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Best Assisted Living in Des Moines, IA

  • A Place for Mom
    4.7(166)
  • Calvin Community
  • Morningstar at Jordan Creek

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Best Assisted Living in Des Moines, IA

Older people in assisted living facilities often enjoy living in a community of their peers without the stress of chores or home maintenance, and their children are glad to know that their parents are receiving the care they need. We created this guide by comparing the local availability and reviews of 38 businesses and choosing seven favorites from the top assisted living facilities in Des Moines.

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Top 8 Des Moines Assisted Living Facilities

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caregiver comforting older adult

Benefits of assisted living in Des Moines

All of Iowa’s assisted living facilities are regulated by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. This department conducts routine inspections to ensure that residents receive proper care consistently, but it can't guarantee that assisted living in Des Moines is right for you or your loved one.

Consider the other benefits of choosing Des Moines for assisted living before you make your decision:

  • Des Moines’ medical facilities: Des Moines has quality health care available for both emergencies and routine treatment. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is part of the larger MercyOne network and the oldest hospital in the city. Veterans may receive treatment at the VA Iowa Central Health Care System too.
  • Des Moines’ weather: Des Moines is a great location for older adults who like variety in their seasons. The city has warm summers, with an average high of 86 degrees, and cold, snowy winters.
  • Crime in Des Moines: Des Moines has a crime index of 11, meaning that it is safer than 11% of American cities. This index means Des Moines is relatively safe in comparison to most larger cities, though its crime rates are higher than those in other parts of Iowa.
  • Des Moines’ public transit: The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority provides public transportation in the area. DART vehicles are accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For people whose disabilities prevent them from utilizing fixed-bus routes, DART also provides transport through its DART Paratransit service. Adults over the age of 65 and people with disabilities qualify for its half-fare program. Veterans also pay a reduced fare.

How much does assisted living cost in Des Moines?

On average, the price of assisted living in Des Moines ranges from $3,500 to $4,350 per month. Assisted living costs vary based on the facility's:

  • Level of care
  • Types of services
  • Selection of amenities 

Facilities that offer more services and amenities generally cost more, and the size and floor plan of a community’s apartments also influence its prices. Some facilities offer the option of shared or companion living to reduce these costs, though.

When searching for an assisted living facility, gather quotes from multiple communities and talk to representatives at each one about your options. To keep costs low, some facilities may adjust services down to only what you or your loved one needs.

Des Moines assisted living FAQ

How do I pay for assisted living in Des Moines?
There are many options for paying for assisted living in Des Moines, including:
  • Pulling from savings
  • Having long-term care insurance
  • Selling a home or other assets
  • Taking out a reverse mortgage
Veterans may qualify for benefits that pay for assisted living, and adults over 65 whose income falls below a certain threshold may be able to use Iowa’s Medicaid to pay for part of the cost of assisted living.
What is the difference between assisted living and senior living in Iowa?
“Senior living” is often used as a catch-all term for different types of care at retirement communities. “Assisted living” refers to a specific level of care where residents in these communities receive help with daily tasks and occasional medical care.
What are the requirements to live in assisted living in Iowa?
To live in an assisted living facility in Iowa, residents must be adults who need limited help with daily living, but they:
  • Cannot be bedbound
  • Cannot require two-person assistance to stand
  • Cannot have unmanageable incontinence
  • Cannot need assistance with more than four activities of daily living for more than 21 days
  • Cannot require daily skilled nursing services and professional therapies for more than 21 days
  • Cannot be in an acute stage of alcoholism, drug addiction or uncontrolled mental illness
If you expect that you or your loved one may need some of these services in the future, find a facility that also offers skilled nursing care for a simple transition.
What Des Moines regulations protect older adults in assisted living facilities?
Older adults in assisted living facilities in Des Moines are protected by regulations from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Health Facilities Division. Communities must be licensed as assisted living programs (ALPs), which comes with basic requirements. For instance, ALPs must provide help with activities of daily living, medication assistance, limited health services and meals, including one hot meal per day.
What organizations support and protect older adults in Des Moines?
Many organizations support and protect older adults in Des Moines.

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    Des Moines assisted living company information

    Prairie Hills Senior Living

    Prairie Hills Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite care. Assisted living care includes laundry service, help with daily living activities, restaurant-style meals, activities and transportation. This is a pet-friendly facility with on-site amenities, like fitness classes, a pool and a spa.

    • Located in: Des Moines
    • Address: 5815 SE 27th St., Des Moines, IA 50320
    • Phone: (515) 256-9143
    • Website: prairiehillsdm.com
    Woodlands Creek Senior Living

    Woodlands Creek Senior Living offers independent and assisted living and memory care. Assisted living includes housekeeping, laundry service, transportation, activities, restaurant-style meals, medication assistance and help with daily tasks. Amenities include large closets, storage space, Wi-Fi and scheduled events. Dial Senior Living, Woodlands Creek Senior Living’s parent company, operates four other assisted living facilities in Iowa and more in select states.

    • Located in: Clive
    • Address: 12675 Woodlands Parkway, Clive, IA 50325
    • Phone: (515) 223-9755
    • Website: dialseniorliving.com
    Morningstar at Jordan Creek

    Morningstar at Jordan Creek offers assisted living and memory care. It provides meals, help with daily activities, incontinence care, medication assistance, and speech, occupational and physical therapies. The community also provides enrichment activities, such as outings. MorningStar Senior Living, this community’s parent company, runs assisted living facilities throughout select states.

    • Located in: West Des Moines
    • Address: 525 S. 60th St., West Des Moines, IA 50266
    • Phone: (515) 373-8006
    • Website: morningstarseniorliving.com
    WesleyLife

    WesleyLife operates Wesley Acres in Des Moines as well as other locations throughout Iowa. It offers independent and assisted living, helpful living, memory care and rehabilitation. Assisted living includes housekeeping, 24-hour support, meals, assistance with medication and help with daily activities. Amenities include a library, a fitness center, a theater, a salon and a recreation room.

    • Located in: Des Moines, Newton, Pella, Indianola and Johnston
    • Address: 3520 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
    • Phone: (515) 271-6500
    • Website: wesleylife.org
    Valley View Village

    Valley View Village offers independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, respite care and rehabilitation. Assisted living includes 24/7 support staff, an on-call registered nurse, housekeeping and linen service. As a Christian facility, it has a chaplain on staff too. Amenities include a barbershop and salon, a library, multiple lounges, and a wellness room. Valley View Village’s parent company, Cassia, also operates a facility in Newton and other locations in select states.

    • Located in: Des Moines
    • Address: 2571 Guthrie Ave., Des Moines, IA 50317
    • Phone: (515) 265-2571
    • Website: valleyviewvillage.org
    The Shores at Pleasant Hill

    The Shores at Pleasant Hill offers independent and assisted living and memory care. Assisted living comes with housekeeping, restaurant-style meals, transportation and wellness activities. Amenities include nearby fishing, community gardening, underground parking, and a barbershop and salon. This facility is pet friendly as well. Immanuel, the parent company of The Shores at Pleasant Hill, also operates a location in Council Bluffs

    • Located in: Pleasant Hill
    • Address: 1500 Edgewater Drive, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
    • Phone: (515) 303-3565
    • Website: immanuel.com
    Calvin Community

    Calvin Community offers independent and assisted living and memory care. Residents can move between levels of care as their needs change. Assisted living includes housekeeping, laundry service, meals, 24-hour nursing responses, transportation and help with daily tasks. Amenities include exercise classes and activities.

    • Located in: Des Moines
    • Address: 4210 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
    • Phone: (515) 277-6141
    • Website: calvincommunity.org

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