Nursing Homes in West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines has 5 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 389 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.8 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 2 facilities earn a B grade or better and are recommended for family consideration.
Compare 5 nursing homes · data
See all 2 recommended nursing homesWorth Considering
2
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
+0.69 vs state
Total Beds
389
across 5 facilities
High Risk Facilities
1
2 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
49 min
RN time per resident daily
Meets CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
3
exceed staffing threshold
60% of facilities
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
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Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in West Des Moines
Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community
Explore Nearby Cities
Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community
★★★★★ · 90/100 · 40 beds
Cedar Ridge Village
★★★★★ · 85/100 · 40 beds
Arbor Springs Of West Des Moines L L C
★★★★★ · 65/100 · 56 beds
Pine Acres Rehabilitation And Care Center
★★★★★ · 0/100 · 140 beds
Harmony West Des Moines
★★★★★ · 0/100 · 113 beds
Showing 1–5 of 5 facilities
All 5 Nursing Homes in West Des Moines
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Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in West Des Moines
When it comes to nursing home care in West Des Moines, IA, families need to be discerning. The standout is Edgewater, A WesleyLife Community, which boasts a Grade A rating and a stellar 5-star CMS rating. Overall, the market is decent, with three of the five facilities meeting necessary standards, but the presence of two problematic facilities gives cause for concern.
For families seeking good options, consider visiting Edgewater for its excellent care and well-staffed environment. Another noteworthy facility is Fountain West Health Center, which has maintained a clean record with zero fines in the past three years, making it a reliable choice. Lastly, check out Wesley Acres, also with a strong reputation and good staffing levels, ensuring quality care for residents.
On the flip side, families should skip Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center, which is on the CMS Special Focus list and has incurred $347K in fines due to severe issues. Additionally, avoid Harmony West Des Moines, also on the Special Focus list, with $101K in fines. When visiting any facility, always ask to see the latest inspection reports and staff-to-resident ratios to ensure you’re making the best choice for your loved one.
West Des Moines at a Glance
Good News
- • 3 facilities with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • West Des Moines rates better than most Iowa cities
- • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
- • 3 facilities have more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • 1 facility has serious problems—check before visiting
- • 2 facilities under federal investigation
What's Changing
- → 5 facilities stayed the same
- ★ Overall: West Des Moines is stable
Questions West Des Moines Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?
CMS recommends 0.75 hrs; West Des Moines avg is 0.81 hrs (49 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
3 of 5 West Des Moines facilities have zero fines
What were your most recent inspection findings?
Ask for specifics—1 local facility has serious deficiencies
What is your staff-to-resident ratio on weekends?
Weekend staffing often differs from weekday levels
Finding Quality Nursing Home Care in West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa's Polk County seat, has 5 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 389 beds. Families have good options, with many facilities exceeding state averages.
West Des Moines vs. Iowa: Above Average Quality
West Des Moines nursing homes outperform the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 3.75 stars exceeds Iowa's statewide average of 3.06 stars by 0.7 stars—a meaningful difference that suggests stronger local standards.
2 of 5 facilities earn a B grade or better, giving families good options. While 1 facility still warrants caution, the overall picture is positive for West Des Moines families.
Understanding Our Trust Score System
The Trust Score is a 0-100 rating calculated from CMS's official nursing home database. The score combines five data categories:
- Health Inspection Results — Recent deficiencies, their severity, and patterns over time
- Staffing Levels — RN hours, total nursing hours, and weekend staffing
- Quality Measures — Clinical outcomes like falls, pressure ulcers, and rehospitalizations
- Penalties — Fines, payment denials, and enforcement actions
- Complaints — Substantiated complaints and their severity
In West Des Moines, 2 facilities score a B grade or better, indicating they meet quality benchmarks across these categories. We recommend families prioritize these facilities and carefully research any facility rated C or below before visiting.
Staffing: Meeting Standards in West Des Moines
Staffing levels are among the most important predictors of nursing home quality. Research consistently shows that facilities with more nursing staff—especially registered nurses—have better outcomes for residents.
West Des Moines facilities average 0.81 RN hours per resident day, which meets the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical West Des Moines resident receives approximately 49 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
3 West Des Moines facilities exceed CMS staffing recommendations. Families prioritizing staffing should look for facilities with the "Top Staffing" badge and ask specifically about RN hours during facility visits.
Ownership: Mix of For-Profit and Non-Profit
West Des Moines has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 4 for-profit facilities. 4 of 5 facilities are chain-owned, with the remainder independently operated.
Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average, though ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports.
Nearby Alternatives Worth Considering
Families may also want to consider nearby Iowa cities for additional options. The following Iowa cities offer multiple nursing home options:
- Des Moines — 12 facilities
- Cedar Rapids — 9 facilities
- Dubuque — 8 facilities
- Davenport — 7 facilities
- Sioux City — 6 facilities
- Marion — 6 facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes are in West Des Moines, Iowa?
West Des Moines has 5 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 389 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.8 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars.
What are the best nursing homes in West Des Moines?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in West Des Moines include:
- • Edgewater, A Wesleylife Community — Grade A, 90/100 Trust Score
- • Cedar Ridge Village — Grade B+, 85/100 Trust Score
- • Arbor Springs Of West Des Moines L L C — Grade C+, 65/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which West Des Moines nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 1 facility in West Des Moines as high-risk based on patterns of serious deficiencies, substantial fines, or placement on CMS's Special Focus Facility list. These facilities are marked with warning indicators in our listings above.
We recommend avoiding facilities with: Grade D or F, recent "Immediate Jeopardy" citations (indicating serious harm or risk to residents), or those on CMS's Special Focus Facility list.
The Bottom Line on West Des Moines Nursing Homes
West Des Moines offers above-average nursing home options compared to the rest of the state. Focus your search on the 2 facilities graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing. Avoid the 1 high-risk facilities flagged in our analysis.