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The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Offering excellent memory care, long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services, The Life Center is a dependable senior living community in Des Moines, IA that helps residents maintain a sense of individuality and freedom while receiving additional support. The community features a reliable nursing team available 24-hours a day and an extensive rehabilitative program, featuring physical, speech, and occupational therapies that help residents maintain their highest level of functionality.
Residents also delight in an array of convenient services that help them live a maintenance-free lifestyle such as housekeeping, laundry, package delivery services, and more. A registered dietician carefully reviews the residents’ therapeutic diets to ensure they are receiving the proper nutrition and nourishment. With Life Center, residents are guaranteed to lead the lifestyle they deserve surrounded by compassionate support and care.
The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.
This home is ranked 72nd out of 222 homes in Iowa.| Staff type | Hours / day | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs hold the highest nursing license and can assess residents, interpret test results, and direct care plans. More RN hours per day often signals stronger clinical oversight and faster response to health changes.
| 53m per day | ▲ 20% State avg: 44m per day · National avg: 41m per day |
|
LPN / LVN
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver routine hands-on care — medication administration, wound dressing, and monitoring vital signs. They work under RN supervision and make up a large share of daily bedside care.
| 26m per day | ▼ 24% State avg: 34m per day · National avg: 52m per day |
|
Nurse Aide
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) provide the most direct day-to-day assistance: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. Nurse aide hours are typically the largest staffing category and directly affect residents' quality of life.
| 2h 30m per day | ■ Avg State avg: 2h 32m per day · National avg: 2h 21m per day |
|
Total Nursing (Weekend)
Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours.
| 3h 45m per day | ▲ 12% State avg: 3h 21m per day · National avg: 3h 26m per day |
|
Physical Therapist
Hours per resident per day provided by licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants. PT services help residents recover mobility after injury or illness and are especially important for post-acute (short-stay) rehabilitation.
| 6m per day | ▲ 200% State avg: 2m per day · National avg: 4m per day |
|
RN (Weekend)
Registered nurse hours specifically on weekends. Facilities sometimes reduce RN presence on Saturdays and Sundays — a low weekend RN figure compared to weekday hours can indicate reduced clinical oversight when most administrative staff are absent.
| 37m per day | ▲ 23% State avg: 30m per day · National avg: 29m per day |
Occupancy lower than 85% suggests more openings may be available.
This home supports both short-term rehab and long-term care, with residents staying for a wide range of durations.
47% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
47% of new residents, often for short stays.
6% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #65 / 222Payroll — state benchmarkedThis home is ranked 65th out of 222 homes in Iowa.Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the Iowa average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
Total Residents: 72
Building Type: Two-story
Life Center is located in Des Moines, Iowa.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Iowa.
3.8 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Des Moines's city center to Life Center's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 1.83 miles to nearest hospital (Iowa Psychiatric Society)
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These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.41
5% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 1.48
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.00
52% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 2.09
CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
26.7%
25% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 21.4%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
7.5%
43% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 13.1%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
0.0%
100% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.8%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
58.3%
9% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 53.7%
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
51.3%
In line with Iowa averageIowa average: 50.6%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.
Source: CMS Penalties Database
No penalties in the past 3 years
No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.
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Life Center is in the Waveland Park neighborhood.
Life Center has a walk score of 51. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.
Life Center's occupancy is 70.5%.
Yes — there are 9 photos of Life Center in the photo gallery on this page.
Life Center is located at 900 Polk Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50312, United States.
(515) 255-5433 will put you in contact with the team at Life Center.
Life Center is not currently listed as a CMS-certified provider of Medicare or Medicaid.
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