
Compare Nursing Homes around Des Moines (Metro Area)
The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
| Wesley Acres | NH ADC AL IL MC SNF | Des Moines (Greenwood) | 80
Facility
80
IA AVG
71
Rank
#105 / 406 |
91.3%
Facility
91.3%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#44 / 379 | +41% | 4.24
Facility
4.24
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#119 / 245 | +43% | -1% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 251 | 5
Facility
5
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#19 / 244 | 1.7
Facility
1.7
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#17 / 244 | - | 73 | - |
72
Facility
72
IA AVG
45
Rank
#89 / 528 | Damon Buskohl | $29.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$29.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#1 / 246 | $20.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$20.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#1 / 246 | 71%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
71%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#164 / 246 | 165487 | ||||
| Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center | NH MC SNF | Des Moines (East Village) | 46
Facility
46
IA AVG
71
Rank
#273 / 406 |
87.0%
Facility
87.0%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#77 / 379 | +35% | 4.51
Facility
4.51
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#79 / 245 | +92% | +5% | $44.8k
Facility
$44.8k
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#211 / 251 | 10
Facility
10
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#65 / 244 | 3.3
Facility
3.3
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#94 / 244 | - | 40 | - |
91
Facility
91
IA AVG
45
Rank
#2 / 528 | Beata Mock | $6.7MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility
$6.7MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#96 / 246 | $4.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility
$4.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#59 / 246 | 69.5%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility
69.5%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#55 / 246 | 165006 | ||||
| Valley View Village | NH AL HOS IL MC RC SNF | Des Moines (Fairmont Park) | 79
Facility
79
IA AVG
71
Rank
#117 / 406 |
100.0%
Facility
100.0%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#1 / 379 | +55% | 5.52
Facility
5.52
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#22 / 245 | +29% | +29% | $9.1k
Facility
$9.1k
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#159 / 251 | 19
Facility
19
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#135 / 244 | 3.2
Facility
3.2
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#91 / 244 | 2 | 79 | - |
38
Facility
38
IA AVG
45
Rank
#305 / 528 | Elim Care Inc | $8.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$8.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#71 / 246 | $6.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$6.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#32 / 246 | 70.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
70.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#13 / 246 | 165507 | ||||
| Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines | NH SNF | Des Moines (East Village) | 74
Facility
74
IA AVG
71
Rank
#136 / 406 |
97.3%
Facility
97.3%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#9 / 379 | +50% | 3.59
Facility
3.59
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#205 / 245 | -45% | -16% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 251 | 36
Facility
36
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#198 / 244 | 6.0
Facility
6.0
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#201 / 244 | 1 | 72 | - |
91
Facility
91
IA AVG
45
Rank
#2 / 528 | - | $8.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$8.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#58 / 246 | $4.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$4.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#57 / 246 | 58.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
58.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#152 / 246 | 165268 | ||||
| University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | NH AL | Des Moines (East Village) | 108
Facility
108
IA AVG
71
Rank
#57 / 406 |
66.7%
Facility
66.7%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#204 / 379 | +3% | 3.61
Facility
3.61
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#205 / 245 | -3% | -16% | $0
Facility
$0
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#1 / 251 | 26
Facility
26
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#171 / 244 | 5.2
Facility
5.2
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#181 / 244 | - | 72 | - |
91
Facility
91
IA AVG
45
Rank
#2 / 528 | Scott Berger | $9.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$9.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#30 / 246 | $5.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$5.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#24 / 246 | 58.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
58.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#112 / 246 | 165272 | ||||
| Azria Health Park Place | NH SNF | Des Moines (Union Park) | 70
Facility
70
IA AVG
71
Rank
#156 / 406 |
72.9%
Facility
72.9%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#174 / 379 | +13% | 3.68
Facility
3.68
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#191 / 245 | +32% | -14% | $22.5k
Facility
$22.5k
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#180 / 251 | 69
Facility
69
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#235 / 244 | 11.5
Facility
11.5
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#238 / 244 | 2 | 51 | - |
51
Facility
51
IA AVG
45
Rank
#213 / 528 | Kelsey Anderson | $5.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$5.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#154 / 246 | $2.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$2.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#177 / 246 | 49%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
49%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#192 / 246 | 165202 | ||||
| Trinity Center at Luther Park | NH AL IL MC SNF | Des Moines (East Village) | 120
Facility
120
IA AVG
71
Rank
#37 / 406 |
90.8%
Facility
90.8%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#48 / 379 | +40% | 4.56
Facility
4.56
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#71 / 245 | -50% | +6% | $162.2k
Facility
$162.2k
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#242 / 251 | 24
Facility
24
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#164 / 244 | 6.0
Facility
6.0
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#201 / 244 | 2 | 109 | - |
91
Facility
91
IA AVG
45
Rank
#2 / 528 | Kelley Blackburn | $14.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$14.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#27 / 246 | $8.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$8.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#15 / 246 | 62.1%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
62.1%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#72 / 246 | 165612 | ||||
| Genesis Senior Living Center | NH AL | Des Moines | 80
Facility
80
IA AVG
71
Rank
#105 / 406 |
90.3%
Facility
90.3%
IA AVG
64.7
Rank
#50 / 379 | +40% | 3.21
Facility
3.21
IA AVG
4.30
Rank
#239 / 245 | -47% | -25% | $166.4k
Facility
$166.4k
IA AVG
$53.4k
Rank
#243 / 251 | 81
Facility
81
IA AVG
21.7
Rank
#241 / 244 | 5.1
Facility
5.1
IA AVG
4.1
Rank
#178 / 244 | 10 | 72 | - |
60
Facility
60
IA AVG
45
Rank
#152 / 528 | Dirk Timm | $6.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$6.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#103 / 246 | $3.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$3.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
$3.1M
Rank
#95 / 246 | 57.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
57.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IA AVG
46.3%
Rank
#98 / 246 | 165175 |
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.
