
Compare Assisted Living around Des Moines (Metro Area)
Info below is compiled from the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
| Wesley Acres | AL ADC IL MC NH SNF | Des Moines (Greenwood) | 80
Facility
80
IA AVG
71
Rank
#105 / 406 | Yes |
72
Facility
72
IA AVG
45
Rank
#89 / 528 | - | - | 91.3% | - | 21 | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
7
Rank
#201 / 294 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#248 / 294 |
| Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center | AL NH HC IL MC RESC SNF | Des Moines (East Village) | 51
Facility
51
IA AVG
71
Rank
#255 / 406 | No |
91
Facility
91
IA AVG
45
Rank
#2 / 528 | - | - | 60.8% | - | 17 | 6
Facility
6
IA AVG
7
Rank
#170 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek | AL MC RC | West Des Moines | 93
Facility
93
IA AVG
71
Rank
#79 / 406 | Yes |
58
Facility
58
IA AVG
45
Rank
#168 / 528 | Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
19
Rank
#212 / 286 | 58.1% | - | 9 | 6
Facility
6
IA AVG
7
Rank
#170 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| Holland Farms | AL IL MC RC | Norwalk | 116
Facility
116
IA AVG
71
Rank
#45 / 406 | Yes |
38
Facility
38
IA AVG
45
Rank
#305 / 528 | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
19
Rank
#233 / 286 | 38.8% | - | 7 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
7
Rank
#89 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| Vintage Hills of Indianola | AL MC RC | Indianola | 90
Facility
90
IA AVG
71
Rank
#83 / 406 | Yes |
15
Facility
15
IA AVG
45
Rank
#441 / 528 | - | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
19
Rank
#212 / 286 | 45.6% | A+ | 7 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
7
Rank
#89 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| Edencrest at Beaverdale | AL IL MC RC | Des Moines (Beaverdale) | 160
Facility
160
IA AVG
71
Rank
#16 / 406 | Yes |
76
Facility
76
IA AVG
45
Rank
#70 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
19
Rank
#200 / 286 | 39.4% | A+ | 17 | 10
Facility
10
IA AVG
7
Rank
#232 / 294 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#200 / 294 |
| Edencrest at Pleasant Hill | AL IL MC | Pleasant Hill | 140
Facility
140
IA AVG
71
Rank
#23 / 406 | Yes |
2
Facility
2
IA AVG
45
Rank
#500 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
19
Rank
#268 / 286 | 21.4% | - | 2 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
7
Rank
#31 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| Edencrest at The Tuscany | AL IL MC RC | Altoona | 40
Facility
40
IA AVG
71
Rank
#324 / 406 | Yes |
14
Facility
14
IA AVG
45
Rank
#444 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
19
Rank
#233 / 286 | 92.5% | - | 7 | 4
Facility
4
IA AVG
7
Rank
#121 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| Grand Living At Tower Place | AL IL MC | West Des Moines (South 51St Street) | 76
Facility
76
IA AVG
71
Rank
#125 / 406 | Yes |
63
Facility
63
IA AVG
45
Rank
#134 / 528 | Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
19
Rank
#233 / 286 | 47.4% | - | 7 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
7
Rank
#89 / 294 | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#200 / 294 |
| Edencrest at The Legacy | AL IL MC RC | Norwalk | 80
Facility
80
IA AVG
71
Rank
#105 / 406 | Yes |
29
Facility
29
IA AVG
45
Rank
#372 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 8
Facility
8
IA AVG
19
Rank
#200 / 286 | 35.0% | - | 8 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
7
Rank
#146 / 294 | 0
Facility
0
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#1 / 294 |
| The Rose of East Des Moines | AL | Des Moines (Martin Luther King Jr. Park) | 128
Facility
128
IA AVG
71
Rank
#32 / 406 | No |
70
Facility
70
IA AVG
45
Rank
#98 / 528 | 1 bed / 2 bed | 17
Facility
17
IA AVG
19
Rank
#153 / 286 | 42.2% | A+ | 33 | 21
Facility
21
IA AVG
7
Rank
#289 / 294 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#248 / 294 |
| Valley View Village | AL HOS IL MC NH RC SNF | Des Moines (Fairmont Park) | 79
Facility
79
IA AVG
71
Rank
#117 / 406 | Yes |
38
Facility
38
IA AVG
45
Rank
#305 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 54
Facility
54
IA AVG
19
Rank
#3 / 286 | 100.0% | - | 24 | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
7
Rank
#186 / 294 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#231 / 294 |
| Independence Village of Waukee | AL NH IL MC SNF | Waukee | 34
Facility
34
IA AVG
71
Rank
#372 / 406 | Yes |
38
Facility
38
IA AVG
45
Rank
#305 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 15
Facility
15
IA AVG
19
Rank
#163 / 286 | 41.2% | - | 12 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
7
Rank
#55 / 294 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#248 / 294 |
| Holiday Beaverdale Estates | AL IL | Des Moines (Beaverdale) | - | Yes |
64
Facility
64
IA AVG
45
Rank
#125 / 528 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Life Center | AL IL MC NH SNF | Des Moines (Waveland Park) | 72
Facility
72
IA AVG
71
Rank
#143 / 406 | No |
51
Facility
51
IA AVG
45
Rank
#213 / 528 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Located northeast of Des Moines, Prairie Vista Village in Altoona is an independent living, assisted living, short-term rehab, and long-term care community that provides graceful and compassionate care. The person-centered community understands the meaning of family which is why they make it a point to create an environment that is home-like and welcoming. Prairie Vista is where residents feel comfortable and secure in a nurturing environment.
