Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in West Des Moines, Iowa
2 of 5 nursing homes in West Des Moines (40%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 1 caution · 2 avoid · data
City Average
3.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
389
across 5 facilities
High Risk Facilities
2
2 Grade F
$448,486 in combined fines
Zero Fines
3
/5
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in West Des Moines, Iowa, is adequate, with 40% of the 5 facilities recommended. Families should note that while Edgewater stands out with top ratings, two facilities have a total of $448,486 in fines, warranting careful consideration.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community (90) — Top-rated 5★ facility with an impressive Trust Score of 90/100 and an A grade. As a non-profit, Edgewater focuses on community wellness and patient-centered care, providing a nurturing environment with zero fines and 40 beds dedicated to quality living.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 Cedar Ridge Village (85) — Cedar Ridge Village boasts a stellar 5★ CMS rating and a solid Trust Score of 85/100 with a B+ grade. The facility's commitment to excellence in service is evident, offering a comfortable setting with zero fines and 40 beds to support residents' needs.
The other 3 West Des Moines facilities didn't qualify — 2 carry Grade D or F ratings and 2 have fines totaling $448K.
Recommended
Top-rated 5★ facility with an impressive Trust Score of 90/100 and an A grade. As a non-profit, Edgewater focuses on community wellness and patient-centered care, providing a nurturing environment with zero fines and 40 beds dedicated to quality living.
Cedar Ridge Village boasts a stellar 5★ CMS rating and a solid Trust Score of 85/100 with a B+ grade. The facility's commitment to excellence in service is evident, offering a comfortable setting with zero fines and 40 beds to support residents' needs.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | West Des Moines Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 3?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 2 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 2 Have fines totaling $448,486
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions West 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?"
West Des Moines's city average is 3.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
2 of 5 West Des Moines facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; West Des Moines avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
West 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 West Des Moines, IA are recommended?
2 of 5 nursing homes in West Des Moines (40%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in West 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 West 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.