The central Iowa city of Ankeny offers a peaceful retreat for seniors to enjoy their later years. Located just north of the Des Moines metro area, this small city has a population of 67,000, 10% of which is people over the age of 65. Ankeny has a wide range of attractions and amenities, including outdoor recreation areas, cultural venues and diverse dining options. One local favorite is the High Trestle Trail, a scenic walking and biking path that follows a historic rail line and features a decorative bridge. The Ankeny Area Historical Society and the Ankeny Art Center allow visitors to appreciate local culture past and present. The area is also known for its many local breweries. The Firetrucker is among the best, with a selection of home-brewed beverages that can’t be found anywhere else.
Planning for care as you age is vital. But with good information, you can prepare for assisted living, which generally includes help with daily living activities, recreation, and meals, in your golden years. The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors who live in Ankeny, IA, will pay about $4,803 for assisted living services. In contrast, the state average for monthly assisted living expenses is $4,367 while the national average cost is $4,500.
Our guide below will give you a broad overview of what you can expect regarding assisted living costs in the region.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Iowa. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Seniors in Ankeny can expect to pay about $4,803 every month for assisted living care.
Assisted living in Ankeny includes daily meals, valuable social interaction, and access to recreational facilities for $4,803 monthly. This price is $436 above the state average. You will also pay about $300 per month more than the national median cost of $4,500.
Costs vary somewhat, but not greatly, across cities in Iowa. The average cost of assisted living in Cedar Rapids is roughly on par with Ankeny at $4,748. In Ames and Council Bluffs, they’re somewhat less at roughly $4,655 in both locations. Independence is more cost effective at $4,567, while the average in Asbury is $4,525. Seniors can expect to pay even less in Coralville ($4,410). The cheapest location is Orange City, where costs sink to $4,148.
Note: Data for Ankeny was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Des Moines, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Iowa.
Contact | Description | |
Ankeny Senior Center | (515) 963-0527 | The Ankeny Senior Center is located in a quiet neighborhood near the heart of the city and offers a variety of activities and regular meals. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Activities include exercise classes, chair yoga, mahjong, bingo and sing-alongs. |
Aging Resources of Central Iowa | (515) 255-1310 | Aging Resources of Central Iowa is the local area agency on aging that serves Polk County. Its core programs are designed to help people over the age of 60 by providing information and connecting to local services. Its website offers a wealth of information on topics like nutrition and wellness, elder abuse prevention and caregiver training. |
Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System | (515) 699-5999 | The Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System provides health care services to veterans living in Polk County and maintains a nearby clinic in Des Moines. Here, Ankeny seniors and caregivers can receive medical attention as well as therapy services. There are additional programs for homeless veterans and LGBT veterans. |
Polk County Senior Services | (515) 963-0527 | Polk County Senior Services operates various senior centers in the area and offers a wide selection of services to benefit older adults. Its Commodity Supplemental Foods program distributes nutritional foods to seniors in need. It also operates clinics that offer preventative health services and medical screening programs. A full calendar of educational and recreational events keeps local seniors engaged year-round. |
Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Iowa Chapter | (800) 272-3900 | The Alzheimer’s Association focuses on educational programming to help seniors and caregivers better understand and cope with memory loss. The organization has regularly scheduled classes and runs support groups designed to help older adults in the area connect and share stories. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Ankeny area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.