Iowa nursing homes can begin competing for 20-million dollars in federal money. The grants are to be used to convert nursing home space into assisted living apartments, or create programs which help the elderly stay in their own home. Scott Kiefer of the Iowa Department of Human Services says nationwide, just one-third of people over 65 who need a little help live in a nursing home. In Iowa, however, two-thirds of Iowans who’re over 65 and need some help end up in a nursing home.Kiefer says in addition to converting nursing home space to assisted living apartments, the 20-million dollars can be used to start a day care program for the elderly, or a check-up system where nurses check on the elderly in their home. Iowa legislators and the Governor passed a law in February which set-up a way to get addition federal resources for those projects.