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6.4

Review Score

79 reviews
13 communities
Starting from $X,XXX/mo

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6.4
Review Score
169 reviews

Review Score

169 reviews
6.4

Out of 10


5 star

57%

4 star

29%

3 star

5%

2 star

5%

1 star

7%

A Place for Mom has scored Better Living with 6.4 out of 10 using our proprietary review score based on 29 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time, Better Living has 169 reviews with an average "overall experience" of 4 out of 5.

Overall Experience
95
48
8
7
11
Date Submitted
12
19
29
Reviewer
27
113
22
3
Care Received
21
9
139
81-100 of 169 reviews
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5.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
August 24, 2015
Verified Review
Very nice place!

We're extremely happy with how things have turned out at Emery Place! They've just done a really excellent job, I would give them high marks across the board. The facility itself is brand new, and always kept very clean and nice looking. Based on our experience so far I would definitely recommend the place!

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

5

Activities

5

Value for Cost

5


5.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
July 21, 2015
Verified Review

They have been amazing. I cannot say enough good things about them. They go beyond what they need too. There is that extra checking on her that goes above and beyond. I felt a coldness in some of the responses I got from other facilities and this one there was just a warmness in them. I feel like they really care about the people that are there and I feel comfortable with my mother-in-law being there.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

5

Activities

5

Value for Cost

5


5.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
February 12, 2015
Verified Review
I'm just pleasantly surprised with it.

I'm just pleasantly surprised with it. When you first walk in it looks so homey right from the start. Nice areas to sit and eat, and visit. For the most part the food is pretty good, and there have been only a few times she didn't like what they were having, and they are willing to make something else if that is the case. They do a very good job.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

5

Activities

5

Value for Cost

5


5.0
DP - Family/Friend
Memory Care
September 19, 2014
Verified Review
I have only good things to say about ...

I have only good things to say about Sterling House. My experience has been great. The staff and the care they give is great, the service is good as well. They always go above and beyond in all they do. My mom is 98 years old, and I've seen a marvelous change in her attitude here lately. She's making friends and enjoying herself, which she didn't do in other places. We are very, very, very satisfied with Sterling House.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

5

Activities

5

Value for Cost

5


5.0
Kristie from Minnesota - Family/Friend
Memory Care
August 5, 2014
Verified Review
SterlingHouse of Blaine

I was very pleased with sterling house of blaine. The employees were very friendly, helpful and ready to help when needed. My dad was there for about 1 month sadly my father passed away on july 25th. My dad really liked the aides and joked with them alot. We were told that they really liked my dad as well. I would be very happy to refer anyone to the sterling house of blaine.

Cleanliness

4

Friendliness

4.5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

3.5

Value for Cost

4.5


5.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
July 26, 2014
Only 19 bedrooms with private baths. ...

Only 19 bedrooms with private baths. The community is like a family.

Cleanliness

4

Friendliness

5

Care Services

4

Activities

4

Value for Cost

5


5.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
June 30, 2014
Verified Review
Dad's Man Cave

I was very impressed with Sterling House of Blaine. The staff was eager to help and answer any questions that we h ad. The rooms are very personal not like a nursing home. To me it seemed like their very own apartment. Although Dad has not been there very long I think he will really like it once he gets settled in.

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

5


4.5
Ben Ellis - Family/Friend
Memory Care
September 19, 2020
My Mom loves it at Emery!

My Mom started living at Emery in August of 2018. Simply put, she absolutely loves it at Emery. The friendly, dedicated, and caring staff look after her every need. Her room, and the entire facility, is always very clean. She loves the food, especially being able to make requests. I really appreciate the level of communication provided. Monthly newsletters keep me up-to-date, and it is nice to see her picture included every month. I also appreciate how Emery keeps me informed on any medical issues, or something as simple letting me know that she needs something for her apartment. How Emery has kept everyone (residents and staff) safe and healthy during Covid-19 has been amazing! Overall, I couldn't have selected a better place for my Mom to live.

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.5
Nancy AntonJensen - Family/Friend
Memory Care
September 8, 2019
Great transition help and comfortable place!

It was a really hard adjustment for my father-in-law to not be on his own at home, but the staff has been wonderful in the transition. Now he is very comfortable about the people and place, is eating and likes the food, and has established friendships with staff and other residents. It is a relief to have him feel good and be healthier than he had been for the 3 years before the move to Emory Place.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.5
Larry - Resident/client
Memory Care
July 26, 2019
Verified Review
#1 Choice Among Many!( It's family/home)

BDP is exceptional in facility, Staff, activities, amenities, & food. That is our experience after 2 years living here! The key criteria in your decision are people & size (feels like family.... not a "cold, over-sized institution" … that's BDP!). Wonderful place to live with caring,professional Staff & fun/active residents that will "make your day"! The best choice for senior living in the Iowa City area. Stands out among many choices!

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

5

Care Services

5

Activities

5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.5
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
June 12, 2019

So friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Glad to have my mother there.

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

4.5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.5
Linda Patten - Family/Friend
Memory Care
November 11, 2018
Emery Place is Great!!!

My brother, [Name removed], can be a pistol at times, but the staff at Emery Place truly knows how to handle him. I wish I had the patience like the people at Emery Place!!! I am so happy that he is there because I don't worry about him at all. The piece of mind I have is priceless!!!

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

4.5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.5
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
October 3, 2017

My mother has been at Emery Place for two months after a 6 month stay at a care facility. Her adjustment was rocky at first, but the caring staff have won her over. She is comfortable, making friends, and is happy again. This is a beautiful, well cared for facility, with responsive staff. It feels very homelike.

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

4.5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

3.5

Value for Cost

5


4.5
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
March 30, 2016

Small place lots of individual attention

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

4.5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.5
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Memory Care
March 10, 2016

The staff is very kind to my mother and is available to answer any questions I may have.

Cleanliness

4.5

Friendliness

4.5

Care Services

4.5

Activities

4.5

Value for Cost

4.5


4.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Assisted Living
October 14, 2025
Verified Review
Our experience

What we like the most about the community is the cleanliness and security are good. Meals could use some help. Yes, we would recommend the River Valley Place of Ottumwa community to other families based on the experience so far.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Meals & Dining

3

Care Services

4

Activities

4

Staff

4

Value for Cost

4


4.0
Stacey S - Family/Friend
Assisted Living
October 2, 2025
Verified Review
warm welcoming community

The experience we have had with my mother has been good. The place is beautiful and is always clean and bright. The staff is always inviting and friendly. They provide good meals and plenty of snacks. Nobody wants to be in a nursing home but I feel Apple Valley has provided my mother with love and support.


4.0
Thomas M - Family/Friend
Memory Care
September 11, 2025
Moving my father to a memory care unit

In my opinion BrownDeer Place has been very helpful with my father getting moved in and settled . I would recommend them because they really took a lot of stress away from the family and are very trustworthy.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

5

Meals & Dining

4

Care Services

4

Activities

4

Staff

5

Value for Cost

4


4.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Assisted Living
June 27, 2025
Verified Review
Apple Valley is an A

I'm happy with the staff and the facility. Mom really likes it there which is the important part. The only reason I didn't give them a 5 rating is because they have been a little bit short staffed at times ..like every place these days.


4.0
Anonymous - Family/Friend
Assisted Living
March 20, 2025
Verified Review
Apple Valley Place at Clear Lake

What we like the most about Apple Valley are the activities that are scheduled are fantastic. Apartments are kept in great condition.

Cleanliness

5

Friendliness

4

Meals & Dining

4

Care Services

5

Activities

5

Staff

4

Value for Cost

4


Viewing 81-100 out of 169 reviews

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