4.7
(12)
"__________________________________________ Centrally located in vibrant Des Moines, 3801 Grand features luxury retirement living with a ran..."
READ MOREThe average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,950 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 21 Assisted Living Communities in Des Moines and several in surrounding areas.
4.7
(12)
"__________________________________________ Centrally located in vibrant Des Moines, 3801 Grand features luxury retirement living with a ran..."
READ MORE4.1
(27)
"As a resident of Des Moines' Ramsey Village, you'll see how easy it is to simplify life. We are a continuing care retirement communi..."
READ MORE4.4
(15)
"Edencrest at Beaverdale is the fourth in a series of Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities built by Hubbell Realty Company and managed..."
READ MORE2910 East 16th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.3
(8)
"The Gardens Assisted Living, located in northeast Des Moines, Iowa, is close to I-235, medical clinics and several restaurants. Visitors to ..."
READ MORE4.1
(8)
"Wesley Acres is a retirement community in the Greenwood neighborhood, just moments away from downtown Des Moines. Visitors are impressed by ..."
READ MORE4.3
(7)
"A brand-new senior living community in Des Moines, Edencrest at Riverwoods Assisted Living and Memory Care offers the perfect combination of..."
READ MOREBy clicking "Get Costs" I am providing express written consent to receive calls including automated/pre-recorded calls and automated texts for which I may incur a cost, as well as emails from Caring and its partners. I understand I am not obligated to provide this consent to utilize Caring’s service(s). I acknowledge I was able to review the Agreement to be Contacted, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
3.6
(9)
"Calvin Community, a faith-based, not-for-profit retirement complex, lies in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. Family members praise..."
READ MORE4.0
(6)
4.5
(4)
"Relax, live better and enjoy your life! Prairie Hills Senior Living has it all: wonderful apartments, expansive common living areas, game ro..."
READ MORE4.0
(3)
"Rose of Des Moines is an assisted living community located in a vibrant neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa. Residents who enjoy the outdoors g..."
READ MORE3.5
(4)
233 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, Des Moines, IA 50314
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
3.0
(4)
5.0
(1)
"Village Assisted Living is located conveniently near a major freeway in Des Moines, Iowa. Housing options for seniors include studios, one-b..."
READ MORE5608 SW NINTH STREET, Des Moines, IA 50315
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
3.0
(2)
3600 30th Street, Des Moines, IA 50310
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
3.0
(1)
"VA Central Iowa Health Care System is the result of the 1997 merger of the Des Moines and Knoxville, Iowa, VA Medical Centers. This integrat..."
READ MORE233 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
"Welcome to Arbor Heights Assisted Living! For those looking for an more independent lifestyle, Arbor Heights Assisted Living, located within..."
READ MORE"Welcome to Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center! The Life Center is committed to providing exceptional care and concern for the health and well-be..."
READ MORE"The Rose of East Des Moines is a sprawling complex nestled in Des Moines' Capital Park district close to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Ga..."
READ MORE"Virginia Park Apartments is located in the suburbs south of Des Moines, IA, near multiple apartment complexes, churches and shopping venues,..."
READ MORE1650 SE Holiday Crest Circle, Waukee, IA 50263
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.6
(37)
"Welcome to Independence Village of Waukee! This isn't just a place to reside it's a place where our community members truly shine, and we ..."
READ MORE4.6
(23)
"Welcome to Independence Village of Ankeny! This isn’t just a place to reside — it’s a place where our community members truly shine, and we ..."
READ MORE5050 Hawthorne Dr., West Des Moines, IA 50265
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.5
(24)
"Welcome to Bickford of West Des Moines, one of Iowa's premier assisted living and memory care communities! Nothing can replace home–the ..."
READ MORE4.5
(25)
"Set in the city of Urbandale, Bickford of Urbandale offers assisted living and memory care for seniors in a laidback, homelike setting. With..."
READ MORE525 S 60th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
5.0
(8)
"Des Moines, Iowa…included among “2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live†by Livibility.com. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jor..."
READ MORE4.8
(9)
"Assisted Living Homes in Ankeny, IA If you need a little extra help in your daily life, consider Journey Senior Living of Ankeny. Our state ..."
READ MORE601 Hawthorne Crossing Dr. SE, Bondurant, IA 50035
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.2
(15)
"Nestled in the heartland of Iowa in the peaceful, rural town of Bondurant, Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing is less than 14 miles fro..."
