Haley Hopkins
Aug 2025
Always enjoy visiting and impressed with the fun events and newly updated areas. Good care, clean place and great staff!
1 / 5Quick Facts
- Medicare rating
- 3 of 5
- Ownership
- Non profit, Other
- Certified beds
- 46
- Inspections
- View history (39 citations)
- Founded
- Operating since 1931
- Faith policy
- Serves residents of all faiths
- Therapy services
- On-site PT, speech, and occupational therapy
- Short-term care
- Offers hospice and respite stays
- Payment options
- Bills Medicare and private/third-party payers
CMS Care Compare
What Families Think
Families describe The Life Center as a longtime nonprofit nursing and rehab facility where residents form close bonds with caregivers and rehab outcomes are often strong. However, several more recent reviews point to declining staffing levels, unresponsive administration, and a facility in need of updating, suggesting inconsistent experiences over time.
The Good
- Private rooms for every resident
- Strong rehab outcomes praised by multiple reviewers
- Staff described as caring, patient, and attentive
- Visitors welcome 24 hours a day
- Individualized care plans and therapeutic diets offered
The Bad
- Multiple reports of reduced staffing levels
- One report of a rude, dismissive nurse
- One reviewer called the facility run-down and outdated
- Some reviewers cite unresponsive or money-focused administration
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
The Life Center is a senior living community in Des Moines, Iowa offering Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 4.1 out of 5 across 12 reviews.
About The Life Center
The Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa is a skilled nursing facility offering residential memory care and long-term nursing home care in a home-like atmosphere. Established in 1931, the facility serves residents of all faiths and focuses on maintaining dignity and enhancing quality of life through individualized care plans.
The community provides comprehensive nursing services with an emphasis on personalized attention. Care offerings include physical, speech, and occupational therapies as part of a rehabilitative program, along with therapeutic diets customized by a Registered Dietitian to each resident's preferences and needs. The facility also offers hospice and respite care services.
The care approach is holistic and grounded in building personal relationships with residents and families. Staff work to develop individualized plans designed to optimize quality of life across physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. The facility maintains exceptional staff-to-resident ratios to enable more individualized care.
Practical services at the community include house supplies such as incontinence products and personal care items, as well as business office services including notary public and postal services. Billing is submitted to private and third-party payers including Medicare.
Types of Care at The Life Center
Memory CareSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Amenities
Room Amenities
- Cable or Satellite TV
- Emergency Call System
- Private Bathroom
- Private Rooms
- Wheelchair Accessible
Meals & Dining
- Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)
- Restaurant style Dining Room
Community Amenities
- 24-Hour Staff
- Chapel / Religious Services
- Gathering / Activity Spaces
- Housekeeping
- Laundry Service
- Medication Management
- On-Site Nurse (RN)
Activities
- Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)
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Help Me ChooseReviews of The Life Center
4.1overall · 12 ratings combined
4.1★ on Google (12)
Jesse Thomson
Aug 2025
Place seems run down and understaffed. The administration team is very unresponsive
Garry Rowland
Dec 2024
My 10 day rehab stay at the Life Center was most excellent. I arrived after surgery and a 4 day hospital stay. I was in a lot of pain and barely able to walk. With the attentive care, comfortable room, delicious food, and superb physical therapy, I was able to heal quickly. I left pain free and on my own legs. The people make the place. The people at the Life Center were wonderful. 5 stars! One high point was the fabulous Thanksgiving meal put on by the staff. That was a turning point for me, it really boosted my morale.
Hayley Poe
Sep 2024
All I can really say is when the new administrator took over, it went from being a nonprofit who genuinely cared about providing excellent care to the elderly, to being a place that wants to make money. Staffing has decreased, administration will belittle you in front of residents, supplies have gotten cheaper. It's become all about the money. Instead of the people. Which is the opposite of what it should be. The morale is low and it's spilling over to the residents.
Paul Tieszen
Apr 2024
My wifes mom lived here for 3 years. The care and facility were both top notch. Having my mom in such a lovely professional facility fir the final years of her life was amazing..we never worried about anything ever! Thankyou to the staff and management you are all AMAZING!
Government Inspection History
3 inspection visits in the last three years, 39 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Apr 2, 2026Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard20 citations
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 4, 2026
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 6, 2026
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 10, 2026
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 15, 2026
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 15, 2026
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 10, 2026
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 2, 2026
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 8, 2026
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 8, 2026
Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 15, 2026
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 13, 2026
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 4, 2026
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 23, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 23, 2026
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 10, 2026
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 10, 2026
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 23, 2026
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 8, 2026
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 23, 2026
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 23, 2026
Mar 13, 2025Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard8 citations
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 19, 2025
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Mar 19, 2025
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 25, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 28, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 28, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 28, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Mar 28, 2025
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Mar 28, 2025
Apr 18, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth ComplaintHealth Standard11 citations
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 10, 2024
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 7, 2024
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 13, 2024
Have stairways and smokeproof enclosures used as exits that meet safety requirements.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 23, 2024
Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 23, 2024
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 10, 2024
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 23, 2024
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 10, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 26, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 26, 2024
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 26, 2024
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of care does The Life Center offer?
The Life Center offers Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Where is The Life Center located?
The Life Center is located at 900 Polk Boulevard in Des Moines, Iowa.
What do families say about The Life Center?
Families describe The Life Center as a longtime nonprofit nursing and rehab facility where residents form close bonds with caregivers and rehab outcomes are often strong. However, several more recent reviews point to declining staffing levels, unresponsive administration, and a facility in need of updating, suggesting inconsistent experiences over time.
How did The Life Center do on recent health and safety inspections?
The Life Center had 3 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 39 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
How can families visit The Life Center?
Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with The Life Center and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.
Work at The Life Center? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.
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