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 2024 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 2024 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 2024 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 Home Care Home care relies on trained aides to provide companionship and non-medical care for seniors living at home. Complete guide to home careBest of 2024 Home Care Winners
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
More About Veterans Benefits
Senior Living Awards
How Our Service Works
Caregiver ResourcesAdd Review(866) 374-4058
Talk to a local advisor for FREE
10 Best Independent Living Communities in Polk County, IA
The cost of independent living in Polk County is about $3,080 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 68 options. Read 591 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 Des Moines, West Des Moines and Ankeny.
Polk County Independent Living Facilities | 591 Reviews
Showing 54 communities
Last Updated: 12/20/24
Sort by
Filter by
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: 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.
Virginia Park Apartments is a lovely, contemporary two-story building surrounded by a spacious, open lawn, which boasts mature trees and colorful flower gardens. This community is located just minutes from downtown Des Moines. Within walking distance is a grocery store and convenience store. The...
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
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.
5 star
0%
4 star
100%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
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.
Shelly Rose Estates is a high-quality senior housing community located in the Midwestern city of Des Moines, Polk County, Ohio. Des Moines offers many opportunities to experience cultural activities and events, such as attending the Des Moines Symphony and visiting the many local art galleries...
Our free advisors can help
- Compare local facilities
- Determine care type
- Schedule tours
- Evaluate pricing
Cost of independent living in Polk County, IA
The average cost of senior living in Polk County is $3,080 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Valeria, IA with an average of $2,804 per month.
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Polk County, IA vs. nearby counties
Polk County, IA
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Polk County, IA vs. the state and national average
Polk County, IA
U.S. national average
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Polk County vs. other types of senior living
Independent Living
Median monthly costs of Independent Living in Polk County, IA by room type
Semi-Private
Studio
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
Average cost of Independent Living in Polk County over time
Polk County, IAIA stateNational
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.
Your Guide to Paying for Care
Plan for and know your options for how to cover long-term care expenses.
Your Guide to VA Benefits
The VA provides two veterans benefits that can be used to offset the costs of long-term care.
Medicare and Medicaid
Understand the difference between these two public pay options, and what they cover.
What families are saying about independent living in Polk County
Recent reviews for independent living in Polk County
Elite Lodge of Ashworth in West Des Moines, IA
3.8
We chose The Lodge of Ashworth Inc. because during the tour we were impressed with how clean it was and they had availability at the perfect time. They also remodeled her apartment before she moved in so she was able to pick things like her paint colors. The best part about the community is that ...
Read more
Edencrest at Beaverdale in Des Moines, IA
5.0
Fun, vibrant, safe and clean. The staff treat your parent/family member with respect and kindness. Not a cold sterile old folks home. A place they can still be adults and not just another number.
Rock Creek Senior Living in Ankeny, IA
5.0
I would recommend this facility to others. All interactions that I have had with all of the staff have been great. Also, my mother has not had a complaint that she has told me about. So everything good. I can't rate the meals or activities as I haven't personally been involved with those.
Polk County independent living services and amenities
These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Polk County independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Polk County, 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 Polk County 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 Polk County partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Polk County, IANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
13%
20.1%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
25.9%
33.5%
No sugar
No sugar
24.1%
30.2%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
22.2%
32.8%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
5.6%
8.5%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%
Availability of select dining options in Polk County 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 Polk County communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Polk County, IANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
24.1%
35.7%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
31.5%
42.7%
Room service
Room service
31.5%
36.2%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
16.7%
17%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%
Availability of select programs and activities in Polk County 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 Polk County offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Polk County, IANational
Activity director
Activity director
38.9%
44.2%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
20.4%
27.8%
Community service programs
Community service programs
24.1%
32.2%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
42.6%
47.2%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
42.6%
48.3%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
46.3%
53.5%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
35.2%
42.1%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
27.8%
37.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
31.5%
40.7%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
40.7%
46.5%
Live performances
Live performances
35.2%
46.2%
Dances
Dances
25.9%
31.9%
Fitness center
Fitness center
42.6%
39.2%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
37%
45.7%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%
Frequently Asked Questions
Glen Meadows Retirement, Attivo Trail Waukee and Holiday Illahee Hills are the top-rated independent living facilities near Polk County, Iowa. See full list of communities.
There are 68 independent living facilities near Polk County, Iowa. See the full list.
The best independent living facilities near you in Polk County, Iowa are Independence Village of Waukee, Independence Village of Ames and Independence Village of Ankeny. These independent living communities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews.
More questions?
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Independent Living in Cities Near Polk County
More options near Polk County, Iowa
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.
Back to top