With its welcoming locals, plethora of parks, and bustling arts scene, it’s no wonder that residents love Des Moines. The friendly and tight-knit community in Des Moines is especially welcoming to older adults, providing them with a sense of belonging and companionship.
Choosing a senior living facility in Des Moines begins with knowing what type of care your loved one needs. While the term nursing home truly means a skilled nursing facility where round-the-clock medical care takes place, it’s also used by many as a broad term for assisted living and memory care facilities.
While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with nursing homes, we do have 20 assisted living and memory care facility partners that might be right for your needs.
As you browse through our partners, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations suitable for most seniors within a 10-miles radius of Des Moines city center. Read on to learn more about costs, benefits, and regulations, which will help you efficiently narrow your selections and find the ideal facility based on what’s most important to your family.
Extremely helpful in getting my 103 yr. old mother get settled. They go out of their way . Staff and residents are SO friendly. Beautiful inside and out. Not so overpowering as some facilities are. I...
Very clean, all staff that we interacted with was friendly and helpful. The front office staff bent over backwards to help us at a very difficult time for our family. Seriously great staff.
Absolutely would recommend and also I talked to many residents that all had such good things to say. Everything is so clean and new.
Both the staff and residents are top notch. This place may not have all the, what I call fluffy stuff (theater room…but there is one across the street; balcony… but there is a very nice lake side view...
Meadowview Johnston is obviously a beautiful facility. Of far greater importance however is the atmosphere within. From the moment one enters, one senses of feeling of warmth and friendliness, an atmosphere...
The staff has been so caring. Everyone, from the director to the housekeeping staff are consistently kind and friendly with each resident. They recently hired a new activity director, so I'm hoping that part...
I have lived at Woodlands Creek Senior Living villas for five years, and I could not be happier with my choice. The location is perfect…close to the Greenbelt Trail for pleasant walks, with shopping and...
My sibling adores the caregivers, they pay a lot of attention to him. For activities, he tells me he has nothing to do. I know that's wrong. He just doesn't seem to want to participate. For value for cost,...
Hi, I recently had to relocate my mom to an assisted living facility and after much research we decided on Holland Farms. This is a beautiful building and the staff at the front desk were so welcoming right...
The staff was so kind to me when I came in that for that first tour. And they are very good about keeping me updated with her condition. I would recommend this place to anyone that is looking for memory care
In the last 18 months I’ve toured many senior living options to find a place for my mom. Bickford in West Des Moines didn’t hit my radar right away and I wish it had. The staff is kind, the nurse has been...
I am basing this off of the memory Care unit since Mom has been there the longest. They're willing to work with families on where to place residents and how to care for each individual resident. With the...
Overall it is positive, very caring manager & staff home feeling vibe. It is clean but sometimes there is a urine smell. 98 percent friendly always have a couple that hearts aren't in it Quality of care is...
there are many activities offered, my dad has not taken part in them. The key fobs they use are hard for my dad, he is used to a regular key and lock. He struggles even after 6 weeks or more of being there....
I am happy for the care that is received from this community. The staff are caring and attentive to the residents. The menu offers alot of healthy meals that she is enjoying. The activities are helpful for...
This is a great opportunity for a parent or a loved one to go to. They are very welcome and open with the residents as well as the family. My mother is very happy there and it was the best place for her to...
There has been a lot of turnover so I think they are working on it. But staff do not say hi to visitors and no one knows their names. The kitchen staff has been new a few times. It appears they do not plan...
Friendliness of staff. 4 Nurses don't have time for residents or resident's family. Neither does executive director. They don't return phone calls. Meals and dining - Breakfast the best. Lunch and Dinner...
I thinks so far it's been good. It's clean and the staff are pretty friendly. The food seems to be pretty good. The weekends can get a little difficult because there are less staff on duty. I don't think...
My parents love it there. The staff is very friendly and very accommodating. The apartment is beautiful. The only reason I rated activities down a little is because we thought there would be...
The friendliness of the staff gets a 5+. It is a great place. People are amazing. It is beautiful, they have just remodeled, painted and new carpet. Wish there were more variety of activities. It is...
staff is very attentive to resident wants and needs. as a family member i felt my grandmother was in great hands and never had the ackward situation of not knowing something that may habe happened! syaff did...
I appreciate all the information that I was given when we put my mom in Urbandale. I have gotten a lot more information from the social worker from Urbandale, and the nurses call me if something happens....