Residents can rest easy knowing that they are placed first with the list of services and amenities provided for them: ADLs, transportation, library, and private dining rooms. Skilled nursing and personalized care are also offered to the residents.
Situated in Pella, IA, Independence Village of Pella is a reliable senior living community that offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. The community features an array of beautifully designed accommodations, ranging from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, providing a comfortable living space to residents. Care needs are fully met with personalized care plans and professionally trained employees available 24/7 to provide care and assistance.
There’s no shortage of enriching things to do with a vibrant calendar of activities, events, and programs offered by the community. Dining experience is improved with chef-prepared meals that are carefully curated to satisfy unique dietary needs and food preferences. Residents never have to worry about chores with housekeeping, laundry services, and other supportive services provided by a dedicated team. Here, residents have what they need to live a carefree and fulfilling lifestyle.
Owned by Scott Berger, University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa, that has served residents for 25 years. The 108-bed facility currently houses 72 residents, with an occupancy rate of 67%. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering rehabilitation services and ongoing nursing care.
The center focuses on short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Residents have access to specialized programs for diabetes management, enteral nutrition support, ostomy care, pain management, IV therapy, and tracheotomy care. These services can benefit individuals recovering from surgery, hospitalization, and other health conditions that require ongoing clinical support.
Residents stay an average of 157 days, including short-term rehabilitation patients and those receiving longer-term care. Respite care is also available for families seeking temporary placement options.
Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 37 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide approximately 43 minutes of care each day, while nurse aides contribute about 2 hours and 36 minutes. This level of hands-on support is for residents with significant medical and personal care needs.
The community has a Walk Score of 91. It’s in a highly walkable area of Des Moines, which is convenient for family members and residents. State inspections have tracked the facility’s focus on care quality and compliance for several years. Responses to earlier findings demonstrate the facility’s ongoing commitment to maintaining care standards.
Scottish Rite Park is an independent living community nestled in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. For over 50 years, this nonprofit community has thrived, offering a warm and sociable atmosphere that welcomes all who enter. Scottish Rite Park provides comprehensive healthcare services that cater to varying needs. With offerings that include memory care, long-term skilled nursing, and rehabilitative care, residents can rest assured that their well-being is in capable hands. Spanning an expansive 10 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Scottish Rite Park boasts meticulously designed spaces and a myriad of opportunities for residents to connect and thrive.
Each amenity has been thoughtfully curated to cater to diverse interests and ensure that residents have ample opportunities for leisure and entertainment. From a state-of-the-art fitness center to a cozy movie theater, a penthouse for special gatherings, a delightful restaurant, and an art gallery showcasing captivating works, there is no shortage of options for residents to indulge for exciting small group activities. For a nursing home, this place exceeds expectations. Its team works hard to give residents the highest quality of life possible in their golden years.
Copper Shores Village is part of the Immanuel senior living network in Des Moines, Iowa. The community is open to residents 55 and older and spans independent living, assisted living, and memory care under one roof.
