10 Best Nursing Homes in Des Moines, IA

One of the most important considerations you’ll make when finding the right senior living facility for your loved one is determining how to pay for room, board, and care. The good news is that most people use a combination of payment methods. The top four include paying from personal funds, paying through Medicaid, paying with Medicare insurance, and paying with the assistance of VA benefits.  Please note that Medicaid, Medicare, and VA assistance cannot be used for monthly rent costs but can be used to help pay for other fees, such as medical care or emergency services.

Iowa law is set up to protect seniors living in nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities. All such facilities must be licensed by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) and regulated by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Nursing homes are additionally subject to federal regulations. To keep a license current, a facility must undergo regular inspections.

These inspections — typically held every 12 to 24 months — are also conducted by the DIA. As part of your search for the ideal Des Moines senior living facility for your parent, grandparent, or spouse, you can find the most recent inspection report on any potential nursing home, assisted living facility, or memory care community by using the DIA’s interactive Health Facility Reports database.

Nursing homes standards

Nursing home laws and regulations are in place to ensure that each facility maintains the highest standard of care, with a focus on prioritizing the safety, comfort, and dignity of its residents. In addition to state laws and regulations, federal laws also apply around staffing requirements, types of training staff are required to have, food services, emergency procedures, and a host of other things designed to ensure quality care for your loved one in this type of facility that provides constant medical care.

Assisted living standards

Assisted living facilities (ALPs) are homey residential facilities that cater to the personal care needs of three or more individuals. Iowa’s regulations prioritize the preservation of residents’ dignity and privacy, as well as promoting their participation and involvement in decision-making alongside their loved ones. The facility must provide personal care, health-related care, and medication oversight, as well as at least one hot meal per day.

To ensure comprehensive care, a sufficient number of staff members (no specific ratio is defined) must be present 24/7 to attend to residents’ needs, and all staff must receive training in emergency procedures and pass criminal background checks.

Memory care standards

To be certified as a dementia care unit, memory care facilities in Iowa must adhere to the regulations set for assisted living facilities and comply with state laws. Additionally, they must fulfill extra requirements, in particular, staff must receive specific training on how to care for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The facility is also required to install exit alarms and ensure the removal of kitchen appliances from residents’ living quarters (if the units have these).

Iowa Department of Health contact information

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-281-7689
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Des Moines nursing homes

Iowa has lifted all Covid-19 restrictions for senior living facilities. However, this doesn’t mean that communities can’t enact their own rules regarding safety measures for residents, staff members, and visitors. Plus, many follow best practices like those listed below to lower the spread of any infectious diseases.

Like all types of senior-related housing, senior care facilities in Des Moines offer a wide range of unique benefits and features. This allows you to customize and focus your search so you can find the best possible spot for your loved one to call home.

Options for the right kind of care

If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may want to consider memory care. If they just need some help with mobility or getting dressed, assisted living could be the best choice. There are also combinations of this under one roof. A Place for Mom’s 20 partner Des Moines facilities within a 10-miles radius of downtown break down like this:

• One is a standalone assisted living facility.
• Two are standalone memory care facilities.
• One is a combo assisted living/senior apartment facility.
• One is a combo assisted living/senior apartment/independent living/memory care facility.
• Eight are combo assisted living/memory care facilities.
• Seven are combo assisted living/independent living/memory care facilities.

Medical professionals ready to serve

Assisted living and memory care provide easy access to medical professionals. Most of our partners also offer full medication management and visiting therapists, such as physical and occupational therapists, and specialists. The result is that residents can depend upon those around them to keep them healthy, safe, and clean.

Activities designed for the senior population

Seniors who live in assisted living or memory care want to be able to enjoy recreational activities and entertainment. At most partner facilities, an activity director arranges a wide array of events, classes, and other gatherings to encourage mental and physical stimulation. What kinds of activities are most common in Des Moines? More than half of all our partners offer devotional activities, art classes, happy hours, live performances, fitness opportunities, picnics, parties, and even day trips and outings.

Meals designed for enjoyment

While you want your loved one  to be given nutritious recipes, you probably also want to make sure those meals are tasty. Nearly eight out of 10 facilities we partner with provide private dining rooms to turn mealtimes into special occasions to savor food and socialize if desired. About half even offer vegetarian fare, which is becoming more of a desired choice among health-conscious seniors who would prefer meatless meals.

Health care for seniors in Des Moines

Transportation for seniors in Des Moines

Seniors living in Des Moines senior care facilities can rest easy knowing that 79% of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities offer complimentary transportation for residents and 84% offer it at cost. However, for family members visiting a loved one, you’ll still want to know all the public and private transportation options at your fingertips.

Buses operated via the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority are the main type of public transportation. If your relative is low-income or disabled, you may find it easiest to schedule transportation through the Transit Authority’s Paratransit Bus Plus service. Call the Transit Authority at (515) 286-3484 when you’re ready to set up this type of door-to-door shuttle service.

Of course, you are free to use third-party rideshares like Uber and Lyft to get around the city with your relatives. Compassionate Care Transportation also provides non-emergency medical transportation in the Des Moines Metro Area.

Senior activities in Des Moines

Just because your loved one has moved to a senior care facility doesn’t mean that you can’t take them out on day trips anymore. On the contrary, most seniors appreciate being able to get the chance to spend time outside where they live. Being able to explore the city together affords you the opportunity to spend quality time with someone special, as well as find out more about what makes Des Moines an attractive place for both residents and visitors.

Attractions for beautiful weather days

Outdoor outings can bring the beauty of nature and its wonders into full focus for you and your senior relative. Des Moines boasts more than 76 parks in the city alone — and that doesn’t count any nature preserves and national forests just outside Polk County. Feel free to see which are closest to the senior care facility your loved one lives in by stopping by the Des Moines Parks and Recreation website.

For instance, you’ll find that many people suggest going to Gray’s Lake Park. It’s a large green space with wheelchair-accessible paths, lots of access to water, and places to picnic or relax. You can easily make a whole day out of a visit to Gray’s Lake Park.

Another must-see location with indoor and outdoor options is the award-winning Blank Park Zoo. Given the 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the zoo houses creatures from around the world. Take a stroll, watch the animals, see the birds, and make discoveries — and memories — with your loved one. All pathways at the zoo and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and if you’re planning on bringing grandchildren with you to Des Moines, the zoo is always a favorite go-to place.

Yet another fun outside Des Moines landmark is the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. It’s magnificently groomed and offers discounted tickets to seniors. The garden is ADA-compliant and features wide, wheelchair-accessible pathways. It’s only a short bus ride away from the famous Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Sights to see any day, rain or shine

Not worried about the weather? Take a trip to the Des Moines Arts Center. There, you’ll be able to walk around and enjoy works from many famous artists, including Georgia O’Keefe.  For more artwork, go next to the Polk County Heritage Gallery. Both galleries are wheelchair accessible. If you’d like some live performances, find out what’s on the calendar for the Des Moines Symphony or the Des Moines Civic Center. Both have stages where you can indulge in everything from a live performance of recognized concertos to Broadway’s most entertaining musicals.

Taste temptations throughout the city

Don’t forget that even a short visit to a coffeehouse, restaurant, or diner can be a great way to have fun with the senior in your life who lives in a senior care facility. Des Moines is packed with different types of eateries, so it’s not hard to find cuisine that both you and your loved one will appreciate. For more of a walking tour of local flavors, head to the Downtown Farmers Market to see what’s in season from farmers and gourmet foodies.