My parents are at Senior Suites and I’ve known other people that Have lived there for years and it’s very caring ..wonderful place ..the food is great it’s always clean ...friendly ..we love it
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Des Moines community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The median cost to live in a private room of a nursing home in Des Moines is $7,756 per month.[01] Proprietary research from A Place for Mom shows that costs may be lower for assisted living and memory care, at $4,334 for assisted living and $4,585 for memory care. These monthly rates include all fees related to 24-hour care, such as housing, personal care available to all residents, meals, and communal activities.[02]
Be aware that your loved one may have access to different services and amenities depending on which type of facility you choose. For example, nursing homes will be focused on skilled nursing and constant medical care, while memory care facilities will be providing care as it pertains to those with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
One of the most important considerations you’ll make when finding the right senior living facility for your loved one is determining how to pay for room, board, and care. The good news is that most people use a combination of payment methods. The top four include paying from personal funds, paying through Medicaid, paying with Medicare insurance, and paying with the assistance of VA benefits. Please note that Medicaid, Medicare, and VA assistance cannot be used for monthly rent costs but can be used to help pay for other fees, such as medical care or emergency services.
If your loved one already has some savings or receives regular deposits from Social Security benefits, a pension, VA benefits, or investment returns, you may want to use that money to cover some or all of the cost to relocate to a Des Moines senior living facility.
Be sure to take all incoming money sources into consideration when determining whether a skilled nursing home or assisted living facility is an affordable choice. Also, remember that the following methods can be used to obtain more money to cover monthly costs for your relative.
Number of veterans who live in Des Moines
About 12% of Des Moines veterans are 75+
Many seniors living in Des Moines are veterans, are married to veterans, or were married to veterans. If this describes your relative moving to a nursing home, assisted living facility, or memory care community, then your relative may qualify for special financial help.
What if your senior loved one already receives a Veterans Affairs (VA) Pension? That’s okay. There may be other benefits that neither of you realized were available. In most cases, talking with a veterans services officer can be a huge help. That way, you won’t miss any of the veteran benefits and funds that your senior relative could apply for.
For instance, you’ll want to begin by checking out the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can add additional monthly compensation to the Pension for those eligible.
For assistance getting started or understanding eligibility requirements, a VA office or a veterans services organization (VSO) are great places to start. Veterans services officers are available there to walk you through the process.
Resources for Des Moines veterans
Des Moines VA Regional Benefit Office
210 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 5030
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Polk County Commission of Veteran Affairs
2309 Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: 515-286-3670
Email: Veterans.Affairs@polkcountyiowa.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
7105 NW 70th Ave.
Camp Dodge – Building 3465
Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: 515-252-4698
Iowa Department of VFW
3601 Beaver Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: 515-255-2139
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
American Legion Department of Iowa
720 Lyon St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-282-5068
Email: info@ialegion.org
Disabled American Veterans
210 Walnut St., Room 566
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-323-7539
Vietnam Veterans of America Iowa State Council
210 Walnut St., Room 559
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 563-650-3055
Email: ghpaulline@gmail.com
Iowa Paralyzed Veterans of America
7025 Hickman Road, Suite 1
Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: 515-277-4782
Email: iowapvakim@yahoo.com
Seniors who are 65+ years old and fall into the category of being low income because of lack of resources may qualify for Medicaid. This government program provides insurance and is a common solution for helping to pay for senior care facilities.
Medicaid provides coverage for seniors living in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes. Medicaid covers the costs of room and board, medical supplies, nursing care, and any necessary therapy or treatments. Individuals must meet certain financial and nonfinancial requirements in order to receive Medicaid coverage in Iowa.
Please note that Medicaid does not cover the costs of monthly rent in assisted living and memory care facilities. However, Medicaid does cover the costs of senior care that are directly related to medical needs, such as visits from a physical therapist or home health aide. This type of help can be found through a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver. This is also sometimes referred to as a 1915(c) waiver. Some of the Iowa-based HCBS waivers that may be appropriate for your loved one include:
Filling out the form to apply for a waiver can be done online. You can also print and mail the application. Be advised that approvals and denials from Medicaid can take months, so it’s best to start early. If you’re new to Medicaid, look through the waiver booklet put together by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The long-term care ombudsman is also an advocate for seniors and a good resource for information and assistance.
Des Moines resident Medicaid resources
Iowa Medicaid Member Services
2309 Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50314
Phone: 515-256-4606
TTY: 800-735-2942
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Social Security Administration
455 SW Fifth St. F
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Central Iowa Agency on Aging
5835 Grand Ave., Suite 106
Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: 515-255-1310
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Long-term care Ombudsman
Beth Burke
510 E. 12th St., Suite 2
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-725-3308
Like private insurance, federally-operated Medicare will only pay for short-term health care costs for seniors ages 65+. This means it won’t cover the cost of living in a long-term care facility, such nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities. But that doesn’t mean Medicare isn’t useful for seniors in any of those arrangements.
