Ellen Kennedy Living Center

    1177 7th St SW, Dyersville, IA 52040
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living

    Caring staff and comfortable apartments

    I'm very pleased with EKLC - the staff (from director Kari Wittmeyer on down) are caring, responsive, and build personal relationships; meals are tasty and nutritious, apartments are comfortable and home-like, and activities and outings keep residents engaged. I highly recommend EKLC for its attentive, above-and-beyond care and good value; a few small tweaks would make it perfect.

    Current/former resident
    Jul 2026

    Pricing

    Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

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

    Healthcare staffing

    • 12-16 hour nursing
    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Transportation

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

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    4.64·(14)

    Overall rating

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

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.6
    • Meals

      4.8
    • Amenities

      5.0
    • Value

      4.0

    Pros

    • Compassionate, resident-centered caregiving
    • Personalized staff–resident relationships
    • Attentive and responsive staff communication
    • Engaging activity program and organized outings
    • Nutritious, varied dining with meal choices
    • Clean, comfortable apartments and common areas
    • Support for resident independence
    • On-site salon and personal-care services
    • Perceived good value for money

    Cons

    • Perceived inconsistency or decline in administrative leadership

    Summary of reviews

    Overall impression: The reviews portray Ellen Kennedy Living Center as a community with consistently strong day-to-day caregiving and resident engagement. Families emphasize compassionate, personalized care and frequent staff–resident interactions that extend beyond clinical tasks. Staff are described as attentive, friendly, and willing to go beyond basic duties to create a comfortable, safe environment for residents.

    Care and staff: Care quality is highlighted as a core strength. Reviewers emphasize tailored care that adapts as residents' needs change and frequent, warm interpersonal contact between staff and residents. Comments point to staff knowing residents personally, providing companionship during routine care activities, and an on-site leadership presence that addresses needs. The overall tone indicates staff who are engaged, respectful, and supportive of residents’ daily lives.

    Dining and activities: Dining receives consistently positive notes — meals are described as nutritious and varied, with a continental breakfast option and choices at lunch and dinner. Activity programming is also a clear strength: the facility offers plentiful, entertaining activities and organized outings that families find engaging. On-site personal-care amenities such as a talented hairdresser add to quality-of-life offerings.

    Facilities and value: The building and living units are characterized as clean, comfortable, and home-like; some descriptions use elevated language reflecting a pleasant, even “palace-like,” atmosphere. Reviewers also note support for independence and responsive service, contributing to a perception of good value for money.

    Management and notable patterns: While administration and the director are frequently described as responsive and proactive, there is at least one explicit critical comment about administrative direction that contrasts with the predominant praise. That comment suggests perceived inconsistency or dissatisfaction with leadership among a small number of observers. Prospective families may wish to ask about current administrative leadership, staffing stability, and communication processes during a tour to confirm continuity and management responsiveness.

    Bottom line: Ellen Kennedy Living Center is presented as a warm, activity-rich community with strong, personalized caregiving, good dining, and comfortable facilities. The main operational caveat emerging from the reviews is potential variability in administrative leadership; this is worth clarifying directly with the facility when considering placement.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Ellen Kennedy Living Center

    Ellen Kennedy Living Center is located at 1177 7th St SW, Dyersville, IA, 52040.

    About Ellen Kennedy Living Center

    Ellen Kennedy Living Center stands as a welcoming and supportive retirement community designed for seniors aged 55 and older who are seeking a harmonious balance between independence and access to care. Nestled in Dyersville, Iowa, the center offers residents a homelike environment enhanced by attentive staff and thoughtfully curated services. The facility itself is robust, spanning 120,000 square feet and encompassing 32 assisted-living units along with 26 independent-living units, allowing prospective tenants to select the level of support that fits their evolving needs. Residents are surrounded by convenience and peace of mind, with the center’s proximity to essential services further enriching their daily experience.

    The approach at Ellen Kennedy Living Center centers on creating a vibrant community life while striving to encourage personal autonomy for as long as possible. The environment here radiates friendliness and warmth, as staff members dedicate themselves not only to meeting the care needs of each resident but also to fostering meaningful relationships and interactions. It is this philosophy—of caring about people rather than just for them—that sets the community apart and makes it an inviting place for seniors to enjoy their later years.

    Amenities at Ellen Kennedy Living Center are designed to provide comfort, security, and a sense of belonging. The facility’s array of services ensures that each resident receives just the right amount of support, whether through daily assistance or by simply facilitating an independent lifestyle enriched by social activities and communal living. For those needing financial assistance with assisted living, Medicaid support is available based on eligibility and unit availability, ensuring that financial considerations do not become a barrier to quality care.

    One of the most notable achievements of Ellen Kennedy Living Center is its longstanding record of excellence in care. The facility has attained a perfect survey from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals for an impressive thirteen consecutive years. This accomplishment highlights the consistent dedication and commitment of the staff to deliver high-quality care and maintain a safe, nurturing environment. Residents and their families can take comfort in the knowledge that the center maintains rigorous standards, reflecting its devotion to providing superior support throughout the aging journey.

    Ellen Kennedy Living Center encourages a spirit of community and engagement, offering residents the benefits and security of a thoughtfully managed environment. With its blend of independent and assisted living options, compassionate staff, inviting atmosphere, and history of exemplary care, it serves as a trusted home for seniors looking to make the most of their retirement years.

    People often ask...

    Ellen Kennedy Living Center offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $4,482 per month.

    Ellen Kennedy Living Center offers independent living and assisted living.

    There are 32 photos of Ellen Kennedy Living Center on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 1177 7th St SW, Dyersville, IA 52040.

    No, Ellen Kennedy Living Center 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 number1767
    StatusActive
    Facility typeAssisted Living Programs
    Capacity64 residents
    EffectiveSeptember 26th, 2024
    ExpiresSeptember 26th, 2026
    View the official license record

    Inspection Reports

    13

    Reports

    3

    Citations

    5

    Complaints

    22

    Years

    26 Jun 2025Renewal
    Found no deficiencies during the recertification review and concluded compliance.
    09 Nov 2022Renewal
    Found no deficiencies identified during the recertification visit. The census showed 28 tenants without cognitive impairment and 0 with cognitive impairment.
    24 Sept 2018Renewal
    Found no deficiencies during recertification; census numbers and program compliance were reviewed.
    26 Sept 2016Renewal
    Regulator identified deficiencies in staffing documentation and nursing oversight, including failure to timely review staff training by the RN and incomplete abuse training for new hires.
    • RN review within 60 days of hire / training for delegated tasks
    • Staffing / Dependent Adult Abuse Training
    • Nurse Review & Documenting Health Status of Tenants
    02 Sept 2015Complaint
    Investigated the complaint and incident; found no deficiencies.
    04 Mar 2015Complaint
    Investigated the complaint and found no regulatory insufficiencies. No deficiencies were cited.
    20 Jan 2015Incident
    Investigated a complaint; no regulatory insufficiencies were identified.
    25 Sept 2014Renewal
    Concluded no regulatory insufficiencies were found during the monitoring evaluation.
    10 Jul 2012Renewal
    Found no regulatory insufficiencies during the final recertification monitoring evaluation.
    17 Oct 2011Incident
    Investigated a tenant incident; found no regulatory insufficiencies.
    19 Oct 2010Complaint
    Determined no regulatory insufficiencies during this certification period. Observations indicated satisfactory tenant relations and program operations.
    04 Aug 2008Complaint
    Concluded there were no regulatory insufficiencies or violations during the monitoring.
    16 Jul 2004Complaint
    Found no deficiencies during the monitoring visit.

    Disclaimer

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

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