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ElderCareCosts
Updated August 2026

Memory Care in West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines, IA has 4 licensed memory care communities listed on ElderCareCosts. The median estimated cost is $6,795/mo. That's roughly in line with the Iowa state median.

Not sure which type of care fits? Take our 3-question care quiz →

Median monthly price, West Des Moines

$6,795/mo

Estimated range $6,523 – $7,067

● West Des Moines $6,795 ○ National median $7,788

Source: Based on 2025 assisted living costs plus a memory care premium

See all 4 providers →Compare costs →

What senior care costs in West Des Moines

2025 figures

Memory Care cost comparison (2025)
Memory CareWest Des MoinesIowaNational
25th percentile$6,523/mo$6,457/mo$6,861/mo
Median$6,795/mo$6,726/mo$7,788/mo
75th percentile$7,067/mo$6,995/mo$8,854/mo

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Source: Based on 2025 assisted living costs plus a memory care premium (opens in a new tab)

Staying home instead

Home care in West Des Moines runs about $42 an hour. Here is what common schedules cost a month:

Hours of careWhat it looks likeEst. monthly cost
20 hrs/weekMornings or afternoons, weekdays~$3,599
44 hrs/weekMost of every weekday$7,917
24/7 (168 hrs/week)Round-the-clock coverage~$30,229

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Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care. Families usually combine private pay, long-term care insurance, VA Aid and Attendance, or a Medicaid waiver where they qualify. See paying for care and the state Medicaid guides.

Nearby cities: Clive · Des Moines · Ankeny

What can you afford?

Here is what different monthly budgets cover in West Des Moines.

Under $2,500/mo

Adult day, family care, or affordable senior housing

Adult day care in West Des Moines runs about $1,631 a month. Income-restricted affordable senior housing is the other common choice, and West Des Moines has 3 such properties. The county aging agency at (800) 747-5352 can help you sort through options for free. If money is very tight, ask about Medicaid waivers.
Affordable senior apartments →
$2,500 – $7,000/mo

Part-time home care or entry assisted living

Part-time home care usually falls here. Full-time care at 44 hours a week runs about $7,917 a month. The local assisted living median is $5,436 a month, and smaller homes often charge less. If Medicaid may apply, ask about waiver programs.
Medicaid & waiver paths →
$7,000 – $11,000/mo

Assisted living with room to spare

Covers the West Des Moines assisted living median of $5,436 a month with room to spare. It also covers close to full-time home care, about $7,917 a month.
How families pay →
Over $11,000/mo

Nursing care or heavy home-care schedules

Nursing homes in West Des Moines run about $9,373 a month at the median. Around-the-clock home care usually costs more.
How families pay →
Find options that fit your budget
Tell us how you plan to pay and we'll send licensed options that fit.
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4 memory care communities in West Des Moines

Compare communities side by side
Tick Compare on the ones you like, then continue.
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Free local help worth saving

West Des Moines, in Polk County, has about 71,083 residents. About 10,723 of them (15%) are 65 or older. The median household income is $86,594.

Source: US Census Bureau
  • Aging Resources of Central Iowa(800) 747-5352agingresources.com

    Area Agency on Aging serving this city.

  • Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programltcombudsman.org

    State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

  • Iowa State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)shiphelp.org

    State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

  • LifeLong Links1-866-468-7887lifelonglinks.org

    Statewide help for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.

  • Des Moines Vet Centerva.gov

    Vet Center in West Des Moines.

  • Home and Community Based Services – Elderly WaiverOfficial program page

    Can help pay for care if your parent qualifies.

National helplines, including the Eldercare Locator and 211, are listed on paying for care.

Veterans & surviving spouses: VA Aid & Attendance can help wartime veterans who qualify. How Aid & Attendance works →

Questions families ask

Is memory care in West Des Moines more expensive than the rest of Iowa?

West Des Moines's median memory care cost is about 1% higher than the Iowa state median.

Find West Des Moines care options

Tell us what you need and your budget, and we will email you licensed options right away.

Find care options →

Reading up first? Memory Care across Iowa → · Memory Care cost across Iowa → · Memory Care vs Assisted Living →

Touring this week? Print our checklist: what to ask on a tour, what to notice, and the license paperwork to request. Or email it to yourself to have it on your phone.

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Memory Care in West Des Moines: 2026 Costs & Licensed Providers