This booklet from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a valuable resource for understanding exactly how skilled nursing facility care is covered. In short, Medicare will cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility. There is a 100-day limit.
While Medicare won’t cover room and board in assisted living or memory care facilities, it will cover medical care that residents need. Some seniors might be qualified for additional coverage through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which is specifically designed to help seniors avoid placement in a nursing home.
Medicare has a lot of moving parts and can be confusing, so getting help with your journey is a good idea. You can start with Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Trained volunteers will help you understand and apply for benefits at no cost. The long-term care ombudsman or the Polk County PEER Advocate Program are also set up to help. Finally, you can also reach out to your local Social Security Administration office.
Des Moines resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration
455 SW Fifth St. F
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SHIIP
1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
Phone: 800-351-4664 or 563-421-1096
Email: shiip@iid.iowa.gov
Central Iowa Agency on Aging
5835 Grand Ave., Ste. 106
Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: 515-255-1310
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Des Moines, Iowa Ombudsman
Bernardo Granwehr, Ombudsman
Bert Dalmer, Senior Deputy Ombudsman
1112 E. Grand
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-3592
Email: ombudsman@legis.iowa.gov
Iowa law is set up to protect seniors living in nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities. All such facilities must be licensed by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) and regulated by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Nursing homes are additionally subject to federal regulations. To keep a license current, a facility must undergo regular inspections.
These inspections — typically held every 12 to 24 months — are also conducted by the DIA. As part of your search for the ideal Des Moines senior living facility for your parent, grandparent, or spouse, you can find the most recent inspection report on any potential nursing home, assisted living facility, or memory care community by using the DIA’s interactive Health Facility Reports database.
Nursing home laws and regulations are in place to ensure that each facility maintains the highest standard of care, with a focus on prioritizing the safety, comfort, and dignity of its residents. In addition to state laws and regulations, federal laws also apply around staffing requirements, types of training staff are required to have, food services, emergency procedures, and a host of other things designed to ensure quality care for your loved one in this type of facility that provides constant medical care.
Assisted living facilities (ALPs) are homey residential facilities that cater to the personal care needs of three or more individuals. Iowa’s regulations prioritize the preservation of residents’ dignity and privacy, as well as promoting their participation and involvement in decision-making alongside their loved ones. The facility must provide personal care, health-related care, and medication oversight, as well as at least one hot meal per day.
To ensure comprehensive care, a sufficient number of staff members (no specific ratio is defined) must be present 24/7 to attend to residents’ needs, and all staff must receive training in emergency procedures and pass criminal background checks.
To be certified as a dementia care unit, memory care facilities in Iowa must adhere to the regulations set for assisted living facilities and comply with state laws. Additionally, they must fulfill extra requirements, in particular, staff must receive specific training on how to care for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The facility is also required to install exit alarms and ensure the removal of kitchen appliances from residents’ living quarters (if the units have these).
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-281-7689
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Iowa has lifted all Covid-19 restrictions for senior living facilities. However, this doesn’t mean that communities can’t enact their own rules regarding safety measures for residents, staff members, and visitors. Plus, many follow best practices like those listed below to lower the spread of any infectious diseases.
Adults healthy enough to be vaccinated should consider getting regular Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Anyone who feels sick or is immunocompromised is advised to consider wearing a medical-grade or even homemade mask.
In crowded areas where others may be sick, seniors may wish to stay at least six feet apart.
Though quarantining can be difficult in communal housing arrangements, it may be recommended for seniors who are awaiting Covid-19 test results or who have been diagnosed as actively carrying the Covid-19 virus.
Like all types of senior-related housing, senior care facilities in Des Moines offer a wide range of unique benefits and features. This allows you to customize and focus your search so you can find the best possible spot for your loved one to call home.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may want to consider memory care. If they just need some help with mobility or getting dressed, assisted living could be the best choice. There are also combinations of this under one roof. A Place for Mom’s 20 partner Des Moines facilities within a 10-miles radius of downtown break down like this:
Assisted living and memory care provide easy access to medical professionals. Most of our partners also offer full medication management and visiting therapists, such as physical and occupational therapists, and specialists. The result is that residents can depend upon those around them to keep them healthy, safe, and clean.
Seniors who live in assisted living or memory care want to be able to enjoy recreational activities and entertainment. At most partner facilities, an activity director arranges a wide array of events, classes, and other gatherings to encourage mental and physical stimulation. What kinds of activities are most common in Des Moines? More than half of all our partners offer devotional activities, art classes, happy hours, live performances, fitness opportunities, picnics, parties, and even day trips and outings.
