Best Nursing Homes in Ankeny, Iowa

2 of 4 nursing homes in Ankeny (50%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.

2 recommended · 1 caution · 1 avoid · data

Worth Considering

2

Facilities graded B or better with zero fines

2 recommended 1 caution 1 avoid

City Average

3.8

+0.00 vs state

Total Beds

282

across 4 facilities

High Risk Facilities

1

0 Grade F

$3,250 in combined fines

Zero Fines

3 /4

passed all inspections

Nurse Availability

0 min

RN time per resident daily

Below CMS recommendation

Why These 2?

The nursing home market in Ankeny, Iowa, is adequate, with 50% of the four facilities recommended. Families should note that while Mill-Pond stands out with top ratings, there is one facility to avoid due to $3,250 in fines.

Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)

  1. 1 Mill-Pond (93) — Mill-Pond stands out with an excellent CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 93/100, reflecting its top-tier care and services. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community focus, ensuring residents receive compassionate attention in a welcoming environment. With zero fines and a Grade A, Mill-Pond is a trusted choice for quality nursing care.
  2. 2 On With Life (90) — On With Life boasts a stellar CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 90/100, showcasing its commitment to high-quality resident care. As a non-profit organization, it prioritizes community well-being and individualized support, making it a highly recommended facility. With an A grade and no fines, On With Life is dedicated to providing exceptional services.

The other 2 Ankeny facilities didn't qualify — 1 carries Grade D or F ratings and 1 has fines totaling $3K.

Proceed with Caution

These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.

Emergency Fallback

Staffing Comparison

Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality

Comparison of staffing metrics between Mill-Pond, Ankeny average, and CMS minimum standards
Metric Top Facility Ankeny Avg CMS Minimum
RN Hours / Resident / Day 0.00 0.00 0.75
CMS Star Rating 5 stars 3.8 stars
Deficiencies / Inspection 0 0.0

Facilities to Avoid

These facilities have significant quality concerns.

What Disqualified the Other 2?

Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years

Facilities with fines
1 Have fines totaling $3,250
Low-scoring facilities
2 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
Caution group
1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them

Questions Ankeny Families Should Ask

Based on what we found in local inspection data

  1. 1

    "What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"

    Ankeny's city average is 3.8 stars

  2. 2

    "Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"

    1 of 4 Ankeny facilities have fines

  3. 3

    "How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"

    CMS recommends 45 min; Ankeny avg is 0 min

  4. 4

    "What were your most recent inspection findings?"

    Ankeny facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection

Explore Nearby Cities

Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices

Houston at a Glance

Good News

  • 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
  • 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
  • 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years

Be Aware

  • 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
  • $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
  • Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone

Key Numbers

  • Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
  • 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
  • 9.4 average deficiencies per facility

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing homes in Ankeny, IA are recommended?

2 of 4 nursing homes in Ankeny (50%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.

What makes a nursing home in Ankeny "recommended"?

A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.

How should I evaluate nursing homes in Ankeny?

Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.