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Bickford of West Des Moines is known for its outstanding assisted living facilities and memory care services. They recognize the challenges that aging can bring and offer valuable support in your area. Providing an intimate and transparent environment to seniors, they go beyond traditional nursing homes, fostering a vibrant community with engaging activities like art, baking, and music, creating a tight-knit and uplifting atmosphere.
In addition to these engaging activities, Bickford excels in culinary offerings, accommodating special diets with high culinary standards and restaurant-style dining. Their services encompass medication management, a resident monitoring system, transportation, and a pet-friendly environment. Notably, they have designed spaces tailored to the unique needs of seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s, creating a harmonious facility. Discover their exceptional assisted living and memory care options in your area.
Lower than the Iowa average: 75.4%Bickford of West Des Moines is administrated by Tesse Lester.
In Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducts unannounced health and safety surveys to monitor compliance and protect residents in long-term care settings.
This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Iowa state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Deficiencies
| This Facility | IA Average | vs. IA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
| 39 | 27 | This facility has 44% more total deficiencies than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (39 vs. IA avg 27).↑ 44% worse |
|
Deficiencies per year
Average deficiencies per year since 2005.
| 1.9 | 1.3 | This facility has 46% more deficiencies per year than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (1.9 vs. IA avg 1.3).↑ 46% worse |
|
Deficiencies per inspection
Average deficiencies per inspection.
| 1.2 | 1.8 | This facility has 33% fewer deficiencies per inspection than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (1.2 vs. IA avg 1.8).↓ 33% better |
Inspections
| This Facility | IA Average | vs. IA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
Combined count of all routine and focused inspections. Excludes complaint investigations.
| 32 | 15 | This facility has 113% more total inspections than a typical Iowa assisted living residence (32 vs. IA avg 15).↑ 113% worse |
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
The most recent inspection on October 15, 2025, found no deficiencies during complaint investigations. Earlier inspections showed a pattern of occasional deficiencies related mainly to tenant retention criteria—specifically retaining tenants requiring two-person assistance—and staff training, including background checks and dementia-specific education. Complaint investigations were mostly unsubstantiated, with no enforcement actions or fines listed in the available reports. Prior reports noted issues with alarm systems and individualized service plans, but these were addressed over time. The overall trend suggests improvement, with recent inspections showing fewer and less frequent deficiencies.
Read the full inspection reports for this facility, including detailed findings and corrective actions.
Show Inspection Reports
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: Private Rooms
Building Type: Single-story
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Tesse Lester serves as the Executive Director at Bickford of West Des Moines, leading the community with a dedicated team of caregivers committed to providing exceptional care for residents. She plays a central role in ensuring a warm and supportive environment for seniors and their families.
1.2 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from West Des Moines's city center to Bickford of West Des Moines's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 2.03 miles to nearest hospital (DeAnn L. Nerem, PsyD)
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Bickford of West Des Moines is located in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Iowa.
The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
| Cedar Ridge Village |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | West Des Moines | 68 | No | 51 | Private Rooms | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
19
Rank
#202 / 282 |
51.5%
Facility
51.5%
IA AVG
63.6%
Rank
#251 / 393 | A+ | 2 | -
Facility
-
IA AVG
6.3
Rank
#1 / 347 | -
Facility
-
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#1 / 347 |
| Bickford of West Des Moines |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | West Des Moines (Hawthorne Drive) | 66 | Yes | 59 | Private Rooms | 27
Facility
27
IA AVG
19
Rank
#60 / 282 |
53.0%
Facility
53.0%
IA AVG
63.6%
Rank
#244 / 393 | - | 32 | 15
Facility
15
IA AVG
6.3
Rank
#318 / 347 | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#342 / 347 |
| Calvin Community |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Des Moines (Beaverdale) | 59 | No | 61 | Private Rooms | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
19
Rank
#267 / 282 |
93.2%
Facility
93.2%
IA AVG
63.6%
Rank
#40 / 393 | - | 17 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
6.3
Rank
#60 / 347 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#297 / 347 |
| Cedar Ridge Village |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support. | West Des Moines (Heritage Bend) | 40 | Yes | 5 | Private Rooms | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
19
Rank
#202 / 282 |
95.0%
Facility
95.0%
IA AVG
63.6%
Rank
#23 / 393 | A+ | 15 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
6.3
Rank
#96 / 347 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#249 / 347 |
| Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | West Des Moines | 40 | Yes | 7 | Private Rooms | - |
97.5%
Facility
97.5%
IA AVG
63.6%
Rank
#14 / 393 | - | 20 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
6.3
Rank
#96 / 347 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#327 / 347 |
Bickford of West Des Moines is in the Hawthorne Drive neighborhood of West Des Moines.
Bickford of West Des Moines has a walk score of 59. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.
According to IA state health department records, Bickford of West Des Moines's license number is S0043.
According to IA state health department records, Bickford of West Des Moines's license expires on April 30, 2027.
Bickford of West Des Moines's occupancy is 53%.
The team at Bickford of West Des Moines can be reached at [email protected].
Tesse Lester is the administrator of Bickford of West Des Moines.
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