean, meals were very good @ outset but fell below par when change in staff occurred. Meal menus (and guest dining) went downhill fast, to the point visitors were not WELCOM..."
Pricing not available
121 Bremer Ave, Waverly, IA 50622
1.0
(1 reviews)
"I toured Willow Winds Assisted Living for myself. I was shown the bedroom, the large open dining area, a small library, and then a small room for sitting. I really didn't see much of the facility, and I was really disappointed with it. I did not feel..."
Pricing not available
1009 Third St, Reinbeck, IA 50669
1.0
(1 reviews)
"some staff fail to do their jobs. some staff fail to be nice. ..."
Pricing not available
1100 Grove St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Welcome to Western Home! Two campuses in Cedar Falls offer you a choice in distinctive living. The legacy campus in our original location builds on the charm and character of historic downtown Cedar Falls, just a few blocks away. Nestled among tree-lined streets and next to recreational trails for walking and bicycling, residents enjoy a peaceful neighborhood with easy access to local restaurants, boutiques, services and churches. The downtown campus includes Willowwood independent living, Stanard Family Assisted Living and Martin Center, as well as the business office. South campus is 150 acres between South Main Street and the recently completed Prairie Parkway. The growth and expansion of our campus matches that of the surrounding neighborhood, where medical clinics, dental offices, banks, credit unions, bustling retail areas and restaurants are all nearby – a short walk or even shorter drive. South campus includes the independent living communities of Windgrace, Windermere, Windcove, Windridge and the soon-to-open Prairie Wind, plus Windhaven Assisted Living, Thalman Square Memory Support Assisted Living, and The Cottages for dementia care, plus nearly 200 villas and townhomes for active lifestyles .To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Health Facility Database
Pricing not available
Assisted Living
Reviewer#RD0723w
3.0
Review of Friendship Village - Lakeview Lodge
I was not impressed with Friendship Village - Lakeview Lodge. They're very basic. The rooms were smaller than a studio apartment. It was more like a hospital set-up. You couldn't bring much of your...
Assisted Living
Matt
5.0
Review of The Rose of Waterloo
My father has moved into The Rose of Waterloo last week. There is a monthly charge for that and then you get five emergency calls included with that monthly charge. They always wear the emergency...
Assisted Living
Maggie15
4.0
Review of Friendship Village - Lakeview Lodge
I also went to Lakeview Lodge, and it had a lot of different things to offer. It has an aquarium, a theatre, and an ice cream parlor. The staff were very nice, too.
Based on fees in the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Waterloo’s seniors anticipate spending around $4,163 per month on assisted living. This rate brings over $1,000 in savings over the state median and runs about $1,200 below the national baseline, and it trends lower than rates in nearby cities. For example, seniors in Ames pay higher fees of around $5,950, and in Des Moines, costs hover near $6,713.
Waterloo
$4,163
Iowa
$5,200
The United States
$5,350
Ames
$5,950
Des Moines
$6,713
Cedar Rapids
$4,770
Iowa City
$4,876
Seniors in the Waterloo 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.
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:
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page.
Assisted living costs in Waterloo come in close to $4,163 per month. By comparison, other surveyed senior care solutions in this city cost thousands of dollars more. For example, home health care agencies charge around $6,673, and nursing home residents pay approximately $7,665 for semi-private accommodations.
Home Health Care
$1,452
Assisted Living Facility
$4,163
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$7,665
Waterloo seniors have access to several free resources to help them find assisted living facilities or improve their living situation within an existing community. These resources range from government agencies that address facility complaints to nonprofit organizations that offer companionship.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| AmeriCorps Seniors Program | (319) 296-4274 | This senior program in Waterloo provides volunteering opportunities for older adults as well as companionship for isolated residents in assisted living programs. Volunteers help seniors in need with everything from local transportation and meal preparation to simple companionship. These services are designed to supplement the support seniors already receive in their existing ALP. To qualify for the program, seniors must earn 200% or less of the federal poverty line and pass state and federal background checks. |
| Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) | (800) 779-8707 | The Area Agency on Aging that serves Waterloo and other cities in Northeast Iowa offers a wealth of services that enhance the lives of seniors living in assisted living programs. These include case management, local transportation, health and fitness programs and dementia services. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) helps families locate benefits and insurance to pay for long-term care. NEI3A also advocates for the rights of older adults living in assisted living communities. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (866) 236-1430 | Representatives from Iowa's Long-Term Care Ombudsman office are responsible for protecting the rights and interests of seniors residing in assisted living programs throughout Waterloo and the state. Anyone who witnesses or suspects abuse, neglect or other harmful issues at a facility can contact the ombudsman office for help. The program can also give seniors and families important information about their rights. |
| Commission of Veterans Affairs | (319) 291-2512 | Waterloo residents eligible for VA benefits can contact the Commission of Veteran Affairs to apply for a program or resolve issues with their payments. The VA pension can help pay for assisted living, and Aid & Attendance benefits are available to low-income veterans who need additional funds for services they can't afford. The Commission of Veterans Affairs serves veterans and their surviving spouses in Waterloo and the rest of Black Hawk County. |
Waterloo-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.
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