The Best Independent Living Communities in Black Hawk County, IA

"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 here and meals are included in a monthly payment or you can opt to buy if you would like. They have very nice homes to purchase if you would like. They also have a fitness center, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a sports bar, and a lot of activities going on. They have outside pickleball courts that they just built and just a number of items that are beneficial primarily for the independent people."

Western Home Communities - Windcove, located in Cedar Falls, IA, is a senior living provider that specializes in independent living. It offers apartment-style living where seniors can enjoy their own space with the comfort of having various amenities and services nearby. The community provides a range of room amenities designed to cater to the needs and preferences of its residents. While not all apartments may have the same features, some come equipped with full kitchens and other convenient amenities to enhance the living experience. The amenities at Western Home Communities - Windcove are extensive and aim to promote an active and social lifestyle. Residents can enjoy delicious meals without the hassle of cooking, as meals are provided. For safety and peace of mind, an emergency response system is in place. The community also encourages social interaction and physical activity through organized activities and programs, a swimming pool, and communal dining areas. Social events, walking and hiking areas, entertainment, health and wellness programs, and facilitated field trips offer a variety of options for residents to stay engaged and connected. Additionally, fitness and wellness facilities are available for those who wish to maintain their physical health, and shared common areas provide spaces for relaxation and socialization. To support a comfortable and convenient lifestyle, Western Home Communities - Windcove offers essential services such as general transportation and housekeeping. These services ensure that residents can easily travel to appointments or outings and enjoy a clean living environment without the burden of maintenance. Overall, the community strives to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for seniors who value their independence but also appreciate having access to assistance and opportunities for engagement.

"South Hills Senior Living was very comfortable. I found that independent living almost seemed to have a standard for their size rooms and their kitchenette areas and such, so I felt they were all comparable to each other. I don't believe they had health care, so it was another one you could bring in your own if you needed. I met very pleasant people who were very helpful in answering questions and such."

"We haven't been able to go in and tour much of Rosewood Estates. We saw the place that we're moving into. Everybody was very friendly. I think it's a very pretty setting, and it's kind of set back but not on the hills exactly. The land is kind of down by the cornfields. It kind of feels like the country to us, so we will be happy there, I'm sure. We were showed the room and we picked it, but as far as taking us around and touring everything there, we just saw the main dining room, the kitchen, and some of the rooms on the second floor. But it wasn't a real tour because of COVID. The administrator and the lady we've been talking to there were both wonderful and friendly, and they have kept us abreast of things going on. We're all happy with it. We're going to get three meals a day there, and I've heard really good things about the food. We just kind of went straight through and went to the place that we picked, so we really didn't get to see a lot. I think we'll be happy there."

"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 everything on site. I think the price is relative to what they offer, so, it's relatable and understandable for what they charge. It's a very, very nice place. And it's more for people who like to be more social and more active in the community. However, it wasn't appropriate for my brother. He is more of a small community kind of person. He doesn't do well in big crowds. He would have been majorly overwhelmed at Western Home. I couldn't say a bad thing about Western Home; it just wasn't the right choice for my brother's personality. I've eaten in one of their dining areas before, and they have excellent food. They have their own mini store and gym and all these things you would never have to leave."

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

"Westview Estates Reinbeck was very clean. There was a single bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a dining hall that they could go to. It was newer and locally owned. They have meals available, garages, a beauty/barber shop on site, an elevator, a nice indoor area, and outdoor patios for family gatherings. They even have a gazebo that you can walk out to and a room where it's all windows that you could look out to. The residents had their apartments open so you could go in and talk to them, and even down in the dining hall area, you could talk to people. The residents seemed to enjoy the place."

"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 had to be taken to the hospital and the follow-up was very good. They keep me informed, and I only have positive things to say. They're four years old but very nice, very clean, and aesthetically pleasant. The cooks are outstanding, too. I only hear from staff, my twin, and the residents and they say the food is very good. I'm not familiar with all the activities my twin participates in. They have a calendar with monthly, daily, and weekly activities. I have been all over. Not only familiar with here, but other areas and all of them do the best they can, but we are deeply pleased with our choice."

"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 WELCOME for holiday meals. Staff was caring and though many were sent from a staffing agency and employees were short in numbers, it was decent. The activities were very inclusive of all residents. Change in administrators became a door spinning dial. Then coVid came along. I had to forgo any form of visits which was crushing for our family and loved one. Several family visitation accommodations were suggested, absolutely none were implemented. I requested our loved one be included in frequent activities and was told forcing activities was illegal. The early deaths from pandemic included our loved one and we didn’t even so much as receive a sympathy card or online condolence. The Board of Directors needs an awakening to the main problems of the facility which would include replacement of a person to restore a reputation as a fine facility IMHO. After paying cash to the tune of $250K for a 3 yr stay, I feel entitled to complain and expect improvement."

"I am at Parker Place. They're good. It's roomy. I've got no complaint about the cleanliness and the staff. They are compassionate, concerned and they seem to be doing a good job, as far as I can tell. We have a library with books, games, and puzzles. We have an exercise class four days a week. We have a church service on Wednesdays. We have an activity nearly every day, a craft item, a baking item, or something like that. The food is good, well prepared, the servings are more than adequate, and it's nutritionally balanced."

"My dad is in Maple Manor Village for rehab. They are taking good care of him for the amount of staff that they have. Everybody's shorttaffed these days. All in all, I would say he's getting good care. I'm a little disappointed that they only do physical therapy once a day for about 30 minutes. It's up to him to push this button and have them come in and get him up to walk. It's a typical nursing home; it's sad. They were trying to do remodeling, and then the pandemic hit. At one point a few weeks ago, there were only like 24 residents, and there were three CNAs with one nurse on each shift. It stretches them a little thin too. He doesn't have any complaints about the food. The cook's takes pretty good care of dad. The reason why we want to get him out of there is because as of today, the rates went up. For moderate care, it's over $1000 a month. His rehab is covered by Medicare and his insurance, which is a wonderful thing. If he would be to become a full time resident, it would be 8000 a month. I think the staff try as hard as they can."

"Arlington Place of Oelwein had a very nice setup. It's roomier than the other place, but their hallways were shorter. It seemed more spacious yet more compact. It's not so spread out. Their studio apartments were nice. There was a little kitchenette, no stove or anything, but they had a refrigerator, microwave, and countertop. The staff was very nice and very welcoming. You can have a hairstylist come in whenever. They have their own salon there and physical therapy onsite. What I liked about it is there's a walking trail right out the front door pretty much, and if I wanted to go pick Mom up and take her for a walk, they had a nice paved trail to go on."

"Hillcrest Home is a rather large nursing home in the small town of Sumner Iowa. The facility is easy to navigate and has several nice rooms for private use. The staff that I have met have all seemed to be very friendly, and from what I have seen they are hard workers as well. The facility is kept clean and also has a fairly pleasant smell. The facility's rooms are spacious and well kept. The rooms have tiled floors rather than carpet which is great for keeping rooms sanitary. There is a large outdoor area with a gazebo located in the center of the building. This is a very enjoyable amenity provided by the facility. My family has not had any complaints about the administration or the care that Hillcrest Home has provided for my grandmother and grandfather during their stay. I would recommend Hillcrest Home to anyone who is exploring the option of a nursing home. "