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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in West Des Moines, IA for 2024

West Des Moines is known for its historic buildings, cultural amenities and beautiful parks, making it a unique retirement destination. While its senior community makes up only 14% of its estimated 71,000 residents, it promotes a welcoming environment for seniors through retiree-friendly tax laws, a low cost of living and modest crime rates.

Seniors seeking daily assistance have multiple local long-term care options, including several assisted living facilities. These residential facilities have trained caregivers who assist with daily activities such as mobility, dressing, bathing and personal grooming. Residents can enjoy daily meals and participate in social and recreational activities, and many facilities feature on-site amenities such as libraries, fitness centers and hair salons. While monthly rates vary, the average assisted living facility in West Des Moines charges $4,803 per month for care. This is higher than the statewide and national norms of $4,367 and $4,500, respectively.

Through the guide, readers can learn more about the benefits of obtaining assisted living locally as well as some drawbacks to consider before relocating for long-term care. The guide also breaks down some of the rules that assisted living facilities follow.

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Assisted Living Facilities in West Des Moines, Iowa

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in West Des Moines

The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals licenses assisted living facilities in the state, including those in West Des Moines. This department conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with minimum licensing standards, and it provides public information on rules related to staffing, scope of care and building requirements.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in West Des Moines

 

  • On a 100-point cost of living index based on nationwide norms, West Des Moines scores 88.9. This exceeds the state score by about nine points, but it indicates that overall costs in this city are 11% below national averages. This may result in comparatively competitive assisted living costs.
  • All Social Security benefits are exempt from state income taxes in Iowa, and seniors can claim deductions to reduce what they owe on other forms of retirement income. While Iowa is one of the few states with an inheritance tax, impacting assisted living funding options for some seniors, the state is gradually repealing this tax. Property taxes are high, but seniors considering retirement in West Des Moines may avoid this expense by choosing assisted living.
  • The air quality in West Des Moines is decent and may support the health of seniors considering local long-term care communities. The American Lung Association gives Polk County the highest grade for ozone pollution, indicating very low levels of smog. The region gets a C for 24-hour particle pollution and a passing score for annual particle pollution levels.
  • Property crime occurs at about the same rate in West Des Moines as in the nation as a whole, but violent crime is relatively uncommon. On a 100-point scale that gives higher scores to communities with higher crime rates, the city scores 15 for violent crime and 36.3 for property-related offenses. The city is statistically safer than similarly sized communities such as Waterloo and Council Bluffs, making it an attractive long-term care option.
  • West Des Moines's climate is typical of the Midwest, with chilly, snowy winters and very warm summers. Temperatures range from average lows of 13 degrees in the winter to highs of 86 degrees in the summer, and the city gets 36 inches of rain and 34 inches of snow. Assisted living facilities in West Des Moines often have individual climate controls in residents’ rooms, promoting year-round comfort.

 

Paying for Assisted Living in West Des Moines

Assisted living communities in West Des Moines charge $4,803 per month for care.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

In West Des Moines, assisted living facilities charge monthly rates of $4,803 for housing and care, which is hundreds of dollars over the Iowa average of $4,367 and the national rate of $4,500. Similarly, care costs in this city exceed rates in other surveyed cities in the region, including Cedar Rapids, where monthly fees average $4,748. In Ames, rates are $150 less than in West Des Moines, and in Iowa City and Sioux City, respective care costs are even more competitive at $4,410 and $4,148.

    West Des Moines

    $4,803

    Iowa

    $4,367

    United States

    $4,500

    Ames

    $4,655

    Iowa City

    $4,410

    Cedar Rapids

    $4,748

    Sioux City

    $4,148

    The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

    Assisted living rates in West Des Moines average $4,803 per month, which is modest compared to most other local long-term care options. Seniors who obtain care at home pay $5,815 for custodial in-home care and specialized home health care, while those in nursing homes pay starting rates of $7,148. On the other hand, seniors may save money by opting for adult day health care, which costs $1,517 per month.

    In-Home Care

    $5,815

    Home Health Care

    $5,815

    Adult Day Health Care

    $1,517

    Assisted Living Facility

    $4,803

    Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

    $7,148

    Note: Data for West Des Moines was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Des Moines, was used instead.

    Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in West Des Moines

     West Des Moines seniors who meet income guidelines may apply to receive financial assistance through the Medicaid 1915 (c) Elderly Waiver program, and those who live in a residential care facility and qualify for Supplemental Security Income may also receive the optional state supplement to help cover their living expenses.

    Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Iowa page.

    Financial Assistance in Iowa

    More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

    While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

    • Veterans Benefits
    • Life Insurance Policy
    • Long-Term Care Insurance
    • Reverse Mortgage

    For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page.

    Free Assisted Living Resources in West Des Moines

    West Des Moines and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

    To see a list of free assisted living resources in West Des Moines, please visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page.

    Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in West Des Moines

    West Des Moines Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Iowa are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Iowa page for more information about these laws.

    Laws and Regulations in Iowa

    Reviews of Communities Nearby

    Assisted Living

    Disappointed And Concerned

    I visited this facility

    Review of Edgewater, A WesleyLife Community

    If your family member needs significant rehab, don’t take them to Edgewater. Staff are often rude & unhelpful, especially if patient needs assistance. Clearly just a job for most of staff and not...

    Read more

    Assisted Living

    Mary

    I visited this facility

    Review of Bickford of West Des Moines

    Bickford of West Des Moines was nice, and they had a lot to offer in terms of the level of care. The lady who gave me the tour was really nice. They had lots of social activities. But because this...

    Provider response

    Hi Mary, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. While it appears we met your expectations in some regard, we are always open to feedback from resident families to help us improve....

    Read more

    Assisted Living

    HCCTIM

    I visited this facility

    Review of Bickford of West Des Moines

    I met with the Sales Director (Taylor) and the facility nurse. Both were very pleasant and extremely accommodating. The facility is a little smaller than some of the newest ones, but also appears...

    Provider response

    Hello! Thank you for taking the time to write such a positive review. It is great to hear that you are considering Bickford of West Des Moines for senior care. If there is anything we can do to...

    Read more

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    Caring.com

    Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

     

    The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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