Other senior care options in Des Moines:

Best Memory Care in Des Moines, IA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 21 memory care communities in Des Moines, IA using Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank memory care in IA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
21 homes
Other senior care options in Des Moines:
Avg Walk Score: 50/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Des Moines, IA. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 87The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Des Moines, IA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Memory Care around Des Moines (Metro Area)

The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

Wesley Acres
MC
ADC
AL
IL
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 #204 / 306
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #258 / 306
Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center
MC
NH
AL
HC
IL
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 #171 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Vintage Hills of Indianola
MC
AL
RC
Indianola
90
Facility 90
IA AVG 71
Rank #83 / 406
No
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 45
Rank #441 / 528
-
16
Facility 16
IA AVG 19
Rank #160 / 284
45.6% 7
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Edencrest at Pleasant Hill
MC
AL
IL
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
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 19
Rank #258 / 284
21.4% 2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #31 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 71
Rank #273 / 406
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 45
Rank #2 / 528
-
39
Facility 39
IA AVG 19
Rank #26 / 284
87.0% 16
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #171 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Holland Farms
MC
AL
IL
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 / 284
38.8% 7
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Edencrest at The Legacy
MC
AL
IL
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 #203 / 284
35.0% 8
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #147 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Edencrest at The Tuscany
MC
AL
IL
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 / 284
92.5% 7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #122 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek
MC
AL
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 #214 / 284
58.1% 9
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #171 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Life Center
MC
AL
IL
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
------
Valley View Village
MC
AL
HOS
IL
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 / 284
100.0% 24
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #187 / 306
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #241 / 306
Grand Living At Tower Place
MC
AL
IL
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 / 284
47.4% 7
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Edencrest at Beaverdale
MC
AL
IL
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
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 19
Rank #193 / 284
39.4% 17
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Calvin Community AL
MC
AL
IL
SNF
Des Moines (Lower Beaver)
162
Facility 162
IA AVG 71
Rank #15 / 406
No
57
Facility 57
IA AVG 45
Rank #176 / 528
-
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 19
Rank #224 / 284
21.0% 4
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Addington Place of Des Moines
MC
AL
Des Moines (Bloomfield/Allen)
54
Facility 54
IA AVG 71
Rank #248 / 406
Yes
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 45
Rank #507 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 19
Rank #170 / 284
31.5% 32
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 7
Rank #289 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Arbor Heights at University
AL
Des Moines
252618
Calvin Community Memory Care
MC
AL
Des Moines
212320
Claremont's Ramsey Village
MC
AL
Des Moines
102711
McKinley House - RCF
RESC
Des Moines
931
Wesley Acres John's Harbor Memory Support AL
MC
AL
Des Moines
192516
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Overview of Wesley Acres

A community that strives in exceedingly making its residents comfortable, the Wesley Acres offers the best balance of urban living and assistance with everyday living.  A proud member of the Wesley Senior Living Group, Acres places integrity at the heart of its mission; ensuring that residents can feel inspired in creating a better life with the continuum of care being provided. Wesley Acres is an elegant senior living home that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of its residents. 

Wesley offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care. Their engaging activities and programs to name a few are the recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs available for residents to take part in at the library, media room, or outdoor social areas.

Contact Wesley Acres

Overview of Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center

Owned by Mark Allen, Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center is a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa. The facility accepts Medicare and private pay, giving families flexibility in how they cover skilled nursing care. With an average stay of 119 days, the 51-bed home accommodates short-term post-acute rehab residents and those needing longer-term care. The facility’s current occupancy is 61%, which is a moderate census.

The center has a substantial clinical backbone. Daily nurse staffing averages nearly 6 hours per resident each day. Registered nurses contributed about 1 hour and 15 minutes of that, supported by nursing aides providing 3 hours and 24 minutes. This staffing structure can support the home’s rehabilitation focus. Other services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The facility also offers respite care for families seeking short-term support, and there’s 24-hour nursing oversight to provide continuous clinical presence.

Amenities and activities are designed for engagement and wellness. Residents can access an indoor walking track and fitness center, a heated pool and hot tub, a fully stocked library, a woodworking shop, and a movie theater. The dining room serves meals from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, so there’s a consistent schedule for daily dining.

The surrounding neighborhood’s Walk Score of 91 is very walkable. This can be convenient for visiting family members navigating the area on foot. The facility’s regulatory standing shows a generally compliant operation, with oversight attention on clinical documentation, care planning, and staff training.

Contact Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center

Overview of Vintage Hills of Indianola

A proud member of the Jaybird Senior Living Community, Vintage Hills is an elegant home that is built based on the convenience and comfort of its residents. The services provided and designed in the community call on its residents to expand their vibrant social lives.  Management aims to raise the standard for assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Des Moines. Vintage Hills is one of the trusted homes in the city that many families have gone to. 
Vintage Hills services are delivered in an exceptional way; offering gracious amenities that make everyday living easier. A full-service salon and barbershop, outdoor common areas, spacious lounge areas, an elegant dining room with delicious meals served, enriching activities, and specialized programs offered.