Valley View Village 2571 is a high-standard nursing home in Des Moines, IA, that offers a wide range of care options, from independent living to rehabilitation. Promoting a welcoming environment, the community strives to maintain connections for older adults’ happiness and wellness. Delicious dining, recreational activities, and pet-friendly spaces are among the community’s unique features that make it an ideal retirement destination. With its dedication to residents’ welfare, personalized care plans are crafted to meet their healthcare needs and lifestyle preferences.
Hobby groups, fun excursions, and spiritual activities are just some of the activities that residents can join for leisure and wellness. The community also features a variety of amenities, including a library, well-maintained gardens, and walking paths, dedicated to enriching residents’ living experiences. As a community of its own, Valley View Village has all the local amenities needed for residents’ needs and leisure. This retirement community is one of Iowa’s finest choices for senior living, especially for its wide range of care options and extensive amenities.
The Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines is Iowa’s premier location for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. The center offers skilled nursing and in-house therapy services tailored to individual needs. Residents can enjoy a variety of activities designed to help them stay active.
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.
Azria Health Park Place is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center in Des Moines. It is proud to be one of the few communities in the city that delivers exceptional individualized care for its unique residents. They aim to change the meaning of recovery for seniors through the outstanding level of care delivered by their patient-friendly staff to offer the best care possible for their residents. Azria strives to have all its residents experience the comprehensive and exemplary care offered.
Expect nothing but quality regarding their service: an advanced level of recovery found in long-term and post-acute rehabilitative services. They also proudly offer specialized care programs such as neurological and stroke services, orthopedic care, prosthetic training, pulmonary rehabilitation, post-cardiac care, and wound care– all created to have the right provision of multidisciplinary healthcare services such as therapy, enriching activities, and discharge planning.
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.
Genesis Senior Living Center in Des Moines serves as a long-term skilled nursing facility, predominantly accommodating Medicaid residents (84.4% of the 77-person census) with stays averaging 141 days. Dirk Timm operates the 80-bed facility, which offers memory care for dementia and Alzheimer’s, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, and catheter management. Respite care and rehabilitation services round out the program. An 18-year partnership with Aegis Therapies supports clinical therapy delivery.
Performance data is concerning across multiple dimensions. The facility holds a 1-star CMS overall rating, with 1-star designations for health inspections and staffing. Five federal penalties in three years, totaling $378K, have resulted in two payment denials that blocked Medicare and Medicaid admissions. This enforcement history ranks Genesis last among Iowa’s 246 nursing homes for cumulative penalties, at 687% above the state average.
Total nursing care measures 3h 13m per resident daily, a 25% shortfall versus the Iowa average and ranking the facility 236th of 241 state facilities. Staff-to-resident ratio stands at 1.26:1, 38% worse than the state average of 2.05:1.
The staffing profile coincides with alarming quality metrics: short-stay residents experience falls with major injury at 3.7%, more than three times the 0.8% state rate. Pressure ulcers in high-risk long-stay residents reach 7.7% versus a 4.4% state average. Re-hospitalization of short-stay residents runs 30.8% against a 21.4% state average. Vaccination compliance trails: pneumococcal at 71.0% and influenza at 87.1% both fall materially below state standards.
Financial strain is evident: 2023 operating loss of $1.1M on $7.8M revenue continues a pattern of historical unprofitability. The facility received Best of Assisted Living (2016) and Best Senior Living (2021) designations prior to recent performance deterioration.
Genesis Senior Living’s regulatory enforcement record, staffing constraints, and outcome data indicate a facility under substantial operational stress.
Long-term Medicaid residents should carefully weigh the documented compliance and quality pattern before placement.
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.
Tucked away in Waukee, IA Independence Village of Waukee is a one-of-a-kind senior living community that offers an array of care options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The community offers a wide range of apartment floor plans, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom apartments, and shared suites for memory care residents. A dedicated care team is available 24-hours a day to provide licensed support and various assistance, from daily living activities to medication reminders, and mobility assistance.
Committed to offering a nurturing and engaging environment that fosters social interaction and vibrant living, the community offers a wide array of activities and events inspired by residents’ interests and skills. Residents also enjoy a personalized dining experience, consisting of tastefully prepared meals tailored to their dietary needs and tastes. Here, residents are given access to the necessities they need to live a fulfilling golden years.
Ranking Methodology
How we rank these nursing homes
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.
Weighting overview
- 35%Care Quality
- 20%Staffing
- 20%Regulatory
- 20%Operational
- 5%Environment
01
Care Quality 35%
The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.
- Includes
- Overall Rating
- Health Inspection
- QM Rating
- Long-Stay QM
- Short-Stay QM
02
Staffing Adequacy 20%
The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.
- Includes
- Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
- RN vs State
- Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
- RN Turnover
03
Regulatory & Safety Record 20%
Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.
- Includes
- Citations
- Citations/Inspection
- Severe Citations
- Fines
- Accreditations
04
Operational & Financial Stability 20%
Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.
- Includes
- Occupancy vs State
- Avg Length of Stay
- Revenue
- Payroll %
- Years in Operation
- Admin Tenure
05
Environment & Accessibility 5%
Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.
- Includes
- Walk Score
- BBB Rating
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Des Moines, IA
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 nursing home care?
Yes — Iowa Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 18 nursing homes in Des Moines, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Des Moines, IA?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Des Moines, IA, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Des Moines, IA?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.













