Best Senior Living in Des Moines, IA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 20 senior living communities in Des Moines, IA using IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank senior living in IA
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Des Moines, IA our team has analyzed — not a count of every senior living provider in Des Moines, IA.
20 homes
Other senior care options in Des Moines:

Compare Senior Living around 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-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (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.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
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.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Inspection events categorized as complaint-related by the state regulator.
Count of incident-based investigations (e.g. reported events) in the regulatory record for the reporting period.
Valley View Village
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Des Moines (Fairmont Park)
79
Facility 79
IA AVG 76
Rank #53 / 165
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 43
Rank #124 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
55
Facility 55
IA AVG 15
Rank #1 / 131
96.2%
Facility 96.2%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #1 / 154
C27
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 6
Rank #104 / 155
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 1
Rank #119 / 155
Edencrest at Beaverdale
IL
AL
MC
RC
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
160
Facility 160
IA AVG 76
Rank #10 / 165
Yes
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 43
Rank #24 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 15
Rank #75 / 131
30.0%
Facility 30.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #130 / 154
B+13
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 6
Rank #128 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 155
3801 Grand
IL
AL
MC
Des Moines (East Village)
106
Facility 106
IA AVG 76
Rank #33 / 165
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 15
Rank #15 / 131
40.6%
Facility 40.6%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #124 / 154
-6
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #124 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Calvin Community AL
IL
AL
MC
SNF
Des Moines (Lower Beaver)
162
Facility 162
IA AVG 76
Rank #9 / 165
No
57
Facility 57
IA AVG 43
Rank #70 / 222
-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 15
Rank #81 / 131
21.0%
Facility 21.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #154 / 154
-3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Trinity Center at Luther Park
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
120
Facility 120
IA AVG 76
Rank #25 / 165
Yes
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
--
90.8%
Facility 90.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #25 / 154
C-24
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 6
Rank #140 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Edencrest at Riverwoods
IL
AL
MC
RC
Des Moines (Woodside Park)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 76
Rank #48 / 165
Yes
35
Facility 35
IA AVG 43
Rank #137 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 15
Rank #65 / 131
40.0%
Facility 40.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #126 / 154
A9
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 6
Rank #124 / 155
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 1
Rank #143 / 155
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
46
Facility 46
IA AVG 76
Rank #153 / 241
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #2 / 260
-
39
Facility 39
IA AVG 15
Rank #26 / 119
87.0%
Facility 87.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #80 / 234
B+196-
Wesley Acres
IL
ADC
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (Greenwood)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 76
Rank #48 / 165
Yes
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 43
Rank #32 / 222
--
73.8%
Facility 73.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #22 / 154
?23
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 6
Rank #111 / 155
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 1
Rank #130 / 155
Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center
IL
AL
HC
MC
NH
RESC
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 76
Rank #115 / 165
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
--
56.9%
Facility 56.9%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #76 / 154
?18
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 6
Rank #100 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation
IL
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 76
Rank #48 / 241
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #2 / 260
--
82.5%
Facility 82.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #63 / 234
-4221-

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each independent living community is ranked against every other IA independent living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 20 analyzed for Des Moines. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Valley View Village

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.

Contact Valley View Village

Edencrest at Beaverdale

3410 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Overview of Edencrest at Beaverdale

Lead a meaningful life with the idyllic senior living community of Edencrest at Beaverdale in Des Moines, IA, providing assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Individuals with dementia and other memory-related needs are well-cared for through different levels of care provided to meet their unique needs. With its commitment to understanding residents, the community crafts personalized care plans for their comfort.

Residents receive the utmost care and support with a care team attending to them 24/7, ensuring they enjoy every moment of their best years. With fun recreation and wellness programs, residents experience fun-filled days. The community promotes a pet-friendly and welcoming environment, making it ideal for those aiming to optimize their independence.

$3,900/Month

Contact Edencrest at Beaverdale

3801 Grand

3801 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-2800
Overview of 3801 Grand

3801 Grand offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Des Moines, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident maintains their own apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering.

Having all three care types in one community may make 3801 Grand a good fit for a resident whose needs could grow over time, because a move to another care level may not require leaving the community. The community has 106 beds, and Angie Wadle serves as administrator.

A Walk Score of 91 out of 100 makes the area a walker’s paradise, meaning daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Social, dining, and wellness programming gives residents organized activities connected to those parts of daily life.

Contact 3801 Grand

Overview of Calvin Community Al

Calvin Community Al provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Des Moines, IA. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks. Memory care is secured and supervised for someone at risk of wandering, and skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available here. That may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time without requiring a move to another community. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. With 162 beds, the community includes more residents and staff than a smaller residence, along with usually more programming. Rehabilitation services are available on site, so residents can receive rehabilitation within the community rather than arranging care with an outside provider.

Pam’s Kitchen and the Wellness Team are named programs, and weekly worship services provide a scheduled religious activity. Meals are served in a dining room, with special dietary accommodations for residents with specific food needs. A Walk Score of 57 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Jeanette Perdue serves as the administrator, and the community opened in 1965.

Contact Calvin Community AL

Overview of Trinity Center at Luther Park

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.

Contact Trinity Center at Luther Park

Edencrest at Riverwoods

2210 E Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320
Overview of Edencrest at Riverwoods

Ideally set in the tranquil neighborhood of East Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA, is the reliable senior living community of Edencrest at Riverwoods that provides assisted living and memory care. Experience the highest quality of care and support with a compassionate and responsible team caring for residents’ needs and preferences around the clock. Featuring different levels of care for individuals with dementia and other memory-related needs, the community promotes a vibrant and welcoming environment where residents thrive.

Elevate your retirement with fun recreation and wellness programs, highlighting your interests and strengths. Delightful and healthy meals are also provided to foster comfort and meet dietary needs. With beautiful courtyards and pet-friendly spaces, residents enjoy a peaceful and happy retirement.

$2,900/Month

Contact Edencrest at Riverwoods

Overview of Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center

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.

Contact Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center

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

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.

Contact Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center

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.

Contact Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation

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
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Senior Living in Des Moines at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 67/ 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: 95The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Des Moines, IA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Living in Des Moines, IA

What is senior living?

Senior living is an umbrella term covering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes — communities and services designed for adults aged 55 or older.

How many senior living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 20 senior living communities in Des Moines, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right senior living community 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 senior living communities 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.