While you want your loved one to be given nutritious recipes, you probably also want to make sure those meals are tasty. Nearly eight out of 10 facilities we partner with provide private dining rooms to turn mealtimes into special occasions to savor food and socialize if desired. About half even offer vegetarian fare, which is becoming more of a desired choice among health-conscious seniors who would prefer meatless meals.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Des Moines[05]
Median annual income for Des Moines seniors 65 and older[06]
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
Senior care facilities tend to have visiting doctors and specialists. However, your loved one may need some individualized care for a condition like heart disease. In that case, setting up an appointment with a MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center doctor can make sense. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center has been designated repeatedly as a top Des Moines health care organization by U.S. News & World Report.
One of the calling cards of Broadlawns Medical Center is its patient-centered, cost-effective care. Especially called out by U.S. News & World Report for its orthopedics, Broadlawns is a respected provider in the Des Moines community.
Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System-Des Moines
If you’re a former member of the military, you may want to contact this system to find out your care options. U.S. News & World Report rates this system highly for emergency treatment and triage. The Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines features a general medical and surgical site.
Seniors living in Des Moines senior care facilities can rest easy knowing that 79% of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities offer complimentary transportation for residents and 84% offer it at cost. However, for family members visiting a loved one, you’ll still want to know all the public and private transportation options at your fingertips.
Buses operated via the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority are the main type of public transportation. If your relative is low-income or disabled, you may find it easiest to schedule transportation through the Transit Authority’s Paratransit Bus Plus service. Call the Transit Authority at (515) 286-3484 when you’re ready to set up this type of door-to-door shuttle service.
Of course, you are free to use third-party rideshares like Uber and Lyft to get around the city with your relatives. Compassionate Care Transportation also provides non-emergency medical transportation in the Des Moines Metro Area.
Just because your loved one has moved to a senior care facility doesn’t mean that you can’t take them out on day trips anymore. On the contrary, most seniors appreciate being able to get the chance to spend time outside where they live. Being able to explore the city together affords you the opportunity to spend quality time with someone special, as well as find out more about what makes Des Moines an attractive place for both residents and visitors.
Outdoor outings can bring the beauty of nature and its wonders into full focus for you and your senior relative. Des Moines boasts more than 76 parks in the city alone — and that doesn’t count any nature preserves and national forests just outside Polk County. Feel free to see which are closest to the senior care facility your loved one lives in by stopping by the Des Moines Parks and Recreation website.
For instance, you’ll find that many people suggest going to Gray’s Lake Park. It’s a large green space with wheelchair-accessible paths, lots of access to water, and places to picnic or relax. You can easily make a whole day out of a visit to Gray’s Lake Park.
Another must-see location with indoor and outdoor options is the award-winning Blank Park Zoo. Given the 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the zoo houses creatures from around the world. Take a stroll, watch the animals, see the birds, and make discoveries — and memories — with your loved one. All pathways at the zoo and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and if you’re planning on bringing grandchildren with you to Des Moines, the zoo is always a favorite go-to place.
Yet another fun outside Des Moines landmark is the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. It’s magnificently groomed and offers discounted tickets to seniors. The garden is ADA-compliant and features wide, wheelchair-accessible pathways. It’s only a short bus ride away from the famous Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Not worried about the weather? Take a trip to the Des Moines Arts Center. There, you’ll be able to walk around and enjoy works from many famous artists, including Georgia O’Keefe. For more artwork, go next to the Polk County Heritage Gallery. Both galleries are wheelchair accessible. If you’d like some live performances, find out what’s on the calendar for the Des Moines Symphony or the Des Moines Civic Center. Both have stages where you can indulge in everything from a live performance of recognized concertos to Broadway’s most entertaining musicals.
Don’t forget that even a short visit to a coffeehouse, restaurant, or diner can be a great way to have fun with the senior in your life who lives in a senior care facility. Des Moines is packed with different types of eateries, so it’s not hard to find cuisine that both you and your loved one will appreciate. For more of a walking tour of local flavors, head to the Downtown Farmers Market to see what’s in season from farmers and gourmet foodies.
Independence Village of Waukee, Independence Village of Ankeny and Walnut Ridge are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Des Moines, IA. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Des Moines is $4,578 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Views -> Challenger -> By Care type answer 3
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST
U.S. News & World Report L.P. (2023). Best Hospitals in Des Moines, IA Rankings
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST
U.S. News & World Report L.P. (2023). Best Hospitals in Des Moines, IA Rankings