Immanuel operates outside the federal CMS framework, which means no Medicare or Medicaid certification. Private pay is the payment model here, consistent with how most faith-affiliated independent and assisted living communities in Iowa are structured. The Immanuel brand is organized around a lifelong learning and wellness orientation, with a faith-based community identity built into the model. Programming includes recreational activities and socialization; 24-hour care is available.
The Walk Score of 42 puts this in the “some errands walkable, most require a car” range, which is fairly typical for Des Moines residential neighborhoods outside the core.
Copper Shores Village is a faith-oriented, multi-level care community in Des Moines for adults 55 and older, built around wellness and engagement programming and operating on a private-pay basis as part of the Immanuel network.
Operating under the Gardens at Luther Park organization, Trinity Center at Luther Park is a 120-bed nursing home that provides short-term rehabilitation and long-term skilled care for residents aged 55 and older. The building maintains a high local volume with a 91% occupancy rate and manages an extended 239-day average length of stay. Financial coverage handles a standard mix of Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay sources. The campus is built in an exceptionally walkable downtown neighborhood, making local errands and shops easily accessible on foot.
Daily care lines supply an average of 4 hours and 34 minutes of direct nursing time per resident each day, with a combination of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides covering the floor alongside on-site physical therapists. On the compliance side, public monitoring files from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing indicate that state inspectors have noted recurring administrative issues centered on care documentation, food handling protocols, and basic infection control.
Beyond the medical operations, daily life on the campus is organized around faith-based Christian values, spiritual support programs, regular activities, and local volunteer networks.
Prospective representatives researching faith-based senior care options or multi-level nursing setups can review these state health filings to assess the property’s operational history. The public records outline a busy, highly occupied facility backed by solid daily direct care hours and a walkable location, balanced against some recurring regulatory points regarding kitchen and documentation maintenance.
Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Des Moines, Iowa, is a 150-bed nursing home run by Sylvania Franciscan Health. The community admits short-term rehabilitation patients and long-term residents, accepting payment through Medicare, Medicaid, and private funds. The facility maintains an average occupancy rate of 72 percent, with typical resident stays lasting around 172 days.
Clinical care includes specialized orthopedic therapy and skilled nursing, with staff on-site 24 hours a day. Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 58 minutes of direct nursing attention daily, under the supervision of registered nurses who perform regular health assessments. For local seniors who live at home, the campus offers daytime adult care programs and short-term respite stays.
The neighborhood has a walkability score of 67 out of 100, indicating that the surrounding area is moderately walkable for visitors and families.
Prospective residents looking for a community that offers a full continuum of nursing care and daytime programming can call Bishop Drumm Retirement Center directly to verify bed availability or discuss enrollment details.
Ranking Methodology
How we rank these assisted living communities
Every community above is evaluated across six weighted categories using public data including state inspection records, review platforms, BBB profiles, and operator-published materials.
Weighting overview
- 35%Resident Experience
- 25%Regulatory
- 15%Visual Media
- 10%Website
- 10%Stability
- 5%Environment
01
Resident & Family Experience 35%
The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.
- Includes
- Review Sentiment
- Review Volume
02
Regulatory & Safety Record 25%
State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.
- Includes
- State Inspections
- Citations/Inspection
- % Inspections w/ Citations
- Complaint Visits
- Accreditations
- BBB Rating
03
Visual Media & Transparency 15%
Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.
- Includes
- Video Tours
- Virtual Walkthroughs
- Photo Quantity
- Photo Quality
04
Website & Operator Transparency 10%
Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.
- Includes
- Website Content
- Mobile Usability
- Staff Info Available
- Owner Info Available
05
Community Stability 10%
Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.
- Includes
- Occupancy Rate
- Bed Options
06
Environment & Pricing 5%
Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.
- Includes
- Walk Score
- Pricing Transparency
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Des Moines, IA
What is the average cost of assisted living in Des Moines, IA?
The average monthly cost of assisted living in Des Moines, IA is approximately $5,300. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.
What is the price range for assisted living in Des Moines, IA?
Assisted living in Des Moines, IA typically ranges from $4,800–$7,400 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.
What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at assisted living facilities in Des Moines, IA?
Assisted living facilities in Des Moines, IA typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:12.
What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in Iowa?
Assisted living in Iowa supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Iowa?
Assisted living in Iowa is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Iowa Medicaid cover assisted living?
Iowa Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including Iowa) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.
















