Located in the heart of Iowa, West Des Moines is home to around 68,723 people, and 13.6% of its residents are 65 or older. Seniors are attracted to the city’s low cost of living and low violent crime rate. The city also has several hospitals, including MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center and Methodist West Hospital. According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the median monthly rate for a semiprivate room in a West Des Moines nursing home is $7,148, about $760 below the national average.

Nursing homes offer the highest level of senior care available. They are suitable for people who can’t safely live at home but who don’t need to be hospitalized. Many residents are older adults recovering from surgery. Facilities provide 24/7 nursing care and supervision. On-site caregivers help residents complete daily living tasks such as getting dressed and eating. Assisted living communities and home care agencies offer more affordable care for seniors who don’t need the constant supervision provided in nursing homes.

This guide provides an overview of nursing home rates in West Des Moines compared with other Iowa cities. It also lists some resources to help seniors in the area.

Directory of Nursing Homes in West Des Moines, IA

Manorcare Health Services of West Des Moines

5010 GRAND RIDGE DRIVE, West Des Moines, IA, 50266

Therapy was great. The beds were not the most comfortable.
Therapy was great. The beds were not the most comfortable.

Edgewater, A WesleyLife Community

9225 Cascade Ave, West Des Moines, IA, 50266

Edgewater, A WesleyLife Community, is located west of downtown West Des Moines, Iowa, near Jordan Creek Town Center, Brookview Park and the Valley View Aquatic Center. Guests and residents have remark … (read more)
Edgewater, A WesleyLife Community, is located west of downtown West Des Moines, Iowa, near Jordan Creek Town Center, Brookview Park and the Valley View Aquatic Center. Guests and residents have remark … (read more)

Arbor Springs of West Des Moines

7951 E P True Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, 50266

Arbor Springs of West Des Moines is located west of West Des Moines, Iowa, near the intersection of EP True Parkway and 78th Place. Brookview Park, Valley View Aquatic Center and Jordan Creek Town Cen … (read more)
Arbor Springs of West Des Moines is located west of West Des Moines, Iowa, near the intersection of EP True Parkway and 78th Place. Brookview Park, Valley View Aquatic Center and Jordan Creek Town Cen … (read more)

Fountain West Health Center

1501 Office Park Road, West Des Moines, IA, 50265

Out Mom lived at Fountain West for over 2 years. She did not want to go there but then she loved it there. The staff was wonderful! They fixed her hair, manicured her nails, and treated her with great … (read more)
Out Mom lived at Fountain West for over 2 years. She did not want to go there but then she loved it there. The staff was wonderful! They fixed her hair, manicured her nails, and treated her with great … (read more)

2023

Independence Village Of Waukee

1650 SE Holiday Crest Circle, Waukee, IA, 50263

We have been extremely pleased with the friendly and caring staff. We visit our friend several times a week and the care is excellent. Room and laundry are kept clean and neat. Our friend is happier t … (read more)
We have been extremely pleased with the friendly and caring staff. We visit our friend several times a week and the care is excellent. Room and laundry are kept clean and neat. Our friend is happier t … (read more)

Ramsey Village

1611 27th St., Des Moines, IA, 50301

Ramsey Village is an assisted living facility based in Des Moines, Iowa just moments away from Buel Field, Cowles Library and the bustling downtown area. The facility earns praise for being well-kept … (read more)
Ramsey Village is an assisted living facility based in Des Moines, Iowa just moments away from Buel Field, Cowles Library and the bustling downtown area. The facility earns praise for being well-kept … (read more)

Deerfield Retirement Community

13731 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA, 50323

Deerfield was wonderful. My mother wanted to go back there, but they had no availability. They had a lot of activities. The nurses and assistants were very attentive. I really liked it. They had a hug … (read more)
Deerfield was wonderful. My mother wanted to go back there, but they had no availability. They had a lot of activities. The nurses and assistants were very attentive. I really liked it. They had a hug … (read more)

Karen Acres Healthcare Center

3605 Elm Dr, Urbandale, IA, 50322

My parents moved into Karen Acres Healthcare Center. The employees seem to be very caring about the residents. I like that my parents are in the same room, and they have a private bath. The rooms are … (read more)
My parents moved into Karen Acres Healthcare Center. The employees seem to be very caring about the residents. I like that my parents are in the same room, and they have a private bath. The rooms are … (read more)

Urbandale Health Care Center

4614 Nw 84Th Street, Urbandale, IA, 50322

My friend will be moving into Urbandale Health Care Center. It’s got the highest ratings for a care center. They’ve got nice people, it’s clean, and nice, and because she is tight on money, she’s on M … (read more)
My friend will be moving into Urbandale Health Care Center. It’s got the highest ratings for a care center. They’ve got nice people, it’s clean, and nice, and because she is tight on money, she’s on M … (read more)

Regency Care Center

815 HIGH ROAD, Norwalk, IA, 50211

I’ve been here in the Regency Care Center for a little over a year now, and it’s like being with a big family. The staff is really nice, and the facility is clean. They also have games and activities … (read more)
I’ve been here in the Regency Care Center for a little over a year now, and it’s like being with a big family. The staff is really nice, and the facility is clean. They also have games and activities … (read more)

Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

921 SUNSET DRIVE, Norwalk, IA, 50211

Our beloved Mother spent the last 11 months of her life at Norwalk Nursing and Rehab. Was it perfect? Nothing ever is. However, the facility was very receptive to our concerns and immediately addre … (read more)
Our beloved Mother spent the last 11 months of her life at Norwalk Nursing and Rehab. Was it perfect? Nothing ever is. However, the facility was very receptive to our concerns and immediately addre … (read more)

