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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 14 nursing homes in Des Moines, IA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in IA
Compare Nursing Homes around Des Moines (Metro Area)
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
RESC (Residential Care):
Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
HC (Home Care):
Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
ADC (Adult Day Care):
Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home.
CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community):
A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Iowa average is: 60.5% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other IA nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 14 analyzed for Des Moines. See how we rank facilities
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.
An indoor walking track circles Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center, and there is a pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. A workshop, a library, and a movie theater fill out the day.
Seven care types operate across 51 beds in Des Moines: independent living, residential care, assisted living, memory care, home care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing. A resident whose needs change does not leave to get the next level.
Independent living means private living with no daily care attached. Assisted living adds bathing, dressing, and medication to that.
Memory care answers a narrower problem. Getting up and going out at an hour when nobody is awake is not something a family supervises from another house.
The area scores 91 for walking, high enough that a coffee or a haircut stays an ordinary outing rather than a scheduled trip. Rehabilitation services cover recovery from an illness or injury.
Respite sometimes needs no clinical justification at all. A person needs somebody in the building overnight, not therapy or procedures.
Nursing coverage on the skilled side reaches 5 hours and 56 minutes per resident each day and does not thin after dark. Medicare and private pay are accepted, and private funds cover what Medicare’s limited window does not. Daniel Boor serves as administrator.
Overview of University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines, Iowa, offers long-term nursing, assisted living, skilled clinical care, and short-term respite stays. Assisted living services support residents with daily routines while preserving private residential units. Advanced clinical programs accommodate complex medical needs, including IV therapy, ostomy care, diabetic management, tube feeding, tracheotomy care, and pain management.
Administrator Stacy Soderstrum manages the 108-bed property. Staff logs show an average of 3 hours and 22 minutes of direct nursing time assigned per resident daily. Residents undergoing temporary stays or physical recovery have access to dedicated therapy programs and specialized nursing rehabilitation. Positioned in the East Village neighborhood, the location earns a 91 walk score, allowing residents to run everyday errands on foot.
Prospective residents exploring flexible senior care levels or short-term respite options can contact University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to verify bed availability or tour the facility. Accepted payment methods include Medicare for temporary skilled recovery, Medicaid for long-term care, and private pay options.
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.
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center is a nursing home in Des Moines offering skilled nursing and memory care. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Memory care offers a supervised setting for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia who may be at risk of wandering. The combination may be a good fit for someone with dementia who also needs ongoing nursing oversight.
Opened in 1931, the center has 46 beds, with an 87% occupancy rate meaning most beds are occupied. Every room is private, so residents do not share their room. Short term rehabilitation supports a temporary stay focused on recovery, while respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.
Residents of all faiths can live at Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center. Medicare and Medicaid provide public payment routes, while private pay means the resident or family pays directly. Angela Meyer serves as administrator.
The center is in the East Village neighborhood, where a Walk Score of 91 falls in the walker’s paradise band. Daily errands do not require a car, and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.
Trinity Center at Luther Park operates out of Des Moines, IA, with memory care, independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and nursing home care on the license.
The services fall under independent living, and the daily care does not. What assisted living adds on top is help with dressing, bathing, and medication management. A wandering risk is addressed at the memory care level, secured and kept under watch.
Skilled nursing marks the tier where a licensed nurse has to do the work. With five care levels on one license, a growing need does not send anybody at Trinity Center at Luther Park looking elsewhere.
Across 120 beds, each resident’s daily nursing care works out to 4 hours and 39 minutes. A family has more than one route to settling the bill. There’s Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
A Walk Score of 91 makes the area a walker’s paradise, and daily errands require no car at all. Rehabilitation Services are named, and Religious Services with them. Christian Values and Spiritual Support are amenities named here.
Pets are allowed, and the administrator here is Rick Colby.
Genesis Senior Living Center is based in Des Moines, IA, with nursing home care, memory care, and respite care all available. The nursing home level is for somebody whose care has become a daily nursing job.
The 80 beds come as private or semi-private rooms. A private room belongs to one resident, while a semi-private room is shared.
For the skilled weeks after a hospital stay, there is Medicare. For a long stay savings cannot reach, Medicaid is the question. Private pay covers the rest, met by the family directly.
Staffing lands at 3 hours and 34 minutes of nursing per resident each day. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are on the program list too. Respite care handles short stays, usually when a family caregiver has a trip or a recovery ahead.
Somebody needing daily nursing, rehabilitation, or a short respite stay is who this fits. Memory Care (Alzheimer’s, Dementia) is the named program for dementia here.
Azria Health Park Place is a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa’s Union Park neighborhood, providing skilled nursing and respite care. Respite care offers short term stays for a family caregiver who needs coverage while traveling or recovering. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care around the clock, while post acute rehabilitation supports recovery after a hospital stay and long term care serves residents who need ongoing nursing support.
Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted. Medicaid can support a family planning for a long stay, Medicare covers short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence, and private pay allows direct payment. The home has 70 beds, with total nurse staffing of 3 hours and 35 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time assigned to each resident. Dirk Timm is the administrator, and a doctor is on staff. Rehabilitation services support recovery as part of the community’s post acute care, and residents can also use beauty salon and spa services within the community. This may suit people who need ongoing nursing support, short term respite, or rehabilitation after a hospital stay.
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.
Overview of Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation
Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation is a nursing home and skilled nursing facility in Des Moines, Iowa, with 80 beds in the East Village neighborhood. Licensed nursing care is available on site around the clock, and in house therapy allows residents to receive rehabilitation without arranging transportation elsewhere. The community may be a good fit for someone who needs skilled nursing care alongside therapy in the same setting.
Outpatient therapy is also available for people receiving rehabilitation services without living at the community. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care. Religious services are available, and Michael Anderson serves as the administrator.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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 14 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.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
Nursing Homes in Des Moines at a glance
Avg Overall CMS Rating:2.8/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Des Moines, IA. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.1/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Des Moines, IA. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.4/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Des Moines, IA. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.0/ 5
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