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Waukee is a small community nestled in the center of Iowa and less than 20 miles from the state capital of Des Moines. Residents aged 65 and older represent over 10% of the city’s population of 24,089. Waukee is a safe community with very low levels of crime where seniors can feel at ease. The city has warm summers with temperatures of up to 86 degrees and cold winters with average temperatures dropping to 13 degrees. Waukee residents enjoy remarkably clean air quality, and the city has many parks and walking trails.
Seniors in the Waukee can choose between several assisted living facilities at an average monthly rate of $5,005 per Genworth’s Cost of Care 2020 Survey. This cost is higher than other parts of the state, but rates for individual communities fluctuate based on available services.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
Waukee’s average assisted living price of $5,005 is well above both the nation’s and the state’s respective medians of $4,300 and $4,073. The city is $1,073 costlier than southern Missouri and substantially more expensive than the neighboring states of Minnesota ($4,283), Wisconsin ( $4,400) and Illinois ($4,575).
Assisted living rates in Waukee are on the higher end of the price range for the state. Cities like nearby Ames ( $3,723), Davenport ($3,478) and Sioux City ( $3,750) are substantially more affordable than Waukee. Rates in Cedar Rapids are $555 lower than Waukee, but Waterloo is the most expensive city in the state for assisted living at $5,060 per month.
Note: Data for Waukee was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Des Moines, was used instead.
Seniors who are eligible for Medicaid may be able to get all or part of their residential care in an assisted living facility paid for by the state’s Home and Community Based Services Elderly Waiver. This program is available to seniors aged 65 and older and is designed to prevent the need for unnecessary institutionalization.
For more information on financial assistance available in Iowa, visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Aging Resources of Central Iowa | (515) 255-1310 | Aging Resources of Central Iowa is the local Area Agency on Aging for older adults in Waukee. The agency offers a range of services, including options counseling, case management, information and referrals to other relevant resources. Seniors can also take part in fall prevention classes and walking activities. |
| Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (515) 725-3308 | The statewide ombudsman is an independent advocate acting in the best interests of residents in assisted living and other long-term care facilities. Residents and family members can get advice on their personal rights and file concerns about individual facilities. |
| Senior Health Insurance Information Program | (800) 351-4664 | SHIP counselors help seniors understand their insurance options and make informed choices about coverage. This program is overseen by the state’s Insurance Division. |
| Legal Hotline for Older Iowans | (800) 992-8161 | Operated by the ProSeniors nonprofit, the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans serves seniors aged 60 and older. Callers can get advice on civil topics, such as guardianship, health benefits and living wills. |
| The Dallas County Office of the Veterans Affairs | (515) 993-5809 | The county’s Veterans Affairs Office can help older veterans navigate the complicated state and federal military benefits system. Seniors can get advice and help with applying for pensions, long-term care placement and other military assistance programs. |
| RSVP in Iowa | (515) 246-6544 | The Retired Senior Volunteer Program connects seniors aged 55 and older with local volunteer opportunities. Participants can dedicate their free time to helping mentor children, distributing food and hosting educational events. |
Assisted living communities in Waukee fall under the Iowa Health Facilities classification and are regulated by the state’s Department of Inspections and Appeals. The DIA has a comprehensive list of laws that facilities need to abide by to receive and keep their state license. Learn more about these regulations by visiting our Assisted Living in Iowa page.
