Best Senior Living in Des Moines, Iowa
24 communities found
Des Moines lists 31 senior living options, made up of 24 residential communities and 7 home care agencies, with an average rating of 4.0 across 27 rated communities and 915 reviews read. Published pricing is available for only two communities, ranging from $1,680 to a median of $3,090. Among the 12 communities with Medicare star ratings, the average is 2.7, including two five-star and four one-star ratings.
- 31options listed
- 4average rating, 27 rated
- 915family reviews read
Calvin Community
Des Moines, Iowa
4.8(61)
Independent LivingSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Addington Place of Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
4.7(81)
Assisted LivingMemory Care
Angels Care Home Health
Des Moines, Iowa
4.9(7)
Medicare home health · 3.5★
Scottish Rite Park
Des Moines, Iowa
4.5(55)
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Plymouth Place
Des Moines, Iowa
4.6(14)
Independent Living
Valley View Village
Des Moines, Iowa
4.5(30)
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
From $2,074/moIndependence Village of Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
4.4(71)
Independent Living
From $4,400/moStoryPoint Beaverdale
Des Moines, Iowa
4.3(63)
Assisted LivingMemory Care
Sage Independence
Des Moines, Iowa
5(1)
Assisted LivingIndependent Living
3801 Grand Assisted Living & Memory Care
Des Moines, Iowa
4.3(6)
Assisted LivingIndependent LivingMemory Care
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
Des Moines, Iowa
4.2(98)
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Baker Creek Senior Living
Des Moines, Iowa
4(1)
Independent Living
Best-rated senior living in Des Moines
Ranked by family rating, weighted by how many families have reviewed each one. No community pays to appear here.
- 1
4.8 (61 reviews)· Independent Living, Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Families describe Calvin Community as warm and caring, with staff who know residents by name, though a few reports raise concerns about neglect and understaffing.
- 2
4.7 (81 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care
Reviewers describe Addington Place as warm and well-kept with attentive staff, though some report understaffing and neglect in the memory care unit.
- 3
4.9 (7 reviews)· Home Health, Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Families describe Angels Care Home Health as a well-coordinated in-home team, praising compassionate, reliable staff across skilled nursing, wound care, and therapy.
- 4
4.5 (55 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Most reviewers describe Scottish Rite Park as elegant and well-maintained with attentive staff, though some report slow call light response and rude staff.
- 5
4.6 (14 reviews)· Independent Living
Plymouth Place holds a 4.6 rating from a small number of reviews, though no detailed review text is currently available.
- 6
4.5 (30 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Families describe Valley View Village as warm and faith-influenced, with compassionate staff and successful rehab stays, though a few noted occasional understaffing.
- 7
Independence Village of Des Moines
4.4 (71 reviews)· Independent Living
Families generally describe Independence Village of Des Moines as warm and well-kept, with friendly staff and good food, though some cite rising costs.
- 8
4.3 (63 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care· 80 units
Most reviewers describe StoryPoint Beaverdale as warm and friendly with good food, though some report serious issues with management and staffing in memory care.
- 9
3801 Grand Assisted Living & Memory Care
4.3 (6 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care
- 10
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
4.2 (98 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Families largely describe Ramsey Village as having compassionate, long-tenured staff, though some report slow call light response and cleanliness issues.
What families say about senior living in Des Moines
Counted across the review summaries of 27 Des Moines communities: the share whose families mention each theme.
Families most often praise caring, attentive staff, noted in 74% of 27 communities, along with medical and nursing care at 44% and building and grounds at 37%. Communication with families is praised in 33% of communities but also named a concern in 44%, while staff attitude is the top complaint at 48% and staffing levels and turnover follow at 33%.
Praised most
- Caring, attentive staff 74%
- Medical and nursing care 44%
- Building and grounds 37%
- Activities and social life 33%
- Communication with families 33%
Concerns raised
- Staff attitude 48%
- Communication with families 44%
- Staffing levels and turnover 33%
- Cost and billing 33%
“Staff very helpful and answered all of my questions. All staff I met were very friendly and the.meal choices are very many with the emphasis to use fresh ingredients and tailor them when possible to meet my requests.”
“I recently toured StoryPoint in Beaverdale. The facility is beautiful and the staff was very friendly and helpful without a heavy sales pitch. They were just there to help and answer questions as I navigated the process.”
“What a privilege to serve the residents and staff at Valley View! The welcome I've re wivex has has been filled with warmth, kindness, and a spirit of team-work. I'm so impressed with the the beauty and cleanliness of the Bealth Center and Assisted Living. I would choose Valley View Village for myself or a loved one.”
Senior Living in Des Moines: the figures
- •12 nursing homes carry a Medicare star rating, averaging 2.7 out of 5: 4 rated four stars or better, 4 rated one star.
- •Among the 4 that publish a starting price, prices start at $1,680 a month with a median of $3,212.
