The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in West Des Moines, IA for 2023

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in West Des Moines

• West Des Moines ranks low on Sperling’s Comfort Index, rating 38 out of 100, compared to the national average of 54. The July high in this city is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the January low is 13 degrees. These extreme temperatures may be unpleasant for seniors who enjoy being outdoors.  
  
  
• The air quality in West Des Moines is good overall, making the city an attractive option for seniors with respiratory illnesses. According to the American Lung Association, the city tied for first place for cleanest metropolitan areas in the country for ozone pollution, and it ranked 83 out of 201 metropolitan areas for 24-hour particle pollution.   
  
  
• West Des Moines is an affordable city for seniors, coming in nearly 5 percent under the overall national average. Seniors can expect to pay about 7 percent less on groceries, 13 percent less on health care, 4 percent less on transportation and 10 percent less on miscellaneous expenses than they would in other U.S. cities.  
  
  
• The overall crime rate in West Des Moines is 7 percent higher than the Iowa average and 11 percent lower than the national average. The rate of violent crime is 22 percent lower than the national average and 41 percent lower than the U.S. average, and the property crime rate is 11 percent higher than the state median and 6 percent lower than the country’s average. This may provide peace of mind for older adults and their loved ones. 
   
• The city’s public transportation system is provided courtesy of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, or DART. Seniors age 65 and over are eligible to receive reduced fare. To apply for this program, seniors simply need to provide a photo I.D. with their date of birth such as a driver’s license or state identification card.  
  
  
• The West Des Moines area is home to world-class medical facilities, including Methodist West Hospital and Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.