
Compare Memory Care around West 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.
| Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living | MC ADC AL IL NH SNF | West Des Moines | 40
Facility
40
IA AVG
71
Rank
#324 / 406 | Yes |
7
Facility
7
IA AVG
45
Rank
#482 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | - | 97.5% | - | 20 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
7
Rank
#89 / 294 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#276 / 294 |
| Bickford of West Des Moines | MC AL | West Des Moines (Hawthorne Drive) | 66
Facility
66
IA AVG
71
Rank
#181 / 406 | Yes |
59
Facility
59
IA AVG
45
Rank
#160 / 528 | Private Rooms | 27
Facility
27
IA AVG
19
Rank
#61 / 286 | 53.0% | - | 32 | 15
Facility
15
IA AVG
7
Rank
#270 / 294 | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#290 / 294 |
| Arbor Springs-West Des Moines | MC NH RC SNF | West Des Moines | 56
Facility
56
IA AVG
71
Rank
#233 / 406 | No |
30
Facility
30
IA AVG
45
Rank
#368 / 528 | - | 22
Facility
22
IA AVG
19
Rank
#116 / 286 | 94.6% | A+ | 22 | 6
Facility
6
IA AVG
7
Rank
#170 / 294 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.9
Rank
#248 / 294 |
| Woodlands Creek Senior Living | MC AL IL | Clive | - | Yes |
21
Facility
21
IA AVG
45
Rank
#415 / 528 | - | 23
Facility
23
IA AVG
19
Rank
#106 / 286 | - | A+ | - | - | - |
| Luther Park Community | MC AL IL NH SNF | Des Moines (Union Park) | - | Yes |
45
Facility
45
IA AVG
45
Rank
#262 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Woodlands Creek Senior Living | MC AL IL | Clive (Woodlands Parkway) | - | Yes |
19
Facility
19
IA AVG
45
Rank
#427 / 528 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 23
Facility
23
IA AVG
19
Rank
#106 / 286 | - | A+ | - | - | - |
Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living, graces a 50-acre campus nestled amidst natural beauty, boasting serene water features and picturesque ponds. Within this splendid setting, they offer a spectrum of senior living options, including independent senior living, memory care living, assisted living, long-term care, and short-term rehabilitation. mainly, Edgewater prioritizes the overall wellness of their residents, providing not only five-star dining but also a wealth of amenities to enhance their daily lives.
Residents at Edgewater enjoy concierge services, an art studio, and a newly constructed event center. The community further offers indoor heated saltwater pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, salon and spa services, and much more. With spacious areas for various activities, including independent living apartments, a skilled culinary team, and chefs dedicated to providing exceptional dining experiences, Edgewater stands as a vibrant, pristine, and ideal place to call home.
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.
Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a highly regarded facility known for its exceptional care, particularly for individuals with dementia. It prides itself on fostering a positive and supportive environment. Situated in a residential area, this facility employs a Montessori approach to care, which has received praise from reviews. Arbor Springs offers a range of amenities, including a community center, therapy room, and a beauty salon, ensuring that residents have access to essential services.
The facility boasts inviting features like a home-like dining room, cozy interior spaces, and intimate common areas. Additionally, Arbor Springs has implemented innovative touches such as memory boxes outside individual rooms, aiding in the identification of residents’ spaces. The dedication to providing fresh air and well-landscaped surroundings contributes to the overall well-being of the residents. Arbor Springs offers a spectrum of care, encompassing memory care options, including private homes, and also provides services like long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care, catering to the diverse needs of its residents.
Considerably one of the trusted senior living communities in the city, Woodlands Creek offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care lifestyle in a warm and welcoming environment for the residents– making them feel right at home. The retirement home strives in promoting an engaging social life for the seniors to create endless possibilities for them as well as develop meaningful relationships that blossom into wonderful memories. Woodlands is the home where people and interests are mattered and cared for.
The resident lifestyle of independent living seniors is focused on maintaing an active lifestyle by offering them a range of scheduled activities. Assisted living levels of care offer a range of services focused on the individualized and personal care needs of its residents: transportation, a geriatric physician, and a 24/7 nursing staff– the same goes for the memory care unit.
Luther Park Community is a senior living community in Des Moines. It serves occupants across a full spectrum of care needs, from independent living to skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care. Set in a quiet residential neighborhood about 2.4 miles from downtown, the three-story community offers floor plans ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. Unit sizes span 517 to 1,050 square feet, so residents can find a layout that fits their space needs.
The home highlights care and independence. Daily life includes a hair salon, outdoor living spaces, an exercise room, and a library, with nutritious meals and transportation to outings integrated into the schedule. Pets are allowed, which matters to many occupants wanting their animal companions around. Central to the daily experience are fitness and recreational activities, alongside the attentive support each resident receives following their care level. The facility’s location scores 45 on the walkability scale, meaning some walkable nearby services, and most errands and appointments require a drive. For visiting families and friends, the residential setting offers a quieter pace than busier commercial areas, with easy access to local parks, shopping, dining, and hospitals nearby.
When considering the facility, families may want to tour the floor plans, observe daily activities and meal service, and discuss the care tier and housing option that best match their family member’s needs and preferences.
Woodlands Creek’s vision is to create a warm and welcoming independent living environment where seniors feel at home, fostering meaningful relationships and endless possibilities. Their mission revolves around promoting engaging social interactions and providing personalized care to nurture a sense of belonging. Woodlands prioritizes residents’ well-being, ensuring their needs are met with compassion and respect.
Residents at Woodlands Creek enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with a range of scheduled activities for independent living seniors. The community also offers comprehensive services for assisted living and memory care residents, including transportation, access to senior physicians, and round-the-clock nursing staff, ensuring comfort and security for all residents.
Ranking Methodology
How we rank these memory care 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 Memory Care in West Des Moines, IA
What is the average cost of memory care in West Des Moines, IA?
The average monthly cost of memory care in West Des Moines, IA is approximately $4,500. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.
What is the price range for memory care in West Des Moines, IA?
Memory care in West 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 West Des Moines, IA?
Memory care communities in West 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 6 memory care communities in West Des Moines, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.















