Worth Considering
1
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Des Moines, Iowa
1 of 12 nursing homes in Des Moines (8%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
1 recommended · 4 caution · 7 avoid · data
City Average
2.8
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
934
across 12 facilities
High Risk Facilities
7
5 Grade F
$625,115 in combined fines
Zero Fines
4
/12
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why This One?
The nursing home market in Des Moines, Iowa, is adequate but raises some concerns, with only 8% of the 12 facilities recommended. Families should note that 7 facilities face a total of $482,595 in fines, highlighting the importance of thorough research before making a decision.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Wesley on Grand (90) — Wesley on Grand stands out with an excellent 5★ CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 90/100. With zero fines and an A grade, this non-profit facility emphasizes a strong community focus, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care for its 80 residents.
The other 11 Des Moines facilities didn't qualify — 7 carry Grade D or F ratings and 8 have fines totaling $625K.
Recommended
Wesley on Grand stands out with an excellent 5★ CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 90/100. With zero fines and an A grade, this non-profit facility emphasizes a strong community focus, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care for its 80 residents.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Hidden Gem
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Des Moines Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.8 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 11?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 5 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 8 Have fines totaling $625,115
- Low-scoring facilities
- 4 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 4 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Des Moines Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Des Moines's city average is 2.8 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
8 of 12 Des Moines facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Des Moines avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA are recommended?
1 of 12 nursing homes in Des Moines (8%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Des Moines "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 Des Moines?
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.