Haley Hopkins
Aug 2025
Always enjoy visiting and impressed with the fun events and newly updated areas. Good care, clean place and great staff!
The Life Center
900 Polk Boulevard
4.1(12 ratings)· Des Moines average: 4.1
1 / 5Quick Facts
- Medicare rating
- 3 of 5
- Ownership
- Non profit, Other
- Certified beds
- 46
- 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- One reviewer called the facility run-down and outdated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.
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
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
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Help Me ChooseReviews
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of care does The Life Center offer?
The Life Center offers 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.
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