READ MORE4.6
(8)
"At Holland Farms communities, independence, respect and unconditional love run in the family the Agemark Senior Living Family. Our spirited ..."
READ MORE12605 Woodlands Pkwy, Clive, IA 50325
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.7
(39)
"Woodlands Creek Retirement Community is located on Woodlands Pkwy in Clive, IA. We're dedicated to providing best-in-class service, amenitie..."
READ MORE4.9
(12)
4.7
(13)
4.2
(12)
"Mill-Pond is a facility in Ankeny, Iowa that provides both nursing home and assisted living services for its residents. Relatives, guests, a..."
READ MORE13731 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50323
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.3
(10)
"Refund Plans: 90% of Entrance Fee; 50% Refund (Price: 70% of Entrance Fee); Declining Balance Refund (Price: 60% of Entrance Fee)."
READ MORE4.4
(8)
" We are a senior living community in Altoona, and we offer four levels of living: Residential Independent Living apartments, Assisted Living..."
READ MORE4.0
(11)
4.4
(7)
"Edencrest offers state-certified Assisted Living apartments for those who are looking to live life to the fullest at any stage of retirement..."
READ MORE4.1
(9)
"Founded in 1939 by The Religious Sisters of Mercy, Bishop Drumm Retirement Center serves nearly 300 residents with a full continuum of care ..."
READ MORE9225 Cascade Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
3.7
(15)
"Edgewater is a state-of-the-art senior living facility with many amenities. Residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle and the opportunity..."
READ MORE604 E. Hillcrest Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
4.2
(6)
"Vintage Hills of Indianola is a retirement community that offers a variety of services to meet the needs of seniors. The facility has a full..."
READ MORE4.4
(5)
"Edencrest at The Legacy Retirement Community is certified by the State of Iowa. The staff at Edencrest are here to assist our residents with..."
READ MORE4.8
(4)
"A brand-new senior living community in Johnston, Edencrest at Green Meadows offers the perfect combination of homelike accommodations, conve..."
READ MORE4.8
(4)
4.5
(4)
4.0
(5)
"Situated in a peaceful, rural setting but conveniently close to local highways and area amenities, Windsor Manor at Indianola is a cozy and ..."
READ MORE4.0
(5)
5.0
(3)
7951 E P True Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Call 1-855-287-5093 for details
3.8
(5)
"Arbor Springs of West Des Moines is located west of West Des Moines, Iowa, near the intersection of EP True Parkway and 78th Place. Brookvie..."
READ MORE4.7
(3)
"Refund Plan: 50% of Entrance Fee after 5 yrs. Assisted Living and Nursing Care on Fee-For-Service basis."
READ MORE4.0
(2)
"When dreaming of Suites of Ankeny, our owners thought of a place they'd feel comfortable sending their parents to live. A place where they c..."
READ MORE5.0
(1)
5.0
(1)
"Edencrest at Tuscany is a resident-centric senior living community focused on providing Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, an..."
READ MORE5.0
(1)
"Welcome to Ballard Creek! Ballard Creek is located in Huxley, Iowa a friendly rural community where small town Iowa values are alive and wel..."
READ MORE4.0
(1)
"Refund Plan: Declining Balance over 7 yrs. Priority access to Assisted Living and Nursing Care on Fee-For-Service basis."
READ MORE"Welcome to Martina Place! Located on a beautifully-landscaped 15-acre campus, Bishop Drumm Retirement Center offers high quality care with a..."
READ MORE"Welcome to Regency Care Center! Offering comprehensive rehabilitation-to-home care, long-term care, and an assisted living community, Regenc..."
READ MORE"Thomas Place at Waukee is a 55+ retirement community conveniently located near the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Waukee, IA, a fast-grow..."
READ MOREAccording to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Study, Des Moines’ average monthly cost of assisted living is slightly less than the national average at $3,950. However, this is slightly more expensive than the Iowa average of $3,847. Some smaller cities in Iowa, such as Sioux City ($3,050), are much more affordable than Des Moines. Other cities, including Dubuque ($4,100) and Iowa City ($4,175) are more expensive.
