About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Fern, IA

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The cost of independent living in Fern is about $3,461 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 103 options. Read 181 reviews, see photos, and learn about amenities that make independent living the ideal next step for adults 55+ who wish to enjoy friendships and hobbies without the hassle of cooking and home maintenance.

As you explore independent living near you, you may also want to consider options in areas like You may also consider nearby communities such as Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Waverly.

Fern Independent Living Facilities | 181 Reviews

Showing 79 communities
Last Updated: 12/4/25
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Photo of Stanard Family Assisted Living Center, Inc
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Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Photo of Oak Estates
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Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
See details
Photo of Oak Park Estates
1212 Photos available
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
See details
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
About ABCM CorporationDumont Wellness Center is owned by ABCM Corporation, Hampton, IA. ABCM is a multi-facility provider offering top-quality, long-term care services unmatched in the state of Iowa. We believe in a Person Directed Care approach to long-term care, encouraging the individuals we...
Photo of Ridgeway Place
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Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
At Ridgeway Place residents enjoy all the comforts of home in a beautiful, safe neighborhood setting, conveniently located near shopping centers, churches and medical clinics. With 96 units, Ridgeway Place offers a customized blend of independence that respects the needs of residents and...
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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Provides: Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Mt Village Apartments
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
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Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Milvern Guest Home
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Larrabee Center Inc
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Evansdale Senior Residences
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Designed for persons: 62+ Capture the special small town feeling when you move into your one bedroom apartment home at Evans Village. Located on a quiet residential street, close to shopping and restaurants, this apartment community offers the conveniences of indoor mail service, laundry...
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Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
At Fox Meadow Apartments you’ll find 40 – 1 and 2 bedroom apartments for those 55 and better. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, Fox Meadow offers a secure and serene environment. Residents of Fox Meadow enjoy a friendly, caring environment where neighbors become friends.
Photo of Cedar Ridge Apartments
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.

Cost of independent living in Fern, IA

The average cost of senior living in Fern is $3,461 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Cedar Falls, IA with an average of $2,934 per month.

Independent living costs in Fern, IA, vs. nearby cities

Fern, IA
$3,461/mo
$3,027/mo
$3,168/mo

Independent living costs in Fern, IA, vs. state and national averages

Fern, IA
$3,461/mo
$3,268/mo
U.S. national average
$4,153/mo

Independent living costs in Fern, IA, vs. other senior living options

$4,328/mo
Independent Living
$3,461/mo

Independent living costs in Fern, IA, by floor plan type

Studio
$5,310/mo
1 Bedroom
$4,697/mo
2 Bedroom
$5,460/mo
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
$2,830/mo

Senior living costs in Fern vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: Fern, IA
Column state: Iowa
Column national: U.S.
Community typeFern, IAIowaU.S.
Independent Living$3,461/mo$3,268/mo$4,153/mo
Assisted Living$4,312/mo$4,480/mo$4,698/mo
Memory Care$4,328/mo$4,485/mo$4,946/mo
Independent Living
Fern, IA:$3,461/mo
Iowa:$3,268/mo
U.S.:$4,153/mo
Assisted Living
Fern, IA:$4,312/mo
Iowa:$4,480/mo
U.S.:$4,698/mo
Memory Care
Fern, IA:$4,328/mo
Iowa:$4,485/mo
U.S.:$4,946/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in Fern, IA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in Fern and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

Fern, IAIA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Fern, IA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Fern have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
Fern, IA$2,395/mo$2,451/mo-2.3%
Iowa$2,661/mo$2,488/mo+7.0%
National$3,191/mo$3,044/mo+4.8%
Fern, IA
2024 average cost:$2,395/mo
2023 average cost:$2,451/mo
Percent change:-2.3%
Iowa
2024 average cost:$2,661/mo
2023 average cost:$2,488/mo
Percent change:+7.0%
National
2024 average cost:$3,191/mo
2023 average cost:$3,044/mo
Percent change:+4.8%
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in Fern

Recent reviews for independent living in Fern

Whispering Willow in Fredericksburg, IA

4.5
My mom recently moved into this community. So far the experience has been going great. The staff know how to keep the facility clean. My mom has plenty of options to choose for her meals and it seems to think it tastes good.

Parker Place in Parkersburg, IA

5.0
That they were very helpful getting him settled in when admitted. In contact with me on his likes on what to do n to keep busy, etc. I'd give a positive experience and recommend taking a look at. We picked this community, because they had a shared room price, friendly staff on tour, clean. ...
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Arlington Place at Oelwein

4.0
My brother and I were looking for an alternative living for our parents. They were doing well on their own but with neither of us living in town we were concerned about what would happen when they could no longer drive. The townhouse at Arlington Place fit the bill. They are independent but it ...
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Fern independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Fern independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Fern, but support comparisons against nationwide offerings. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you find communities that fit your preferences.

Availability of select dietary accommodations in Fern independent living

Independent living communities help seniors maintain a balanced diet by accommodating their health needs, allergies, and other restrictions. Below you’ll find the percentage of Fern partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Fern, IANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
12.7%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
11.4%
34.4%
No sugar
No sugar
13.9%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
12.7%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
1.3%
10.5%
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Availability of select dining options in Fern independent living

Our independent living communities know that seniors want top-quality meals and options for how they dine. The chart below indicates the percentage of Fern communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Fern, IANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
7.6%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
15.2%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
16.5%
37%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
12.7%
17.2%
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Availability of select programs and activities in Fern independent living

Senior living communities offer a variety of programming to keep seniors socially, mentally, and physically vibrant. The chart below shows what percentage of partnered independent living communities in Fern offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Fern, IANational
Activity director
Activity director
15.2%
45.1%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
8.9%
28.3%
Community service programs
Community service programs
8.9%
33%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
29.1%
47.5%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
21.5%
48.9%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
25.3%
54%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
20.3%
42.9%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
13.9%
38.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
12.7%
41.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
15.2%
47.1%
Live performances
Live performances
21.5%
46.8%
Dances
Dances
11.4%
33%
Fitness center
Fitness center
12.7%
39.5%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
15.2%
46.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

CedarStone Senior Living, Mallard Point Senior Living and Bridges are the top-rated independent living facilities near Fern, Iowa. See full list of communities.
There are 103 independent living facilities near Fern, Iowa. See the full list.
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More questions?

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The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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