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

5837 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA, 50131

I walked through Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. It looked good. It was pretty clean. There were quite a few people around, and it seemed rather pleasant. The staff that gave the tour was great. He wa … (read more)
I walked through Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. It looked good. It was pretty clean. There were quite a few people around, and it seemed rather pleasant. The staff that gave the tour was great. He wa … (read more)

Valley View Village

2571 GUTHRIE AVENUE, Des Moines, IA, 50317

My mother stayed at this facility from April 1 to June 3rd 2021 for physical rehab for 2 broken wrists. So my experience has nothing to do with there long term care. The facility is clean and well m … (read more)
My mother stayed at this facility from April 1 to June 3rd 2021 for physical rehab for 2 broken wrists. So my experience has nothing to do with there long term care. The facility is clean and well m … (read more)

Wesley Acres

3520 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312

Wesley Acres is a retirement community in the Greenwood neighborhood, just moments away from downtown Des Moines. Visitors are impressed by the clean, organized amenities, welcoming atmosphere, helpfu … (read more)
Wesley Acres is a retirement community in the Greenwood neighborhood, just moments away from downtown Des Moines. Visitors are impressed by the clean, organized amenities, welcoming atmosphere, helpfu … (read more)

Azria Health Park Place

2401 East 8th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50316

My mom has moved into Azria Health Park Place. The one thing I like about them is I loved how quickly they acted on getting admitted. They worked hard and diligently into keeping in contact with mysel … (read more)
My mom has moved into Azria Health Park Place. The one thing I like about them is I loved how quickly they acted on getting admitted. They worked hard and diligently into keeping in contact with mysel … (read more)

Calvin Community

4210 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA, 50310

Calvin Community, a faith-based, not-for-profit retirement complex, lies in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. Family members praise the highly knowledgeable and dedicated long-term caregivers … (read more)
Calvin Community, a faith-based, not-for-profit retirement complex, lies in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. Family members praise the highly knowledgeable and dedicated long-term caregivers … (read more)

Trinity Center at Luther Park

1555 HULL AVENUE, Des Moines, IA, 50316

My sister-in-law moved into Trinity Center ay Luther Park. It was just right down the road from where we live, so it was just really handy. And we knew some people that had some family members there, … (read more)
My sister-in-law moved into Trinity Center ay Luther Park. It was just right down the road from where we live, so it was just really handy. And we knew some people that had some family members there, … (read more)

University Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

233 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, Des Moines, IA, 50314

Food is not good not well prepared and if any dietary restrictions…. cant handle that
Food is not good not well prepared and if any dietary restrictions…. cant handle that

Bishop Drumm Skilled Nursing

5837 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA, 50131

After my life altering accident, the cnas, nurses and staff were caring and have put me on a great road to recovery. They created a comfortable, healing environment & helped me set up my room and … (read more)
After my life altering accident, the cnas, nurses and staff were caring and have put me on a great road to recovery. They created a comfortable, healing environment & helped me set up my room and … (read more)

Genesis Senior Living Center

5608 SW NINTH STREET, Des Moines, IA, 50315

your family or loved one is our family !!! it takes a team to run a village and ours is awesome!!!
your family or loved one is our family !!! it takes a team to run a village and ours is awesome!!!

Nursing Home Costs in West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines nursing homes can accommodate residents in semiprivate rooms for $7,148 per month on average and in private rooms for $7,756.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities

Rates for skilled nursing facilities in West Des Moines are significantly lower than the national median of $7,908 but a few hundred dollars above the state’s average of $6,874. In the cities of Ames and Waterloo, nursing home costs are in line with the Iowa norm and lower than in West Des Moines. Costs in Cedar Rapids are $304 lower, while seniors in Iowa city pay $76 less on average than in West Des Moines. 

$7148

West Des Moines

$6874

Iowa

$7908

The United States

$6874

Ames

$6874

Waterloo

$6844

Cedar Rapids

$7072

Iowa City

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Placing a senior loved one in institutionalized care is a difficult decision to make; other types of care might better suit their needs and budget. Home care and home health care in West Des Moines cost around $5,815 each month. Seniors can maintain their independence while receiving residential care in an assisted living community for an average monthly cost of $4,803. Adult day health care providers in the region charge around $1,517 per month. 

$5815

Home Care

$5815

Home Health Care

$1517

Adult Day Health Care

$4803

Assisted Living Facility

$7148

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

$7756

Nursing Home (private room)

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

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in West Des Moines, IA

Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.

  • Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
  • Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.

If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.

Free Resources for Seniors in West Des Moines, IA

These resources are run by nonprofit and government agencies. They can help seniors apply for help with the cost of their long-term care and find other benefits they might be eligible for. Some programs can help older adults postpone a nursing home placement. 

Resource

Contact 

Service

(515) 255-1310

As the regional Area Agency on Aging, Aging Resources of Central Iowa is the first point of contact between older adults and local programs. The nonprofit’s information and referral line connects seniors to services and benefits they are eligible for, and it can help them plan for their long-term care. 

(800) 351-4664

This statewide service helps Medicare beneficiaries learn about the complexities of Medicare on a one-to-one basis with a trained counselor. Seniors can receive advice on all Medicare-related topics, including how to access financial aid programs to pay for their care. 

(515) 699-3243.

Homebound seniors in West Des Moines can receive weekday lunches through this program. Meals on Wheels delivers low-cost, fresh, nutritious food during the week and provides frozen meals to last for the weekends. 

(515) 725-3308

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is part of the State’s Department of Aging. Nursing home residents and their loved ones can get in touch with the ombudsman to express concerns about individual facilities. Volunteers investigate complaints and inspect facilities to ensure they offer a suitable level of care.

(515) 256-4606

This is a statewide Medicaid waiver that can help older adults who qualify for nursing home placement receive care in the community. Low-income seniors may benefit from an in-home caregiver and receive skilled nursing care and medical transportation services.