
Compare Memory Care around West Des Moines (Metro Area)
The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
| Bickford of West Des Moines | MC AL | West Des Moines (Hawthorne Drive) | 66
Facility
66
IA AVG
71
Rank
#182 / 407 | Yes |
59
Facility
59
IA AVG
45
Rank
#160 / 528 | Private Rooms | 27
Facility
27
IA AVG
19
Rank
#62 / 282 |
53.0%
Facility
53.0%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#249 / 379 | - | 32 | 15
Facility
15
IA AVG
6.6
Rank
#316 / 348 | 7
Facility
7
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#343 / 348 |
| Arbor Springs-West Des Moines | MC NH RC | West Des Moines | 56
Facility
56
IA AVG
71
Rank
#234 / 407 | No |
30
Facility
30
IA AVG
45
Rank
#368 / 528 | - | 23
Facility
23
IA AVG
19
Rank
#107 / 282 |
94.6%
Facility
94.6%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#29 / 379 | A+ | 22 | 6
Facility
6
IA AVG
6.6
Rank
#187 / 348 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#298 / 348 |
| Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living | MC ADC AL IL NH | West Des Moines | 40
Facility
40
IA AVG
71
Rank
#325 / 407 | Yes |
7
Facility
7
IA AVG
45
Rank
#482 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | - |
97.5%
Facility
97.5%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#16 / 379 | - | 20 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
6.6
Rank
#93 / 348 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#328 / 348 |
| Calvin Community | MC NH AL IL | Des Moines (Beaverdale) | 59
Facility
59
IA AVG
71
Rank
#226 / 407 | No |
61
Facility
61
IA AVG
45
Rank
#145 / 528 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 1
Facility
1
IA AVG
19
Rank
#268 / 282 |
93.2%
Facility
93.2%
IA AVG
66.2%
Rank
#42 / 379 | - | 17 | 2
Facility
2
IA AVG
6.6
Rank
#57 / 348 | 3
Facility
3
IA AVG
0.8
Rank
#298 / 348 |
| Woodlands Creek Senior Living | MC AL IL | Clive | - | No |
21
Facility
21
IA AVG
45
Rank
#415 / 528 | - | 23
Facility
23
IA AVG
19
Rank
#107 / 282 | - | A+ | - | - | - |
| Luther Park Community | MC AL IL NC NH | 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
#107 / 282 | - | A+ | - | - | - |
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.
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.
Calvin Community is a 59-bed healthcare campus located at 4210 Hickman Road in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa. Operated as a faith-based voluntary nonprofit, the facility provides a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. The community currently maintains a high occupancy rate of 93% with 55 residents, exceeding the Iowa state average of 75.4%. With a Walk Score of 61, the location is ranked among the more accessible facilities in the state, situated approximately 0.3 miles from the nearest hospital.
State and federal monitoring data show the facility holds a 5-star overall CMS rating, performing 53.8% above the Iowa average. A January 2026 recertification survey for the assisted living program resulted in a citations-per-inspection rate of zero. While the broader campus has recorded 24 deficiencies since 2020—primarily involving care planning and food safety—it maintains an annual deficiency average 11% below the state benchmark and has no “immediate jeopardy” citations on record. Two historical fines totaling $26,000 were documented, which is 45% lower than the state average for total penalties.
Professional care is supported by 5 hours and 44 minutes of nursing time per resident daily, a level that is 30% higher than the Iowa average. Clinical staffing is particularly strong in rehabilitation, with physical therapy hours 200% above state benchmarks. Quality measures show high performance in safety, with major injury falls 83% better and antipsychotic medication use 58% better than state averages. However, long-stay data indicate a trend where residents’ need for assistance with daily activities and mobility has increased at a higher rate than state peers.
Residential options include one- and two-bedroom apartments and private townhomes featuring garages. The facility offers three nutritionally balanced meals daily and provides scheduled transportation for medical appointments and community outings. Shared amenities include an active resident council, diverse social programming, and communal spaces for card games and Bible studies. The payer mix is diverse, with 50% of residents using private pay, alongside Medicare and Medicaid participants.
Older adults seeking a nonprofit, faith-based environment with high staffing ratios and a strong local reputation may find this community appropriate. Prospective representatives should evaluate the facility’s success in fall prevention while discussing specific plans to support residents experiencing declines in physical mobility before making a final decision.
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.
Located in a quiet residential area in Des Moines, IA, Luther Park Community is an excellent senior living community that offers a spectrum of care options, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and Alzheimer’s care. Luther Park Community aims to deliver its residents a service that will enhance their lifestyle while giving them the liberty to maintain a sense of individuality and freedom as they receive additional support. The community offers floor plans ranging from loft to two-bedroom apartments and quality health services, ensuring residents a better quality of life in a comfortable environment.
Luther Park Community believes every resident is entitled to feel safe and cared for while maintaining their independence for as long as possible. To achieve this, the community offers a full range of amenities and engaging recreational activities, including a hair salon, cozy outdoor living spaces, a library, an exercise room, nutritious meals, and transportation to outings. From the pleasant and welcoming environment to the compassionate interactions between residents and the community’s team, Luther Park Community provides seniors with a genuine feeling of community where they are prioritized and cared for.
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 7 memory care communities in West Des Moines, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
