Des Moines
$3,950
National average
$4,000
State average
$3,847
Ames
$3,964
Cedar Rapids
$3,925
Davenport Area
$3,865
Dubuque
$4,100
Iowa City
$4,175
Sioux City
$3,050
Waterloo Area
$3,975
In Des Moines, as in the rest of the country, the cost of senior care varies widely depending on the level of care required. Adult day health care comes in at slightly less than $1,500, which is around one-third the cost of assisted living, but hours are limited. Nursing home care is significantly more expensive than assisted living care, and in-home senior care, such as home health aides and homemaker services, is also more expensive than assisted living. It’s important to account for living expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries and maintenance when considering in-home care as these costs are typically included in assisted living fees. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart
Assisted living
$3,950
Homemaker services
$4,767
Home health aide
$4,767
Adult day health
$1,490
Nursing home care (semiprivate room)
$6,631
Senior Iowans who have a low or very low income may qualify for Iowa Medicaid. If single, seniors must have a pre-tax annual household income below $16,146, but for married couples, the annual income limit is raised to $21,892. Services available to Medicaid-eligible seniors may include doctor visits, emergency room care, home health care and nursing home care.
Seniors who exceed Iowa Medicaid’s income limits may be able to qualify for this entitlement program through the Medically Needy plan. This plan, also referred to as the spend-down program, is designed for people whose high medical costs use up most of their income. Seniors pay their own medical costs until they reach the spend-down requirement, and then Medicaid kicks in. The program covers most health services, with the exception of care in nursing facilities.
Iowa residents can apply for Medicaid online through the state’s Department of Human Services portal. Alternately, they can complete a paper application and mail the completed application to Imaging Center 4, P.O. Box 2027, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406.
Senior residents of Iowa may be eligible to receive financial assistance through the state’s Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services Elderly Waiver (HCBS Elderly). This waiver doesn’t cover the costs of room and board in assisted living facilities, but it may cover some of the services that residents in assisted living facilities receive.
To learn more about Medicaid in Iowa, seniors can call the Department of Human Services at 1 (855) 889-7985.
PACE
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is available to Iowa seniors who need the level of care that a nursing home would provide but would rather live in their own homes or an assisted living facility. This program is available to people aged 55 and over who are Medicaid and/or Medicare eligible. The PACE program covers a wide variety of services, including home health services and nursing facility services.
To apply for PACE, seniors need to contact the PACE provider that serves their county. Immanuel Pathways Central Iowa serves Des Moines and the rest of Polk County. To speak to a representative at Immanuel Pathways Central Iowa, call (515) 270-5000.
Elderlife Bridge Loans
Seniors who require temporary assistance paying for assisted living costs may be eligible to receive bridge loans through Elderlife Financial. The loan is usually structured as a line of credit, but lump sum disbursements are also offered. This short-term solution may be ideal for seniors who are waiting for another source of funding, such as the proceeds of a home sale.
Seniors can apply over the phone by calling (888) 228-4500 or by completing the online form. If the bridge loan is approved, the funds can then be sent directly to the assisted living facility. Each month, seniors can send varying amounts of money directly to the facility, depending on their care costs. Approvals are based on creditworthiness, but seniors can have up to six cosigners.
Des Moines’ senior centers, which are located in each end of the city, offer scheduled activities and opportunities to socialize. These activities may include arts and crafts clubs, table games and group fitness classes.
North Senior Center
3010 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 288-1524
Central Senior Center
2008 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 286-3677
East Senior Center
1231 E. 26th St, Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 265-8461
South Senior Center
100 Payton Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-0092
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) offer information and assistance to seniors and their caregivers. Seniors can contact these agencies to learn more about the various programs that are available to them and receive help securing benefits and services. Aging Resources of Central Iowa
5835 Grand Ave, Ste. 106, Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 255-1310
Des Moines seniors who have served in the military may qualify for various programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These programs may include VA pension benefits and disability compensation. Veterans can call or visit a veterans affairs location to learn more about the programs they may be eligible for. They can also receive health care services at the city’s VA hospital.
VA Des Moines Regional Office
210 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
(800) 827-1000
VA Central Iowa Health Care System
3600 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 699-5999
Go a bit further out to explore pricing and amenities.
$2,624
$2,089
$2,350
$4,410
Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.
By clicking "Get Costs" I am providing express written consent to receive calls including automated/pre-recorded calls and automated texts for which I may incur a cost, as well as emails from Caring and its partners. I understand I am not obligated to provide this consent to utilize Caring’s service(s). I acknowledge I was able to review the Agreement to be Contacted, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.