Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community sits at 1922 5th Ave NW in Waverly, Iowa, and has been serving older adults since 1954; here, folks will find a friendly staff with Christian values who help residents live well and feel at home. The community offers a wide range of care, including independent living for folks who want maintenance-free apartments or townhomes, assisted living for those who need a little help with daily activities, and memory care for people living with dementia or Alzheimer's, all of it guided by a residents-first approach. There's also nursing care, rehabilitation and therapy, and even in-home care services, so people can get more support as they need it and age in place if that's the best fit, with options like Anna Estates Townhomes, Eisenach Village, Eichhorn Haus Apartments, Linden Place, Evergreen Arbor, and Woodland Terrace, which gives everyone a choice based on what they want and need.
Inside the community, residents can find warm, home-like environments with chaplaincy and faith services rooted in the Lutheran tradition, landscaped gardens, and safe walking paths, plus structured activities like movie nights, an arts room, game room, and garden spaces that help people stay active and involved; there's always a full calendar, and both community-sponsored and resident-run programs. The dining room serves nutritious meals all day, including choices for special diets such as diabetes or allergies, and the food is planned by chefs and nutrition staff. Amenities in rooms usually include emergency call buttons, private bathrooms with grab bars and walk-in showers, cable TV, furnished spaces, balconies or patios, carpeted floors, and air conditioning, plus emergency alert systems throughout the community and a trained response team.
Bartels Lutheran also provides skilled nursing and dementia care in a setting with 24-hour staff and specialized therapies; sometimes people come here for rehab after an illness or surgery or need long-term nursing care, and there are usually some skilled nursing beds available. Residents get help with bathing, dressing, managing medicine, and transfers, as well as support with daily life, laundry, maintenance, housekeeping, and medication reminders. There's social work, weekly banking, a beauty and barber shop, transportation for appointments and errands, and a move-in coordination service for new arrivals. Health services cover medication management, wellness programs, incontinence care, rehab, and different therapies including music therapy and horticultural therapy, all supported by about 250 employees who serve over 200 residents.
The community is licensed by the State of Iowa, Medicaid certified, and has a not-for-profit status, which means all the resources go back into caring for residents. The place has received awards for having the best activities that keep seniors engaged and for its commitment to compassionate, Christian-centered care. People who move to Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community often say the staff are joyful and helpful, and the whole place feels welcoming and safe for both residents and visitors. The organization has a clear focus on residents' well-being, whether they're living on their own, need a little help, or require more nursing or memory care, and the setup makes it easy for folks to stay in the same community if their needs change. Residents and families can schedule tours, check availability, and learn more about the right options for their situation.