Contact Vintage Hills of Indianola

Edencrest at Pleasant Hill

6151 Martha L. Miller Dr, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Overview of Edencrest at Pleasant Hill

Take in the beauty of Pleasant Hill, IA, with the astounding senior living community of Edencrest at Pleasant Hill, which provides assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Here, residents are well-cared for, with a kind and highly trained team attending to their needs and aspirations 24/7. Promoting a bright and friendly environment, the community strives to provide a haven where residents are comfortable and well-cared for.

Alongside cozy amenities and pet-friendly spaces, a robust calendar of events and activities is also conducted for residents to make the most out of their days. Delight with delectable and healthy meals for the finest dining experience. Residents create unforgettable moments with the community’s warmth and dedication.

Contact Edencrest at Pleasant Hill

Contact Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center

Overview of Holland Farms

Located on Sunset Drive in Norwalk, Iowa, Holland Farms is a three-story community that has been in operation for five years. It offers 116 private and semi-private apartments and currently serves 45 residents, giving older adults a choice of living arrangements based on their preferences for privacy or shared space.

The surrounding neighborhood has a walkability score of 38, so while a few nearby destinations can be reached on foot, most errands and family visits require a vehicle. The quieter setting may appeal to those who prefer a less urban environment.

State inspections have identified areas for improvement in medication management procedures and service planning documentation. Interested families are encouraged to schedule a tour to discuss these findings with staff and learn more about the safeguards and care practices in place.

Contact Holland Farms

Edencrest at The Legacy

2901 Cedar St, Norwalk, IA 50211
Overview of Edencrest at the Legacy

Edencrest at the Legacy sits in Norwalk, Iowa, and it covers a lot of ground for one address. Anna Austin administers the property; and it’s got assisted living, independent living, memory care, respite care, all under one roof. That matters if you’re trying to plan for a parent whose needs might shift in a year or two, not just where they are today.

The building itself is two stories and holds 80 beds. It opened 8 years ago, so it’s not brand new but it’s not ancient either. Right now about 28 of those beds are occupied, which works out to 35% occupancy.

Housing comes in studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom layouts, so there’s some flexibility in space. The neighborhood itself isn’t especially walkable. Walk Score puts it at 29, meaning a handful of things might be within walking distance but most trips need a car.

That’s where the on-site transportation service actually earns its keep. If getting around on foot isn’t realistic, having a way to get to appointments without relying on family every time changes the day-to-day math.

Fitness and recreation are available in-house too, and the community accepts pets, which is not nothing if your loved one has a dog or cat they’re not willing to leave behind.

Edencrest at the Legacy is a community built for continuity. Someone could move in needing minimal support and stay through a transition to memory care without switching addresses, with transportation and recreation filling in the gaps a car-dependent neighborhood leaves behind.

Contact Edencrest at The Legacy

Edencrest at The Tuscany

1600 8Th St Se, Altoona, IA 50009
Overview of Edencrest at the Tuscany

Have a peaceful retirement with Edencrest at the Tuscany, an outstanding senior living community in Altoona, IA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. With its commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life, a reliable and highly skilled team cares for their personal needs and other responsibilities 24/7. A resident-centered approach is also utilized for residents to live their lives to the fullest.

Fostering a nurturing and inviting environment, enriching social programs, and fun activities are orchestrated for residents’ happiness and wellness. Here, delectable and nutritious meals are served to meet dietary needs and tastes. Filled with beautiful scenery and tranquil walking trails, residents live a serene lifestyle while receiving the utmost care they deserve.

Contact Edencrest at The Tuscany

Overview of MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek

A proud member of the MorningStar Senior Living Group, MorningStar at Jordan Creek provides exceptional assisted living and memory care services that are all tailored to each individual’s needs. The community prides itself on providing the best services; striving to be the top-ranked assisted living community in Des Mois. An elegant community that is built on its contemporary design and styling, allowing for a more luxurious environment while providing resort-like service. Residents of MorningStar at Jordan Creek can rest assured that they can feel like they’re a home away from home.

The community boasts elegant designs and upscale amenities such as its dining room, brightly-lit lounge areas, spacious apartments, courtyard, and arts and crafts studio. MorningStar promotes a stress-free lifestyle for their residents, which is why they have provided essential services to do so– housekeeping, social and recreational events, and transportation events. Management highly encourages residents to take part in activities and maximize the amenities so as to socialize and promote a warm and welcoming environment. 

Contact MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek

Overview of Life Center

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.

Contact Life Center

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 Memory Care in Des Moines, IA

What is the average cost of memory care in Des Moines, IA?

The average monthly cost of memory care in Des Moines, IA is approximately $4,800. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for memory care in Des Moines, IA?

Memory care in Des Moines, IA typically ranges from $3,500–$6,000 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at memory care communities in Des Moines, IA?

Memory care communities in Des Moines, IA typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:5–1:8.

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.

Does Iowa Medicaid cover memory care?

Iowa Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for memory care, 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 memory care?

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, with secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and routines built to reduce confusion and wandering.

How many memory care communities are listed on this page?

This page features 21 memory care communities in Des Moines, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.