Northcrest Community

    1801 20th St, Ames, IA 50010
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care
    • Skilled Nursing

    Spacious clean community, caring staff

    I live here and am very pleased - my apartment is spacious and feels apartment-like, with some units even offering stackable washer/dryers and wide, pleasant hallways. The care center is immaculate and the staff are loving, patient, and attentive; the environment is clean and friendly. Dining is excellent in a large, well-planned room and the food is very good. There are many activities (games, reading and coffee groups, arts and athletics, exercise room), laundry options, and transportation to grocery and banking services - I highly recommend this place for singles and couples seeking attentive care and an active community.

    Current/former resident
    Jul 2026

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Wifi

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    Community services

    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    5.00·(3)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.7
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      5.0
    • Value

      2.0

    Pros

    • spacious, well-appointed apartments
    • apartment-like feel and couple-friendly accommodations
    • immaculate, clean care center and environment
    • friendly, loving, and patient staff who visit residents
    • strong and attentive staff
    • very good food and a lovely dining area
    • large, well-planned dining room
    • wide hallways and pleasant common areas
    • many activities and social groups (games, reading, coffee)
    • exercise room and free arts and athletics services
    • transportation to local grocery stores
    • banking services on site
    • laundry options and some units with stackable washer/dryers
    • overall highly recommended by reviewers

    Cons

    • affordability concerns/cost may be an issue for some
    • in-unit washer/dryer availability limited to some units

    Summary of reviews

    Overall sentiment across the summaries is strongly positive, with multiple reviewers emphasizing the quality of care, the cleanliness of the facility, and the friendliness of staff. Several comments describe the care center as immaculate and the environment as clean and pleasant. Reviewers repeatedly highlight that the staff are patient, loving, and proactive—visiting residents and demonstrating a high level of attentiveness. Phrases such as "exceptional care," "loving staff," and "staff visit residents" indicate that interaction and hands-on support are consistent strengths.

    Facilities and apartment accommodations receive frequent praise. Units are described as spacious and having an apartment-like feel, with specific mention that the community is couple-friendly. The physical layout seems well thought out: wide hallways are noted, and common spaces are described as pleasant. Laundry options exist within the community and some units include stackable washer/dryer hookups, which reviewers view positively. The environment comes across as both comfortable and practical for longer-term living.

    Dining and food service are clear highlights. Multiple reviewers call the food "very good," and the dining facilities are described as lovely and well-planned, including a large dining room that appears to accommodate residents comfortably. The dining experience is frequently mentioned alongside compliments about the staff, suggesting an integrated service culture focused on resident satisfaction.

    Social life and activities are strong contributors to the positive impression. Reviewers list a wide range of offerings: games, reading groups, coffee groups, an exercise room, and free arts and athletics programs. In addition to on-site activities, practical resident services such as transportation to local grocery stores and banking services are available, which supports residents' independence and convenience. The community is described as friendly and sociable, and reviewers recommend it based on both the activities and the welcoming social atmosphere.

    The primary concern raised across the summaries is cost. Several reviewers note affordability concerns, implying that pricing may be a barrier for some prospective residents. A secondary, smaller concern implicit in the comments is that in-unit laundry is not universal—only some units have stackable washer/dryers—so prospective residents should confirm unit-specific features and associated costs. No other consistent negatives appear in the summaries provided.

    In summary, reviewers portray Northcrest Community as a clean, well-run community with strong caregiving staff, attractive and spacious living units, good dining, and a robust activities program. Practical supports like transportation and banking services add to resident convenience. The main caveat is affordability and variation in in-unit amenities, so prospective residents and families should verify pricing and unit features during a tour. Overall recommendations in the reviews are strong, with several endorsements of the community and its staff.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Northcrest Community

    Northcrest Community is located at 1801 20th St, Ames, IA, 50010.

    About Northcrest Community

    Northcrest Community sits on 27 acres and has been locally owned and not-for-profit for more than 35 years, offering seniors a place where they can keep living as their needs change since it's a true Life Care retirement community. People can choose from independent living in The Parkway Apartments or one- and two-bedroom townhomes, some with fireplaces, and there are also assisted living apartments, single-family homes, and condos for those who need more support. There are 116 independent and assisted living apartments, 42 townhomes, a licensed 24-bed Health Center for skilled nursing and medical care, and a 14-bed Heartwood House for people with Alzheimer's or dementia, making sure everyone has a place, whether they're active, need help every day, or need memory support.

    Residents enjoy meals cooked by chefs for special diets like diabetes or allergies, with all-day dining choices, and the dining room features meals planned for nutrition and balance. Housekeeping comes with laundry and dry cleaning, and staff take care of things like maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal, so people don't have to worry about those chores. There's a range of fun and learning, like full activity calendars, arts, and events, and people often use Iowa State University, joining Lifelong Learning classes or taking part in cultural things there. Residents can volunteer, join The Horizon Club, or be part of community-sponsored activities in places like The Crest and the Grand Room, and there are spaces set up for art, a barber and salon, walking paths, and garden areas. Many folks gather for BBQs, relax in the hot tub or spa, or just walk along the waterfront or visit furnished community rooms, and the environment stays friendly, helped by helpful and kind staff.

    People are given choices to live independently or get needed help, and care changes as needed, from memory care to skilled nursing, all on the same campus, which means people don't have to move if their health changes. There's home health and non-medical home care for those who want to stay at home, with trained aides there for things like companionship, and home health services also come to apartments or townhomes. Amenities keep life comfortable, with washers and dryers, air conditioning, parking, garages, gated entries, and pet-friendly options. Safety remains a focus, with an emergency alert system and accessible entrances, plus staff can help with medication, bathing, dressing, transfers, and all daily living needs.

    Northcrest Community's policies protect everyone, including people in the LGBTQ community, from discrimination based on orientation or gender identity in housing, work, or public life, following federal law. The community holds awards for care and active living, including Best of Senior Living and Best Activities, which show that many people enjoy their time there. Overall, Northcrest supports older adults, so they can stay connected and secure, enjoying personal freedom and a welcoming place where people treat each other with respect, providing many choices for care and comfort as they age.

    People often ask...

    Northcrest Community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, continuing care retirement community, and skilled nursing.

    There are 5 photos of Northcrest Community on Mirador.

    Yes, Northcrest Community allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.

    The full address for this community is 1801 20th St, Ames, IA 50010.

    No, Northcrest Community does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Safety & Compliance

    In Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing licenses assisted living and long-term care programs, conducting recertification visits and complaint investigations.

    License number3215
    StatusActive
    Facility typeAssisted Living Programs
    Capacity64 residents
    EffectiveOctober 2nd, 2024
    ExpiresOctober 2nd, 2026
    View the official license record

    Inspection Reports

    3

    Reports

    2

    Type A Citations

    0

    Type B Citations

    1

    Complaints

    5

    Years

    04 Mar 2026Incident
    Found no deficiencies cited during the recertification review and related investigation.
    12 Dec 2023Complaint
    Found no deficiencies during the recertification visit. The review concluded compliance with certification rules.
    24 Jun 2021Initial
    Identified deficiencies in tenant assessment and service planning; no evaluation or service plan for Tenant #1 and no required updates were documented.
    • Type A481-69.22(1) Evaluation of TenantEvaluation of Tenant
    • Type A481-69.26(1) Service PlansService Plans

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Northcrest Community. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Northcrest Community directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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