Known as the City of Five Seasons, Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa is home to approximately 133,000 residents, over 15% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. There are several hospitals serving the city’s population, including UnityPoint Health, which has a broad range of senior programs, and The Mercy Medical Center. Semiprivate rooms in Cedar Rapids’ nursing homes cost $6,540 per month, on average. According to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, this is slightly under the state average and $1,216 below the national median. 

As the costliest senior care option, nursing homes provide 24/7 supervision and medical and nonmedical care. Services are tailored to each resident but can include help with medical needs, such as wound care, medication management, therapy services as well as assistance with day-to-day activities, such as bathing and dressing. Older adults who don’t need this level of care might consider less expensive options, such as home care services and assisted living facilities. 

This guide covers the cost for nursing home care in Cedar Rapids and compares it with other types of senior care. We’ve also listed some free helpful resources for older adults in the city.

Directory of Nursing Homes in Cedar Rapids, IA



Manorcare Health Services

My grandfather was transferred here and only survived less than 72 hours and their care. CNAs that were on the clock at the time of his death sat back and watched him die. Unfortunately he bled to dea … (read more)
My grandfather was transferred here and only survived less than 72 hours and their care. CNAs that were on the clock at the time of his death sat back and watched him die. Unfortunately he bled to dea … (read more)

Heritage Specialty Care

My husband was transferred to this facility for rehab after a month long stay at the UIHC. He has been there 3 days. He is completely bed ridden at this time so he needs help with everything. It ha … (read more)
My husband was transferred to this facility for rehab after a month long stay at the UIHC. He has been there 3 days. He is completely bed ridden at this time so he needs help with everything. It ha … (read more)

Living Center West

When I go to visit my family member my time is spent dealing with administrative issues, this is very frustrating. When we completed the tour we were told there were phones in the room, upon admittan … (read more)
When I go to visit my family member my time is spent dealing with administrative issues, this is very frustrating. When we completed the tour we were told there were phones in the room, upon admittan … (read more)

Northbrook Manor Care Center

Under staffed. Not able to handle someone that can’t walk by themselves. Doesn’t respond in a timely manner to a fall alarm (took them 20 minutes). Fell out of bed 3 times. Was told I couldn’t ge … (read more)
Under staffed. Not able to handle someone that can’t walk by themselves. Doesn’t respond in a timely manner to a fall alarm (took them 20 minutes). Fell out of bed 3 times. Was told I couldn’t ge … (read more)

Living Center East

The care staff are good But the administration less so. The social workers don’t know what they are talking about and sometimes give conflicting information. She couldn’t even bother to be the … (read more)
The care staff are good But the administration less so. The social workers don’t know what they are talking about and sometimes give conflicting information. She couldn’t even bother to be the … (read more)


Hiawatha Care Center

Our sister was bedridden when we moved her to Hiawatha Care Center. The staff and employees were awesome and caring. We can’t say enough about the care she received while there. The staff always ke … (read more)
Our sister was bedridden when we moved her to Hiawatha Care Center. The staff and employees were awesome and caring. We can’t say enough about the care she received while there. The staff always ke … (read more)

Silver Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Staff is kind to my friend, and has been keeping his spirits up ever since visits got limited for COVID. The food is good and the people who work there are nice. The rooms are bright, with big windows … (read more)
Staff is kind to my friend, and has been keeping his spirits up ever since visits got limited for COVID. The food is good and the people who work there are nice. The rooms are bright, with big windows … (read more)

Wheatland Manor

Wheatland Manor seems nice. The staff seems very competent and cheerful, and are taking good care of people. We were able to visit my father just through a screen. They opened up a window in the dinin … (read more)
Wheatland Manor seems nice. The staff seems very competent and cheerful, and are taking good care of people. We were able to visit my father just through a screen. They opened up a window in the dinin … (read more)

Linn Manor Care Center

My dad was in Linn Manor Care Center for rehab. I thought they were good. They worked with Dad really well. Dad said that he liked it there. I could not go inside the building for a visit because of t … (read more)
My dad was in Linn Manor Care Center for rehab. I thought they were good. They worked with Dad really well. Dad said that he liked it there. I could not go inside the building for a visit because of t … (read more)



Nursing Home Costs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Nursing homes offer both private and semiprivate rooms. In Cedar Rapids, a private room costs $7,467 per month, while a shared room costs $6,540. 

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities

Cedar Rapids is among the most affordable cities in Iowa for nursing home care. The average price of $6,540 for a semiprivate room is slightly under Iowa’s median cost of $6,570. Seniors in cities such as Waterloo ($7,118), Ames ($7,080) and Des Moines ($7,148) pay $540-$600 more each month for a semiprivate room than they would in Cedar Rapids. In Iowa City, skilled nursing facility care costs less at $6,859 per month, but this is still a few hundred dollars above the corresponding cost in Cedar Rapids. 

$6540

Cedar Rapids

$6570

Iowa

$7756

The United States

$6859

Iowa City

$7118

Waterloo

$7080

Ames

$7148

Des Moines

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Moving a senior loved one to a nursing home can be a difficult choice, so it’s worth considering other types of senior care available in Cedar Rapids. At an average monthly price of $1,353, adult day health care is the most affordable option. Families might also consider hiring either a home care or home health care provider, which costs $5,148 per month, on average. Assisted living communities provide less restrictive residential care at an average monthly cost of $4,450, which is about $2,100-$3,000 less than nursing home care. 

$5148

Home care

$5148

Home health care

$1353

Adult day health care

$4450

Assisted living

$6540

Nursing home (semiprivate room)

$7467

Nursing home (private room)

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.

  • Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
  • Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.

If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.

Free Resources for Seniors in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The resources below may allow older adults to delay transitioning to a nursing home, offer advice on financial assistance available in Cedar Rapids and aid seniors and their family members in making the right decisions about long-term care needs. 

ResourceContact Service
Senior Health Insurance Information Program(319) 369-7475SHIIP is a statewide program that provides older adults with free, unbiased information about Medicare. Fully trained counselors can help seniors understand their coverage options with Original Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans so they can make informed choices that meet their health care needs. They can also provide assistance with enrollment and understanding Medicare statements.
Heritage Area Agency on Aging(800) 332-5934Seniors and their caregivers in Linn County can contact the Heritage Area Agency on Aging for an array of helpful services. Programs managed by Heritage include home-delivered meals for homebound seniors, caregiver support, options counseling and transportation services. 
Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman(866) 236-1430This independent state-funded program provides advocacy and support for older adults who either live in or are considering moving to a long-term care facility. Ombudsmen can advise seniors and their caregivers about nursing homes and other care options in their area. They also investigate and help resolve complaints, advise residents about their rights and advocate to ensure that care is provided in accordance with state and national laws. 
Iowa Legal Aid – Cedar Rapids(800) 532-1275Staff at Iowa Legal Aid’s Cedar Rapids office provides free advice and representation in civil matters to residents aged 60 and over. The nonprofit organization also provides an online resource with information on an array of legal topics relevant to seniors, including public benefits, health and long-term care, credit concerns and consumer rights.