- •Most common amenities: wheelchair accessible (25), 24-hour staff (25), social activities (24), emergency call system (24), gathering / activity spaces (24), housekeeping (24).
How families pay for senior living in Iowa
Most families in Iowa start by paying privately, drawing on savings, retirement income and often the proceeds from selling a home. For those who planned ahead, long-term care insurance can also help cover assisted living, memory care or independent living costs, though the amount and timing of benefits depend on the policy. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, a benefit that can be applied toward the cost of care, and it is worth asking a veterans service officer whether this applies to your situation.
The full picture for the state: Senior Living in Iowa. Prices by city and the programs that help: what senior living costs in Iowa.
Senior Living near Des Moines
Cities within about 35 miles with senior living inventory, and how families rate it.
| City | Communities | RatingAverage rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale6.2 mi | 19 | 4.3 / 5 | 6.2 mi |
| Johnston6.6 mi | 12 | 4.2 / 5 | 6.6 mi |
| West Des Moines7 mi | 25 | 4.4 / 5 | 7 mi |
| Clive7.3 mi | 5 | 4.9 / 5 | 7.3 mi |
| Norwalk7.5 mi | 6 | 3.9 / 5 | 7.5 mi |
| Ankeny8.7 mi | 16 | 4.4 / 5 | 8.7 mi |
| Indianola17 mi | 10 | 4.4 / 5 | 17 mi |
| Ames30.2 mi | 22 | 4.5 / 5 | 30.2 mi |
All of Iowa: Senior Living in Iowa. Closer to home? Compare senior living near you, sorted by distance.
About these figures
Computed on October 21, 2026 from the 31 communities listed in Des Moines, 915 public family reviews on Google, Yelp and MyLivingChoice, state licensing records and, for nursing homes, CMS Care Compare. The best-rated list ranks communities by average family rating weighted by how many families have reviewed each one, so a 4.9 from three reviews does not outrank a 4.7 from two hundred. No community pays to appear in the best-rated list or in these figures; sponsored and partner listings in the directory results are marked as such. Figures refresh as listings and reviews change; the written summary was last revised September 25, 2026.
Reading on this
Guides from MyLivingChoice that families in Des Moines ask about.
- Home Care in Iowa: Agencies, Medicare Home Health Ratings, and What It Costs
- Nursing Home vs. Assisted Living: Which Level of Care Does Your Loved One Actually Need?
- Signs It Is Time to Move From Home Care to Assisted Living
Not in Des Moines? Senior living near me finds communities around wherever you are.
Des Moines is home to 11 senior living communities offering a range of care types, from independent living to memory care and assisted living. Senior living communities provide residential settings with services and amenities tailored to older adults' health and social needs, allowing residents to age in place with professional support.
Calvin Community, Scottish Rite Park, and Valley View Village are among the communities in Des Moines that have earned strong resident and family feedback. Calvin Community holds a 4.8 rating across 61 reviews, while Scottish Rite Park and Valley View Village each maintain a 4.5 rating based on 55 and 30 reviews respectively.
When evaluating senior living options in Des Moines, families benefit from comparing communities by care level, amenities, location, and proximity to medical services. Speaking with current residents and families can provide insight into daily life at each community and help guide your decision.
Senior Living in Des Moines: Common Questions
How many senior living communities are in Des Moines, Iowa?
MyLivingChoice lists 31 senior living communities in Des Moines, Iowa, each with photos, care details, and reviews from families.
How much does senior living cost in Des Moines?
Among Des Moines communities that publish pricing, senior living starts around $1,680/month, with an average published starting rate near $3,126/month. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment choice.
Which senior living communities in Des Moines are rated highest?
Based on combined ratings across Google, Yelp, and MyLivingChoice reviews, top-rated options include Sally B’s Home Health (5★, 41 ratings), EveryStep (5★, 18 ratings), Angels Care Home Health (4.9★, 7 ratings).
What types of senior care are available in Des Moines?
Beyond senior living, Des Moines has skilled nursing / long term care (14 communities), independent living (9 communities), assisted living (7 communities), home health (7 communities), memory care (6 communities). Every option is listed with photos, reviews, and contact details.
How do families rate senior living in Des Moines?
Families rate Des Moines senior living communities 4 out of 5 on average, across 915 public Google reviews of local communities.
What do families praise, and complain about, in Des Moines senior living communities?
Across the review summaries of 27 Des Moines communities, the most common praise is caring, attentive staff (mentioned for 74%), medical and nursing care (mentioned for 44%), building and grounds (mentioned for 37%). The most common concerns are staff attitude (48%), communication with families (44%), staffing levels and turnover (33%).
How do Des Moines nursing homes score on Medicare's star ratings?
12 Medicare-certified nursing homes in Des Moines carry an overall star rating, averaging 2.7 out of 5. 4 are rated four stars or better and 4 are rated one star. Each listing shows its rating and three years of inspection history from CMS Care Compare.