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The small city of Johnston is nestled beside scenic Saylorville Lake in central Iowa. The Des Moines suburb has received numerous media accolades, including a spot on Money Magazine’s 2015 list of the best places to live in America. Johnston boasts a low crime rate and abundant green space, including more than 35 miles of trails and nearly a dozen parks. At the beautiful lake in 200-acre Terra Park, seniors can fish for catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. The city’s proximity to Des Moines makes it easy for seniors to visit the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Blank Park Zoo and other attractions in the capital.
Nearly one in seven Johnston residents are seniors. If they need assistance with daily tasks, they can rely on one of the city’s assisted living facilities, which cost an average of $5,005 per month.
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 >
Assisted living care in Iowa costs $4,073 per month, on average. This is fairly affordable compared to the nationwide average of $4,300. Many Midwestern states have higher assisted living prices than Iowa, including Nebraska ($4,188), Minnesota ($4,283) and Illinois ($4,575). However, costs in Missouri ($3,000) are much lower.
Despite the state’s below-average assisted living cost, some Iowa cities have much higher rates. At $5,005, the Johnston area has the second-highest assisted living cost in Iowa, after Waterloo ($5,060). Costs are also higher than the national average in Cedar Rapids ($4,450) and Dubuque ($4,568). Frugal Iowans may wish to retire in cities such as Davenport ($3,478), Ames ($3,723) or Sioux City ($3,750).
Note: Data for Johnston was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Des Moines, was used instead.
Iowa Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services Elderly Waiver covers services seniors need to delay or avoid nursing home placement. These services, which must be both medically necessary and cost-effective, may include assisted living care, case management, nutritional counseling, nursing care and adult day care. For information about eligibility criteria, and how to apply, visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Aging Resources of Central Iowa | (515) 255-1310 | The information and assistance specialists at Aging Resources of Central Iowa educate seniors about local programs and services. Options counselors help seniors complete applications and arrange services. The organization also offers many health promotion programs to help seniors age well, from fall prevention classes to nutrition education. |
| United Way of Central Iowa | (515) 246-6500 | United Way of Central Iowa’s UNITED 55+ program connects older adults with volunteer opportunities in their community. Seniors can donate their time to important causes, from improving literacy to combating homelessness. UNITED 55+ volunteers may receive mileage reimbursements, opportunities to meet new people and a sense of personal satisfaction. |
| Johnston and Polk County Senior Activities Center | (515) 727-8091 | The local senior center organizes many activities to help seniors stay active and socially engaged. Seniors can take part in regularly scheduled bridge, bingo or mah-jongg games or work on knitting or quilting projects at Sewcial club meetings. The center schedules many senior-friendly exercise classes, from yoga to zumba, and offers a court for seniors’ tennis and pickleball games. |
| Polk County Conservation | (515) 323-5300 | Polk County Conservation offers outdoor recreation programs for seniors. Its Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors program gives seniors the opportunity to learn about nature and make new friends. The organization also offers bus tours for seniors who want to explore Iowa’s beautiful natural areas. |
| Polk County Commission of Veteran Affairs | (515) 286-3670 | The Polk County Commission of Veterans Affairs offers many services for Johnston-area veterans. The offices help seniors file for any federal benefits they’re eligible to receive, including pension top-up programs that can help cover assisted living. It also offers temporary assistance with transportation and medical costs. |
| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Iowa State University | (515) 294-3192 | Located in nearby Ames, OLLI at Iowa State University offers low-cost academic opportunities for people 50 and older. Course offerings vary by semester and may include creative writing, American literature and art history. OLLI aims to make lifelong learning a stress-free experience, so there are no tests or grades. |
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals is responsible for licensing and regulating the state’s assisted living facilities. Johnston facilities are required to comply with all applicable state laws and are subject to regular, unannounced inspections. Visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page to learn more about these laws.
